1 00:00:03,240 --> 00:00:06,200 Speaker 1: What's up is way up with Angela Yee. I'm Angela Yee, 2 00:00:06,280 --> 00:00:08,760 Speaker 1: And for the first time ever, we had Brad Lander 3 00:00:08,840 --> 00:00:11,239 Speaker 1: here with us today. You are running for a New 4 00:00:11,280 --> 00:00:15,480 Speaker 1: York City mayor, but you're also the city controller right now. Okay, 5 00:00:15,760 --> 00:00:18,440 Speaker 1: So for people listening and I'm aware of what the 6 00:00:18,440 --> 00:00:21,640 Speaker 1: comptroller does, you're like the CFO of the city. So 7 00:00:21,720 --> 00:00:23,360 Speaker 1: explain what your responsibilities are. 8 00:00:23,440 --> 00:00:24,759 Speaker 2: Yeah, and I will say most New York because I 9 00:00:24,760 --> 00:00:27,640 Speaker 2: don't know. My kids really know what they're smart kids. 10 00:00:28,160 --> 00:00:31,720 Speaker 2: So the controllers, both the chief financial officer the city 11 00:00:31,760 --> 00:00:35,440 Speaker 2: and the chief accountability officer. On the financial side, biggest 12 00:00:35,440 --> 00:00:39,120 Speaker 2: thing is managing the pension funds. That's the retirement promises 13 00:00:39,159 --> 00:00:42,120 Speaker 2: we've made to our teachers and public hospital nurses and 14 00:00:42,120 --> 00:00:43,680 Speaker 2: school crossing guards and firefighters. 15 00:00:43,680 --> 00:00:44,840 Speaker 3: So two hundred and seventy. 16 00:00:44,560 --> 00:00:48,159 Speaker 2: Five billion dollars of money that we manage invest to 17 00:00:48,240 --> 00:00:51,720 Speaker 2: make sure that it's there when those teachers retire. So 18 00:00:51,760 --> 00:00:54,880 Speaker 2: that's a big responsibility. And we had a great year 19 00:00:54,960 --> 00:00:57,520 Speaker 2: last year, ten percent return. So everybody, if you're a teacher, 20 00:00:57,560 --> 00:01:00,440 Speaker 2: if you're a school crossing guard, if you're whatever, money 21 00:01:00,480 --> 00:01:03,320 Speaker 2: is in good shape. Your retirement is there and we're 22 00:01:03,360 --> 00:01:09,480 Speaker 2: investing it in affordable housing and good jobs and so 23 00:01:09,480 --> 00:01:11,319 Speaker 2: so that's a big part of the responsibility, and. 24 00:01:11,240 --> 00:01:12,520 Speaker 3: That's a lot of budget oversight. 25 00:01:12,680 --> 00:01:15,560 Speaker 2: We put out the annual audit every year, right, and 26 00:01:15,600 --> 00:01:20,000 Speaker 2: then on the watchdog side, we audit all the city 27 00:01:20,040 --> 00:01:23,000 Speaker 2: agencies to make sure they're doing what they're supposed to do, 28 00:01:23,040 --> 00:01:24,319 Speaker 2: they're not wasting our money. 29 00:01:24,520 --> 00:01:27,399 Speaker 1: So do they get audited every year like constantly or 30 00:01:27,480 --> 00:01:29,280 Speaker 1: is it only if it feels like something's happening. 31 00:01:29,360 --> 00:01:31,480 Speaker 2: So we're required by the New York City Charter to 32 00:01:31,520 --> 00:01:34,440 Speaker 2: audit every city agency at least once every four in 33 00:01:34,480 --> 00:01:36,959 Speaker 2: the four year term. Okay, so we can't see everything 34 00:01:36,959 --> 00:01:39,440 Speaker 2: because it's a big city, but we could dig in 35 00:01:39,640 --> 00:01:42,959 Speaker 2: and really fine places where there's, you know, something that's 36 00:01:43,000 --> 00:01:43,880 Speaker 2: not right going on. 37 00:01:44,520 --> 00:01:46,759 Speaker 4: And you are you know, are you from New York? 38 00:01:46,840 --> 00:01:46,880 Speaker 2: No? 39 00:01:47,040 --> 00:01:49,680 Speaker 3: Right, Originally, I'm from Saint Louis, Missouri. I've been here 40 00:01:49,920 --> 00:01:51,760 Speaker 3: thirty plus years at this point. 41 00:01:51,920 --> 00:01:53,920 Speaker 1: Okay, Sant lo Isn't that where Sexy Red is from? 42 00:01:54,480 --> 00:01:55,760 Speaker 1: Are you familiar with Sexy. 43 00:01:55,680 --> 00:01:57,080 Speaker 3: I got to learn more about Okay, I don't know. 44 00:01:58,600 --> 00:02:03,160 Speaker 4: Okay, girl, right, Okay, so you've been here, you live 45 00:02:03,200 --> 00:02:04,920 Speaker 4: in Brooklyn, I do what part of Brooklyn. 46 00:02:05,560 --> 00:02:08,120 Speaker 2: I'm on thirteenth Street in Brooklyn, tween Fourth and Fifth Avenue, 47 00:02:08,200 --> 00:02:10,400 Speaker 2: kind of between Park Slope. 48 00:02:10,440 --> 00:02:12,600 Speaker 1: Okay, all right, now I want to get into this 49 00:02:12,680 --> 00:02:16,640 Speaker 1: because obviously, right now you work with Mayor Eric Adams. 50 00:02:16,960 --> 00:02:20,280 Speaker 1: How is that relationship once you say, okay, I'm challenging you. 51 00:02:20,400 --> 00:02:21,519 Speaker 4: I'm running for mayor. 52 00:02:21,320 --> 00:02:23,600 Speaker 1: As well, but you guys still have work to do together. 53 00:02:24,120 --> 00:02:24,880 Speaker 1: How does that happen? 54 00:02:24,960 --> 00:02:29,120 Speaker 2: Well, there's long been tension between any mayor and any controller. Actually, 55 00:02:29,360 --> 00:02:33,360 Speaker 2: Harrison Jay, it is exactly the charter says, you got 56 00:02:33,400 --> 00:02:36,200 Speaker 2: to provide some oversight here. You're independently elected. You got 57 00:02:36,240 --> 00:02:37,920 Speaker 2: to be the watchdog, and when you see things that 58 00:02:37,919 --> 00:02:39,840 Speaker 2: aren't supposed to be going on, you got to call 59 00:02:39,880 --> 00:02:42,320 Speaker 2: it out. At the same time, you have to work 60 00:02:42,320 --> 00:02:45,880 Speaker 2: together because those pension funds I mentioned, the mayor and 61 00:02:45,919 --> 00:02:49,120 Speaker 2: the controller work together to invest them, or we issue 62 00:02:49,160 --> 00:02:51,760 Speaker 2: the bonds that pay for our parks and our schools 63 00:02:51,800 --> 00:02:52,400 Speaker 2: to get built. 64 00:02:52,680 --> 00:02:53,720 Speaker 3: We have to do that together. 65 00:02:53,760 --> 00:02:56,520 Speaker 2: So there's tension built in. And anytime it gets two 66 00:02:56,639 --> 00:02:59,359 Speaker 2: fears and somebody's like, oh you said something, I show 67 00:02:59,400 --> 00:03:01,760 Speaker 2: them an old quote from like a comptroller and a 68 00:03:01,840 --> 00:03:05,960 Speaker 2: mayor back in the nineteen seventies or nineteen nineties. So 69 00:03:06,280 --> 00:03:10,240 Speaker 2: it's a productive tension. Our teams are always working together. 70 00:03:11,520 --> 00:03:14,119 Speaker 2: The goal is to deliver for New Yorkers, to make 71 00:03:14,160 --> 00:03:16,440 Speaker 2: sure our schools are in good shape, but our parks 72 00:03:16,480 --> 00:03:18,520 Speaker 2: are safe, and then garbage is picked up. It's not 73 00:03:18,600 --> 00:03:21,360 Speaker 2: about the two of us, right, And I really try 74 00:03:21,400 --> 00:03:22,760 Speaker 2: to keep my eyes on the work. 75 00:03:22,720 --> 00:03:24,680 Speaker 1: And listen, there's a lot to be done anywhere, because 76 00:03:24,680 --> 00:03:26,720 Speaker 1: you know, I live in Brooklyn, and so I have 77 00:03:26,800 --> 00:03:29,280 Speaker 1: my own gripes that I want to talk about. But 78 00:03:29,320 --> 00:03:32,040 Speaker 1: of course we should because even with garbage pick up, 79 00:03:32,080 --> 00:03:34,320 Speaker 1: sometimes that doesn't happen when it's supposed to, and then 80 00:03:34,360 --> 00:03:35,640 Speaker 1: we have a rat problem already. 81 00:03:35,760 --> 00:03:38,920 Speaker 2: Yeah, well like alternate streets, alternate side of the street cleaning, 82 00:03:39,040 --> 00:03:41,200 Speaker 2: at least on my block. Most people don't move their cars, 83 00:03:41,240 --> 00:03:44,080 Speaker 2: and then the sweeper can't sweep the block, and you're like, 84 00:03:44,120 --> 00:03:45,839 Speaker 2: why am I wasting all this time? 85 00:03:45,880 --> 00:03:48,920 Speaker 3: My block's dirty? There's a rout your car, We move 86 00:03:48,960 --> 00:03:49,440 Speaker 3: our cars. 87 00:03:49,480 --> 00:03:51,120 Speaker 1: I just want to make sure because sometimes you might 88 00:03:51,160 --> 00:03:53,480 Speaker 1: be one of those, and sometimes you take a chance. 89 00:03:53,520 --> 00:03:55,000 Speaker 1: I could get a ticket or I could not get 90 00:03:55,000 --> 00:03:55,400 Speaker 1: a ticket. 91 00:03:55,440 --> 00:03:56,880 Speaker 3: For the last I feel a little bit less than. 92 00:03:56,920 --> 00:03:59,800 Speaker 2: My wife flew in and I wanted to go pick 93 00:03:59,800 --> 00:04:01,800 Speaker 2: her up at the airport, but I was like, honey, I. 94 00:04:01,720 --> 00:04:03,720 Speaker 3: Got a spot. It's good till Thursday. 95 00:04:03,840 --> 00:04:07,720 Speaker 2: She's like, no, no, nobody's can't move the car tomorrow morning. 96 00:04:07,960 --> 00:04:08,840 Speaker 4: So yeah, So. 97 00:04:08,840 --> 00:04:11,520 Speaker 1: What made you decide finally like, Okay, I'm planning to 98 00:04:11,600 --> 00:04:13,440 Speaker 1: run familiar Was this something you had been thinking about 99 00:04:13,480 --> 00:04:16,520 Speaker 1: or was it something that you said there's so much 100 00:04:16,560 --> 00:04:18,920 Speaker 1: going on because and we'll talk about Mayor Eric Adams 101 00:04:18,960 --> 00:04:22,440 Speaker 1: and his administration. He's had a lot of high profile 102 00:04:22,480 --> 00:04:25,080 Speaker 1: issues that's been in the news NonStop. But when did 103 00:04:25,080 --> 00:04:26,359 Speaker 1: you decide this is what I want to do. 104 00:04:26,440 --> 00:04:28,120 Speaker 2: Yeah, I was not planning on it. I like the 105 00:04:28,240 --> 00:04:30,520 Speaker 2: job of controller. It's really interesting. I could do it 106 00:04:30,560 --> 00:04:34,000 Speaker 2: again for four more years, and I find it fascinating 107 00:04:34,000 --> 00:04:36,440 Speaker 2: trying to make the city run better, invest those funds well. 108 00:04:36,480 --> 00:04:39,359 Speaker 2: So that was my plan, was run for reelection and 109 00:04:39,400 --> 00:04:42,560 Speaker 2: then see what comes in twenty twenty nine. But the 110 00:04:42,640 --> 00:04:45,400 Speaker 2: more often i'm out there talking to people, they're just like, Controller, 111 00:04:45,440 --> 00:04:48,719 Speaker 2: we need a safer, more affordable, more livable and better 112 00:04:48,839 --> 00:04:51,360 Speaker 2: run city. A couple weeks ago, I was in the 113 00:04:51,800 --> 00:04:56,480 Speaker 2: dentist chair, my dentist's office, and the hygenist, says mister Lander, 114 00:04:56,520 --> 00:04:58,960 Speaker 2: I thought there was supposed to be a childcare slot 115 00:04:59,000 --> 00:05:01,479 Speaker 2: for every three year old. Why am I one hundred 116 00:05:01,480 --> 00:05:05,360 Speaker 2: and fortieth on the waitlist for the program in my neighborhood. 