“City Council Christine Quinn has millions of dollars at her disposal. It is public money that each year the speaker divvies up among members, and in turn they give it to local organizations.  Critics charge that the way the money is distributed is deeply flawed – and a way for the speaker to reward political pals.”

“Beware the wrath of Christine Quinn. The City Council speaker is throwing a $600,000 temper tantrum that will cut directly into the quality of life of thousands of Queens residents — all because Councilman Peter Vallone Jr. of Astoria stood up for our borough.
The speaker is miffed that Vallone vocally opposed the renaming of the iconic Queensboro Bridge in honor of former Mayor Ed Koch. . . Now, because the retaliatory Quinn controls the purse strings on discretionary funding, groups like the Variety Boys and Girls Club, area little leagues, senior centers and other nonprofit organizations will lose out.”

“There are clear consequences when you vote against the wishes of Speaker Quinn and speak your mind on behalf of constituents, taxpayers and common sense . . . Speaker Quinn sent a clear message to Councilmember Vallone when discretionary spending for his district was cut from $1,400,000 to $850,000 in the recently adopted 2011 municipal budget.”

“Under Speaker Quinn’s reign, it continues to be the usual political quid pro quo with councilmembers. Vote as instructed by the speaker and members will continue to receive the perks of office. These include salary bonuses for chairing Council committees, extra cash for local district offices, staff and mailings along with your share of several hundred million dollars available for funding local neighborhood pork-barrel projects to grease the wheels of re-election.”

“Quinn has ignored thousands of petitions calling for action on Spectra, and on radon. Over the past 2 years, multiple groups have been politely lobbying her staffers for attention to these issues. They’ve been asked for one simple measure: that City Council conduct a hearing, something completely within their authority, no sweat off their noses, to allow residents and experts an opportunity to explain and explore the issue. And that’s been too much for Chris Quinn.”

“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.  ‘Those who are in favor get more, those who are not get less,’ Council Member Charles 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.'”

“The Speaker herself recently admitted that she only moves bills that she supports to the Council floor for a vote….The substance of the Council’s legislative agenda is therefore a reflection of the Speaker’s priorities.”