Mayor Mike is spreading his money around:
“New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg donated $1 million to the Senate Republicans’ housekeeping committee, a contribution that continues his support for the last lever of power controlled by the GOP in the state …”
Bloomberg is not doing out of the goodness of his heart. He’s going to want them to push his agenda including microstamping. He’s got the money, but not the voters behind him. Legislators need to be reminded about this.
UPDATE: Political functionary Blake Zeff writes at Capitol New York, “On gun control, Bloomberg’s money does battle with his words“:
“… What Bloomberg either doesn’t understand or won’t acknowledge is that his words have little influence over these pols, because they can’t damage the officials’ political prospects. But his money—that’s another thing altogether. This is not complicated. If Michael Bloomberg wants to gain traction in pushing gun control laws, financially supporting candidates who actually share this agenda, and trying to oust those who do not, is the better use of his money …”
What Zeff either doesn’t understand or won’t acknowledge is that neither Bloomberg nor any of the gun control organizations represent a voting constituency. Politicians love money, but it won’t make them commit political suicide which is what his gun control proposals would do to the Senate GOP.