Quinn Defends Member Items, Members

In this clip from Christine Quinn's appearance at a Crain's breakfast yesterday, she responds directly to Anthony Weiner's proposal to ban all member items.

Quinn defends the use of member items, saying, "The question for most New Yorkers is: Is the money that is getting spent in the budget, is it going to legitimate organizations? Is it going to groups that can get the job done?" she asks. "Those are the important questions."

Later, Quinn defends city lawmakers who steer funds to community groups associated with members of their family.

The Conflict of Interest Board does not prohibit the practice, Quinn said. But, she wondered aloud, "should the rules of the Conflict of Interest Board be changed to prohibit that practice? Well, that is a debate that we will have in the City Council."