NYC mayor urges support for horse carriages ban

New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio has signed legislation aimed at preventing further outbreaks of deadly Legionnaires’ disease.

De Blasio said Tuesday that he is “on duty all of the time” and is constantly in touch with aides no matter where he is. During the 40 minutes of host Brian Lehrer’s WNYC program, Mr.de Blasio took several questions from listeners and answered a couple more from Mr. Lehrer. Horse carriage proponents say the industry provides good jobs and that the horses are well taken care of.

Supporters of De Blasio, the first Democrat to run City Hall in 20 years, point out that more residents have jobs than ever, crime is on track to set another record low, student test scores have improved and the largest U.S. school system has enacted a universal all-day pre-kindergarten, one of de Blasio’s signature campaign promises.

“There will still be some overall impact on surrounding neighborhood (by new residential construction), but let me remind you a lot of neighborhoods even to this day are struggling”, he said.

Robert J. Freeman, executive director of the Committee for Open Government, a New York Department of State unit that oversees and advises on compliance with FOIL and other laws, said he didn’t buy de Blasio’s defense of the mandate.

“We don’t have a morale problem, we’re in great spirits”, she told NY1’s Josh Robin, ensuring the mayor’s top aids know his initiatives will pay off eventually.

Louis C.K., the Emmy Award-winning star of the FX television show that bears his name, has been shadowing de Blasio for what he described only as an forthcoming project.

Parts of his schedule are now posted online.

It also asks for requests that “due to their level of attention, sensitivity or controversy could result in questions for City Hall”.

Experts say previous administrations, including that of former Mayor Michael Bloomberg, likely funneled potentially embarrassing requests through the mayor’s office for review as an informal policy.

“It’s all about control”, Freeman said.