This content is a transcript of a New York City mayoral debate, featuring candidates discussing their platforms, policy proposals, and engaging in sharp exchanges on issues ranging from public safety and affordability to social policies and their relationships with former President Trump.
I'm here. I'm not late.
Where's the live stream? Where is it? I
You actually got my ass. Thanks, man.
Don't be a [ __ ]
All right. Where is it?
Oh, that's good. That's very good. Oh,
yeah. That's the [ __ ]
The likes and subscriptions are flowing in.
in.
First majority poll for Zeron and it's
from Fox.
Mamani maintains
>> significant lead in NYC mayoral race.
among registered voters a 21
that is nice.
Don't forget the bingo.
How about first
we get the debate live stream?
Where is it?
So Cuomo has a chance. Yeah, he's
basically guaranteed to live uh to to
I'm looking. I'm looking. I'm looking.
Okay. I think for I think I think New
Are they? Okay. Let's just go to NBC
News then because they would have it on
the main page and they do. Okay.
Uh yeah. Uh
Uh yeah.
yeah. [Music]
[Music] Uh
Uh uh
uh
yeah. Uh [Music]
[Music]
freestyler [ __ ] Huge [ __ ] Massive
vagina. Huge gigantic
gigantic
wet [ __ ] [Music]
[Music]
I could not even attempt to do a jokey
freestyle without stepping on a few
racism landmines unintentionally. It
would be unintentional.
It would be in the service of the bit.
It wouldn't be It wouldn't I I have
nothing but respect for uh hip-hop. I
don't know. Is that It's a hip-hop beat.
I don't know what the difference between
hip-hop and rap is.
>> Your state assembly member Zora Mdani.
>> I know that guy.
>> Republican candidate and guardian angels
founder Curtis Leewa.
Sponsored by News for New York, Telmundo
47, Politico, the New York City campaign
finance board, and NYC Votes. >> Yay.
>> Yay.
>> Here now, news for New York anchor,
David Usherie.
Good evening everyone and welcome to
this New York City mayoral debate. We
made him take three weeks from election
day. Which one of these men will be
declared the 111th mayor of New York
City? I'm joined by my colleague News4
government affairs reporter Melissa
Rosuck delics editor at Politico Sally
Goldenberg and Telmundo47 anchor
Rosarena Raton.
>> This is not a fair debate
>> live on all NBC New York and Telmundo47
streaming and digital platforms politico.comos
politico.comos
and YouTube. The first hour is also live
on channel 4 and window47. We do have a
few rules candidates for traditional
question and answer. You will have 1
minute to respond and we'll offer 30
second rebuttals at the moderator.
>> Oh my god, the crackling asking
questions where we will be looking for
shorter answers. We also reserve the right
right
to cut off your microphone if you ignore
the rules. But candidates, you know, we
don't want to do that. The goal is for
you to hear is better and for New
Yorkers to hear everything you have to
say. Good luck. We'll begin with Melissa Russo.
Russo.
>> Thank you, David, and good evening,
gentlemen. Thank you for being here. We
begin tonight by asking you to do what
every mayor dreams of, and that is to
write your own headlines. Imagine it's
January 2027 and you have been in office
for exactly one year. We would like you
to quickly give us one headline about
what you think your biggest
accomplishment will have been in your
number one. We'll begin with you, Mr. Cuomo.
Cuomo.
>> Uh first, thank you very much for
sponsoring the debate and having all of
us. Uh, the one headline, how how many
characters in the headline?
>> [ __ ] deaf people.
>> You're familiar with headline length.
>> Rent down, comma, crime down, comma,
education scores up, uh, comma, more
jobs in New York City.
>> We're getting maybe a little over the
average headline length, but
>> optimism high.
>> Thank you, Mr. SWA. Uh Curtis Fua is
without his iconic red beret
>> because I'm talking to the people of New
York City about the really serious
issues of affordability, the cost of
living for what I spent most of my life
doing, which is public safety in the
streets and the subways.
>> We would love a headline from you. What
will your headline be? Your big headline
and your number one as mayor. Curtis
Leeway exceeds all expectations
and looks very mayoral tonight.
>> Mr. Mandani, you've had some time to
think about it. Now,
>> that's also not the format.
>> It's a pleasure to be here, first of
all, and I really want to thank the
moderators and the opportunity to speak
directly to New Yorkers about this
moment in time and our opportunity to
transform the most expensive city in the
United States of America. The headline
would read, "In about a year, Mandani
continues to take on Trump delivers on
affordability agenda for New Yorkers."
>> Thank you, Mr. Mandani. Sally,
>> thank you, Melissa. We're going to talk
about leadership. Voters have
reservations about all three of you as
chief executive of New York City, a city
with roughly 300,000 employees and a
budget bigger than many countries. We
have questions for each of you and Mr.
Cuomo, we will begin with you. As a
former governor of New York, you
obviously have the management experience,
experience,
>> but you resigned from office amid sexual
harassment and COVID related scandals.
>> Really? Why should voters now trust that
you have
>> I'm just hearing this now and I'm
shocked that one minute.
>> Good. Well, thank you very much and
thank you for the question. Uh first, uh
you are right. I left office report that
was done that had allegations of
harassment. I said at the time it was a
political report and uh that there was
no basis to it.
>> Um it was then sent to five district
attorneys. They all reviewed it. They
found nothing. It was then litigated for
5 years. I didn't do dropped from the
cases. So none of that came also. I'm Italian.
Italian.
>> When it comes to executive experience,
I've run the Department of Housing and
Urban Development, built housing all
across the nation. I was governor for 11
years. The budget is double what it is
in New York City. And I got government
to work. I passed groundbreaking laws,
minimum wage, paid family leave, built
projects that had never been built
before. This is no job for on the-job
training. And if you look at the failed
mayors, they're ones that had no
management experience. Don't do it again.
again.
>> Thank you, Rina.
>> Thank you, Sally. Also, in the theme of
leadership, Mr. Mandani, you work as a
foreclosure prevention counselor for
winning seat in the state assembly. You
have no substantial management
experience. How are you ready to lead
the nation's largest and greatest city
in the world in one day? You have a minute.
minute.
>> You know, I have the experience of
having served in the New York State
Assembly for 5 years and watching a
broken political system. The experience
of seeing a governor in Andrew Cuomo who
would rather have served his billionaire
donors and the working-class New Yorkers
who voted for him. and the experience
amidst all of that, of fighting and
winning for working-class taxi drivers
to free them from predatory debt and
delivering the first free bus lines in
New York City history and in working
with unions and working-class New
Yorkers to finally raise taxes just that
little bit on Mr. Cuomo's donors to
start to fully fund our public school.
And more than that, I have the
experience of being a New Yorker,
someone who has actually paid rent in
the city before I ran for mayor. someone
who has had to wait for a bus that never
came, someone who actually buys his
groceries in this same city. And what
all of that experience has shown me,
which Mr. Cuomo can't seem to
understand, is that it is far too
expensive and far too hard for New
Yorkers to afford to live in this city.
And the definition of experience is not
doing the same thing again and again and
hoping for a different result. That's
actually the definition of insanity.
Thank you, Mr. Right. If I can, I think
I was invoked. Yes.
>> Uh, in other words, uh, what the
assemblyman said is he has no
experience. And this is not a job for
someone who has no management experience
to run 300,000 people, no financial
experience to run $115 billion budget.
He literally has never had a job. On his
resume, it says he interned for his
mother. Uh, this is not a job for a
first timer. Any day you could have a
hurricane, you have, god forbid, a 911,
a health pandemic. If you don't know
what you're doing, people have to Mr. M
want to respond.
>> And and if we have a health pandemic,
then why would New Yorkers turn back to
the governor who sent seniors to their
death in nursing homes? That's the kind
of experience that's on offer here
today. What I don't have in experience,
I make up for in integrity. And what you
don't have in integrity, you could never
make up for in experience.
>> Yeah. Uh first, what you said was
totally false as you know. Uh which part
was false? During COVID, everyone did
whatever they could in this state and
there have been numerous investigations
>> including sending thousands of seniors
to their death
>> and they said we followed federal
guidance but yes people died during CO
and my heart breaks for everyone that
broke in uh that died in this state and
across this nation.
>> But just to be clear, Mr. Just to fact
check that, there is a criminal
investigation reportedly underway at the
DOJ about your testimony to Congress
about your nursing home record.
>> Yeah, but that was that is a political
issue with the Congress. They made a
referral uh which has gone absolutely
nowhere. But there have been multiple
investigations where the DOJ found that
the nursing home investigation was
politically motivated.
>> Okay, we're going to move on. We we
might have time to come back to it. I do
need to move on to Mr. May I just finish my
my
>> talking about all of my sexual and legal improprieties.
improprieties.
>> The assemblyman still says he has no
experience to do the job.
