Whether it's revolutionary education reform or becoming the first big city to impose a smoking ban in restaurants and bars (an initiative since followed by 375 cities around the country, and numerous countries around the world, and is credited with saving countless lives), New York often sets the pace for cities across the country and around the world. Under Mike Bloomberg's leadership, New York has been a model for innovative and common-sense initiatives.

Mike has streamlined city government to make it accessible and transparent. Most notably, he launched 311; which allows New Yorkers to dial 311 at any time to request government information or non-emergency services. To date New Yorkers have called 311 nearly 100 million times for any number of reasons from requesting advice on health benefits to scheduling a trash pick up at their apartment to applying for a business license.

311 is just one example of the many ways that Mayor Bloomberg’s innovative approach to government has improved the quality of daily life for New Yorkers. Other improvements include an overhauling the City's Noise Code so New Yorkers to reduce unwanted or excessive noise; implementing the SCOUT program that sends inspectors across the city looking for problems on City property and fixing them; and making New York the cleanest it has been in 30 years.

Reinvent Payphones Design Challenge Launches Dec. 4, 2012 NYC.gov The Reinvent Payphones Design Challenge will modernize payphone infrastructure across the five boroughs.

Mayor Bloomberg Unveils Winners of Project Pop-Up NYC Sep. 5, 2012 NYC.gov The winners will receive public relations and marketing support, mentoring from industry leaders, and exposure at key industry events in NYC.

NYC Announces Nation's First Social Impact Bond Program Aug. 2, 2012 NYC.gov NYC is launching the nation’s first Social Impact Bond, a groundbreaking way to fund promising new programs at no cost to the taxpayer.

First City-Sponsored Small Business Incubator to Graduate 22 Companies Mar. 27, 2012 NYC.gov Mayor Bloomberg announced that 22 companies have graduated or will soon graduate from the Varick Street Incubator, the first in the growing network of City-sponsored business incubators.

NYC Wins Singapore's Lee Kuan Yew World City Prize for Sustainability Mar. 21, 2012 NYC.gov Mayor Bloomberg announced that NYC has won Singapore's Lee Kuan Yew World City Prize for its leadership and achievement in sustainable policy, including the City's landmark program PlaNYC.