117 00:05:05,440 --> 00:05:08,560 Speaker 2: That was not the novacane shot I was looking for. 118 00:05:08,720 --> 00:05:12,159 Speaker 2: And I just am hearing that more and more. And yes, 119 00:05:12,320 --> 00:05:18,400 Speaker 2: as these different investigations and FBI raids and you know, 120 00:05:18,760 --> 00:05:22,240 Speaker 2: allegations of corruption are coming up, it's a distraction from 121 00:05:22,720 --> 00:05:25,920 Speaker 2: focusing on housing affordability, getting those streets clean, keeping our 122 00:05:25,960 --> 00:05:29,040 Speaker 2: neighborhood safe. And I think we need new leadership at 123 00:05:29,040 --> 00:05:29,440 Speaker 2: city Hall. 124 00:05:29,680 --> 00:05:31,600 Speaker 1: Now, what would you say Eric Adams has done well 125 00:05:31,680 --> 00:05:33,960 Speaker 1: so far because I feel like with affordable housing, that's 126 00:05:33,960 --> 00:05:36,480 Speaker 1: been something he's been big on as far as getting 127 00:05:36,480 --> 00:05:38,640 Speaker 1: that done and new developments and new projects. 128 00:05:38,800 --> 00:05:42,080 Speaker 2: I like this city of Yes that he's proposing, which 129 00:05:42,120 --> 00:05:46,080 Speaker 2: would let a little more housing get built in every neighborhood. 130 00:05:46,120 --> 00:05:48,040 Speaker 2: But if you're just judging by the numbers, the rents 131 00:05:48,080 --> 00:05:51,880 Speaker 2: higher than ever a vacant you know, a unit that's 132 00:05:51,880 --> 00:05:55,120 Speaker 2: available on the market now, it's average thirty six hundred dollars. 133 00:05:55,160 --> 00:05:57,320 Speaker 2: Who could afford thirty six hundred dollars. One thing I 134 00:05:57,360 --> 00:05:59,240 Speaker 2: will say that I think is going well is some 135 00:05:59,320 --> 00:06:02,320 Speaker 2: of the the trash and garbage work. I have to say, 136 00:06:02,400 --> 00:06:06,240 Speaker 2: the sanitation finally getting to containerization, so you put your 137 00:06:06,240 --> 00:06:09,120 Speaker 2: trash out, not just in random bags. It is simple, 138 00:06:09,120 --> 00:06:10,400 Speaker 2: but no one had done before it. 139 00:06:10,480 --> 00:06:11,880 Speaker 1: And I was saying, that's it when he did the 140 00:06:11,920 --> 00:06:14,600 Speaker 1: press conference and you saw him wheel out the garbage can, 141 00:06:14,880 --> 00:06:16,880 Speaker 1: and I posted it and so many people from all 142 00:06:16,920 --> 00:06:18,320 Speaker 1: of them were like, heity, hold, no, y'all, don't put 143 00:06:18,320 --> 00:06:19,960 Speaker 1: your trash and trash cans. 144 00:06:20,320 --> 00:06:21,600 Speaker 4: That's why you have a rat problem. 145 00:06:21,880 --> 00:06:23,640 Speaker 3: Yes, but so it is simple. 146 00:06:23,920 --> 00:06:26,000 Speaker 2: Obviously they're going to move forward to be able to 147 00:06:26,000 --> 00:06:28,880 Speaker 2: do it on much larger buildings and get the automated equipment. 148 00:06:28,920 --> 00:06:31,400 Speaker 2: But just telling every New Yorker don't put your trash 149 00:06:31,400 --> 00:06:33,200 Speaker 2: out in bags the rats are going to eat. Put 150 00:06:33,200 --> 00:06:34,600 Speaker 2: it in a can with a lid on it. It's 151 00:06:34,600 --> 00:06:36,760 Speaker 2: making a difference already on my block. So I give 152 00:06:36,800 --> 00:06:38,480 Speaker 2: the mayor and Dusty Tish credit for that. 153 00:06:38,640 --> 00:06:40,560 Speaker 1: I remember growing up, we used to not we have 154 00:06:40,680 --> 00:06:43,760 Speaker 1: to write our address on it because people were still 155 00:06:43,800 --> 00:06:44,520 Speaker 1: in trash cans. 156 00:06:44,560 --> 00:06:45,720 Speaker 3: God, you know, Oh, yeah. 157 00:06:45,800 --> 00:06:45,960 Speaker 2: Yeah. 158 00:06:46,080 --> 00:06:48,159 Speaker 1: Growing up that was the thing. That's why people were like, 159 00:06:48,200 --> 00:06:50,040 Speaker 1: I can't put my chest. People had their trash cans 160 00:06:50,080 --> 00:06:52,120 Speaker 1: like chained to the gates. 161 00:06:52,160 --> 00:06:52,320 Speaker 3: You know. 162 00:06:52,360 --> 00:06:55,240 Speaker 2: Now you got the compost bins, you got the recycling bins. 163 00:06:55,240 --> 00:06:56,800 Speaker 3: So yes, hell, holding on to them is But. 164 00:06:56,800 --> 00:06:58,599 Speaker 1: Then once everybody has it, then I guess we don't 165 00:06:58,640 --> 00:07:01,279 Speaker 1: have to worry about that anymore. Now, another thing, I 166 00:07:01,320 --> 00:07:04,320 Speaker 1: want to talk about the pensions. Right, so you guys 167 00:07:04,320 --> 00:07:06,640 Speaker 1: invest that money and then it grows and then people 168 00:07:06,680 --> 00:07:07,480 Speaker 1: are able to have that. 169 00:07:07,560 --> 00:07:09,880 Speaker 4: So how do you decide what to invest in? 170 00:07:10,400 --> 00:07:12,800 Speaker 1: Does it matter to you what the organizations or the 171 00:07:12,800 --> 00:07:14,920 Speaker 1: companies or the private companies are like, how do you 172 00:07:14,960 --> 00:07:15,560 Speaker 1: guys invest that? 173 00:07:15,720 --> 00:07:16,200 Speaker 3: Absolutely? 174 00:07:16,200 --> 00:07:18,280 Speaker 2: So I've got a great staff, about one hundred staff 175 00:07:18,280 --> 00:07:21,320 Speaker 2: in the office, and they're looking at all the different 176 00:07:21,880 --> 00:07:24,840 Speaker 2: asset managers people that are bringing us business. And of 177 00:07:24,840 --> 00:07:27,280 Speaker 2: course the first question is does this have a good 178 00:07:27,280 --> 00:07:29,720 Speaker 2: track record that it's going to deliver returns because we 179 00:07:29,800 --> 00:07:31,960 Speaker 2: have to hit at least a seven percent return every 180 00:07:32,000 --> 00:07:33,520 Speaker 2: year to make sure retirement. 181 00:07:33,080 --> 00:07:33,560 Speaker 3: Will be there. 182 00:07:33,720 --> 00:07:36,400 Speaker 2: But we ask a lot of other questions as well. 183 00:07:37,240 --> 00:07:39,720 Speaker 2: We want asset managers that look like New York City, 184 00:07:39,800 --> 00:07:44,120 Speaker 2: So We've dramatically increased the number of black and Latino 185 00:07:44,160 --> 00:07:47,800 Speaker 2: and women owned asset managers. In my first year, we 186 00:07:47,840 --> 00:07:50,520 Speaker 2: got that number up by two point seven billion dollars, 187 00:07:51,000 --> 00:07:53,960 Speaker 2: so that's more money invested, and those managers, we did 188 00:07:53,960 --> 00:07:58,240 Speaker 2: a study outperform our other managers by five percent, so 189 00:07:58,720 --> 00:08:01,520 Speaker 2: we're looking at making sure our managers are more diverse. 190 00:08:02,560 --> 00:08:05,720 Speaker 2: We try where we can to invest in things like 191 00:08:05,720 --> 00:08:09,000 Speaker 2: affordable housing. When Signature Bank collapsed and put thirty five 192 00:08:09,080 --> 00:08:12,760 Speaker 2: thousand units of rent stabilized housing at risk, we decided 193 00:08:12,800 --> 00:08:16,440 Speaker 2: to team up with Community Preservation Corporation and related and 194 00:08:16,480 --> 00:08:19,920 Speaker 2: we bought the mortgages so we could stabilize those buildings 195 00:08:19,960 --> 00:08:22,960 Speaker 2: even as we made a good return. We look at 196 00:08:22,960 --> 00:08:25,960 Speaker 2: climate issues because the CA's a rising and the temperatures 197 00:08:25,960 --> 00:08:28,120 Speaker 2: a rising, and as we invest our money, we've got 198 00:08:28,160 --> 00:08:30,840 Speaker 2: to make sure we're moving a in a better direction. 199 00:08:30,880 --> 00:08:32,240 Speaker 3: We look at workers' rights. 200 00:08:33,040 --> 00:08:36,920 Speaker 2: We were the investor that supported the Starbucks workers in 201 00:08:37,000 --> 00:08:40,040 Speaker 2: their unionization and we're still making a good return. 