Bloomberg Flexes Financial Muscle to Extend Term Limits

Today, the NY Post has a story about how Mayor Bloomberg directed money from the mayoral slush fund to City Council members on the committee that will decide whether the term limits extension should go to a vote before the whole Council: "Five members of the committee secured $3.1 million from the $5.3 million stash in Bloomberg's 2008 budget" (chart). Though the slush fund was discontinued in the summer, one term limits opponent in the Council says, "I think it's obvious that Bloomberg was trying to curry favor here... I think this is one way he laid the groundwork." Also: the Post Photoshopped a picture of Bloomberg as the Terminator for the cover! And yesterday the NY Times reported how Bloomberg as urging the many charities he donates to to support him in his third term quest.

Contact the author of this article or email tips@gothamist.com with further questions, comments or tips.

By Jen Chung in News on October 19, 2008 12:20 PM

Comments [rss]

sowhtifithppnsitwll

i do not like bloomberg. he and his staff are bloomin idiots.

they have unstable plans that usually cost the middle class money.

i would like to see him out and broke then hear what he

has to say needs to be done for this city.

JacqueMehoff

who benefited the MOST from his eight years?

The rich. plain and simple and now he wants to give them another 4 years to use the city as they will.

I'm really holding back my disdain for this man, and I use that term lightly.

FelixtheCat & Christine Quinn'

Mayor Bloomberg has since refused to acknowledge that a number of first responders died of ground zero-related illnesses. When former NYPD Detective James Zadroga died, Bloomberg stated that he “was not a hero”– alleging that Zadroga’s death was not due to lung illness but drug abuse. He has since apologized

iralarry

I do not see all the greatness in this man. NYC has become the playground of the rich and famous especially if you want to live there and forget about buying an apartment. I see just as much corruption in the DOB especially as it relates to the WTC site. My goodness, how many years since and what is there to show for it? Foundations. BS.

When someone lists up for me all the indispensable things Mayor Bloomberg has done I will consider changing my tune. Until then to quote Charles de Gaulle, "The graveyards are full of indispensable men."

People, do not give Bloomberg a third term. This is what we voted against twice now. How can you justify the loss of truth to yourself in support of this man?

Gregory56

FY 08 started months ago and there is nothing clear from the numbers that there is any coercion going on. This is just the post upholding its reputation as the best fiction you can get for a quarter.

yakatori

bloomberg is a scumbag plain and simple. always have been and always will be.

if i ever saw him i'd spit in his rat face.

A Teacher In The Bronx

What is just as sick if not worse is the sham that the schools are functioning properly. Check out

http://southbronxschool.blogspot.com

To find out the truth!

Editrixie

Give him another term, c'mon!

JacqueMehoff

when one gives to charity it should be with no strings, what this mayor did is disgusting.

his true colors are showing. why can't people see we don't need a businessman in city hall?

what's so good about a businessman? city hall is not a business, people are human beings.

blablanyc

Bloomberg is more like Emperor Palpatine of Star Wars.

Simcha Felder has no integrity. Simcha Felder would sell his own mother.

FelixtheCat & Christine Quinn'

Please don't vote for council member Michael McMahon who is running for congress for 13th (Staten Island/Brooklyn). He voted for the highest property tax and congestion pricing for Mayor Bloomberg and he will vote to overturn the will of the people on term limits. Vote for Bob Straniere

FelixtheCat & Christine Quinn'

This is really sick and the Federal govt needs to seize control of the NYC council. Too much corruption and use of OUR money. Vallone Jr. and Dickens and Felder will vote to overturn the will of the people. That is why we have only 2 hearings in cityhall and not in any other boroughs and also limited to only 2 minutes. Most people left after waiting over 3 hours.