At an appearance in Florida today–part of his campaign against illegal guns–Michael Bloomberg fielded an off-topic question from a reporter who asked if his recent contribution to Republicans in Albany would impact his state agenda–especially congestion pricing.

“Well, if it hurt the agenda of getting congestion pricing, think about what you’re saying. You’re saying that those decisions were made based on politics rather than what’s right for the city,” Bloomberg said.

He then reiterated how important congestion pricing is as a funding source for funding mass transit.

Returning to the topic of his contribution, Bloomberg said, “it would be an outrage for just anybody to suggest that that’s the basis on which they’re going to make decisions or that others would make a decision I find reprehensible.

"In terms of making a donation to help the Republicans, they’ve been there for us. I’ve said repeatedly I will help those who help us. They’ve stood up for the city a number of times when we needed to have a voice in Albany and didn’t have that voice from the Assembly, or from the governor, whether it’s the last governor or this governor. Now sometimes the Assembly and this governor and the last governor were with us, and we want more of that, and I’d like to encourage that.”

Bloomberg added, “I can tell that you the Republicans have been there for us in the last six years and for that I will support them.”

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