Michael R. Bloomberg
PER
Michael R. Bloomberg Bloomberg
As New York City has stepped up pressure on Albany for more money for city schools, all focus was on Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg, who has flexed his political muscle to get more aid for school construction. The mayor's tactics seem to be working, since the Republican-controlled Senate is expected to pass a budget today that would give the city the money it needs to complete this year's portion of its five-year school construction plan. For all his efforts, the mayor has not look for any procedure to recover all the additional money the state has been ordered to spend on New York City schools, an order that followed a judicial finding that students were being denied a sound basic education. All eyes have been on Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg, who has flexed his political muscle to get more aid for school construction as New York City has stepped up pressure on Albany for more money for city schools. The mayor's tactics seem to be working, since the Republican-controlled Senate is expected to pass a budget today that would give the city the money it needs to complete this year's portion of its five-year school construction plan. The mayor has not sought to recover all the additional money the state has been ordered to spend on New York City schools, an order that followed a judicial finding that students were being denied a sound basic education. The advocates who filed the lawsuit that led to the court order suggest that Mr. Bloomberg is selling the city short by focusing on money for buildings instead of also seeking money for classroom programs.