>> Okay. Thank you, Mr. Cuomo. Mr. Sua, as
founder of the Guardian Angels and as a
radio host, you've been a well-known
figure in New York City for decades, but
you also lack substantial management
experience. So, how are you prepared to
be the chief executive officer of New
York City? You have one minute, Mr.
Siwa. First of all, I created the
Guardian Angels to provide public safety
in the subways and streets when
government was incapable of doing so. I
didn't do it to get a title or a paycheck.
paycheck.
>> Do you think he applied Tanner to the
top of his head to balance myself to be
all knowing? I will hire the very
brightest and best in their fields who
have dedicated their lives to trying to
improve the city of New York or the
state or the federal government or the
private sector. But what I will say is,
thank God I'm not a professional
politician. We have the architect and we
have the apprentice of No Cash Bail,
which has been a disaster. We have the
architect and the apprentice here of
Raise the Age. My own son was almost
killed because of that in a gang attack.
We have the architect and we have the
apprentice of Closed Riker's Island,
which would just release criminals in
the street. Thank God I'm not a
professional politician because they
have helped create this crime crisis in
this city that we face and I will
>> thank you Mr. SWA
>> thank you Mr. SWA candidates President
Trump has expressed intense interest in
this election and in all of you
personally Mr. Mumani the president
called you quote my little communist Mr.
Sbo he said you're quote not exactly
prime time Mr. Mr. Cuomo, he has been
critical of you, but said you have
always gotten along. The president has
threatened to cut federal funds to the
city, and just yesterday, he killed the
gateway project, the tunnel connecting
New York to New Jersey. You've all
promised to resist him in some way. What
would you say in your first official
call with the president to set the tone
for your relationship moving forward?
We'll give you a minute for this. We'll
start with you, Mr. Mandatani.
I would make it clear to the president
that I am willing to not only speak to
him to but to work with him if it means
delivering on lowering the cost of
living for New Yorkers. That's something
that he ran his presidential campaign
on. And yet all he's been able to
deliver thus far has been prosecuting
his political enemies and trying to
enact the largest deportation program in
American history. And what distinguishes
me from Andrew Cuomo is the fact that he
has gotten on the phone with that same
president. Not asking him how to work
together to help New Yorkers are not
telling him that he would refuse to back
down to protect those New Yorkers, but
instead asking him how to win this race.
That's something I can do myself, I
don't need the president's assistance
for. And what I'd tell the president is
if he ever wants to come for New Yorkers
in the way that he has been, he's going
to have to get through me as the next
mayor of this city.
>> All right, Mr. Cromwell, we we'll give
you a little extra time, but I'd like
you to answer this question as well.
what your first conversation with the
president would be like.
>> Okay. Uh first I never had a
conversation with the president that the
assemblyman was talking about. Um but he
did has a distant relationship with the truth.
truth.
>> Uh I would say to the president in the
first conversation look we have had many
many battles. I fought with we fought
together every day during co and the
battles were bloody uh and I'd like to
avoid them.
>> Thousands of seniors. If you come after
New York, you know what I'm going to do.
You know it's going to be ugly. Uh and
you know my chances are almost 50/50
even though you're the president. I'd
like to work with you. I think we can do
good things together, but number one, I
will fight you every step of the way if
you try to hurt New York.
>> Unless he weaponizes the justice system
to go after the attorney general of this
state, in which case you'll issue a
statement that doesn't even name the
president. And no matter what you think
about Donald Trump, you know that not
even being able to name him is an act of
cowardice. And that's what we would see
from Donald Trump's puppet on the right.
>> I I do want to get MLE, but Mr. Cuomo,
I'll give you a few seconds to respond
to that.
>> Yeah. Uh I did me I said political
weaponization of the justice system is
wrong. Both sides do it. It's wrong when
Donald Trump does it. It's wrong when
they did it to Comey. It's wrong when
Comey did it to Hillary. It was wrong
when it happened to James.
>> Thank you, Mr. Cro. I want to give Mr.
Slee a chance to answer this. Mr. ly
were your first official conversation
with the president. What would you say
to set the tone?
>> Well, first of all, there's high levels
of testosterone in this room. I've had a
lovehate relationship with Donald Trump
that goes back over 30 years.
>> But I know one thing. Uh we have Andrew
Cuomo, we have Zan Mandami, they want to
take on Donald Trump. Look, you can be
tough, but you can't be tough if it's
going to cost people desperately needed
federal funds. Zoran Mandami, the
president has already said it's going to
take7 billion dollars out of the budget
right from the start if you're elected
mayor. People are going to suffer in
this city. People who need those federal
funds. What I would do is sit and
negotiate. I would say, "Look, Mr.
President, we need that gateway tunnel.
It moves millions of people from
Washington DC to Boston, but take away
the Q train project. We don't need those
three stations going from 96th Street to
125th. It's not a necessity. Sit with
the president and whoever he delegates
and try to negotiate. But if you try to
get tough with Trump, the only people
who going to suffer from that are the
people of New York. Okay, Mr.
>> I appreciate him being open about the
pragmatism of capitulation suspending
infrastructure grants to this city and
he's doing it in a blatant act of
political retribution and what it
requires is leadership that will stand
up to him and I disagree with Mr. Lewa.
do need to extend the Second Avenue
subway to 125th Street. It was a promise
made to Harlemmites decades ago. It's
time to actually fulfill it.
>> Thank you, Mr.
>> D. Quick question for quick
question for each of you. Um, Mr. Cuomo,
you've been asked
>> He mentioned my name. Don't I get a
chance to respond?
>> We got a lot of ground to cover.
>> When was the last time you spoke with
President Trump? Mr. Cuomo, you've been
asked this before. And the last time you said,
said,
>> uh, I believe
assassination attempt. So last year in
2024, Mr. SWA, when was the last time
you spoke with President Trump?
>> Oh, many years ago, we were receiving
awards. I was praising him for saving uh
the annual Veterans Day parade. Uh those
were the conversations that I had with
him. Good. Please respond. I was asked
about the Q train.
>> Okay, real quick.
>> I am the mayor of mass transit. We do
not need a Q train. I'm in the subways
every day. We have more than a capable
system of transporting people. The
infrastructure needs to be fixed in the
system that we have.
>> Mr. Mani, have you ever spoken with with
President Trump? >> No.
>> No.
>> Okay, there you go, Sally.
>> Thank you, Mr. Cuomo. A followup to
that. President Trump has spoken
positively about you and your candidacy,
even as his justice department, as we've
noted, is reportedly investigating you
for allegations you lied to Congress
over your co record.
>> Thanks for repeating. In that dynamic,
how would you be able to stand up to
this White House? How are you not
compromised? And just take into account
that New Yorkers are troubled by what
they view as a compromised relationship
the current outgoing mayor has with the president.
president.
>> Yeah. First, you're wrong when you say
there's any investigation uh of me. Uh
that's not true.
>> Do you have there is no investigation?
Heard absolutely nothing. Congress did a
press release. They said they sent a
letter to Department of Justice uh which
they do routinely to generate press. Uh,
and that's what that is. Um, I have been
I fought Donald Trump. He investigated
me repeatedly with the Department of
Justice. The the Department of Justice
in Inspector General said that it was
actually politically motivated. That
does not back me up. When I'm fighting
for New York, I am not going to stop.
And I'll tell you something else. If the
assemblyman is elected mayor, Donald
Trump will take over New York City and
it will be Mayor Trump who runs New York City.
City.
>> We have to move on. Just a very quick
followup. Yes or no? You You're saying
unequivocally the Justice Department is
not investigating you. Correct.
>> I have one I've heard absolutely nothing.
nothing.
>> They could be and you might not have
heard it, but Okay, we'll move on. David.
David. >> Okay.
>> Okay.
>> Huge li Sorry, really quick. huge
liability to Cuomo here that um he
simultaneously has to balance like uh
I'm the reasonable one. I'm the one who
can negotiate. I'm the one who can play
hard ball. I'm the one who can fight
Trump. But also he spent the past year
openly cozying up to Trump and now he's
on a debate stage where being associated
with Trump is a liability. Just not good
for him at all.
>> Virtually possible by the way. >> Okay.
>> Okay.
>> So Mr. You did put out an ad the day
after the news first broke in the New
York Times that you were under
investigation, calling it a political
investigation, saying they were coming
after you as they had to, you know,
after other Democratic politicians. You
haven't denied this previous
>> the Republican Congress was. Yes, I
believe they played politics with the
justice system.
>> I believe the Republican Congress does
it. I believe Donald Trump does it. I
believe the Democrats do it. And that's
why I think people are sick and tired of
the justice system and the politics. If
you think that there's no difference
between the Democratic party and the
Republican party, then that's the
candidate for you. If you think it's
time to have a Democratic party that
actually stands up to Donald Trump and
his billionaire backing people,
you're not a Democrat. We have
>> You're not a Democrat. You're a
literally running as an independent bro
for Kla Harris, right?
>> We have to cover. No, no, we have to
cover. That's an incendiary charge. I
want to be very
>> You may have a chance to address it, but
we do have a lot of issues to get to
with New Yorkers.
