mayors of the Big Apple comes to light in this fascinating study. Lynne A. Weikart reveals how financial elites in New York City have exploited recurring fiscal crises and sharply curtailed the range of choices open to mayors in setting priorities and implementing fiscal policy. Despite the appearance of objectivity and neutrality, bankers and bond-rating agencies capitalize on crises to expand their influence and force the city to drastically reduce its spending and payroll, significantly degrading the quality of city services. In the face of enormous pressure to defer programs and compromise promises to constituents, however, committed mayors from Fiorello LaGuardia to Michael Bloomberg have still managed to overcome obstacles and achieve progressive goals.“This is a valuable book for students of municipal finance, New York City fiscal policy and politics, the relations among state and municipal governments, and the pluralized politics of fiscal policy … There are larger lessons for our notions of democracy here, and even the lay reader will find this study sobering reading in the midst of the current economic downswing.” — CHOICE“Weikart puts a human face on New York City’s fiscal crises, analyzes their historical patterns, and compares the tenure of several mayors. In doing so, she provides an invaluable resource for those who study cities.” — Wilbur C. Rich, author of David Dinkins and New York City Politics: Race, Images, and the Media

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