New York City mayor Michael Bloomberg, who is campaigning for a third term, pledged $50 million in aid to the city's community colleges if he is re-elected.  Calling his program "Gateway to the Middle Class," Bloomberg is hoping to increase the number of skilled workers and bring more immigrants and low-wage workers into the middle class. The four-year program would result in 120,000 more graduates by 2020, a 43 percent increase from estimates for what the status quo would produce. Bloomberg's plan also includes opening a two-year institution in Manhattan, lifting restrictions on financial aid for part-time students, and allocating $6 million for child-care at community colleges where two-thirds of students are women.

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