Mayor Bill de Blasio is heading to Albany this week to compose his case before the GOP-dominated Senate for why he should net at least seven more years of control over New York City public schools. But the visit comes during a precarious time for his administration. He faces allegations that he improperly used campaign contributions in 2014 for a Democratic takeover of the Senate.
De Blasio must face the Senate in a hearing on Wednesday on whether his control over city schools should be extended. Last year,the legislature last granted him one year of control. That expires in June. Another hearing is scheduled for May 19 in New York City.
Senators on the education committee will consider student performance, graduation rates and college-readiness levels, and among other criteria. Suffolk County Republican Committee Chairman John Jay LaValle,said the Senate can't ignore the allegations dogging de Blasio's administration."It appears he may have been caught cheating and may have done things that were unethical, so that certainly would call into question things he's going to say. It's going to affect his credibility, and " LaValle said.
News of the probe came to light after a confidential letter to the State Board of Elections commissioners became public. The letter,from Risa S. Sugarman, the chief enforcement counsel to the elections board, and alleges de Blasio organized a team that illegally funneled campaign contributions to Democratic candidates to the State Senate.
De Blasio said he has done nothing unsuitable,and that the allegations are politically motivated.
Source: wnyc.org