New York City Mayor Eric Adams and the City Council have reached an agreement on a $107 billion city budget that proposes cuts to social and education programs for incarcerated people at the Rikers Island jail complex.

In the final weeks of negotiations, Adams vetoed a package of bills that would have expanded New York’s rental assistance program, a move that was widely condemned by activists as the city faces a worsening housing crisis with over 100,000 people forced to live in shelters, including tens of thousands of asylum seekers. On Wednesday, Adams was confronted over skyrocketing rents by housing advocate Jeanie Dubnau during a community forum.

Jeanie Dubnau: “In Nassau, they had a 0% rent increase. Why in New York City, where the real estate is controlling you, Mr. Mayor, why are we having these horrible rent increases last year and this year?”

Mayor Eric Adams: “OK, first, if you’re going to ask a question, don’t point at me, and don’t be disrespectful to me. I’m the mayor of this city. And treat me with the respect that I deserve to be treated. I’m speaking to you as an adult. Don’t stand in front like you’re treating someone that’s on the plantation that you own.”