Quinn Slush Funds Keep Flowing -- To Political Allies

"City Council Speaker Christine Quinn awarded some council members more than four times as much discretionary funds as their colleagues, reviving accusations that she is playing favorites," reported Michael Howard Saul in The Wall Street Journal.

Under the city budget approved Thursday night, Council Member Domenic Recchia, a close ally of Ms. Quinn, received more than $1.5 million in so-called member items to allocate to more than 150 community organizations of his choosing.

On the other side of the spectrum, Elizabeth Crowley of Queens and Charles Barron of Brooklyn each received less than $400,000.

"Those who are in favor get more, those who are not get less," Mr. Barron said. "It should be given on a need basis—the communities that are the neediest, not the councilmen who are the most cooperative with the speaker."

Read more : Christine Quinn Faces More Criticism That She Uses Slush Funds To Reward Political Allies, Again, No Surprise