Explore the latest books of this year!
Bookbot

Power Failure

New York City Politics and Policy Since 1960

Book rating

More about the book

New York City's municipal government is the largest and most complex in the nation, with an annual operating budget of $29 billion and a capital budget of $4 billion. Employing around 360,000 full-time workers, the Office of the Mayor alone has about 1,600 employees and a budget of $135 million. The Police Department, with over 25,000 officers and a budget of $1.5 billion, exemplifies the city's vast organizational structure. To navigate this complexity, Charles Brecher and Raymond Horton provide a comprehensive guide to the political workings of the city, covering the period from 1960 to the present. They delve into the political machinery behind City Hall, exploring electoral politics, budgetary policy, and service delivery. The operation of the Office of the Mayor and the City Council is examined, including member salaries and notable mayoral races. The authors focus on New York's persistent financial challenges, such as the mid-1970s crisis with a billion-dollar deficit and the impact of collective bargaining on budget integrity. They analyze the property tax system, highlighting the unfair burden on renters and businesses. Additionally, they evaluate service delivery across various departments, revealing inefficiencies despite high local taxes. This essential volume offers valuable insights for New York City residents and anyone interested in urban governance.

Book purchase

Power Failure, Charles Brecher, Raymond D. Horton, Robert A. Cropf, Dean Michael Mead

Language
Released
1993
product-detail.submit-box.info.binding
(Hardcover),
Book condition
Good
Price
€2.49

Payment methods

5.0
Excellent
2 Ratings

We’re missing your review here.

Title
Power Failure
Subtitle
New York City Politics and Policy Since 1960
Language
English
Released
1993
Format
Hardcover
Pages
416
ISBN10
0195044274
ISBN13
9780195044270
Series
Rating
5 out of 5
Description
New York City's municipal government is the largest and most complex in the nation, with an annual operating budget of $29 billion and a capital budget of $4 billion. Employing around 360,000 full-time workers, the Office of the Mayor alone has about 1,600 employees and a budget of $135 million. The Police Department, with over 25,000 officers and a budget of $1.5 billion, exemplifies the city's vast organizational structure. To navigate this complexity, Charles Brecher and Raymond Horton provide a comprehensive guide to the political workings of the city, covering the period from 1960 to the present. They delve into the political machinery behind City Hall, exploring electoral politics, budgetary policy, and service delivery. The operation of the Office of the Mayor and the City Council is examined, including member salaries and notable mayoral races. The authors focus on New York's persistent financial challenges, such as the mid-1970s crisis with a billion-dollar deficit and the impact of collective bargaining on budget integrity. They analyze the property tax system, highlighting the unfair burden on renters and businesses. Additionally, they evaluate service delivery across various departments, revealing inefficiencies despite high local taxes. This essential volume offers valuable insights for New York City residents and anyone interested in urban governance.