>> I'll be very quick. Let me You didn't
say leave it blank in the Camel.
>> I'll be very quick. I said leave it
blank in the presidential primary
because primaries are place to air
disscent. And like many Americans, I was horrified
horrified
genocide of Palestinians. And if you
want to look for me on the ballot,
you'll find me as the Democrat.
>> Mr. Matti, thank you. General, we have
to move on. This week, the world is
reacting to President Trump's Israel
Hamas peace deal and the release of the
hostages. and many are cautiously
optimistic about a lasting peace. Of
course, the mayor has no direct role in
foreign affairs and we certainly have a
lot of questions for you about city
matters, but this war has been a major
topic in the campaign and there are
criticisms about your positions in the
past and how you envision leading on
these issues as mayor. So, we have
questions for all of you, but first for
Mr. Mdani because of something you said
uh that's been generating headlines in
the news today as we come into the
debate yesterday on Fox News. You were
asked if Hamas should lay down its
weapons key to the peace plan and ceasefire.
ceasefire.
And some say they found your answer
confusing. You said quote, "I don't
really have opinions about the future of
Hamas and Israel beyond the question of
justice and safety and the fact that
anything has to abide by international
law." And that applies to Hamas and that
applies to the Israeli military. So for
the voters tuning in tonight, Mr.
Mumdani, what do you believe about Hamas
and how lasting peace will be achieved?
We know it's a complicated matter, but
we'd like you to keep your answer to a
minute if you could.
>> Of course, I believe that they should
lay down their arms. I'm proud to be one
of the first elected officials in the
state who called for a ceasefire. And
calling for a ceasefire means seizing
fire. That means all parties have to
cease fire and put down their weapons.
And the reason that we call for that is
not only for the end of the genocide,
but also an unimpeded access of
humanitarian aid. I, like many New
Yorkers, am hopeful that this ceasefire
will hold. I'm hopeful that it is
durable. I'm hopeful that it is just.
And for it to be just, we also have to
ensure that it addresses the conditions
that preceded this conditions like
occupation, like the siege and
apartheid. And that is what I'm hopeful for.
for.
>> Yeah. If I may,
>> that means from the river to the sea.
>> I'm being marginal this
excuse me to debate the three. Do we
acknowledge that
>> not killing Palestinians means from the
river to the No, please go right ahead
man. Lose that youth vote more.
>> Mr. Go ahead and we'll give you a sec.
Go ahead.
The president of the United States
should have been applauded by you Zorhan
Mandami and you Andrew Cuomo on the day
that he brought together that
international coalition that met in
Egypt that came from the Middle East and
the Persian Gulf. I certainly applauded
him for bringing peace to Gaza and
trying to end the hostilities in the war
between the Israelis and Hamas so there
can be peace between the Israelis and
peace between the Palestinians. when you
seem Zoran to be incapable of praising
our president and answer you were
incapable of praising gentlemen we have
>> give credit where credit is due he's
brought peace to gossip
>> gentlemen we want to hear everything you
have to say we have other questions on
the matter Mr. Cuomo, please brief
response because we do have other
questions on this issue that you may be
able to address. Go ahead.
>> I did applaud President Trump and his
administration. I think it was a great
accomplishment. I hope the peace holds.
>> The assemblyman will not denounce Hamas.
The assemblyman will not denounce Hassan
[ __ ] who said America deserved 911. The
assemblyman just said in his response,
"Well, it depends on uh occupation. That
is code meaning that the Israel does not
have a right to exist as a Jewish electrocuted
from the river to the sea. That's why he
won't denounce globalize the inif which
means kill all Jews.
>> Let's give Mr. Mani a chance to respond
to that.
>> I want to be very clear.
>> This is this is a death spiral 100%.
This is a [ __ ] death spiral. Okay,
Slaywa is boosting Mani by pointing out
Mdani is the real one who opposes Trump
and Cuomo. This is just a reiteration of
the rhetoric that's been losing him
every [ __ ] time. Hassan, are you
[ __ ] kidding me? Insane
>> occupation. Enjoy your time in the
history book.
>> International law and the violation of
it, which Mr. Cuomo has no regard for
since he signed up to be Benjamin
Netanyahu's legal defense team during
the course of this genocide. And I find
the comments that Hassan made on 9/11 to
be objectionable and reprehensible. And
I also think that part of the
>> It's over. It's over.
>> Reason why Democrats are in the
situation that we are in of being a
permanent minority in this country is we
are looking only to speak to journalists
and streamers and Americans with whom we
agree of every single thing that they
say. We need to take the case to every
person and I'm happy to do that which is
why I was on Fox News yesterday talking
about how I wish it was more like NASCAR
so we could see all the billionaires who
are sponsoring you right on your suit jacket.
jacket.
>> Melissa has another question.
>> We're gonna turn it to Sally actually.
>> Yeah. Actually, this kind of flows and
then we'll go back to Melissa. Mr. Mr.
Mdani, you told NBC's Meet the Press
that you don't believe the role of the
mayor to police speech. Your words about
this war have comforted many New
Yorkers, but they've troubled others.
And I want to ask about some of this.
There is your recent refusal, as we just
discussed, to condemn the slogan,
globalize the antifat, which many view
as a call to arms. In 2017, you wrapped
lyrics praising the Holy Land five.
These are men who were convicted of
supporting terrorism.
How would you assure New Yorkers,
especially Jewish residents who might be
concerned about this, that you would be
a mayor for all? You have one minute to
answer this.
>> Thank you for this opportunity.
When I
am speaking about the responsibility of
leading this city, I mean leading not
just those who voted for me, leading
leading not just those who vote, but
leading every single person who calls
this city home. And that includes Jewish
New Yorkers. And I have been so thankful
for the opportunity I've had to sit with
so many Jewish New Yorkers over the
course of the primary and through the
general. And it's in those conversations
that I learned that this phrase evokes
many painful memories. Memories of bus
attacks in Hifa, restaurant attacks in
Jerusalem. And I heard from a rabbi
about their roommate who was killed on
one of those buses.
>> You are now the most prominent leftist
streamer not directly condemned by Zeron
Mamani. How do you feel? I don't know.
It feels pretty good. I can only assume
that his choice to condemn Hassan here
and not myself is a ringing endorsement.
Um yeah, what what can I say? Folks,
like and subscribe. You know, I'll be
taking my uh my awards in the mail.
Thank you.
>> Hearing that and the distance between
that impact and the rationale that some
use of saying it, of speaking about the
Israeli occupation of Palestinian land
is why I said that I would discourage
this language, language that I do not
use. And what I'm looking to do as the
first Muslim mayor of this city is to
ensure that we bring every New Yorker
together, Jewish New Yorkers, Muslim New
Yorkers, every single person that calls
this city home, that they understand
they won't just be protected, but they
will belong.
>> Mr. Sle, we will get to you first. I'm
going to ask a question of Mr. Cuomo.
While you are a strong supporter of
Israel, you have also been slow to
develop a relationship with the city's
Muslim community. You have called Mr.
Mandani a terrorist sympathizer. How do
you assure those New Yorkers?
>> Really honestly really appreciate the
fact this is being fielded as a question,
question,
>> especially Muslims and Arabic New
Yorkers that you will be a mayor for
all. You'll have one minute.
>> Yeah. Well, first I think the
assemblyman uh created the perception
himself. Why wouldn't he condemn Hamas?
Why wouldn't he condemn Hassan [ __ ]
Why did it take us here tonight for the
first time for him to say it? He still
won't denounce globalize the inif which
means kill all Jews just say I denounce
it he won't do it that's the issue and
his divisiveness you address the
question that we're to you I think
you've made the point but can can you
please answer about your own
relationship with the Muslim community
you did not visit mosques for many years
more recently you have been
>> yeah I don't think I'm I don't I don't
think in any way the assemblyman is
representative of
>> oh my god
>> the Muslim community which is is a vital
community in New York City. Uh and uh I
am very fond of and I've been working with
with
>> uh I think he's playing his own
politics. Uh many of his positions
you're being asked a question by the
moderator uh the Muslim faith. So I see
them as two totally separate things.
>> Mr. Mani want to respond?
>> You know it took Andrew Cuomo being
beaten by a Muslim candidate in the
Democratic primary for him to set foot
in a mosque. He had more than 10 years
and he couldn't name a single mosque at
the last debate we had that he visited.
And what Muslims want in this city is
what every community wants and deserves.
They want equality and they want
respect. And it took me to get you to
even see those Muslims as part of this
city. And that frankly is something that
is shameful and is why so many New
Yorkers have lost faith in this politics.
politics.
>> Yeah. Except that I worked with the
Muslim community for many many years.
>> Name a single mosque you went to when
you were the governor.
Can you name a single mosque you went to
in 10 years?
>> Before you were ever here, they were here.
here.
>> Before I was here,
>> before you were even in state
government, I worked with Muslim
community, imams, presided over state of
the states. Uh we worked in religious
working groups,
anti-semitic groups, etc.
