Gotham Gazette

The Place for New York Policy and politics

 

eyeopenerbw2

About to lose a major ally in Mayor Michael Bloomberg a group of business leaders and real estate groups have poured nearly $7 million into city council races. The Jobs For New York political action committee has spent $275,000 per council race on average in an effort to extend Bloomberg's pro-business policies past his term. The group has changed the dynamic of races that are normally based on community issues and connections. The PAC is organized by the Real Estate Board of New York that counts developers such as Larry Silverstein and Daniel Tishman as its members. Union's that would benefit from development projects are also part of the group. Tenants PAC, a group that represents tenant interests, has refused to endorse any candidate who refuses to condemn Jobs For New York. 

CIty Dismisses Criticism of New 911 System (NY Times)

DOE Survey Finds High Approval For City Schools (Daily News)

De Blasio Warns Lhota Not to Run a Racially Divisive Campaign (NY Observer)

Bill De Blasio and Joe Lhota do Ferry Face Off (NY Observer)

Polling on an Endorsement Cuomo Hasn't Made (Capital)

How Participatory Budgeting Became Normal Practice on the City Council (Capital)

Quinn's Camp Tries to Keep Calm as Poll Numbers Fall (DNAinfo)