An Incomplete Analysis?
July 7th, 2008
Politics is about giving credit when credit is due — at least we hope so.
You might say that’s why the council releases its budget documents tagged with name after name of sponsors. There’s no denying that Councilmember Melissa Mark Viverito sponsored $7,500 for the Jets of Harlem to purchase football and cheerleading equipment or that Councilmember Maria del Carmen Arroyo gave $50,000 to Teatro Circulo, a theater company founded by a group of Puerto Rican artists.
At one end — especially in light of the council’s recent spat of scandals — this gives New Yorkers an opportunity to see where their tax dollars are directed. On the other, it gives members an opportunity to boost their political reputations with what they have been able to bring home to their districts. Our analysis this year takes a look at capital funding — who got what and where.
Our tally only includes individual items, which discounts about $173.7 million, or 34 percent of the council’s $505 million capital budget. That funding was sponsored by more than one member or by borough delegations and caucuses.
Some might say that puts some members at a disadvantage — those who directed their money with colleagues or through their delegations are not shown at full value in our analysis. In addition, one member said, the budget documents, both the council expense and capital spending, are riddled with inaccuracies, which could be trickling into our tallies.
“Your analysis is based on a flawed document, and thats why I really can’t make a comment on it,” Councilmember Letitia James told me this morning. She said some items were not attributed to the right members.
Nonetheless, take a look and see if you notice any trends we didn’t.
By Courtney Gross on July 7, 2008, 4:11 pmIn category: Gotham City
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