New York, NY —

The mayoral election process won't get underway until July, when petitions to get on the primary ballot are due but Mayor Bloomberg is already facing questions about how he'll finance his bid for a third term.

Reporters asked the mayor if he'd cap his campaign spending to help even the playing field for candidates up against the self-financing billionaire. Bloomberg bristled at the questions and reminded one persistent newspaper reporter his campaign spending has an upside.

BLOOMBERG: I am not spending any taxpayer money so I don't know. I'll make sure that when it comes to advertising we will decide you know make sure we include you in that so you will be able to get a salary and eat.

REPORTER: Under the City's campaign finance law, publicly financed Mayoral candidates can qualify for millions of additional matching funds, if they face a non-participating opponent like Bloomberg. He spent almost $160 million in his first two runs.

For WNYC i am Bob Hennelly.