>> All right, gentlemen. Uh Mr. Rosar has a
specific question for you, but I'll give you
you
this is what disturbs me about you. Uh
you will be celebrating your birthday
this weekend in 19 91 I was in the
streets of Crown Heights with the
Guardian Angels for 30 days and 30
nights when the first Democratic
Socialist mayor of New York City, that's
right, David Dinkens was a proud member
of the Democratic Socialist of America,
abandoned the Jews for three days. They
were left to their own means and we
protected them for 30 days and 30
nights. favorite mayor
in 2019 abandoned the Jews again when
they were being attacked in Williamsburg
in Burough Park and Crown Heights and I
had to bring the guardian angels in for
30 days. Jews don't trust that you are
going to be there for them when they are
victims of anti-semitic attacks.
>> Okay, brief response. Mr. Mdani, we have
a specific question for you from Rosina,
but Mr. Mdani, please.
>> I agree. By the way,
>> one of the most meaningful experiences
I've had over the course of this
campaign has been the conversations I've
had with Jewish New Yorkers. Jewish New
Yorkers who've told me about the door
that they've had to lock that they had
kept open for 40 years. Jewish New
Yorkers who've told me on the M57 about
an apartment this speech therapist was
trying to sell when a realtor told her,
"Put the Jewish books off the table."
Jewish New Yorkers who've told me about
their fear in living in this city. And I
will be a mayor who finally addresses
that not through the theatrics of the
politics on this stage but through
action. I'll do that by ensuring that we
have police officers outside of the
high. Gentlemen, we have a lot to get to
and we do have a specific question for
Mr. Leo. Rosarina.
>> Thank you, David. Um, Mr. S, why you've
called for tougher policing of pro
Palestinian protest and you've suggested
that Mr. Mdani uses languages that is
anti-semitic. How do you assure New
Yorkers that you'll be the mayor for all?
all?
>> Well, I've been there for all people in
all times for 46 years as leader of the
guardian angels here and around the
world. Whether it is a religious uh
violation of people's rights to worship
as they choose in a mosque, in a church,
in a synagogue or a shul, whether it's
because of racial identity. Remember in
the summer of 2020, Asians were under
constant attack because of the lockdown
and pandemic. I don't remember Governor
Cuomo coming to their aid. You were the
governor then. I was out there going
into all the neighborhoods, Flushing,
Bayside. We were in uh uh down in
Benenhurst. We were in uh Chinatown
itself where Asians were being attacked
indiscriminately because they were
thought to be carrying CO. We protected
them then. Governor, you were not there
for them. Delasio was not there for
them. We understand hate and in order to
counteract hate, you have to get the
community involved along with the police
to protect people when they're under
siege. Jews are under attack now more
than ever before.
>> And I don't believe either of you have
the capability of protecting them with
increased anti-semitism.
>> That is pure fiction. I passed the no
hate in our state, the strongest hate
crime law in the United States of
America. We tolerate no hatred, no
discrimination. We are from every place
on this globe and that's excuse me and
we're tolerant and we accept. Uh if you
notice the assemblyman still won't say
he believes that Israel has a Jewish
state. He is a divisive personality all
across the board. NYPD a racist. Barack
Obama is evil liar. And he gave the
finger to the Christopher Columbus. By
the way, you're going to defend
Christopher Columbus. This is your pitch
to win over Democrat voters and pull
them instead of him. What the [ __ ] are
you doing? You're like, you're getting
confused. You're mixing up. Like, okay,
Quomo almost exclusively communicates
with center-right New York City
billionaire types who back Trump as
well. I he's g he's getting the rhetoric
mixed up. There's rhetoric that you
would use to pull conservativeleaning
Democrats away from Amdani and then
there's rhetoric you would use as a
Republican in a general against him.
Republicans are going to vote for Slew,
not Cuomo. They don't like Cuomo. Why
are you doing this? Your laws with no
cash bail turn the haters right back in
the street to violate and attack again
and again and again. You're the reason
for that. No cash
>> bail. You don't cap.
>> Thank you. Go ahead. Oh, sorry.
>> There have been a number of absolutely
unfounded lies that have been said by
Andrew K. I would just like a moment to
address them directly. I've said time
and again that I recognize Israel's
right to exist. I've said that I will
not recognize any state. I said that I
will not a Jewish state
>> if I would be allowed to finish that I
would not recognize any state's right to
exist with a system of hierarchy on the
basis of race of religion. I have made
that very clear. And part of that is
because I'm an American who believes in
the importance of equal rights being
enshrined in every single country.
Whether we're speaking about Israel,
whether we're speaking about Saudi
Arabia, you can stand here and you can
lie all you want, but New Yorkers,
>> we have the question. We support to
address some issues here.
>> All right. And we have another
polarizing issue that we would love to
discuss with you candidates and let's
talk about the National Guard here in
the city of New York. Now, let's go back
to Mr. President Donald Trump. This is a
layup from
>> taking over the city is the deployment
of the National Guard troops like he has
done as you all know in other cities.
The NYPD commissioner has rejected the
idea as unnecessary but the president
order troops to hit the streets of New
York now. How would you respond? U Mr.
Shiwa, you have a minute.
>> There's no need for the National Guard
in New York. Kathy Hokll, the governor,
when we had a crime crisis in the
subways that I'm well familiar with
being down there all the time, unlike my
two adversaries, uh she sent 750
National Guardsmen down into the subways
in 2024. Remember the horrible case of
Deina Kow? Does anybody even say her
name anymore? That woman who was set on
fire by that migrant as a result of that
the worst crime I've ever seen committed
in the subway system. The governor did
the right thing. She sent an additional
250 National Guardsmen, giving us a
total of a thousand National Guardsmen
in the subway system. While our mayor,
Eric Adams, was telling us it was all a
perception. So, Governor Hokll has
responded. I would tell the president of
the United States, since I'm familiar
with cities all across America having
guardian angels there, if you were going
to send the National Guard, you don't
need to send them to New York City.
There are other cities that could
desperately use their help in dealing
with their crime crisis.
>> Thank you, Mr. Siwa. Uh Mr. Mdani, how
would you respond?
>> You know, I agree with police
commissioner Tish and that we do not
need the National Guard here in New York
City. We do not need them for the
purpose of safety because it if it was
safety that President Trump was so
concerned about, he would send them to
the eight out of 10 states that have the
highest levels of crime in this country.
But he won't because they're all run by
Republicans. What New Yorkers need is a
mayor who can stand up to Donald Trump
and actually deliver on that safety.
When Donald Trump sent ICE agents on
people in Los Angeles, Andrew Cuomo said
that New Yorkers need not overreact.
That is the furthest answer that New
Yorkers are looking for. They are
looking for someone who will lead,
someone who will say that they will have
their back, someone who will actually
fight for the people of this city. And
that's who I am because I'm not funded
by the same donors that gave us Donald
Trump's second term, which isn't
something that Andrew Cuomo can say.
>> Thank you, Mr. Mundane.
>> Yeah. First, the answer in the subways
is not more National Guard. I put
National Guard in the subways also. It's
more NYPD is the answer. But, uh, the
National Guard is not he's not sending
in the National Guard to do any real
function. It's control, it's power. He's
trying to say these Democrats don't know
how to run these cities and it's a
political gesture by sending in the
National Guard. He has said if the
assemblyman is elected, he will take
over New York. Forget the National
Guard. But this is he said, "I'm going
to take the funds."
>> They order the troops to come here. The
The
>> Well, I went through this with him. He
sent the National Guard to 20 cities
when I was governor. You know what city
didn't he didn't send them to? New York.
Why? Because I said to him, "Don't you
dare. We don't need it." And he backed
down and he will again.
>> So, that proves a good relation.
>> Wait a second. The president is going to
back down to you, Andrew Cuomo. I know
you you think you're the toughest guy
alive, but let me tell you something.
You lost your own primary, right? You
were rejected by your Democrats, and you
have a difficult understanding that what
the term no is. You're not going to
stand up to Donald Trump.
>> I agree with Curtis.
>> You're not going to stand up to Donald Trump.
Trump.
>> And he can't stand up to Donald Trump
who knocked him right on his toes. You
negotiate with him. You don't fight with
it because only the people of New York
City will lose.
>> Stand up to negotiate.
>> We have a followup.
>> Uh, I'd like to see a show of hands. Are
there any circumstances where any of you
would allow the NYPD to cooperate with the National Guard if Trump sent them to
the National Guard if Trump sent them to New York? Show of hands. Yes. No takers.
