Mayor Bloomberg yesterday charged that the City Council has been busting the budget by repeatedly seeking pension sweeteners for union members, but council officials said they have nothing to do with the escalating costs.
“What happens is that people want more pensions, and they go to the City Council,” the mayor said during his weekly WABC radio show.
The city’s portion of annual pension costs – which now stands at $2.7 billion – is set to rise by $1 billion next year and $2 billion the following year.
But a council spokesperson said the mayor should cast blame elsewhere – at himself and benefit-hungry union leaders.
“The mayor’s dead wrong and he’s trying to pass the buck,” said Fred Baldassaro.