This Year’s Pedicab

It’s the time of year again when we harp on street fairs:

The city collects 20% of proceeds — about $1.6 million a year — but that’s far less than the $4 million spent on policing the events.

“It just may be something we can’t afford,” Bloomberg said earlier this year.

Nonprofit groups that sponsor the events collect a very small cut of the proceeds, documents show.

. . .

But Mardi Gras makes no apologies for its cookie-cutter fairs. It even offers package deals to vendors who work multiple fairs on a “buy 20, get seven free” basis.

Shouldn’t The School Board Or The City Pay For This Anyway?

Setting aside for a moment that the MTA is probably using this issue as a political wedge, and that it apparently succeeded, why should the MTA pay for New York City students to ride subways and buses for free? Shouldn’t the school system (since they save money on transportation) or the City itself (since so much of school funding comes from the City) be paying for the students?

Even though it has a similar system, Portland, OR doesn’t pay for students:

High school students in the Portland Public School District can ride TriMet for free during the school year, by showing their student ID.

Unlike other school districts, Portland Public Schools does not provide regular yellow school bus service. The Student Pass program is a partnership between the school district and the City of Portland, and is funded through a State of Oregon Business Energy Tax Credit and Portland Public Schools. It is not subsidized by TriMet.

I don’t think SEPTA (Philadelphia) pays for students, and it doesn’t seem like LA or Chicago does, either.

Steel-Cage Fighting For Your Liver

Maybe this is another way to raise revenue in a tough economic climate:

The State Liquor Authority recently approved the sale of 192-proof booze — meaning the potent potables are 96% alcohol.

Some shop owners and imbibers are raising a glass to the hooch, believed to be the strongest ever available in the state, particularly folks in Polish and Russian communities who’ve had to travel to New Jersey for the stiff brew.

We’ll Always Have Those Scavenger Hunts

If there were ever such a thing as a pro-development borough historian, I think we found him:

Pledging to connect with the public instead of library shelves, Jack Eichenbaum said he will offer scavenger hunts to help students learn the under appreciated legacy of their neighborhoods.

. . .

Eichenbaum stressed he will embrace an “educator” role rather than becoming an advocate who leads landmarking rallies to save “just every old building.”

Pressed on whether he would seek landmark status to protect historic sites, Eichenbaum replied, “I don’t see myself championing those types of causes.”

Instead, he said, he will refer preservationists who seek advice on landmarking causes to other experts or museums.

Even A Ham Sandwich Could Get Elected With That Kind Of Money

Yes, “Mayor Bloomberg spends nearly $110M to get reelected, beating out combined donations for all NY pols” is shocking, but the Daily News’ Adam Lisberg needs to stop with the low-hanging fruit already:

Hizzoner spent $109.9 million to get re-elected, while all other New Yorkers combined donated just $90.7 million to candidates and parties.

Not that Lisberg shouldn’t highlight stuff like this whenever possible, just that with Bloomberg it’s too easy.

See also: Bloomberg For Mayor 2009.