New York? Show of hands. Yes. No takers. Okay. Moving on. If history as a guide,
Okay. Moving on. If history as a guide, National Guard troops in the city could
National Guard troops in the city could trigger protests. And we have questions
trigger protests. And we have questions for each of you about how you would
for each of you about how you would handle that. So, Mr. Siwa, you have been
handle that. So, Mr. Siwa, you have been arrested for protesting migrant housing
arrested for protesting migrant housing and for trying to serve Mayor Bill
and for trying to serve Mayor Bill Delasio with court papers. How would
Delasio with court papers. How would your NYPD handle protests and would you
your NYPD handle protests and would you continue participating in protests as
continue participating in protests as mayor? You have one minute.
mayor? You have one minute. >> Well, I have been arrested oftent times
>> Well, I have been arrested oftent times in civil disobedience. That is a great
in civil disobedience. That is a great American right. But demonstrations
American right. But demonstrations have a time and a place. And it used to
have a time and a place. And it used to be before Bill Delasio. I know he was
be before Bill Delasio. I know he was your favorite mayor. on Mandami that
your favorite mayor. on Mandami that you'd have to get a permit. There's a
you'd have to get a permit. There's a time period you were in a structured
time period you were in a structured area. You get a sound permit could be
area. You get a sound permit could be turned around in a day. If there was
turned around in a day. If there was going to be civil disobedience, you
going to be civil disobedience, you discussed it with the police department
discussed it with the police department and obviously you had an opportunity of
and obviously you had an opportunity of expressing your anger or your outrage at
expressing your anger or your outrage at whatever it was that motivated you to
whatever it was that motivated you to sit down in the street to block traffic
sit down in the street to block traffic or block an egress. Now we have
or block an egress. Now we have rampaging groups that go running through
rampaging groups that go running through the streets that enter all kinds of
the streets that enter all kinds of facilities and violate other people's
facilities and violate other people's rights. And there's no one who's willing
rights. And there's no one who's willing to stop it. When I'm the mayor, there
to stop it. When I'm the mayor, there are rules and regulations. Everybody has
are rules and regulations. Everybody has a right to demonstrate, but you can't
a right to demonstrate, but you can't violate other people's rights or you
violate other people's rights or you yourself must be arrested. And I would
yourself must be arrested. And I would remove the face coverings. Remove those
remove the face coverings. Remove those face coverings. Why are you afraid of
face coverings. Why are you afraid of identifying who you are as a
identifying who you are as a demonstrator unless maybe you're an
demonstrator unless maybe you're an agent provocator who's been sent in here
agent provocator who's been sent in here to cause chaos?
to cause chaos? >> Thank you, Rosarina.
>> Thank you, Rosarina. >> The next question goes to you, Mr.
>> The next question goes to you, Mr. Mandani. You were arrested for blocking
Mandani. You were arrested for blocking traffic in a pro Palestinian protest and
traffic in a pro Palestinian protest and you participated in a sitin at Grand
you participated in a sitin at Grand Central. Protesters offered block
Central. Protesters offered block streets, bridges, and hubs like Grand
streets, bridges, and hubs like Grand Central. How much of that would you
Central. How much of that would you allowed as mayor? And what's your line
allowed as mayor? And what's your line in having the NYPD arrest protesters?
in having the NYPD arrest protesters? You have a minute.
You have a minute. >> Protest is a part of what makes this
>> Protest is a part of what makes this city's history what it is. It is a part
city's history what it is. It is a part of the First Amendment. We deserve to
of the First Amendment. We deserve to have a mayor who stands up for that
have a mayor who stands up for that First Amendment, especially as we have a
First Amendment, especially as we have a president that's looking to shred it at
president that's looking to shred it at each and every opportunity. And we will
each and every opportunity. And we will continue to have protests in this city
continue to have protests in this city as we should no matter who is the mayor.
as we should no matter who is the mayor. And the line will be on the question of
And the line will be on the question of breaking the law. What we have today,
breaking the law. What we have today, however, is an attempt to intimidate so
however, is an attempt to intimidate so many who are looking to use that freedom
many who are looking to use that freedom of expression to share their opinions
of expression to share their opinions about the city and the world around
about the city and the world around them. And to be frank with you, what New
them. And to be frank with you, what New Yorkers are looking for is someone who
Yorkers are looking for is someone who can show leadership in city hall.
can show leadership in city hall. Because when they don't see that
Because when they don't see that leadership, that's when so many take to
leadership, that's when so many take to the streets. And if you had a leader
the streets. And if you had a leader like Andrew Cuomo who was telling people
like Andrew Cuomo who was telling people not to overreact when they see ICE
not to overreact when they see ICE agents abducting girls as young as 6
agents abducting girls as young as 6 years old to deport them, many New
years old to deport them, many New Yorkers will take to the streets. We
Yorkers will take to the streets. We deserve to have a leader who will
deserve to have a leader who will actually be following through on the
actually be following through on the values of the city. That's the leader
values of the city. That's the leader that I'll be.
that I'll be. >> Mr. Mandano, just a quick followup. If
>> Mr. Mandano, just a quick followup. If you're elected, would you still
you're elected, would you still participate in protest?
participate in protest? >> No. If I'm elected, I'll be the mayor
>> No. If I'm elected, I'll be the mayor and I'll be leading the city from city
and I'll be leading the city from city hall.
hall. >> But no no participation in protest,
>> But no no participation in protest, right?
right? >> The the important thing is to lead from
>> The the important thing is to lead from city hall. That's what I'll be doing.
city hall. That's what I'll be doing. Okay.
Okay. >> Yeah. If I may respond because I believe
>> Yeah. If I may respond because I believe my name was
my name was >> That was quite charming. I think that
>> That was quite charming. I think that was quite charming.
was quite charming. >> Invoked. Yeah.
>> Invoked. Yeah. >> A very brief response and then I have a
>> A very brief response and then I have a question for you.
question for you. >> Uh I dealt with ICE. I stood up with
>> Uh I dealt with ICE. I stood up with ICE. I had a war with ICE in New York
ICE. I had a war with ICE in New York when I was governor.
when I was governor. >> Uh and I stood them down and they moved
>> Uh and I stood them down and they moved out. Uh what the assemblymen are saying
out. Uh what the assemblymen are saying is uh he doesn't believe in law and
is uh he doesn't believe in law and order. He believes in defunding the
order. He believes in defunding the police, disarming the police, disbanding
police, disarming the police, disbanding party
party jails. I have a question for you. 15
jails. I have a question for you. 15 seconds
seconds and then we do just 15 seconds because
and then we do just 15 seconds because we have a question for Mr.
we have a question for Mr. >> Mr. Cuomo lies again and again and
>> Mr. Cuomo lies again and again and again. I am not running to defund the
again. I am not running to defund the police. I am running to actually work
police. I am running to actually work with the police to deliver public
with the police to deliver public safety. Andrew Cuomo says that he has
safety. Andrew Cuomo says that he has stood up to ICE. He has not said a word
stood up to ICE. He has not said a word about the abductions that are happening
about the abductions that are happening right now.
right now. >> He's referring to a previous comment you
>> He's referring to a previous comment you made and we will get back to this. But
made and we will get back to this. But Mr. Cuomo, a question for you.
Mr. Cuomo, a question for you. >> It's a comment he made the operative.
>> It's a comment he made the operative. >> Yes, I understand. But I said that as
>> Yes, I understand. But I said that as governor, you put the National Guard on
governor, you put the National Guard on standby during the George Floyd protest.
standby during the George Floyd protest. You didn't deploy them. As mayor, talk
You didn't deploy them. As mayor, talk about how you would balance the right to
about how you would balance the right to protest with maintaining order in the
protest with maintaining order in the streets.
streets. >> The right to protest. The right to
>> The right to protest. The right to protest is a sacred right. There is no
protest is a sacred right. There is no doubt about that. But the law is the law
doubt about that. But the law is the law also. And you have New Yorkers now who
also. And you have New Yorkers now who are afraid in this city. They're afraid
are afraid in this city. They're afraid of Donald Trump coming. They're afraid
of Donald Trump coming. They're afraid of that anarchy. and they're afraid of
of that anarchy. and they're afraid of the anarchy in this city itself. We have
the anarchy in this city itself. We have to provide public safety that makes New
to provide public safety that makes New Yorkers feel safe. Demonstration is one
Yorkers feel safe. Demonstration is one thing. Violating the law is something
thing. Violating the law is something else. Blocking public transit is
else. Blocking public transit is something else. Stopping students from
something else. Stopping students from going to class is something har else.
going to class is something har else. Harassment, intimidation, that's a hate
Harassment, intimidation, that's a hate crime. That's illegal. Enforce the law.
crime. That's illegal. Enforce the law. Respect the police. They're not racists,
Respect the police. They're not racists, uh, as the assemblyman calls them.
uh, as the assemblyman calls them. They're not a threat to public safety as
They're not a threat to public safety as he says. They're not anti-quer.
he says. They're not anti-quer. Uh they are here to protect New York
Uh they are here to protect New York with them, fortify them.
with them, fortify them. >> You know, that's that's ironic that you
>> You know, that's that's ironic that you say that. Now,
say that. Now, >> I'm sorry,
>> I'm sorry, >> Andrew Cuomo, because when you were
>> Andrew Cuomo, because when you were governor for 8 years, your parole board
governor for 8 years, your parole board released 43 cop killers back into the
released 43 cop killers back into the street. Your father, when he was
street. Your father, when he was governor, released none. I knew Mario
governor, released none. I knew Mario Cuomo. You're no Mario Cuomo, Andrew
Cuomo. You're no Mario Cuomo, Andrew Cuomo.