202 00:08:40,200 --> 00:08:44,079 Speaker 1: You had that whole employer violation dashboard, right, Can you 203 00:08:44,160 --> 00:08:45,079 Speaker 1: talk about what that is? 204 00:08:45,160 --> 00:08:45,360 Speaker 3: Yeah? 205 00:08:45,400 --> 00:08:48,480 Speaker 2: Absolutely, This just went up a couple of weeks ago 206 00:08:48,559 --> 00:08:50,520 Speaker 2: on Labor Day it's called the New York City Employer 207 00:08:50,600 --> 00:08:54,880 Speaker 2: Violations Dashboard, and it's all built on existing data. We 208 00:08:55,040 --> 00:08:57,360 Speaker 2: just said, okay, if you're an employer in New York City, 209 00:08:57,360 --> 00:09:00,800 Speaker 2: we're going to pull these data sources down. So if 210 00:09:00,840 --> 00:09:04,880 Speaker 2: you have violations from the Occupational Self Safety and Health Administration, 211 00:09:04,960 --> 00:09:07,160 Speaker 2: so you're putting your workers' lives at risk, you're a 212 00:09:07,200 --> 00:09:10,360 Speaker 2: construction company that doesn't make sure everybody's safe, and you 213 00:09:10,400 --> 00:09:13,680 Speaker 2: have violations, that's going up. If you violated their rights 214 00:09:13,720 --> 00:09:16,520 Speaker 2: to organize, and you have un for labor practices, if 215 00:09:16,559 --> 00:09:20,880 Speaker 2: you've stolen wages from your workers. The biggest thieves there, 216 00:09:20,960 --> 00:09:26,240 Speaker 2: unfortunately our home care companies. And if you steal from 217 00:09:26,280 --> 00:09:28,960 Speaker 2: a home care worker, that's somebody who's taking care of 218 00:09:28,960 --> 00:09:32,640 Speaker 2: our elderly and majority women of color, Like, what. 219 00:09:32,679 --> 00:09:34,760 Speaker 3: Is wrong with you? So you're going on the wall 220 00:09:34,800 --> 00:09:36,360 Speaker 3: of shame. So we've got a dashboard. 221 00:09:36,400 --> 00:09:39,320 Speaker 2: There's about over two hundred thousand employers in New York City, 222 00:09:39,679 --> 00:09:42,000 Speaker 2: only forty five hundred of them, so only about two 223 00:09:42,000 --> 00:09:45,559 Speaker 2: percent are in the dashboard. And then the top eleven 224 00:09:45,640 --> 00:09:48,080 Speaker 2: worst ones are on a wall of shame that we 225 00:09:48,200 --> 00:09:51,760 Speaker 2: have and it won't surprise that's Gucci and Chipotle and 226 00:09:51,840 --> 00:09:54,640 Speaker 2: Uber and Lyft, but also a couple of these home carecraters. 227 00:09:54,720 --> 00:09:57,840 Speaker 4: Then what happens after they're on that, Like, then what happens? 228 00:09:57,920 --> 00:10:00,439 Speaker 2: Yeah, Well, we just put it up a couple weeks ago, 229 00:10:00,520 --> 00:10:02,120 Speaker 2: and it's you know a little like you know, there's 230 00:10:02,200 --> 00:10:05,200 Speaker 2: the ten Worst Landlords. A little of it is name 231 00:10:05,240 --> 00:10:07,080 Speaker 2: and shame and say, I don't want to be on 232 00:10:07,120 --> 00:10:09,760 Speaker 2: this list next year, so hopefully clean up your act. 233 00:10:10,120 --> 00:10:13,360 Speaker 2: But we're also reaching out to the city agencies that 234 00:10:13,440 --> 00:10:17,440 Speaker 2: do contracting and saying, hey, maybe you want to think 235 00:10:17,480 --> 00:10:20,720 Speaker 2: twice before you give a big city contract to a 236 00:10:20,800 --> 00:10:24,320 Speaker 2: company that's stealing from its home care workers or putting 237 00:10:24,360 --> 00:10:28,440 Speaker 2: its workers construction safety at risk. And so we're going 238 00:10:28,480 --> 00:10:31,800 Speaker 2: to be looking to use it not just for transparency, 239 00:10:31,840 --> 00:10:34,120 Speaker 2: which is where it's starting, but as a tool to 240 00:10:34,280 --> 00:10:36,600 Speaker 2: have the city do business with people that care about 241 00:10:36,600 --> 00:10:37,120 Speaker 2: their workers. 242 00:10:37,360 --> 00:10:40,040 Speaker 1: And you just spoke about city contracts, and that's something 243 00:10:40,040 --> 00:10:43,160 Speaker 1: that also I think when it comes to getting these 244 00:10:43,400 --> 00:10:46,480 Speaker 1: mwbees and making sure that people are getting these contracts, 245 00:10:46,520 --> 00:10:50,160 Speaker 1: who are people of black people, people of color, women, 246 00:10:50,600 --> 00:10:52,439 Speaker 1: that's been something that's been challenging too. 247 00:10:52,679 --> 00:10:53,840 Speaker 3: Stays really challenging. 248 00:10:53,840 --> 00:10:55,840 Speaker 2: People have been trying it for a long time, going 249 00:10:55,880 --> 00:10:57,920 Speaker 2: all the way back to Mayor Dinkins, but we still 250 00:10:57,960 --> 00:11:01,520 Speaker 2: are stuck at about five percent of all city contracting 251 00:11:01,600 --> 00:11:03,600 Speaker 2: going to minority and women own business. 252 00:11:03,640 --> 00:11:04,720 Speaker 4: Really, why do you think that is? 253 00:11:04,760 --> 00:11:07,160 Speaker 1: It's interesting to me because people act like DEI is 254 00:11:07,280 --> 00:11:10,000 Speaker 1: not necessary, and a lot of companies are getting rid 255 00:11:10,040 --> 00:11:12,240 Speaker 1: of all of those initiatives. But as we can see, 256 00:11:12,240 --> 00:11:15,000 Speaker 1: people are not in an equal footing right. There's certain 257 00:11:15,000 --> 00:11:17,280 Speaker 1: people that are getting these contracts, which has given them 258 00:11:17,320 --> 00:11:21,160 Speaker 1: a lot more financial opportunities, and some people are being 259 00:11:21,200 --> 00:11:23,200 Speaker 1: boxed out and it's not because they can't perform or 260 00:11:23,200 --> 00:11:23,800 Speaker 1: they can't do it. 261 00:11:23,960 --> 00:11:26,680 Speaker 2: Yeah, no, look look at the money that we're spending 262 00:11:26,720 --> 00:11:29,360 Speaker 2: on shelter and services for asylum secrets. So they used 263 00:11:29,440 --> 00:11:32,360 Speaker 2: emergency procurement, which means they don't even bid it out. 264 00:11:33,160 --> 00:11:36,079 Speaker 2: And almost all of the firms are. 265 00:11:35,960 --> 00:11:38,520 Speaker 3: These big publicly traded. 266 00:11:38,120 --> 00:11:41,559 Speaker 2: Firms that are almost none of them owned by people 267 00:11:41,559 --> 00:11:42,640 Speaker 2: of color, women. 268 00:11:43,080 --> 00:11:46,120 Speaker 3: And yeah, the agencies just kind of grab them. 269 00:11:46,160 --> 00:11:48,000 Speaker 2: I think it's easier obviously, if you're a business that 270 00:11:48,080 --> 00:11:50,520 Speaker 2: already has a lot of capital, already has a lot 271 00:11:50,520 --> 00:11:52,920 Speaker 2: of relationships, already is doing business. 272 00:11:52,559 --> 00:11:54,840 Speaker 3: With it, they get that big, it's much easier. 273 00:11:55,280 --> 00:11:57,280 Speaker 2: So yeah, that's an area that we put out an 274 00:11:57,280 --> 00:12:00,880 Speaker 2: annual report and we suggest recommendations for things we could do. 275 00:12:01,320 --> 00:12:03,680 Speaker 2: I give you one example. We have a lot of 276 00:12:03,720 --> 00:12:08,040 Speaker 2: nonprofit organizations and they might get a contract for shelter services, 277 00:12:08,360 --> 00:12:12,640 Speaker 2: but then they subcontract the security business, the cleaning business, 278 00:12:12,679 --> 00:12:17,120 Speaker 2: the food business, the transportation. Those could all be opportunities 279 00:12:17,160 --> 00:12:19,880 Speaker 2: for a somewhat smaller black. 280 00:12:19,679 --> 00:12:22,400 Speaker 3: Owned business or woman owned business. But we don't even. 281 00:12:22,360 --> 00:12:28,000 Speaker 2: Track the subcontracts on the nonprofit businesses. So we're looking for, 282 00:12:28,160 --> 00:12:30,920 Speaker 2: you know, recommendations of just real practical We want to 283 00:12:30,960 --> 00:12:33,480 Speaker 2: make big change because the racial wealth gap in New 284 00:12:33,559 --> 00:12:38,559 Speaker 2: York is fifteen to one. Let's look for concrete steps 285 00:12:38,679 --> 00:12:40,319 Speaker 2: forward where we could really make change. 286 00:12:40,400 --> 00:12:43,480 Speaker 1: And you did just mention housing, right and the migrants 287 00:12:43,480 --> 00:12:46,040 Speaker 1: who are here. That's been something that Mayor Adams has 288 00:12:46,040 --> 00:12:48,959 Speaker 1: gotten a lot of flak for. So what's the plan 289 00:12:49,080 --> 00:12:52,000 Speaker 1: moving forward to make sure again people are getting you know, 290 00:12:52,080 --> 00:12:53,960 Speaker 1: have been getting bussed here. I think that's stop now 291 00:12:54,360 --> 00:12:57,840 Speaker 1: if I'm not mistaken. But it still is an issue 292 00:12:57,880 --> 00:13:00,559 Speaker 1: in the city because we already have a housing issue. 293 00:13:00,679 --> 00:13:03,280 Speaker 1: But again, as human beings, we also don't want to 294 00:13:03,640 --> 00:13:06,920 Speaker 1: leave people who are trying to get their citizenship with 295 00:13:07,040 --> 00:13:08,520 Speaker 1: no place to go and no place to live. But 296 00:13:08,520 --> 00:13:11,079 Speaker 1: then sometimes they can't work. There's just so many different 297 00:13:11,080 --> 00:13:12,880 Speaker 1: things that are happening. What's the plan for that? Because 298 00:13:12,920 --> 00:13:15,560 Speaker 1: I feel like we really need to focus on that. 299 00:13:15,640 --> 00:13:17,280 Speaker 1: It feels like it's been a little all over the place. 