Politicians Like Going Out to Lunch, City Pays

Via NYCMayorsOffice Twitter

It's no surprise that taxpayer dollars pay for some ridiculous things. Today, the Post is outraged that the city has spent $3.3 million so far this year on food for workers and guests. The main problem is that city workers are not allowed to expense meals, yet seem to be hiding food under categories like "non-overnight travel expenses." That's right, city officials are being sneaky.

The paper cites the DOE as the worst offenders, with the staff of PS 16 spending $2,176.75 at "tacky" Mars 2112 in Times Square. Bad culinary choices aside, $2,176 doesn't seem that much for taking a school staff to dinner. However, they also spent $37,686 at Bassett Pickle Works. And the Mayor's office has spent around $18,000 on liquor so far this year.

According to the comptroller, "light refreshments" (up to $3 for soda and coffee) and "modest meals" (sandwich and drink for $8) are allowed in some circumstances, like when workers must "complete urgent work." However, the criteria seem hazy. Three bucks for coffee could easily cover the $5,256 the City Council has spent on the stuff this year, and it's easy to get a meal for $8 at Bel-Aire Diner in Queens—the DOE's favorite spot. So should they get to dine on the city's dime, or is it time for city officials to start bringing in last night's leftovers?

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By Jaya Saxena in News on August 1, 2010 1:19 PM

Comments [rss]

John L

Totally ridiculous! At a time where we're suppose to tightening up, when they're asking us to pay more and more in taxes for less and less in services, this is unacceptable.

The DOE is always the worst and it's such a shame because every dollar they spend outside of the classroom means one less afterschool program, or art program, or sports program or less textbooks, etc.

harrisgraber

I just looked at the Bel Aire Diner's menu pages ( on line at http://www.belairediner.net/menu.htm ). I remember checking them out previously since they're not far from where I live. It's not that easy to have lunch there for $8.00. It may be a nice place, but it's not that inexpensive.

hellx

The total city budget was $61 billion in 2010. $3.3 million is 0.0054% of the entire city budget.

Spending fifty-four ten-thousandths of one percent of the city's total budget on food doesn't seem too bad to me.

JacqueMehoff

of course they spend money like that. look who the mayor is, they're just trying to follow what he does. $3 for a cup of coffee? Why that's a bargain!

ides_of_march

They get paid enough to buy their own damn meals. As long as everyone else has to tighten their belts, so should bureaucrats and politicians. Make that ESPECIALLY bureaucrats and politicians.