Weiner to Battle for New York City’s ‘Independence’ from Albany

New York City’s surprise leading mayoral contender Anthony Weiner pounced on Independence Day to campaign for the city to shake off what he considers the oppression of the state capital.

“Every July 4th, we should all think not only about the independence of our country, but we should think a little bit about the independence of New York City from the shackles of Albany,” he said on City Hall steps Wednesday.

He came up with a new campaign gimmick and displayed a New York City “Bill of Rights,” which would let the city control rent laws, the MTA Board and various regulations, such as traffic law and traffic fines.

“So much of our lives in New York City are governed by legislators in Buffalo, legislators in Schenectady and legislators in Plattsburgh. On this day, I want us to think a little bit about something that the next mayor should think about every single day: the way we push back on the way that New York City is increasingly governed by a heavy hand of Albany and how we should try to change that,” Weiner said.