300 00:13:17,280 --> 00:13:21,000 Speaker 1: People were really critical of those food vouchers and you know, 301 00:13:21,160 --> 00:13:24,040 Speaker 1: money that's been given to migrants who are coming here. 302 00:13:24,080 --> 00:13:24,720 Speaker 4: What is the plan? 303 00:13:24,880 --> 00:13:26,760 Speaker 3: Yeah, I wish there were a better plan. 304 00:13:26,840 --> 00:13:29,640 Speaker 2: Honestly, this was one where if we focused and let's 305 00:13:29,679 --> 00:13:31,920 Speaker 2: just take one step back and remember, you know, it's 306 00:13:31,920 --> 00:13:35,440 Speaker 2: an extraordinarily diverse city. You know, I'm out at the 307 00:13:35,480 --> 00:13:38,120 Speaker 2: West Indian Day Parade. You know, Jimani Williams and I 308 00:13:38,160 --> 00:13:40,960 Speaker 2: share a float there the Public Advocate, and you know, 309 00:13:41,160 --> 00:13:41,920 Speaker 2: so we got. 310 00:13:41,800 --> 00:13:43,680 Speaker 3: A whole lot of folks who have. 311 00:13:43,679 --> 00:13:46,680 Speaker 2: Come from everywhere around the planet here, and that's true 312 00:13:46,720 --> 00:13:49,440 Speaker 2: of this current generation of asylum seekers too, a lot 313 00:13:49,520 --> 00:13:52,920 Speaker 2: from Latin America, but a lot from West Africa as well. 314 00:13:53,480 --> 00:13:56,439 Speaker 2: They come here they want to work, so the number 315 00:13:56,440 --> 00:13:59,560 Speaker 2: one thing is helping them get work authorization. It's stupid 316 00:13:59,559 --> 00:14:02,840 Speaker 2: that the Fed governments makes you wait six months. But 317 00:14:02,920 --> 00:14:06,679 Speaker 2: if the city were helping people file their asylum application 318 00:14:06,920 --> 00:14:09,840 Speaker 2: and then file their work authorization six months later, and 319 00:14:09,880 --> 00:14:12,840 Speaker 2: in the meantime saying let's get you some English classes 320 00:14:12,920 --> 00:14:17,280 Speaker 2: and some workforce development. We've got employers begging for certified 321 00:14:17,320 --> 00:14:20,160 Speaker 2: nursing assistants or people to work in restaurants or those 322 00:14:20,160 --> 00:14:24,400 Speaker 2: home care jobs I mentioned, and we could have a 323 00:14:24,440 --> 00:14:28,520 Speaker 2: lot of folks getting on path to get those. And 324 00:14:28,600 --> 00:14:31,640 Speaker 2: you know, our employment, our labor force participations at all 325 00:14:31,680 --> 00:14:33,720 Speaker 2: time high, so those folks don't are going to take 326 00:14:33,800 --> 00:14:37,400 Speaker 2: jobs from people here. And if we do that, if 327 00:14:37,440 --> 00:14:40,440 Speaker 2: we help those asylum seekers get jobs, then I think 328 00:14:40,480 --> 00:14:44,640 Speaker 2: we can focus our affordable housing resources on long standing 329 00:14:44,720 --> 00:14:49,240 Speaker 2: New Yorkers who are desperate to just have a safe, decent, 330 00:14:49,320 --> 00:14:50,840 Speaker 2: affordable place to live. 331 00:14:51,000 --> 00:14:53,720 Speaker 1: Yeah, because I see that as a big conversation with 332 00:14:53,800 --> 00:14:56,440 Speaker 1: people feeling like, well, they're coming here, they're getting things 333 00:14:56,440 --> 00:14:58,520 Speaker 1: that I don't even get. And I don't know if 334 00:14:58,560 --> 00:15:01,480 Speaker 1: that's misinformation, love for you to explain that better, because 335 00:15:01,480 --> 00:15:03,840 Speaker 1: I see all the time, well I'm not getting vouchers, 336 00:15:03,840 --> 00:15:05,040 Speaker 1: Well I'm not getting free money. 337 00:15:05,320 --> 00:15:06,080 Speaker 3: Yeah, so. 338 00:15:07,520 --> 00:15:10,400 Speaker 2: I hear this too, And New Yorkers are really feeling, 339 00:15:10,560 --> 00:15:12,800 Speaker 2: and of course we should be doing better for those 340 00:15:13,120 --> 00:15:16,600 Speaker 2: New Yorkers. We are not giving housing vouchers to the 341 00:15:16,640 --> 00:15:19,080 Speaker 2: set of asylum seekers where they are they can stand now, 342 00:15:19,080 --> 00:15:21,160 Speaker 2: they're getting kicked out of shelter in only thirty or 343 00:15:21,160 --> 00:15:23,880 Speaker 2: sixty days, even if they've got kids in our public school. 344 00:15:23,960 --> 00:15:24,720 Speaker 4: Now, I'm not gonna lie. 345 00:15:24,720 --> 00:15:26,400 Speaker 1: I feel bad sometimes and I walk past and I 346 00:15:26,440 --> 00:15:28,600 Speaker 1: see little kids sitting outside. 347 00:15:28,080 --> 00:15:29,160 Speaker 4: With you know, families. 348 00:15:29,600 --> 00:15:31,800 Speaker 1: If to me, I don't see how you can people 349 00:15:31,800 --> 00:15:33,880 Speaker 1: can feel so heartless that they are like, just get 350 00:15:33,920 --> 00:15:36,360 Speaker 1: out of here, you know, because we don't know what 351 00:15:36,400 --> 00:15:39,480 Speaker 1: people's situations are. But I also can agree that we 352 00:15:39,560 --> 00:15:41,960 Speaker 1: have to do better with people are here, pop and look. 353 00:15:42,040 --> 00:15:45,120 Speaker 2: Housing, I think is issue number one I'd like to 354 00:15:45,160 --> 00:15:48,160 Speaker 2: get back to. When you know, we mentioned Mayor Adams 355 00:15:48,240 --> 00:15:50,960 Speaker 2: program to build a little more housing. I'd like to 356 00:15:51,000 --> 00:15:53,920 Speaker 2: see us build housing that's like the old Mitchell Lama 357 00:15:54,000 --> 00:15:57,320 Speaker 2: developments where somebody could a working class family could own 358 00:15:57,360 --> 00:15:59,800 Speaker 2: an apartment like in co Op City or Penn South 359 00:15:59,880 --> 00:16:02,720 Speaker 2: or amalgamated houses. If we're going to up zone and 360 00:16:02,760 --> 00:16:04,680 Speaker 2: make a neighbor make it so there could be a 361 00:16:04,680 --> 00:16:09,080 Speaker 2: lot bigger buildings built let's say to families, a big 362 00:16:09,160 --> 00:16:11,600 Speaker 2: chunk of that is going to be affordable co ops 363 00:16:11,880 --> 00:16:14,680 Speaker 2: for people like you and your neighbors. That's what saved 364 00:16:14,720 --> 00:16:17,120 Speaker 2: our neighborhoods and the abandonmic crisis. That's where I got 365 00:16:17,120 --> 00:16:19,960 Speaker 2: my start. I didn't start in politics. I worked fifteen 366 00:16:20,000 --> 00:16:22,560 Speaker 2: years first in affordable housing and community development. And the 367 00:16:22,600 --> 00:16:26,560 Speaker 2: people who schooled me were people like Ebone Mohammed, who 368 00:16:26,800 --> 00:16:29,640 Speaker 2: brought back, like saved this neighbor that the Saint John's 369 00:16:29,640 --> 00:16:33,680 Speaker 2: Place in Brooklyn, that whole block was being a band 370 00:16:33,720 --> 00:16:36,280 Speaker 2: and I They didn't quit on their neighbors. They organized, 371 00:16:36,320 --> 00:16:39,640 Speaker 2: They took over the buildings, took it away from a 372 00:16:39,680 --> 00:16:43,479 Speaker 2: private landlord who was neglecting it, and made it affordable 373 00:16:43,480 --> 00:16:46,120 Speaker 2: co ops for working class Black and Latino folks right 374 00:16:46,120 --> 00:16:47,160 Speaker 2: in the heart of Park's Lope. 375 00:16:47,160 --> 00:16:50,720 Speaker 3: And it's still there all these years later. Let's help 376 00:16:50,720 --> 00:16:51,360 Speaker 3: people like that. 377 00:16:51,480 --> 00:16:54,200 Speaker 2: Let's build the kind of buildings that let people own 378 00:16:54,240 --> 00:16:55,320 Speaker 2: a piece of this city. 379 00:16:55,640 --> 00:16:56,360 Speaker 3: If we could do. 380 00:16:56,480 --> 00:16:59,600 Speaker 2: That and working class folk could see I got a 381 00:16:59,680 --> 00:17:02,000 Speaker 2: chance to have a place where my kids and I 382 00:17:02,040 --> 00:17:06,080 Speaker 2: could be stable in this increasingly expensive city, then they 383 00:17:06,119 --> 00:17:09,119 Speaker 2: won't look at these new neighbors coming in and saying, 384 00:17:09,320 --> 00:17:11,119 Speaker 2: you know, how come there and getting what I don't have. 385 00:17:11,160 --> 00:17:13,240 Speaker 2: They'll know I've got some stability. 386 00:17:13,560 --> 00:17:14,920 Speaker 3: Let's see how we could do it for the next 387 00:17:14,960 --> 00:17:15,680 Speaker 3: generation too. 388 00:17:16,080 --> 00:17:17,680 Speaker 4: How do you plan to get people to want to 389 00:17:17,720 --> 00:17:18,280 Speaker 4: go out and vote? 390 00:17:18,320 --> 00:17:20,960 Speaker 1: Because I feel like I hear so many people say 391 00:17:20,960 --> 00:17:22,800 Speaker 1: we get all these promises of what's going to happen. 392 00:17:22,880 --> 00:17:25,320 Speaker 1: People say these things, then they get in office and 393 00:17:25,359 --> 00:17:27,880 Speaker 1: they don't actually do the things that they say they're 394 00:17:27,880 --> 00:17:28,240 Speaker 1: going to do. 395 00:17:28,400 --> 00:17:28,600 Speaker 3: Yep. 396 00:17:29,400 --> 00:17:31,040 Speaker 2: Well, first I hope people will go out and vote 397 00:17:31,040 --> 00:17:35,120 Speaker 2: this November. We're talking Mayor's election is next year, this November. Oh, 398 00:17:35,160 --> 00:17:36,880 Speaker 2: we got to get out of general. I think people 399 00:17:36,920 --> 00:17:38,280 Speaker 2: get very incree cynical. 400 00:17:38,560 --> 00:17:39,200 Speaker 3: They really do. 401 00:17:39,520 --> 00:17:41,720 Speaker 2: And look, this is on us, as you know, elected 402 00:17:41,720 --> 00:17:45,680 Speaker 2: officials and politicians who either haven't delivered or haven't shown 403 00:17:45,680 --> 00:17:48,720 Speaker 2: people why it matters have been really trying hard to 404 00:17:48,880 --> 00:17:52,159 Speaker 2: do that. In my neighborhood when I was city council member. 405 00:17:52,440 --> 00:17:54,399 Speaker 2: You know, we got a lot of new housing built 406 00:17:54,400 --> 00:17:56,400 Speaker 2: in Gowanas, so now people are, you know, getting ready 407 00:17:56,400 --> 00:17:59,360 Speaker 2: to move into it. I've tried to do some things. 408 00:17:59,440 --> 00:18:02,240 Speaker 2: Even the control roller's job can sometimes sound a little remote. 