New York Daily News - City News (original) (raw)

A proposal by Mayor Bloomberg to limit campaign gifts from people doing business with the city got a full airing yesterday - but not before Bloomberg took some heat.

In a bid to end so-called pay-to-play donations, Bloomberg has proposed lowering to $250 the amount lobbyists and others doing business with the city can contribute to elected officials.

Candidates for citywide office can now accept up to 4,950,andCityCouncilmemberscancollectupto4,950, and City Council members can collect up to 4,950,andCityCouncilmemberscancollectupto2,750.

"This practice can create the appearance of impropriety," testified Anthony Crowell, a special counsel to the mayor, before the city's Campaign Finance Board. "And beneath those appearances lies a potential to corrupt government decisions."

As a self-financed candidate who spent $75 million of his own money on his first campaign, Bloomberg is able to sidestep disclosure and spending laws that govern other candidates.

Critics have pointed to gifts given to Bloomberg-backed charities as a possible back door to winning an ear in City Hall.

As the Daily News reported last month, the Mayor's Fund to Advance New York has collected $36 million over the past three years - some from corporate interests with business before the city.

The fund helped pay for 9/11 anniversary services, an Olympic torch relay and other projects for which tax money is not available.

"The fact that some of the contributors have business before the city does raise concerns about ... the same pay-to-play issues," Rachel Leon of Common Cause-New York said.

Mayoral aides said comparing a charity with a candidate is like mixing apples and oranges.

"If you think you are going to get special consideration [by giving to the mayor's fund], just keep it," said Bloomberg communications chief Bill Cunningham.

Originally published on February 1, 2005