On Thursday, Mr. Michael Bloomberg is expected to release his preliminary budget proposal for the fiscal year beginning July 1.

WSJ: Stringer Calls for Tax Cut

So when Michael Bloomberg, who has just begun his third term as mayor, presented his preliminary budget for 2011 on January 28th it wasn't pretty.

ECONOMIST: New York City's finances

The mayor's preliminary budget proposal for the fiscal year beginning July 1 calls again for the FDNY to shutter 20 fire companies, a proposal that council members have blocked in the past.

WSJ: FDNY Exam Now Looking Costly to City

Army sources told CNN Friday that this underscores White's view that he was simply supporting the president's formal budget request to Congress, not the subsequent -- but preliminary -- decision to kill the program.

CNN: Crusader controversy results in career casualty

White viewed that as a preliminary ruling and ordered his staff to continue to support the program as part of the budget already submitted to Congress.

CNN: Crusader controversy results in career casualty