409 00:18:02,680 --> 00:18:06,040 Speaker 2: We took our audit power and for Nicha for public housing, 410 00:18:06,480 --> 00:18:10,520 Speaker 2: we said, let's create a Nische Resident Audit Committee, so 411 00:18:10,640 --> 00:18:13,600 Speaker 2: night your residents decide what the Controller's office is going 412 00:18:13,680 --> 00:18:16,040 Speaker 2: to audit about Nicha. And the first thing they said 413 00:18:16,119 --> 00:18:20,119 Speaker 2: is Controller, the repairs in our units, they don't get done. 414 00:18:20,520 --> 00:18:23,480 Speaker 2: The contractor gets hired. I think he's somebody's cousin. I 415 00:18:23,480 --> 00:18:26,120 Speaker 2: don't know, but I'd never see him. The work doesn't 416 00:18:26,160 --> 00:18:28,399 Speaker 2: get done, or when it does, it shoddy, and no 417 00:18:28,440 --> 00:18:31,320 Speaker 2: one even asks me if the work got done. So 418 00:18:31,400 --> 00:18:34,840 Speaker 2: we did an audit and what we're recommending in the 419 00:18:35,080 --> 00:18:37,000 Speaker 2: in our recommendations. But what I love to do if 420 00:18:37,000 --> 00:18:39,360 Speaker 2: I get elected mayor, is you know how you could 421 00:18:39,400 --> 00:18:41,520 Speaker 2: rate everything now these days, you could rate your Uber driver, 422 00:18:41,640 --> 00:18:44,119 Speaker 2: you could rate your food, you could rate your. 423 00:18:43,920 --> 00:18:44,800 Speaker 3: You know on Yelp. 424 00:18:45,280 --> 00:18:48,520 Speaker 2: We could have that for Nischa, where that contractor doesn't 425 00:18:48,520 --> 00:18:52,720 Speaker 2: get paid until the niche residence says yes, the work 426 00:18:52,840 --> 00:18:54,879 Speaker 2: was done and they were polite, or they did a 427 00:18:54,880 --> 00:18:57,320 Speaker 2: good job or a bad job, and that data would 428 00:18:57,320 --> 00:19:01,040 Speaker 2: add up to whether that contractor got more work or 429 00:19:01,119 --> 00:19:03,440 Speaker 2: didn't get more work. And I think if we could 430 00:19:03,520 --> 00:19:06,680 Speaker 2: do things more like that, where people really tangibly see 431 00:19:06,680 --> 00:19:10,639 Speaker 2: their voice matters, it matters in their own day to 432 00:19:10,720 --> 00:19:13,680 Speaker 2: day quality of life. Then we ought to be able. 433 00:19:13,680 --> 00:19:15,040 Speaker 2: Then people will be like, oh, I never heard of 434 00:19:15,040 --> 00:19:17,280 Speaker 2: a comptroller before. I don't know what an audit was. 435 00:19:17,320 --> 00:19:19,840 Speaker 2: I don't know why I would care about that. Now 436 00:19:19,920 --> 00:19:23,440 Speaker 2: I see how that connects to my quality of life. 437 00:19:24,000 --> 00:19:25,680 Speaker 2: So that's on all of us to do better. 438 00:19:25,840 --> 00:19:27,680 Speaker 4: Is that something that you could be doing now though 439 00:19:27,680 --> 00:19:28,880 Speaker 4: in your position. 440 00:19:28,840 --> 00:19:30,880 Speaker 3: Well, I don't get to. So I do the audits 441 00:19:30,920 --> 00:19:34,680 Speaker 3: and I make the recommendation. That's what I do. It's 442 00:19:34,840 --> 00:19:36,879 Speaker 3: they that makes the decisions about. 443 00:19:36,760 --> 00:19:38,920 Speaker 1: A city council, right, How do you get along with that? 444 00:19:39,160 --> 00:19:41,439 Speaker 1: Because I know the council and the mayor do not 445 00:19:41,480 --> 00:19:44,080 Speaker 1: have a great relationship with each other, and I guess 446 00:19:44,080 --> 00:19:44,960 Speaker 1: that's by design. 447 00:19:46,520 --> 00:19:50,199 Speaker 2: This is worse than I got to say that I 448 00:19:50,240 --> 00:19:53,040 Speaker 2: served in the council for twelve years with three you know, 449 00:19:53,080 --> 00:19:58,040 Speaker 2: with Mayor Bloomberg, and then two terms with with Mayor Deblasio, 450 00:19:58,200 --> 00:20:01,280 Speaker 2: and in the term when Melissa mark Rito was speaker, 451 00:20:01,840 --> 00:20:04,280 Speaker 2: we did a lot of things together. That's when universal 452 00:20:04,320 --> 00:20:06,959 Speaker 2: pre k happened. Every New Yorker knew their four year 453 00:20:07,000 --> 00:20:09,400 Speaker 2: old would have a full day pre k slot. 454 00:20:09,480 --> 00:20:11,800 Speaker 3: We uh passed some law, you know. 455 00:20:11,840 --> 00:20:14,399 Speaker 2: I was proud to pass the laws that give fast 456 00:20:14,480 --> 00:20:18,359 Speaker 2: food workers not a crazy schedule where you got no 457 00:20:18,480 --> 00:20:20,320 Speaker 2: idea when you're going to have to go to work. 458 00:20:21,160 --> 00:20:23,400 Speaker 2: Now you get two weeks advanced notice and a pathway 459 00:20:23,400 --> 00:20:26,800 Speaker 2: to a full time job. So I'm pleased to say, 460 00:20:26,920 --> 00:20:28,720 Speaker 2: you know, done a lot of work with council members. 461 00:20:28,760 --> 00:20:31,119 Speaker 2: Then you know, I'm not everyone you know always thinks 462 00:20:31,240 --> 00:20:32,360 Speaker 2: you know, but they and. 463 00:20:32,320 --> 00:20:34,600 Speaker 1: You're not supposed to all think alike. But it feels 464 00:20:34,640 --> 00:20:38,080 Speaker 1: like such a contentious relationship. Why do you think that is? 465 00:20:39,400 --> 00:20:42,920 Speaker 3: I mean, this one I have to say, the way 466 00:20:42,920 --> 00:20:45,000 Speaker 3: it is now seems I don't know what to say. 467 00:20:45,000 --> 00:20:49,199 Speaker 2: The mayor is needlessly contentious with the council and with 468 00:20:49,359 --> 00:20:52,119 Speaker 2: me and with the public advocate. The goal is to 469 00:20:52,200 --> 00:20:55,639 Speaker 2: make life better for New Yorkers. It really is not 470 00:20:55,800 --> 00:20:59,119 Speaker 2: about us, So I don't know. Sometimes you got to 471 00:20:59,160 --> 00:21:00,959 Speaker 2: put a little bit of I mean, it's a business 472 00:21:00,960 --> 00:21:03,760 Speaker 2: that attracts people that are you know, out there, but 473 00:21:04,320 --> 00:21:06,679 Speaker 2: sometimes you got to put ego aside a little bit. 474 00:21:06,680 --> 00:21:11,400 Speaker 2: It's not about swagger. It's about safer neighborhoods, more affordable housing, 475 00:21:11,480 --> 00:21:13,280 Speaker 2: getting that childcare to people. 476 00:21:13,480 --> 00:21:15,120 Speaker 1: You know, he's been saying, and he was a parent, 477 00:21:15,160 --> 00:21:17,440 Speaker 1: said that. He also feels like he gets extra criticism 478 00:21:17,520 --> 00:21:20,120 Speaker 1: because he's black. As a mayor, We've only had one 479 00:21:20,240 --> 00:21:23,400 Speaker 1: David Dinkins and now it's Eric Adams. Do you think 480 00:21:23,400 --> 00:21:24,240 Speaker 1: there's truth to that? 481 00:21:24,520 --> 00:21:27,560 Speaker 2: I mean, David Dingins didn't have all his deputy mayor's 482 00:21:27,680 --> 00:21:32,640 Speaker 2: FBI raids or his police commissioner running a protection racket. 483 00:21:33,040 --> 00:21:33,480 Speaker 3: I don't. 484 00:21:33,520 --> 00:21:37,840 Speaker 2: I mean, Look, what I think New Yorkers want, at 485 00:21:37,920 --> 00:21:41,560 Speaker 2: least as I'm talking to them across lines of race 486 00:21:41,600 --> 00:21:43,680 Speaker 2: and neighborhood, is a. 487 00:21:43,600 --> 00:21:45,640 Speaker 3: Safer, more affordable, more livable, and. 488 00:21:45,640 --> 00:21:48,640 Speaker 2: Better run city. And I'm hearing people that are hungry 489 00:21:48,680 --> 00:21:52,919 Speaker 2: for that, that are frustrated with a loss of trust 490 00:21:52,960 --> 00:21:54,840 Speaker 2: and distraction at city Hall. 491 00:21:55,359 --> 00:21:57,760 Speaker 1: Now I want to talk about the transit system. My 492 00:21:57,800 --> 00:21:59,719 Speaker 1: mom works for New York City Ranger. She's been working there. 493 00:22:00,160 --> 00:22:01,840 Speaker 1: I was in elementary school. 494 00:22:02,760 --> 00:22:03,760 Speaker 3: And what does she do there? 495 00:22:04,560 --> 00:22:05,040 Speaker 4: I don't know. 496 00:22:05,480 --> 00:22:12,320 Speaker 1: Okay, sorry, she works from downtown in the Financial district. 497 00:22:12,680 --> 00:22:15,280 Speaker 1: But anyway, we were having a conversation the other day 498 00:22:15,280 --> 00:22:17,480 Speaker 1: because I do take the train to work. Sometimes it's 499 00:22:17,520 --> 00:22:20,520 Speaker 1: just faster, but a lot of people are talking about safety, 500 00:22:20,520 --> 00:22:23,119 Speaker 1: but another thing, and my mom actually called me about 501 00:22:23,200 --> 00:22:26,760 Speaker 1: this to have a conversation with some of the people 502 00:22:26,800 --> 00:22:29,520 Speaker 1: from her job. How do you stop people from jumping 503 00:22:29,520 --> 00:22:31,520 Speaker 1: the fair and not paying their fair because that's been 504 00:22:31,560 --> 00:22:35,359 Speaker 1: an ongoing situation now and it's costing like billions of 505 00:22:35,400 --> 00:22:38,879 Speaker 1: dollars for the trains the buses. People are just like 506 00:22:38,960 --> 00:22:42,600 Speaker 1: not paying their fare. There's less people working at train stations, 507 00:22:42,640 --> 00:22:44,280 Speaker 1: and even on the bus, the bus driver's not going 508 00:22:44,280 --> 00:22:46,560 Speaker 1: to get into it with somebody getting on. It's too dangerous. 509 00:22:47,200 --> 00:22:48,960 Speaker 1: So what do you think about that and what can 510 00:22:49,000 --> 00:22:49,560 Speaker 1: be done? 511 00:22:49,800 --> 00:22:51,720 Speaker 2: Yeah, well let me say first, you know, I don't 512 00:22:51,720 --> 00:22:53,080 Speaker 2: know if you had a chance to watch the video 513 00:22:53,200 --> 00:22:56,840 Speaker 2: yeat from the Sutter Avenue subway the other night. That's 514 00:22:56,880 --> 00:22:59,440 Speaker 2: why I really definitely should not happen. Is that for 515 00:22:59,560 --> 00:23:04,359 Speaker 2: people not get shot from a turnstile jump, that just 516 00:23:04,480 --> 00:23:07,679 Speaker 2: is that was really, in my opinion, atrocious policing. At 517 00:23:07,680 --> 00:23:09,720 Speaker 2: the moment that they fired the shots, he was not 518 00:23:10,280 --> 00:23:12,560 Speaker 2: coming at them, and I believe that could have been 519 00:23:12,600 --> 00:23:15,919 Speaker 2: handled the okay, in which we wouldn't have four people 520 00:23:16,640 --> 00:23:19,040 Speaker 2: who got shot, including one officer and somebody who we 521 00:23:19,040 --> 00:23:21,359 Speaker 2: don't know if they're going to recover. Now, we do 522 00:23:21,440 --> 00:23:24,720 Speaker 2: need to address turnstile jumping and fair beating because you 523 00:23:24,760 --> 00:23:26,680 Speaker 2: can't have a system on the buses. It's now about 524 00:23:26,760 --> 00:23:30,000 Speaker 2: half the people that aren't paying the fares, So this 525 00:23:30,080 --> 00:23:31,080 Speaker 2: is an important issue. 