Yesterday, New York mayor Bill de Blasio was called to testify at the state capitol before a joint fiscal committee. True to his reputation for tardiness, de Blasio arrived 15 minutes late, the New York Daily News reports.
De Blasio testified about his proposed universal pre-kindergarten program in an effort to convince Albany lawmakers to allow a tax-hike on New York City’s more wealthy residents.
Phil Walzak, de Blasio’s spokesman, said that the mayor entered the hearing room when legislators told him they were ready; however, Senator Martin Golden (R., Brooklyn) said, “The leadership was not happy they could not start the meeting on time.”
De Blasio has developed a reputation for being late. While public advocate, he reportedly showed up late to morning events and would leave staffers waiting outside his home for hours. On January 10, de Blasio showed up almost an hour late to a Department of Correction graduation ceremony, to the ire of many attendees. His wife, Chirlane McCray, apparently shares de Blasio’s habit, having arrived to her first post-inauguration speaking gig last week an hour late.