Press Releases
“THE BLOOMBERG EFFECT”: MAYOR’S FUNDRAISING FOR GOP GOES UP…FUNDING FOR NEW YORK CITY GOES DOWN
New York City – Suddenly, Mayor Bloomberg is angry at Washington Republicans for cutting aid to New York City, saying he won’t raise them anymore campaign cash. “[I]f you don't help New York City,” the Mayor says, “I don't think we should help you.”
But the damage has been done. The Mayor has already raised hundreds of thousands of dollars for the very Republicans who have cut billions of dollars New York City needs to fight terror and crime, improve our schools, and protect the environment. Call it “the Bloomberg Effect”: the more money he gives, the less we get back.
Some examples:
Bloomberg Donations Go Up…: …But Funding for NYC Goes Down:
Republican National Committee: $250,000 $102 million less to fight terror
Nat’l Republican Cong. Committee: $20,699* $2.5 billion less than promised for schools
Bush-Cheney 2004: $2,000 $61 million less for cops
Republican National Committee: $25,000 $155 million less for our beaches
TOTALS: Donations Up: $297,699 Funding Down: $2,818,000,000
Sources: Open Secrets.org; Tray.com. *Donation made by Bloomberg Inc.
Today, Rep. Anthony Weiner (D-Queens & Brooklyn) suggested that the Mayor take another tack: ask for his money back.
“The more money Bloomberg gives, the less money we get back,” said Rep. Weiner. “You’d think he’d learn his lesson. The Mayor should ask for his money back.”
New York City’s share of high threat anti-terror funds has fallen from $149 million to $47 million since FY 2003, thanks to President Bush’s expansion of the number of cities eligible for funds. The City has received $2.5 billion less in federal education funding than the President promised under the No Child Left Behind Act. This year, the Bush budget cuts $155 million for New York City beach restoration efforts.
Every year, President Bush and Congressional Republicans try to cut the hiring component of the COPS program. As a result, funding has dropped from $480 million in 2001 to $113 million today. New York City historically has qualified for 7.5% of COPS hiring funds. Had Republicans left the COPS program alone, it would have meant an estimated $61.2 million more in the pot of New York City eligible funds.
According to the websites Open Secrets.org and Tray.com, which track campaign contributions, Mayor Bloomberg contributed $250,000 to the Republican National Committee on April 3, 2002, and an additional $25,000 on July 14, 2003. He contributed $2,000 to Bush-Cheney 2004 on June 30, 2003. Bloomberg Inc. contributed $20,699 to the National Republican Congressional Committee on October 25, 2002.