526 00:23:31,160 --> 00:23:33,440 Speaker 3: I heard an interesting suggestion, and I'm asking. 527 00:23:33,160 --> 00:23:35,919 Speaker 2: The lawyers to look at whether this is appropriate or 528 00:23:35,960 --> 00:23:41,640 Speaker 2: not about maybe when someone jumps the turnstile, the officer 529 00:23:41,680 --> 00:23:45,320 Speaker 2: could just take a very long time to consider whether 530 00:23:45,520 --> 00:23:50,040 Speaker 2: or not to write them a ticket forty five minutes later. 531 00:23:52,680 --> 00:23:55,520 Speaker 1: Is dependent on an officer being there too, because a 532 00:23:55,520 --> 00:23:57,760 Speaker 1: lot of them are are stations where no one's there 533 00:23:57,880 --> 00:23:58,840 Speaker 1: to even monitor that. 534 00:23:59,080 --> 00:24:02,880 Speaker 4: Yeah, you know, and so I mean what about that? 535 00:24:03,440 --> 00:24:05,600 Speaker 2: Yeah, I mean this is a challenge there. You know, 536 00:24:05,640 --> 00:24:09,600 Speaker 2: we want to focus on where there are real safety issues. 537 00:24:09,640 --> 00:24:11,639 Speaker 2: Gotham has just put out this map that showed that 538 00:24:11,840 --> 00:24:14,000 Speaker 2: just four percent of the city's one hundred and twenty 539 00:24:14,040 --> 00:24:17,560 Speaker 2: thousand blocks kound of for basically all the city's shootings 540 00:24:17,560 --> 00:24:19,800 Speaker 2: over the last few years. So of course we want 541 00:24:19,800 --> 00:24:22,360 Speaker 2: to focus our resources and the places where they could 542 00:24:22,400 --> 00:24:25,720 Speaker 2: really do the most to get illegal guns off the street, 543 00:24:25,800 --> 00:24:30,200 Speaker 2: to self crimes, to prevent violence and not have everybody 544 00:24:30,480 --> 00:24:31,360 Speaker 2: waiting behind to turn. 545 00:24:32,520 --> 00:24:34,119 Speaker 4: And you know the people that are jumping fairs. 546 00:24:34,160 --> 00:24:37,560 Speaker 1: It's not like it's it's like regular everyday working people 547 00:24:37,680 --> 00:24:38,040 Speaker 1: the most. 548 00:24:38,119 --> 00:24:39,679 Speaker 4: You know, people who want Starbucks in. 549 00:24:39,680 --> 00:24:42,240 Speaker 2: Their hand once it starts going on the buses, once 550 00:24:42,280 --> 00:24:43,439 Speaker 2: everybody starts doing it, and. 551 00:24:43,440 --> 00:24:45,000 Speaker 1: They're like, I see no one else is paying, why 552 00:24:45,040 --> 00:24:47,880 Speaker 1: should I pay? And so that's that is just something 553 00:24:47,920 --> 00:24:49,960 Speaker 1: that I felt. They were asking me like what I thought, 554 00:24:50,000 --> 00:24:51,479 Speaker 1: and I was like, I don't even know what to 555 00:24:51,480 --> 00:24:53,800 Speaker 1: tell you to do, because the only thing you could 556 00:24:53,800 --> 00:24:55,199 Speaker 1: say is put more police here. But you don't want 557 00:24:55,200 --> 00:24:57,800 Speaker 1: to put more police, you know, in the train stations 558 00:24:58,080 --> 00:24:58,399 Speaker 1: because you. 559 00:24:58,480 --> 00:25:00,800 Speaker 3: Gonna wind up with shootings like that, et cetera. 560 00:25:00,960 --> 00:25:02,600 Speaker 1: Yeah, it doesn't feel like the best place to spend 561 00:25:02,640 --> 00:25:04,280 Speaker 1: your resources, but then it is impacting. 562 00:25:04,760 --> 00:25:06,679 Speaker 2: Now, let me give you one idea for something that 563 00:25:06,720 --> 00:25:08,840 Speaker 2: I think can make the subways a lot better. And 564 00:25:08,960 --> 00:25:13,600 Speaker 2: our neighborhoods too, were putting forward a plan to end 565 00:25:13,640 --> 00:25:16,840 Speaker 2: street homelessness of severely mentally ill people in New York City, 566 00:25:16,840 --> 00:25:19,720 Speaker 2: which has really grown through and after the pandemic. 567 00:25:20,240 --> 00:25:21,760 Speaker 3: But it's only six or. 568 00:25:21,760 --> 00:25:24,879 Speaker 2: Seven thousand people, even if you count the fifteen hundred 569 00:25:24,960 --> 00:25:28,040 Speaker 2: who are rikers with severe mental illness. There are cities 570 00:25:28,080 --> 00:25:31,280 Speaker 2: that have used what's called a housing first approach. Our 571 00:25:31,320 --> 00:25:34,840 Speaker 2: strategies basically move them along. Maybe they wind up in 572 00:25:34,880 --> 00:25:36,720 Speaker 2: the hospital or in jail, but then they're back on 573 00:25:36,760 --> 00:25:38,360 Speaker 2: the street, and we might say move along. 574 00:25:38,240 --> 00:25:39,840 Speaker 3: You can't stay here, no resource. 575 00:25:39,840 --> 00:25:43,120 Speaker 2: So if they never get connected to housing, then they're 576 00:25:43,200 --> 00:25:45,439 Speaker 2: just going to be right back again. So there's places 577 00:25:45,440 --> 00:25:48,399 Speaker 2: that use this model housing first, where you take a 578 00:25:48,400 --> 00:25:50,639 Speaker 2: housing voucher that the city has already got from the 579 00:25:50,680 --> 00:25:53,639 Speaker 2: federal government and say, let's focus it on this set 580 00:25:53,680 --> 00:25:55,919 Speaker 2: of the most vulnerable folks who could be a danger 581 00:25:55,960 --> 00:25:59,160 Speaker 2: to themselves but also to others. Keep the money we're 582 00:25:59,160 --> 00:26:01,760 Speaker 2: spending on services, but wrap them in the around that 583 00:26:01,800 --> 00:26:05,760 Speaker 2: housing unit where the person now is seventy to ninety percent. 584 00:26:05,840 --> 00:26:09,320 Speaker 2: The data shows those folks can stay stably housed. And 585 00:26:09,400 --> 00:26:12,399 Speaker 2: I think if we could then not have subways or 586 00:26:12,400 --> 00:26:15,560 Speaker 2: streets or neighborhoods that have so many unwell folked sleeping 587 00:26:15,640 --> 00:26:19,040 Speaker 2: on them, we could see a city where maybe people 588 00:26:19,119 --> 00:26:20,840 Speaker 2: be like, all right, you know what, Okay. 589 00:26:20,680 --> 00:26:23,520 Speaker 3: I'll pay my swipe. I see the value of what 590 00:26:23,600 --> 00:26:24,119 Speaker 3: I'm getting. 591 00:26:24,320 --> 00:26:25,600 Speaker 1: I was like, maybe we got to have something where 592 00:26:25,640 --> 00:26:27,840 Speaker 1: they take pictures of them and then so that could 593 00:26:27,840 --> 00:26:28,440 Speaker 1: be embarrassing. 594 00:26:28,560 --> 00:26:31,159 Speaker 3: That's interesting. I've heard that for people that don't pick. 595 00:26:31,080 --> 00:26:33,640 Speaker 2: Up after their dogs, you know, some kind of like 596 00:26:33,760 --> 00:26:35,000 Speaker 2: you know, shaping system. 597 00:26:35,160 --> 00:26:37,600 Speaker 1: Now you just brought up rikers and that's been also 598 00:26:37,960 --> 00:26:40,080 Speaker 1: a long source of controversy. 599 00:26:40,119 --> 00:26:42,720 Speaker 4: And it's supposed to shut down in twenty twenty seven. 600 00:26:43,400 --> 00:26:45,120 Speaker 1: Right, do you think that we're on check to even 601 00:26:45,160 --> 00:26:47,200 Speaker 1: make that happen, because it doesn't feel like, okay, have. 602 00:26:47,160 --> 00:26:48,560 Speaker 3: To make twenty twenty seven happen. 603 00:26:48,640 --> 00:26:51,960 Speaker 2: The first the first of the borough based jails in Brooklyn, 604 00:26:51,960 --> 00:26:55,080 Speaker 2: they've now demolished the one that was there, but even 605 00:26:55,160 --> 00:26:57,400 Speaker 2: the very first one in Brooklyn, I don't think it's 606 00:26:57,440 --> 00:27:03,280 Speaker 2: going to be built until up until twenty thirty one. 607 00:27:03,400 --> 00:27:04,680 Speaker 3: So we're already far. 608 00:27:04,760 --> 00:27:08,120 Speaker 2: Behind the schedule to get the Burro based jails. And 609 00:27:08,160 --> 00:27:12,480 Speaker 2: we're not taking the approach to reducing the number of 610 00:27:12,480 --> 00:27:16,000 Speaker 2: people that we have at rikers either, since in the pandemic, 611 00:27:16,320 --> 00:27:19,320 Speaker 2: court processing times went way up, so people are spending 612 00:27:19,400 --> 00:27:23,360 Speaker 2: much longer at rikers on the same charge, and so 613 00:27:23,400 --> 00:27:25,840 Speaker 2: we have to go to the courts and say let's 614 00:27:25,880 --> 00:27:28,600 Speaker 2: get back to the case processing times we had. It's 615 00:27:28,640 --> 00:27:31,280 Speaker 2: not supposed to be that you're stuck here. This is 616 00:27:31,320 --> 00:27:34,040 Speaker 2: kind of where all this got started. Remember Khalif Browner 617 00:27:34,600 --> 00:27:37,480 Speaker 2: who was alleged to have stolen a backpack right and 618 00:27:37,520 --> 00:27:39,800 Speaker 2: he said he didn't do it, but at worst, he 619 00:27:39,880 --> 00:27:45,399 Speaker 2: stole a backpack three years at Rikers, so much of 620 00:27:45,440 --> 00:27:49,040 Speaker 2: it in solitary it destroyed him when he came out. 621 00:27:49,240 --> 00:27:54,280 Speaker 2: Then he took his own life again. You could ask 622 00:27:54,320 --> 00:27:56,320 Speaker 2: a lot of questions, but one of them would be 623 00:27:56,600 --> 00:27:59,840 Speaker 2: three years you're waiting for, Like you wouldn't have served 624 00:28:00,000 --> 00:28:02,320 Speaker 2: three years for stealing a backpack if you had been 625 00:28:02,359 --> 00:28:05,320 Speaker 2: found to do it. So there's a lot we can do, 626 00:28:05,560 --> 00:28:08,359 Speaker 2: you know, we do, you know, want to take an 627 00:28:08,359 --> 00:28:11,320 Speaker 2: approach to building safety in our communities that gives people 628 00:28:11,320 --> 00:28:14,840 Speaker 2: better