Cuomo. Don't say you're
Don't say you're going to respond briefly to the comments
going to respond briefly to the comments that Mr. Cuomo raised about things
that Mr. Cuomo raised about things you've said about police. You can do a
you've said about police. You can do a brief response to that.
brief response to that. >> I have been clear time and time again
>> I have been clear time and time again that as much as Andrew Cuomo wants to
that as much as Andrew Cuomo wants to bring up tweets from 2020, which is
bring up tweets from 2020, which is around the same time that he was sending
around the same time that he was sending seniors to their death in nursing homes,
seniors to their death in nursing homes, I am looking to work with police
I am looking to work with police officers, not to defund the NYPD.
officers, not to defund the NYPD. looking to ensure that officers can
looking to ensure that officers can actually do one job when they're signing
actually do one job when they're signing up to join that department, not the many
up to join that department, not the many jobs we're asking them to do.
jobs we're asking them to do. Specifically, the comments you made. We
Specifically, the comments you made. We will come back to that, but we're
will come back to that, but we're candidates and racist. Can
candidates and racist. Can >> I just say, by the way, like just to
>> I just say, by the way, like just to just on a a side point to a lot of this
just on a a side point to a lot of this cuz I think it's worth noting that
cuz I think it's worth noting that Mandani is the only one here who comes
Mandani is the only one here who comes across as even slightly mayoral. like
across as even slightly mayoral. like Cuomo comes across as borderline
Cuomo comes across as borderline hysterical uh with the um with the
hysterical uh with the um with the interruptions and the the misspeaking
interruptions and the the misspeaking and the weird obsessive, you know,
and the weird obsessive, you know, attacks. Uh and Siwa is Siwa. You know,
attacks. Uh and Siwa is Siwa. You know, Mani is the only one here who even comes
Mani is the only one here who even comes across as professional.
across as professional. >> We're moving on.
>> We're moving on. >> That's what you said. Your words, your
>> That's what you said. Your words, your words.
words. >> We're moving on. Thank you. Despite
>> We're moving on. Thank you. Despite record low crime numbers, polls show
record low crime numbers, polls show that crime remains a top concern for New
that crime remains a top concern for New York City voters. The three of you have
York City voters. The three of you have very different approaches to crime
very different approaches to crime fighting and how to manage the NYPD. We
fighting and how to manage the NYPD. We want to get into your plans. So, we'll
want to get into your plans. So, we'll start with this question. It's a
start with this question. It's a two-part question, but it's short. How
two-part question, but it's short. How will you make the city safer and how
will you make the city safer and how will you change the NYPD? You'll have
will you change the NYPD? You'll have one minute. We begin with Mr. Cuomo.
one minute. We begin with Mr. Cuomo. >> Uh, I would add 5,000. Well, let's take
>> Uh, I would add 5,000. Well, let's take a step back. Remember what happened. The
a step back. Remember what happened. The far left, the socialists that defund the
far left, the socialists that defund the police, defund the police. They took a
police, defund the police. They took a billion dollars out of the police. The
billion dollars out of the police. The NYPD is now down at one of the lowest
NYPD is now down at one of the lowest levels in modern political history. I
levels in modern political history. I would add 5,000 police, put 1,500 in the
would add 5,000 police, put 1,500 in the subways.
subways. >> The NYPD budget has only grown. Um, the
>> The NYPD budget has only grown. Um, the NYPD has fewer people than it used to
NYPD has fewer people than it used to because cops are leaving because the job
because cops are leaving because the job sucks.
sucks. >> Raise the starting salary because you
>> Raise the starting salary because you can't hire them. You can't even fill a
can't hire them. You can't even fill a class right now. Uh, and you have to add
class right now. Uh, and you have to add additional police officers because the
additional police officers because the attrition rate is so high. Uh, part of
attrition rate is so high. Uh, part of that is going to be saying to the NYPD,
that is going to be saying to the NYPD, I respect you. I don't think you're
I respect you. I don't think you're wicked. As the assemblyman said, I don't
wicked. As the assemblyman said, I don't think you're corrupt. I don't think
think you're corrupt. I don't think you're racist. I value you. I will have
you're racist. I value you. I will have your back. I'll be a mayor to work with
your back. I'll be a mayor to work with you. Uh, that's how you're going to get
you. Uh, that's how you're going to get the police uh uh to apply for the jobs.
the police uh uh to apply for the jobs. And then we have to work on the
And then we have to work on the relationship between the community and
relationship between the community and the police. The police can't police the
the police. The police can't police the community. They have to police I like
community. They have to police I like how he's explicitly acknowledging that
how he's explicitly acknowledging that capitulating to the police is his first
capitulating to the police is his first priority and the second priority is
priority and the second priority is making sure the police get along with
making sure the police get along with the people. You know, like he just laid
the people. You know, like he just laid it out right there. Oh, making sure the
it out right there. Oh, making sure the police serve the people. Secondary
police serve the people. Secondary priority. First, they got to know I'm on
priority. First, they got to know I'm on their team.
their team. >> Oh, you're up next, Mr. Sela.
>> Oh, you're up next, Mr. Sela. >> This is amazing. I'm standing here with
>> This is amazing. I'm standing here with my two adversaries
my two adversaries >> between two communist
>> between two communist >> have threatened to defund the police.
>> have threatened to defund the police. you, Andrew Cuomo, during the summer of
you, Andrew Cuomo, during the summer of 2020, you said if you don't reform
2020, you said if you don't reform police departments, I'm going to defund
police departments, I'm going to defund you. And you certainly said that. Zorhan
you. And you certainly said that. Zorhan Mandami, we need 7,000 police. We only
Mandami, we need 7,000 police. We only have 32,500.
have 32,500. The problem in recruiting police, which
The problem in recruiting police, which neither of you are addressing, is that
neither of you are addressing, is that their insurance was stripped from them.
their insurance was stripped from them. The state, you did nothing when you were
The state, you did nothing when you were governor. And here in the city, 2021,
governor. And here in the city, 2021, the city council and Eric Adams did
the city council and Eric Adams did nothing. They don't have qualified
nothing. They don't have qualified immunity, which you've benefited from,
immunity, which you've benefited from, Andrew Cuomo, with the 13 lawsuits filed
Andrew Cuomo, with the 13 lawsuits filed against you for sexual harassment. Tom
against you for sexual harassment. Tom Denapoli says, "We're paying out $60
Denapoli says, "We're paying out $60 million." Why? Cuz you had your
million." Why? Cuz you had your qualified immunity as governor. And yet,
qualified immunity as governor. And yet, people have stood by as police have lost
people have stood by as police have lost their insurance that all civil servants
their insurance that all civil servants have. That's why you can't get recruits
have. That's why you can't get recruits in because they're not insured. I will
in because they're not insured. I will return their qualified immunity because
return their qualified immunity because they need to be protected like other
they need to be protected like other civil servants.
civil servants. >> That is not New York State. It's New
>> That is not New York State. It's New York City under qualified insurance.
York City under qualified insurance. Unqualified immunity. It's not insurance
Unqualified immunity. It's not insurance at all.
at all. >> You are entitled to legal counsel, which
>> You are entitled to legal counsel, which is what he's referring to. You have
is what he's referring to. You have spent
spent >> Yes. But it's New York City that has uh
>> Yes. But it's New York City that has uh revoked qualified immunity. It's not
revoked qualified immunity. It's not insurance. It's qualified immunity. Has
insurance. It's qualified immunity. Has nothing to do with insurance.
nothing to do with insurance. >> So that protected you in all these
>> So that protected you in all these lawsuits. And yes, the lawsuits because
lawsuits. And yes, the lawsuits because there was a report filed. I said it was
there was a report filed. I said it was political. It turned out to be uh
political. It turned out to be uh political and that's why
political and that's why >> all 13 women were lying. Come on,
>> all 13 women were lying. Come on, Andrew. All 13 women were lying after
Andrew. All 13 women were lying after five years. A state trooper too. Yeah.
five years. A state trooper too. Yeah. After five years, five, five years of
After five years, five, five years of litigation, I was dropped from the case.
litigation, I was dropped from the case. >> Mr. Mr. Donnie, how are you? Remember
>> Mr. Mr. Donnie, how are you? Remember that uh he only took the hard stance
that uh he only took the hard stance that all of it was made up, which by the
that all of it was made up, which by the way, again, his his claim here is
way, again, his his claim here is literally yes, every single one of those
literally yes, every single one of those women lied. That's his claim. But
women lied. That's his claim. But initially, he was he was contr. He
initially, he was he was contr. He remember he resigned. Uh he only he only
remember he resigned. Uh he only he only um adopted this whole actually the whole
um adopted this whole actually the whole thing was made up take when he was uh
thing was made up take when he was uh when he was tapped in to uh to fight
when he was tapped in to uh to fight against Mumani. You know, this whole
against Mumani. You know, this whole thing this is new. He was more or less
thing this is new. He was more or less living in obscurity before then. Yeah,
living in obscurity before then. Yeah, he resigned in disgrace. He was just no
he resigned in disgrace. He was just no one talked about him for years and he
one talked about him for years and he showed up presumably because I don't
showed up presumably because I don't know Schumer sick to Mandani or
know Schumer sick to Mandani or whatever.
whatever. >> Okay, Mr. Mandani, how will you make the
>> Okay, Mr. Mandani, how will you make the city safer and how will you change the
city safer and how will you change the NYPD?
