When the Council balked, he came up with a counterproposal: save metal, but permanently repeal the program for glass and plastics.

The Council, which upgraded the salary in 1988, balked.

But in a 4-to-3 vote on Aug. 1, the Council balked at carrying out that commitment.

When Ms. Lenix-Hooker came back to City Hall two years ago looking for more money, the Council balked.

Mr. Dinkins wanted to save $12 million by slashing funds for school supplies and $10 million through reduced maintenance, but the Council has balked.

Because the Council balked at even higher property taxes before the 1992 election, only a third of the new police would be hired before 1993.

The Council hadn't even balked at creating the new company--Twenty-first Company.

The Council balked and approved its own $34 billion budget.

The Council, which sets the property tax level, has balked at a 25 percent increase but seems resigned to some increase.

Not if the Council balks at making available money and appropriate instruments when it matters and is tight-fisted when it comes to providing financial resources.