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In Inaugural Address, De Blasio Spares No Punches, Promises 'Shared Opportunities' for all New Yorkers

Mayor Bill de Blasio delivered an inaugural address on Wednesday that made one thing clear: The change New Yorkers voted for in November has arrived, reported The Wall Street Journal .
New York City Mayor Bill De Blasio Photo: zimbio.com

Mayor Bill de Blasio delivered an inaugural address on Wednesday that made one thing clear: The change New Yorkers voted for in November has arrived, reported The Wall Street Journal.

The new mayor was sworn in as New York City's 109th mayor by former President Bill Clinton during an inaugural ceremony that lasted more than an hour outside City Hall. New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo, former Mayor David Dinkins and the former mayor, Michael Bloomberg were among several dignitaries who attended the ceremony.

With de Blasio's inauguration, he becomes the first Democrat to take control of City Hall in 20 years; the first mayor from outside Manhattan in four decades; and he is part of the first interracial first family to head New York City ever.

Clinton said de Blasio and his family represent the future of New York City and the country. "With all respect to the television show, they're our real 'Modern Family,'" Clinton said, referring to the hit ABC comedy.

De Blasio said the problem of inequality "bedevils" the entire country and much of the world, and he outlined his promise for a new government: "a city of shared opportunities, shared prosperity, shared responsibilities."

Former New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg sat silently, stone-faced and arms folded, as he listened to the new mayor's agenda-- much of which sounded like a reversal of the very things Bloomberg fought tirelessly during his last two terms to defend.

Mayor de Blasio rattled off a list of promises, which included reining in stop and frisk at the New York Police Department; building more affordable housing; stopping a wave of hospital closures; expanding higher wages and sick leave to thousands workers; and taxing the wealthy to pay for universal pre-kindergarten.

"So let me be clear," said de Blasio. "When I said I would take dead aim at the Tale of Two Cities, I meant it. And we will do it."




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