Mike Bloomberg in 2008-2011 Mayoral State of the City addresses
On Crime:
Educate prisoners: build more classrooms at Rikers Island
This year, we will build more classrooms at Rikers Island and make going to school there more attractive. And to keep inmates on the right path once they leave, we will link them to the benefits they need immediately upon release.
They’ve paid their debt--but with no prospects, sadly, too many of them will return to jail. Let’s help them build their future--which will help keep all of us safe.
Source: 2008 State of the City Address
Jan 17, 2008
On Education:
Slash bureaucracy; reward principal & teacher excellence
From the beginning, we’ve pursued major education reforms that put ‘children first.’ That commitment has been the engine driving everything we’ve achieved in the past six years: Raising graduation rates by 20%; increasing reading and math scores
by double digits; slashing the bureaucracy; funding schools more generously--and more equitably; rewarding principals and teachers for excellence; closing the shameful achievement gap between ethnicities.
Source: 2008 State of the City Address
Jan 17, 2008
On Education:
End the shameful practice of social promotion
Four years ago, I proposed ending the shameful practice of social promotion for 3rd graders in our city. Not everyone liked that idea, you may remember. But our 3rd graders rose to the challenge--and then,
when we expanded the policy to 5th and 7th graders, they rose to the challenge, too. Now I will ask the City’s Panel on Educational Policy to end social promotion next school year in the 8th grade.
Source: 2008 State of the City Address
Jan 17, 2008
On Gun Control:
Put the issue of illegal guns back on the national agenda
This year, we’ll also use technology to fight the #1 public safety threat in our city--and in all cities: illegal guns. Our bi-partisan coalition of Mayors Against Illegal Guns has put the issue of illegal guns back on the national agenda--beating
back federal legislation that would have made it easier to traffic in illegal guns. Convincing the federal ATF to release some of the critical trace data our officers need to track the flow of guns across state lines.
Source: 2008 State of the City Address
Jan 17, 2008
On Health Care:
Ban trans-fats and replace with fruit & vegetable vendors
Last year, we didn’t just ban trans-fats. We’ve increased the availability of healthy foods in neighborhoods where they are hardest to find and also raised the number of street vendors who sell fruit and vegetables.This year, we will raise the quality
of food served in every City agency--that’s nearly 1.5 million meals every single day of the year. We’ll also continue opening parks and playgrounds in every neighborhood, so that every New Yorker has no more than a 10-minute walk to enjoy them.
Source: 2008 State of the City Address
Jan 17, 2008
On Tax Reform:
$400 property tax rebate to all homeowners
We remain committed to extending the $400 property tax rebate to all homeowners. Last year, we offered a 7%, across-the-board property tax cut for one year. Next week’s preliminary budget will propose an extension of that cut.
However, adopting it will depend on a variety of factors unknown today--from the health of our economy to the continued help we get from our partners in State government to the outlook for future years after our Administration has come to an end.
Source: 2008 State of the City Address
Jan 17, 2008
On Technology:
Wireless network for better NYPD and NYFD communications
This year, we’ll be launching the New York City wireless network--which allows first responders to get more information, more quickly. Maps, mugshots, rap sheets. It will move us from slow dial-up to high-speed broadband with
100 times the capacity of the old analog system. At the same time, we’ll expand its functions to serve all of City government--even the more mundane things that influence our quality of life.
Source: 2008 State of the City Address
Jan 17, 2008
Page last updated: Jun 01, 2021