options, because look, we do need police to get 629 00:28:14,880 --> 00:28:17,919 Speaker 2: illegal guns off the street, to reduce filence, to solve crimes, 630 00:28:18,240 --> 00:28:22,480 Speaker 2: but no amount of policing and no length of sentences 631 00:28:22,600 --> 00:28:25,880 Speaker 2: is going to help address mental health and mental illness 632 00:28:26,000 --> 00:28:29,760 Speaker 2: or substance abuse or keep kids from skipping school. So 633 00:28:29,880 --> 00:28:33,880 Speaker 2: we need strategies that help make our neighborhoods better, and 634 00:28:33,920 --> 00:28:37,879 Speaker 2: then strategies when people do come into contact with the 635 00:28:37,960 --> 00:28:41,680 Speaker 2: criminal legal system process their cases in a timely way. 636 00:28:41,960 --> 00:28:48,400 Speaker 2: And I mean, I don't believe that the bail reform 637 00:28:49,000 --> 00:28:52,680 Speaker 2: that happened is responsible for the spiking crime that we've seen. 638 00:28:52,720 --> 00:28:54,320 Speaker 2: They you know, they've seen that in a lot of 639 00:28:54,360 --> 00:28:58,120 Speaker 2: other places where they didn't change the bail laws. The 640 00:28:59,360 --> 00:29:03,040 Speaker 2: goal is to have a fair system that moves people 641 00:29:03,080 --> 00:29:05,560 Speaker 2: through their process that when they you know, they get 642 00:29:05,560 --> 00:29:09,000 Speaker 2: their day in court. And there are some good efforts 643 00:29:09,040 --> 00:29:11,080 Speaker 2: going on around the city to figure out, Okay, if 644 00:29:11,080 --> 00:29:13,680 Speaker 2: this is a mental health or a substance abuse issue, 645 00:29:14,040 --> 00:29:16,239 Speaker 2: is there a way that we could address that and 646 00:29:16,320 --> 00:29:20,320 Speaker 2: solve the problem more durably than you know, what we're 647 00:29:20,320 --> 00:29:20,920 Speaker 2: doing right now. 648 00:29:21,400 --> 00:29:22,800 Speaker 4: Man, there's so many things happening. 649 00:29:22,800 --> 00:29:25,320 Speaker 1: And since we're talking about that MDC, that's where Didty 650 00:29:25,400 --> 00:29:27,840 Speaker 1: is right now, that's right, And they're talking about the 651 00:29:27,880 --> 00:29:29,960 Speaker 1: conditions there, and I feel like I haven't heard them 652 00:29:30,000 --> 00:29:31,920 Speaker 1: discuss it as much as they are now, Like, he 653 00:29:32,360 --> 00:29:34,480 Speaker 1: can't be there. The conditions are terrible, they're awful, But 654 00:29:34,480 --> 00:29:35,320 Speaker 1: what about everybody else? 655 00:29:35,600 --> 00:29:37,720 Speaker 2: Yeah, So I've been inside that place. I've been a 656 00:29:37,760 --> 00:29:41,680 Speaker 2: couple of times, you know that it was especially that time. 657 00:29:41,920 --> 00:29:44,160 Speaker 2: I don't know if it was this twenty nineteen when 658 00:29:44,160 --> 00:29:45,800 Speaker 2: the power went out. 659 00:29:45,840 --> 00:29:49,920 Speaker 4: And it was when it was there when they were freezing. 660 00:29:50,200 --> 00:29:53,320 Speaker 2: I think there was actually both anyway, So yes, I mean, 661 00:29:53,360 --> 00:29:56,040 Speaker 2: and it shouldn't take Ditty being in there for people 662 00:29:56,080 --> 00:29:59,160 Speaker 2: to wake up and say, Okay, you know that's whatever. 663 00:29:59,160 --> 00:30:03,560 Speaker 2: That's the government providing that you know, we can't be torture. 664 00:30:03,640 --> 00:30:05,840 Speaker 2: That's the same, you know, the same as a rikers. 665 00:30:05,840 --> 00:30:09,840 Speaker 2: It's our responsibility to make sure you know that it's 666 00:30:09,880 --> 00:30:12,240 Speaker 2: not a place that's essentially torturing people. 667 00:30:12,360 --> 00:30:14,440 Speaker 1: Now, what did you think about everything with Donald Trump too, 668 00:30:14,640 --> 00:30:16,640 Speaker 1: and him being prosecuted here in New York? 669 00:30:17,240 --> 00:30:19,760 Speaker 3: Oh, my goodness, where do I begin. 670 00:30:20,960 --> 00:30:22,920 Speaker 2: Let's start just by saying Donald Trump is not a 671 00:30:22,960 --> 00:30:25,760 Speaker 2: New Yorker, So I mean, I guess that trial is 672 00:30:25,800 --> 00:30:28,160 Speaker 2: here is you know, and that was appropriate, but I 673 00:30:28,320 --> 00:30:30,800 Speaker 2: consider him having forfeited his New York. 674 00:30:30,680 --> 00:30:32,880 Speaker 3: City citizenship at this point. 675 00:30:34,360 --> 00:30:38,320 Speaker 2: I mean, I was at the Democratic Convention in Chicago, 676 00:30:38,360 --> 00:30:42,320 Speaker 2: and I felt so much energy. I mean, seeing Kamala 677 00:30:42,440 --> 00:30:45,760 Speaker 2: up there and their families and what they want to 678 00:30:45,800 --> 00:30:49,160 Speaker 2: do for the country, and here in Michelle Obama speak, 679 00:30:49,280 --> 00:30:50,800 Speaker 2: it was the whole thing was great. 680 00:30:51,000 --> 00:30:53,480 Speaker 3: I feel so hopeful about what we could have. 681 00:30:54,280 --> 00:30:56,440 Speaker 2: And yeah, it's hard to wake up in a country 682 00:30:56,480 --> 00:31:00,640 Speaker 2: where basically half the people think it's so hey to 683 00:31:01,000 --> 00:31:05,400 Speaker 2: be a sexual assault or and a racist and whatever. 684 00:31:05,440 --> 00:31:07,360 Speaker 3: I'm Jewish the things I've been. 685 00:31:07,200 --> 00:31:10,160 Speaker 2: Saying where if he doesn't get elected, it's going to be. 686 00:31:10,600 --> 00:31:12,720 Speaker 3: Jewish people's fault. That's what he's been saying. 687 00:31:13,120 --> 00:31:17,880 Speaker 1: Wild that people can justify why they think that he's great, 688 00:31:17,880 --> 00:31:20,840 Speaker 1: and he can make things up and say it like 689 00:31:22,200 --> 00:31:24,680 Speaker 1: get any pushback, like there the people who follow him 690 00:31:24,680 --> 00:31:27,560 Speaker 1: are definitely like I don't I just don't even know. 691 00:31:27,600 --> 00:31:28,200 Speaker 4: It's like a cult. 692 00:31:28,400 --> 00:31:30,560 Speaker 3: Yeah, in a way, Kamala gave it to him pretty 693 00:31:30,600 --> 00:31:31,400 Speaker 3: good in that debate. 694 00:31:32,120 --> 00:31:33,760 Speaker 4: He's better to do a second one, but he is not. 695 00:31:34,000 --> 00:31:36,720 Speaker 3: Yeah, well he's a coward on top of everything else. 696 00:31:37,800 --> 00:31:39,240 Speaker 4: I don't know that it will help him in any way. 697 00:31:39,400 --> 00:31:41,480 Speaker 2: I mean, I hope he does, because he didn't look 698 00:31:41,480 --> 00:31:44,479 Speaker 2: good in the last one. Look, I hope everybody is, 699 00:31:44,720 --> 00:31:46,960 Speaker 2: you know, for the next few weeks doing everything we 700 00:31:47,000 --> 00:31:49,560 Speaker 2: can to be calling our friends and relatives in swing 701 00:31:49,560 --> 00:31:52,480 Speaker 2: states and making sure people get out and vote, because 702 00:31:52,480 --> 00:31:55,480 Speaker 2: there is a hopeful future for this country. What it 703 00:31:55,520 --> 00:31:58,640 Speaker 2: can look like if we have Kamala as the forty 704 00:31:58,680 --> 00:31:59,840 Speaker 2: seventh president. 705 00:32:00,880 --> 00:32:01,520 Speaker 4: I really hope. 706 00:32:01,560 --> 00:32:03,520 Speaker 1: So I always do still feel like there's a lot 707 00:32:03,560 --> 00:32:07,960 Speaker 1: of misogyny in this country, and you know, I hear 708 00:32:08,000 --> 00:32:11,120 Speaker 1: it and experience it at times too. So I just 709 00:32:11,160 --> 00:32:12,800 Speaker 1: hope that people are going to do what is best 710 00:32:12,840 --> 00:32:15,120 Speaker 1: for the country and not feel like a woman can't 711 00:32:15,120 --> 00:32:18,040 Speaker 1: do this, because you literally hear them say I don't 712 00:32:18,040 --> 00:32:19,880 Speaker 1: know if I feel comfortable with a woman running this country. 713 00:32:19,920 --> 00:32:21,720 Speaker 1: I've heard people say that, and I'm like, that's a 714 00:32:21,800 --> 00:32:23,440 Speaker 1: wild yeah. 715 00:32:23,400 --> 00:32:24,800 Speaker 2: And I mean that's why I hope there'll be one 716 00:32:24,800 --> 00:32:26,760 Speaker 2: more debate, because in that debate you could see she 717 00:32:26,800 --> 00:32:27,360 Speaker 2: can he. 718 00:32:27,560 --> 00:32:31,880 Speaker 3: Might he can't do it, but she can do it. Yes, totally. 719 00:32:32,080 --> 00:32:32,480 Speaker 4: All right. 720 00:32:32,520 --> 00:32:36,040 Speaker 1: Now, so you're you're married, and your wife used to 721 00:32:36,080 --> 00:32:38,640 Speaker 1: work for Planned Parenthood, and so does that shape some 722 00:32:38,680 --> 00:32:40,560 Speaker 1: of your views too when it comes to like row 723 00:32:40,640 --> 00:32:42,720 Speaker 1: versus WAD and making sure that women have rights. I 724 00:32:42,720 --> 00:32:46,080 Speaker 1: would love to hear how that has contributed to your policy. 725 00:32:46,320 --> 00:32:47,400 Speaker 3: Absolutely. Yeah. 726 00:32:47,440 --> 00:32:50,200 Speaker 2: So my wife, her name is Meg Barnett, and yeah, 727 00:32:50,280 --> 00:32:55,400 Speaker 2: we met, you know, thirty years ago, and she's incredible. 