Michael Bloomberg's big donor dollars have gone heavily to Democrats nationally, but now he is bankrolling a group airing ads to support New York Democrat Gov. Kathy Hochul's $227 billion budget plan.
The $5 million campaign-style ads have been airing during "Jeopardy!" and March Madness basketball games under fine print of being paid for by American Opportunity, The New York Times reported.
The Times followed a money trail back to Bloomberg, and sources confirmed the connection.
Almost $3 million in TV ads have been booked before the April 1 budget deadline, according to the report.
"American Opportunity is committed to supporting policies of governors across the country that strengthen communities and create opportunities for all families," Democratic Governors Association spokeswoman Christina Amestoy, who is a senior adviser for American Opportunity, told the Times. "Gov. Kathy Hochul's budget does just that."
Notably, Hochul's budget plan does not increase income taxes on the wealthy and champions one of Bloomberg's favorite causes, eliminating the cap on New York City charter schools, according to the Times.
American Opportunity does not have to disclose its donors until a regular report to the state is due in July, but the uncovered tie to a wealthy donor potentially buying influence has poor optics, some critics told the Times.
"Its most immediate impact is that it adds to cynicism among voters," Common Cause New York Executive Director Susan Lerner told the Times. "The more money that floods into our system, the more people feel like their interests aren't heard."
Democratic socialist state Sen. Jabari Brisport, D-Brooklyn, called the tie to Bloomberg "disgusting."
"This is an absolutely disgusting show of financial power from Michael Bloomberg and doesn't do the governor any favors," Brisport told the Times.
"This sort of cements that narrative that her ties and allies are the 1% and not everyday working-class people."
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