NYPD? >> Thank you. This is the concern for so
>> Thank you. This is the concern for so many New Yorkers and I'm proud to have a
many New Yorkers and I'm proud to have a comprehensive plan to bring new ideas to
comprehensive plan to bring new ideas to this city. If you want more of the same,
this city. If you want more of the same, vote for Andrew Cuomo. If you want an
vote for Andrew Cuomo. If you want an actual approach to lower crime, look at
actual approach to lower crime, look at our Department of Community Safety. That
our Department of Community Safety. That is something that has been hailed by
is something that has been hailed by experts as addressing so many of the
experts as addressing so many of the pieces of why New Yorkers are not
pieces of why New Yorkers are not feeling safe today. We will ensure that
feeling safe today. We will ensure that no longer are police officers asked to
no longer are police officers asked to do the job of both policing and
do the job of both policing and responding to the mental health crisis.
responding to the mental health crisis. We will have dedicated teams of mental
We will have dedicated teams of mental health outreach workers in the top 100
health outreach workers in the top 100 subway stations with the highest levels
subway stations with the highest levels of the mental health crisis and
of the mental health crisis and homelessness. We will ensure that cops
homelessness. We will ensure that cops can finally go back to the response
can finally go back to the response times they used to have in 2020, closer
times they used to have in 2020, closer to 11 minutes, as opposed to the closer
to 11 minutes, as opposed to the closer to 16 minutes today, because they won't
to 16 minutes today, because they won't be asked to respond to the 200,000
be asked to respond to the 200,000 mental health calls that are coming in
mental health calls that are coming in through 911 every year. This is
through 911 every year. This is evidence-based. It's been successful
evidence-based. It's been successful elsewhere in the country. It's time we
elsewhere in the country. It's time we deliver it right here in New York City.
deliver it right here in New York City. It's time for
It's time for >> Thank you, Mr. Mandani.
>> Thank you, Mr. Mandani. >> Sorry, Mandamani. We already had it.
>> Sorry, Mandamani. We already had it. It's called the homeless. I'm sorry.
It's called the homeless. I'm sorry. This is free. We have another question
This is free. We have another question for Mr. Maldan. Billio funded them by
for Mr. Maldan. Billio funded them by billion dollar.
billion dollar. >> Thank you.
>> Thank you. >> Excuse me. Mr. Manni, we're going to
>> Excuse me. Mr. Manni, we're going to talk about disciplining police officers.
talk about disciplining police officers. The civilian watchdog that investigates
The civilian watchdog that investigates police misconduct regularly recommends
police misconduct regularly recommends discipline for cops accused of
discipline for cops accused of wrongdoing, but the police commissioner
wrongdoing, but the police commissioner often overrides them. You want to change
often overrides them. You want to change that policy so that the board has final
that policy so that the board has final say. Please explain to viewers in 30
say. Please explain to viewers in 30 seconds why you believe the police
seconds why you believe the police commissioner should no longer have that
commissioner should no longer have that final say.
final say. >> What I've said is that I think it's time
>> What I've said is that I think it's time to remove much of the politics out of
to remove much of the politics out of the question of accountability. We have
the question of accountability. We have the civilian complaint review board
the civilian complaint review board which as you said studies, assesses and
which as you said studies, assesses and investigates into complaints of abuse
investigates into complaints of abuse and the violation of the law and often
and the violation of the law and often times those recommendations are then
times those recommendations are then subject to political pressures and not
subject to political pressures and not followed through on. It is insane that
followed through on. It is insane that we've reached a point of like top
we've reached a point of like top warship in this country where this is
warship in this country where this is even something that has to be discussed.
even something that has to be discussed. Like this is potentially something you
Like this is potentially something you could trip up on and make a mistake. Um
could trip up on and make a mistake. Um yes uh I do think that uh I do think
yes uh I do think that uh I do think police should be held accountable and
police should be held accountable and should not just be tyrants running over
should not just be tyrants running over our city with no rules or
our city with no rules or accountability. Oh [ __ ] And you like
accountability. Oh [ __ ] And you like gaff and and lose the election over it
gaff and and lose the election over it or something. New Yorkers deserve a
or something. New Yorkers deserve a system where they know it won't then be
system where they know it won't then be assessed once again that there's
assessed once again that there's actually more to the recommendation in
actually more to the recommendation in the investigation that's being done by
the investigation that's being done by the CCR.
the CCR. >> Okay, we're wrapping up. Thank you.
>> Okay, we're wrapping up. Thank you. >> Thank you, Mr. Mandani. Mr. Cuomo, do
>> Thank you, Mr. Mandani. Mr. Cuomo, do you believe changes are needed for how
you believe changes are needed for how officers are disciplined and are there
officers are disciplined and are there any powers that you would give up as
any powers that you would give up as mayor? You have 30 seconds.
mayor? You have 30 seconds. >> Yeah, I would uh not remove the police
>> Yeah, I would uh not remove the police commissioner from the CCB. Uh I'd leave
commissioner from the CCB. Uh I'd leave it with the police commissioner. I think
it with the police commissioner. I think Commissioner Tisha is doing a very good
Commissioner Tisha is doing a very good job. I would trust her. Uh the
job. I would trust her. Uh the difference between me and the
difference between me and the assemblyman is he doesn't like the
assemblyman is he doesn't like the police. That's why he won't hire more
police. That's why he won't hire more police when everyone else says we need
police when everyone else says we need more police. He wants to use social
more police. He wants to use social workers on domestic violence calls which
workers on domestic violence calls which are very dangerous. Uh and he's told you
are very dangerous. Uh and he's told you what he thinks. He thinks the police are
what he thinks. He thinks the police are racist, wicked, corrupt, and a threat to
racist, wicked, corrupt, and a threat to public safety. Those are his words.
public safety. Those are his words. >> Very quickly, Mr. Mr. I'm done. Very
>> Very quickly, Mr. Mr. I'm done. Very quick.
quick. >> Look, Andrew Cuomo is a politician of
>> Look, Andrew Cuomo is a politician of the past and all he can speak about are
the past and all he can speak about are the tweets of the past in 2020. Those
the tweets of the past in 2020. Those are tweets which I have apologized for
are tweets which I have apologized for to New Yorkers and police officers
to New Yorkers and police officers directly and they are not what I am
directly and they are not what I am actually running on, but you're
actually running on, but you're incapable of actually speaking about the
incapable of actually speaking about the platform that we have here, which is one
platform that we have here, which is one that will keep New Yorkers safe.
that will keep New Yorkers safe. >> Can we just quickly ask you because I
>> Can we just quickly ask you because I think what some people feel they haven't
think what some people feel they haven't heard from you, we hear you saying that
heard from you, we hear you saying that you don't believe that anymore and
you don't believe that anymore and you've apologized. people have not heard
you've apologized. people have not heard you sort of describe the evolution of
you sort of describe the evolution of your thought, how you got from there to
your thought, how you got from there to here.
here. >> You know, I think that's a fair
>> You know, I think that's a fair question. This is one of the reasons why
question. This is one of the reasons why I think it was bad for him to apologize
I think it was bad for him to apologize in the first place, you know. Um once
in the first place, you know. Um once you apologize and you you indicate that
you apologize and you you indicate that you can uh that you're willing to seed
you can uh that you're willing to seed ground. People just want you to seed
ground. People just want you to seed more ground. Um you just have to ignore
more ground. Um you just have to ignore it. Like I don't know if it was
it. Like I don't know if it was necessary for him to respond to the
necessary for him to respond to the Hassan bit. As incredibly funny as it is
Hassan bit. As incredibly funny as it is that Mandani has now officially
that Mandani has now officially condemned Hassan's comments about 911.
condemned Hassan's comments about 911. um you know he he didn't really have to
um you know he he didn't really have to acknowledge it. Uh I think you can just
acknowledge it. Uh I think you can just sort of broadly dismiss a lot of
sort of broadly dismiss a lot of accusations. You know
accusations. You know >> growing up in this city I would think
>> growing up in this city I would think often about safety and justice and the
often about safety and justice and the ways in which that that relationship has
ways in which that that relationship has been irrevocably harmed when I learned
been irrevocably harmed when I learned about the exonerated five when I learned
about the exonerated five when I learned about Shawn Bell when I learned about
about Shawn Bell when I learned about Eric Garner. when I learned about
Eric Garner. when I learned about Michael Brown and then in 2020 when I
Michael Brown and then in 2020 when I wrote these tweets learning about the
wrote these tweets learning about the death of George Floyd and that was a
death of George Floyd and that was a moment where it felt as if the distance
moment where it felt as if the distance between these two ideals had never been
between these two ideals had never been further and in becoming an assembly
further and in becoming an assembly member and serving and representing more
member and serving and representing more than 100,000 people in Queens learning
than 100,000 people in Queens learning that to deliver justice means to also
that to deliver justice means to also deliver safety and that means leading a
deliver safety and that means leading a city where you recognize the bravery of
city where you recognize the bravery of the men and women who joined the NYPD
the men and women who joined the NYPD and put their lives on the line. It
and put their lives on the line. It means representing the Muslims who were
means representing the Muslims who were illegally surveiled in my district and
illegally surveiled in my district and the black and brown New Yorkers who have
the black and brown New Yorkers who have been victims of police brutality.
been victims of police brutality. >> So So Mr.
