Internet News for Michael Bloomberg

Michael Bloomberg, born February 14, 1942) is a prominent businessman, the founder of Bloomberg L.P., and the 108th and current Mayor of New York City.

Bloomberg, the founder of an information services company, has tried to better citizen access to city information services.

Perhaps Bloomberg's single most popular program has been the establishment of a 311 telephone line (an idea first implemented in Baltimore, Maryland). Dialing 311 puts the caller in contact with the city, allowing them to report any crimes, annoyances, trash problems, etc. It also can be used for question-answer purposes. Bloomberg has also pushed the development of NYCTV and the revitalization of www.nyc.gov, the official city website

He is a supporter of immigration reform to secure the rights of undocumented immigrants, who comprise a large part of the population of New York City. He argues that deportation breaks up families and scares immigrants away from cooperating with law enforcement or accessing vital social services; as such, he supports proposals like those put forth by U.S. Senators Ted Kennedy and John McCain, which would normalize the status of otherwise law-abiding undocumented immigrants already present.

In addition, breaking with 190 years of tradition, Bloomberg implemented a "bullpen" open office plan, seating dozens of aides and managerial staff in a large chamber, reminiscent of a Wall St. trading floor - this was designed to promote accountability and accessibility.

Bloomberg supports the legalization of same-sex marriage in New York, though he has appealed a decision finding the limiting of same-sex marriage unconstitutional because he has stated he wants to ensure it is permitted under New York State law: "My personal opinion is that anybody should be allowed to marry anybody.

I don't happen to think we should put restrictions on who you should marry.... What the city doesn't want to have happen is people getting a marriage license and then six months, or one year later, or two years later, finding out it's meaningless".

Bloomberg is among the world's richest people. He was ranked no. 34 by Forbes magazine in its list of 400 Richest Americans in September 2004. He was ranked no. 94 in the Forbes List of the 500 Richest People in the World in March 2005.

Forbes and other sources report his net worth at US$5 billion, which, in addition to furthering his political career, has allowed him to engage in substantial philanthropy, including donating US$100 million to Johns Hopkins University, where he served as the chairman of the board from 1996 to 2002.

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