728 00:32:55,440 --> 00:32:58,520 Speaker 2: So I'm a lucky guy. And yeah, so she for 729 00:32:58,600 --> 00:33:02,120 Speaker 2: ten years was the General Council and Chief of Staff 730 00:33:02,120 --> 00:33:04,440 Speaker 2: at Plan Parenthood of Greater New York. And yeah, you 731 00:33:04,480 --> 00:33:09,000 Speaker 2: better believe that I'm a strong supporter of women's reproductive 732 00:33:09,120 --> 00:33:15,040 Speaker 2: rights and equality more broadly. And that's another thing that's 733 00:33:15,080 --> 00:33:17,800 Speaker 2: on the line right now in the presidential election. Even 734 00:33:17,800 --> 00:33:20,040 Speaker 2: here in New York, there's the opportunity to vote for 735 00:33:20,680 --> 00:33:23,840 Speaker 2: this kind of modern day version of the Equal Rights Amendment, 736 00:33:23,920 --> 00:33:26,600 Speaker 2: Proposition one. Not a lot of talk yet about these 737 00:33:26,720 --> 00:33:30,360 Speaker 2: ballot items. There's six items on the ballot. Two through 738 00:33:30,400 --> 00:33:33,400 Speaker 2: six are honestly some bologne that the mayor came up 739 00:33:33,480 --> 00:33:35,479 Speaker 2: with in this Charter Revision Commission as part of his 740 00:33:35,520 --> 00:33:36,600 Speaker 2: fight with the City Council. 741 00:33:37,800 --> 00:33:40,400 Speaker 3: Yeah, fair enough, Okay, it's to. 742 00:33:40,880 --> 00:33:44,160 Speaker 2: The city council was trying to get more oversight, to 743 00:33:44,360 --> 00:33:46,960 Speaker 2: have advice and consent of some of the mayors, and 744 00:33:47,000 --> 00:33:50,080 Speaker 2: he doesn't want that, so to block it, he empaneled 745 00:33:50,160 --> 00:33:51,280 Speaker 2: this bogus. 746 00:33:50,920 --> 00:33:53,000 Speaker 3: Charter Revision Commission. Those are two through six. 747 00:33:53,040 --> 00:33:55,800 Speaker 2: I hope people will vote know on those. But Proposition 748 00:33:55,920 --> 00:33:59,840 Speaker 2: one is four is around gender equality, and it'll strengthen 749 00:33:59,880 --> 00:34:05,640 Speaker 2: the production the protection on abortion and reproductive healthcare as 750 00:34:05,640 --> 00:34:08,759 Speaker 2: well as advanced gender equality more broadly. In New York State, 751 00:34:09,400 --> 00:34:12,160 Speaker 2: and yeah, I supported, And some of that for sure 752 00:34:12,280 --> 00:34:14,280 Speaker 2: comes from what I learned from Meg. 753 00:34:14,480 --> 00:34:16,319 Speaker 1: I would love to be what you've learned from your wife, 754 00:34:16,320 --> 00:34:18,319 Speaker 1: because I do think that's important that you know, you 755 00:34:18,360 --> 00:34:19,440 Speaker 1: guys got to learn from us. 756 00:34:19,520 --> 00:34:19,840 Speaker 3: Amen. 757 00:34:20,239 --> 00:34:22,480 Speaker 2: Amen, Oh yeah, yeah, believe me. That list is long. 758 00:34:22,560 --> 00:34:25,560 Speaker 2: I mean, and my kids too. You know, we got 759 00:34:25,640 --> 00:34:28,000 Speaker 2: a son and a daughter. They're twenty one and twenty five. 760 00:34:29,160 --> 00:34:32,520 Speaker 2: And yeah, I mean, I think it's mostly got to 761 00:34:32,560 --> 00:34:36,520 Speaker 2: look out for each other. That this is if we are, 762 00:34:37,040 --> 00:34:40,640 Speaker 2: if we recognize women's leadership, whether that's our next president 763 00:34:40,760 --> 00:34:44,400 Speaker 2: or whether that's in having decisions over their own bodies 764 00:34:44,440 --> 00:34:47,759 Speaker 2: and their family choices, then we can have a flourishing 765 00:34:47,800 --> 00:34:50,600 Speaker 2: society in which lots of different kinds of families succeed. 766 00:34:50,719 --> 00:34:53,440 Speaker 2: I mentioned being at the convention and I kept texting 767 00:34:53,480 --> 00:34:55,680 Speaker 2: Meg and my daughter Rosa and my son at it, 768 00:34:55,800 --> 00:35:00,160 Speaker 2: thinking look at how these families, you know, Kamala and 769 00:35:00,040 --> 00:35:02,920 Speaker 2: and Doug em Hoff and also the walls is have 770 00:35:03,239 --> 00:35:05,600 Speaker 2: have made it possible for these very different kinds of 771 00:35:05,680 --> 00:35:08,880 Speaker 2: kids to thrive and flourish. That's what we want for 772 00:35:08,960 --> 00:35:13,400 Speaker 2: every kid in this country. Is a decent home, is 773 00:35:13,440 --> 00:35:16,160 Speaker 2: a safe neighborhood, is a good school and the ability 774 00:35:16,200 --> 00:35:19,640 Speaker 2: to be comfortable in their own skin. And no, that's 775 00:35:19,680 --> 00:35:22,200 Speaker 2: not going to prevent them from getting a loan from 776 00:35:22,239 --> 00:35:24,440 Speaker 2: a bank, or buying a home, or starting a business 777 00:35:24,560 --> 00:35:28,160 Speaker 2: or getting a city contract. And it's elusive to get there, 778 00:35:28,200 --> 00:35:31,439 Speaker 2: but New York City, we got the chance to come 779 00:35:31,680 --> 00:35:34,160 Speaker 2: as close as as anybody has. 780 00:35:34,440 --> 00:35:36,279 Speaker 1: All right, And I have one more question for you, 781 00:35:36,440 --> 00:35:40,240 Speaker 1: controller Brad Lander. So according to this, you used to box. 782 00:35:40,920 --> 00:35:41,800 Speaker 3: I do still box. 783 00:35:41,840 --> 00:35:44,560 Speaker 4: You do to Okay, So how good are you not 784 00:35:44,600 --> 00:35:45,280 Speaker 4: having it? Okay? 785 00:35:45,400 --> 00:35:48,000 Speaker 3: I mean I bought to work out one. 786 00:35:47,880 --> 00:35:48,760 Speaker 4: Of my favorite sports. 787 00:35:48,760 --> 00:35:50,839 Speaker 1: And I'm you know, and I saw you were at 788 00:35:50,840 --> 00:35:52,640 Speaker 1: the Barclays the other day at the Liberty game, and 789 00:35:52,680 --> 00:35:54,400 Speaker 1: I know we do boxing at the Barclays. 790 00:35:54,560 --> 00:35:56,840 Speaker 2: Yes, so I love the Liberty and they won the 791 00:35:56,880 --> 00:35:58,920 Speaker 2: other night. I hope they're going all the way. I 792 00:35:59,000 --> 00:36:02,040 Speaker 2: like seeing Phoebitch start. I really hope they get all 793 00:36:02,080 --> 00:36:04,799 Speaker 2: the way to the to the championship this year. I 794 00:36:04,800 --> 00:36:07,400 Speaker 2: go to a boxing gym in Brooklyn called Jukebox. It's 795 00:36:07,440 --> 00:36:10,520 Speaker 2: a woman owned okay boxing gym, first first woman owned 796 00:36:10,560 --> 00:36:13,600 Speaker 2: boxing gym in Brooklyn. That's nice And I'm in a 797 00:36:13,640 --> 00:36:15,120 Speaker 2: lot better shape as a result. 798 00:36:15,160 --> 00:36:17,520 Speaker 3: But I don't it wouldn't probably go well for me 799 00:36:17,560 --> 00:36:18,120 Speaker 3: in the ring. 800 00:36:18,080 --> 00:36:20,319 Speaker 4: Because they definitely sent over like, oh, by the way, 801 00:36:20,360 --> 00:36:21,080 Speaker 4: he used to box. 802 00:36:21,160 --> 00:36:22,960 Speaker 2: There's a clip. Yeah, no, there's a clip in my 803 00:36:23,040 --> 00:36:25,319 Speaker 2: launch video. You can see me boxing. I'll take your 804 00:36:25,360 --> 00:36:26,640 Speaker 2: feedback on my form. 805 00:36:26,760 --> 00:36:30,960 Speaker 1: Okay, a fight I in life, we had to fight 806 00:36:31,000 --> 00:36:31,960 Speaker 1: anybody growing up. 807 00:36:32,120 --> 00:36:35,959 Speaker 2: Ever I never thankfully had to. I mean I spar 808 00:36:36,239 --> 00:36:39,160 Speaker 2: a little and I fight with words, thankfully. Yeah, that's 809 00:36:39,200 --> 00:36:40,000 Speaker 2: what I'm training for. 810 00:36:40,640 --> 00:36:42,680 Speaker 3: Look, this is why I go to the gym. You 811 00:36:42,760 --> 00:36:44,600 Speaker 3: never know, That's why I go to the gym. 812 00:36:44,680 --> 00:36:48,040 Speaker 1: I'm ready, all right, Well, I appreciate you for coming through. 813 00:36:48,080 --> 00:36:49,799 Speaker 1: You know, I'm gonna be paying attention to all of this. 814 00:36:50,280 --> 00:36:52,279 Speaker 1: I'm from Brooklyn, and you know, Mayor Eric Adams was 815 00:36:52,280 --> 00:36:54,719 Speaker 1: our Brooklyn Borough president, so I have a relationship with him. 816 00:36:54,760 --> 00:36:57,280 Speaker 1: But I'm also making sure that we're looking at everybody. 817 00:36:57,280 --> 00:36:58,600 Speaker 1: Who else is running for mayor two. 818 00:36:58,719 --> 00:37:02,800 Speaker 2: I know there's Zellner Myrie's the state senator from Brooklyn, 819 00:37:02,920 --> 00:37:06,719 Speaker 2: Scot Stringer, the previous controller, Jessica Ramos, who's the state 820 00:37:06,840 --> 00:37:11,200 Speaker 2: senator from Queen's Uh. Some people are saying that soron 821 00:37:11,280 --> 00:37:13,560 Speaker 2: Mumdanie who's an assembly member, might get in. 822 00:37:13,920 --> 00:37:16,719 Speaker 3: Okay, that's the field. What it's looking like so far 823 00:37:16,800 --> 00:37:18,080 Speaker 3: at a lot of folk. 824 00:37:18,120 --> 00:37:22,120 Speaker 1: Last election was quite I would say there was a 825 00:37:22,160 --> 00:37:23,560 Speaker 1: lot going on with that last election. 826 00:37:23,719 --> 00:37:26,640 Speaker 4: Yeah, that was It was exciting one the first. 827 00:37:26,320 --> 00:37:29,239 Speaker 2: Time of rank choice voting with peopull rank. But yes, 828 00:37:29,280 --> 00:37:31,880 Speaker 2: I appreciate you having me on because my job is 829 00:37:31,920 --> 00:37:35,520 Speaker 2: to introduce myself to a lot more voters, and obviously 830 00:37:35,560 --> 00:37:37,920 Speaker 2: we got a big election in November's. 831 00:37:37,480 --> 00:37:40,080 Speaker 4: Choice voting again. It will be ranked icing like that process. 832 00:37:40,280 --> 00:37:41,480 Speaker 4: You think that's a better way. 833 00:37:41,640 --> 00:37:43,600 Speaker 2: I mean, if you're going to have so many candidates, 834 00:37:43,600 --> 00:37:45,799 Speaker 2: it's nice to be able to kind of say, well, 835 00:37:46,000 --> 00:37:48,200 Speaker 2: you know, I look I like to be everyone's first choice, 836 00:37:48,200 --> 00:37:49,719 Speaker 2: but if I can't be your first choice, I'll be 837 00:37:49,760 --> 00:37:51,080 Speaker 2: happy to be your second. 838 00:37:52,080 --> 00:37:53,840 Speaker 1: I'll take it, all right, all right, Well, thank you 839 00:37:53,920 --> 00:37:55,960 Speaker 1: so much for joining us. 840 00:37:56,400 --> 00:37:57,080 Speaker 4: It will be in touch. 841 00:37:57,120 --> 00:38:02,480 Speaker 3: I really appreciate it. One