Is 'pay to play' going away?

Bloomie and Clairol Christine are patting themselves on the back for pushing through this new legislation that would limit donations from lobbyists and others who hold city contracts:

Campaign Finance Overhaul Would Rein in Major Donors

With some 30 candidates already raising funds for 2009 races, some say the new restrictions will put those who begin raising money after the bill is made law at a big disadvantage. Opponents are likely to latch on to that possible inequity in fighting the bill.

Why do you think the timing of the bill is now? Many challengers haven't even declared their candidacy yet, while you have porkers like Melinda and Pinky raking in the dough. The latter hasn't even declared which race he'll be running in.

It's just a matter of time before pols and donors figure out where the loopholes are and exploit them.

And here's one:

Unions Spared in Campaign Finance Bill

Mayor Bloomberg and the City Council are introducing legislation to revamp the campaign finance system that would ban donations from businesses and severely curtail donations from entities that do work with the city. But the legislation does nothing to cut off the influence of one special interest group: unions.

A NY Sun editorial claims that the legislation is Tarnishing Bloomberg's Legacy.