Speaking of Mike’s money woes, here’s some more economic bad news.

In a side-effect of the worldwide banking crunch, investors have flocked to that old standby, the dollar – and thus the heretofore battered greenback is now staging a comeback.

That’s good for the American consumer. For New York City’s tax-revenue-generating tourism industry, however, not so much.

A rising dollar makes the US a more expensive destination for international travelers than it was just weeks ago.

And, in recent years, foreign tourists have really loved New York.

But a JP Morgan Chase/Smith Travel Research Search report notes that city hotel vacancies were up by double digits in the first two weeks of October – not a good sign.

And, of course, a general recession will cause more Americans to stay home, too.

So, that’s more money that won’t be coming into city and state coffers.

One more reason to tighten belts.