Ethics Cloud Hangs Over de Blasio as He Weighs Presidential Run

[brooklynite]

New York Times

A real estate executive, whose company had been seeking a zoning change for one of its projects in New York City, got a call from Mayor Bill de Blasio. After mostly political talk, the mayor changed the subject: Suddenly they were discussing the mayor’s nonprofit group, which he had created to raise money to back his policy agenda.

Mr. de Blasio let the executive know to expect a follow-up call about the fund.

Another meeting with a real estate executive, whose firm was developing affordable housing for the city, went much the same way.

As Mayor de Blasio nears a decision this month on whether to enter the crowded Democratic field of presidential contenders, his history of questionable fund-raising tactics, and the subsequent investigations into them, will likely weigh on his chances.

[uawchild]

1. NYC's $92.2 billion budget It's larger than all but two states

"The mayor of New York City probably be the most powerful mayor on the planet, says Mitchell Moss, professor of urban policy and planning at New York University, because the job comes with unique executive powers - hiring and firing the people heading the city's key agencies like police and schools, while also setting the budget."

"The California governor doesn't even have that power. And the mayor controls the education of one million children. Education around the world is usually a national responsibility and not a city governor responsibility."

What was that saying about absolute power...