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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
PR- 139-08
April 17, 2008

MAYOR BLOOMBERG AND GOVERNOR SCHWARZENEGGER UNVEIL 2008 NEW YORK CITY CARD

Card Provides Political Donors With City's Top Federal and State Issues To Hold Political Candidates Accountable for Supporting New York City's Priorities

California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger and Mayor Bloomberg Participate in Panel Discussion Moderated By Charlie Rose

Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg today released the third annual New York City Card, a credit card sized guide for New York’s political donor community detailing pending Federal and State issues and priorities.  This year’s card lists six of the City’s top Federal and State agenda items, including increased support of infrastructure improvements for New York City’s transportation, water and sewer systems. The Card was distributed at a luncheon hosted by Herbert Allen, President of Allen and Company; Donald Marron, CEO and Founder of Lightyear Capital; Joshua Steiner, Managing Principal of the Quadrangle Group; and George Walker, Global Head of Investment Management at Lehman Brothers. The luncheon included a panel discussion with California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger and Mayor Bloomberg, moderated by Charlie Rose.

“We need state and federal legislators who come to New York City for money to understand this City’s priorities – and to vote accordingly,” said Mayor Bloomberg. “Our agenda in Washington is about ensuring a safer, stronger, and more livable city for all New Yorkers. City Card helps us hold those who come here for cash accountable for supporting our future.”

The idea for the NYC Card and Luncheon was created in 2006 to provide donors with easy-to-reference talking points for use when political candidates are calling for contributions. New York and California provide more political campaign donations than another other states in the country, contributing a combined $263.5 million so far in the 2008 election cycle. New York City’s 10021 zip code leads all zip codes in the country with more than $12.7 million in donations to candidates of both parties in the current election cycle. Despite the amount of money New York gives to political candidates, the City consistently sends more tax money to Albany and Washington than it receives in services, making New York City the economic engine of both New York State and the entire country. The City pays approximately $11.1 billion more in State taxes than it receives in State funding, and $10.9 billion more in Federal taxes than it receives in federal funding.

In addition to the card, the City will send legislative alerts and issue sheets to card-members, which will include the contact information for the key legislators to contact on the City’s top issues. Priorities listed on the card in previous years have been accomplished, thanks to the assistance of card-members. Examples include the City’s efforts to raise the State’s charter school cap and block federal eminent domain legislation.

The six priorities listed on this year’s New York City Card are:

  • Increased Support for Infrastructure:  Maintenance of the City’s infrastructure is vital to the economic well being of New York City and the whole nation. Increased funds to repair transportation, water and sewer systems are needed to ensure long-term reliability and quality of our infrastructure.

  • Homeland Security:  The City is calling on Congress to increase Homeland Security and Bioterror funding and allocate all funds based on terrorism threat, not pork barrel politics. 

  • 9 /11 Worker and Resident Health: The City is seeking a minimum of $150 million annually in federal funds to ensure that those who are sick or who may become sick as a result of the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks have the first-rate heath care they deserve.

  • Affordable Housing:  State and Federal legislation is required for targeted and effective financial incentives to produce affordable housing for New Yorkers as part of Mayor Bloomberg’s plan to create and preserve 165,000 affordable units by 2013, the most ambitious municipal housing plan in the country. 

  • Post 9/11 Tax Trade-In: Congress must take the final steps to enact legislation that would allow the City to secure the final $2 billion in Federal funds previously committed to allow them to be used for transportation projects in New York.

  • 2030/Climate Change: In 2007, Mayor Bloomberg unveiled PlaNYC 2030, the most comprehensive effort ever by an American city to attack global warming. Federal and State legislative action is required to create financial incentives to address the City’s aggressive plan to reduce greenhouse gas emissions in New York City 30 percent by 2030, improve energy efficiency and support mass transit.






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Stu Loeser/Evelyn Erskine   (212) 788-2958




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