>> So So Mr. >> Time concerns aside that was that was
>> Time concerns aside that was that was pretty great. That was really good. You
pretty great. That was really good. You know, essentially like you know when I
know, essentially like you know when I became an assemblyman I I understood
became an assemblyman I I understood that these are forces that you have to
that these are forces that you have to work with. What's your plan for when
work with. What's your plan for when Mamm Donnie disavows you? Not going to
Mamm Donnie disavows you? Not going to happen. I've never said anything
happen. I've never said anything controversial.
controversial. >> Well, you've been out there. You've been
>> Well, you've been out there. You've been on the trains and I would like to know
on the trains and I would like to know if you believe changes are needed of how
if you believe changes are needed of how officers are disciplined.
officers are disciplined. >> Let me just suggest Zorhan what you've
>> Let me just suggest Zorhan what you've suggested.
suggested. >> Zoron courtesy.
>> Zoron courtesy. >> Zoran,
>> Zoran, >> excuse me.
>> It I don't know how but somehow that interaction right there was a dig at
interaction right there was a dig at Cuomo. Let me just suggest that what you
Cuomo. Let me just suggest that what you have proposed with this new police
have proposed with this new police outrage unit will endanger women and
outrage unit will endanger women and children in domestic violence
children in domestic violence situations. I know I've been involved in
situations. I know I've been involved in so many of them with the guardian
so many of them with the guardian angels. They will be killed. They will
angels. They will be killed. They will be maimed. Number two, in dealing with
be maimed. Number two, in dealing with emotionally disturbed persons that I
emotionally disturbed persons that I have dealt with for all my years as the
have dealt with for all my years as the guardian angels, you need trained
guardian angels, you need trained professional police officers. Yes, you
professional police officers. Yes, you can have mental health workers with
can have mental health workers with them, but that has been suggested. It
them, but that has been suggested. It was done before by the homeless outreach
was done before by the homeless outreach and the guy you thought was the best
and the guy you thought was the best Delasio disbanded.
Delasio disbanded. >> Mr. Lewood, thank you.
>> Mr. Lewood, thank you. >> Brief response.
>> Brief response. >> To be very clear, the department of
>> To be very clear, the department of community safety is not about responding
community safety is not about responding to calls of domestic violence. We are
to calls of domestic violence. We are speaking about mental health crisis and
speaking about mental health crisis and the homelessness crisis. These are the
the homelessness crisis. These are the focuses of the work that they will do.
focuses of the work that they will do. >> All right. We we we have other questions
>> All right. We we we have other questions for that a little later in the debate,
for that a little later in the debate, but we want to just change the pace a
but we want to just change the pace a little bit, candidates, switching gears
little bit, candidates, switching gears to the high cost of living
to the high cost of living >> in New York City.
>> in New York City. >> Uh to kick us off, we have a few quick
>> Uh to kick us off, we have a few quick pocketbook questions that New Yorkers
pocketbook questions that New Yorkers wrestle with daily. So, we want to know
wrestle with daily. So, we want to know how much you spend a week on groceries.
how much you spend a week on groceries. We'll begin with you, Mr. Cuomo.
We'll begin with you, Mr. Cuomo. >> Uh
>> Uh >> give my servants.
>> give my servants. >> Depends how many times my daughters come
>> Depends how many times my daughters come over. Uh but probably about $150.
over. Uh but probably about $150. >> Okay, Mr. SWA. That's such a [ __ ]
>> Okay, Mr. SWA. That's such a [ __ ] lie. 0% chance. Unbel He could have made
lie. 0% chance. Unbel He could have made up any number there, man. [ __ ]
up any number there, man. [ __ ] [ __ ]
[ __ ] >> Oh, I'd say about $175
>> Oh, I'd say about $175 with a gallon of milk now $5 and always
with a gallon of milk now $5 and always rising up. Loaf of bread. Simple loaf of
rising up. Loaf of bread. Simple loaf of bread that used to be 99 cent $3 now.
bread that used to be 99 cent $3 now. >> Price is too sweet.
>> Price is too sweet. >> A brief answer. Thank you, Mr. Mani.
>> A brief answer. Thank you, Mr. Mani. >> Yeah, I actually agree with Curtis on
>> Yeah, I actually agree with Curtis on that. It is too costly. Now that eggs
that. It is too costly. Now that eggs are down to less than four bucks though,
are down to less than four bucks though, my average spend every week is about
my average spend every week is about 1251 150.
1251 150. >> All right. Do you carry credit card debt
>> All right. Do you carry credit card debt or do you pay it off every month? Mr.
or do you pay it off every month? Mr. Maldani,
Maldani, >> I pay it off every month.
>> I pay it off every month. >> Mr. Cuomo,
>> Mr. Cuomo, >> pay it off.
>> pay it off. >> Mr. SWA,
>> Mr. SWA, >> I don't have a credit card. I have a
>> I don't have a credit card. I have a debit card.
debit card. >> [ __ ] He's so based.
>> [ __ ] He's so based. >> And for the record, what is your monthly
>> And for the record, what is your monthly rent or mortgage, Mr. SWA?
rent or mortgage, Mr. SWA? >> Uh, about 3,900.
>> Uh, about 3,900. Uh, it's not uh subsidized as
Uh, it's not uh subsidized as >> Mr. Mani, what is your monthly rent or
>> Mr. Mani, what is your monthly rent or mortgage?
mortgage? >> $2,300.
>> $2,300. >> Mr. Qu,
>> Mr. Qu, >> he has a rent stabilized apartment that
>> he has a rent stabilized apartment that a poor person is supposed to have. Uh,
a poor person is supposed to have. Uh, mine is about $7,800.
mine is about $7,800. >> Okay,
>> Okay, >> we are actually getting to
>> we are actually getting to >> we're going to we're going to cover that
>> we're going to we're going to cover that subject, Sally. Appreciate that.
subject, Sally. Appreciate that. >> Thank you. Uh, we're going to talk a
>> Thank you. Uh, we're going to talk a little bit more about the runaway.
little bit more about the runaway. Remember Cuomo's unhinged [ __ ]
Remember Cuomo's unhinged [ __ ] meltdown tweet where he was like,
meltdown tweet where he was like, "There's a homeless woman on the street
"There's a homeless woman on the street uh who who doesn't have a home because
uh who who doesn't have a home because mom Donniey's in that house?" Except
mom Donniey's in that house?" Except these are rent stabilized apartments
these are rent stabilized apartments that have an income requirement. They're
that have an income requirement. They're not like homeless shelter rooms. So that
not like homeless shelter rooms. So that homeless woman on the street would still
homeless woman on the street would still need to be making like borderline six
need to be making like borderline six figures in order to even be able to
figures in order to even be able to apply there.
apply there. >> Rent in this city. Mr. Mr. Mdonni,
>> Rent in this city. Mr. Mr. Mdonni, you're pledging to freeze rent for
you're pledging to freeze rent for nearly 1 million rent stabilized
nearly 1 million rent stabilized apartments. That really affects less
apartments. That really affects less than half of all rentals in the city.
than half of all rentals in the city. What is your plan for those who aren't
What is your plan for those who aren't in stabilized apartments but are
in stabilized apartments but are struggling to pay the rent? What are you
struggling to pay the rent? What are you going to do for them?
going to do for them? >> Well, I'm proud to say that I yes will
>> Well, I'm proud to say that I yes will freeze the rent for more than 2 million
freeze the rent for more than 2 million rentstabilized tenants. And I will also
rentstabilized tenants. And I will also build 200,000 truly affordable homes
build 200,000 truly affordable homes across the five burrows over the next 10
across the five burrows over the next 10 years to ensure that tenants, whether
years to ensure that tenants, whether rent stabilized or market rate, can
rent stabilized or market rate, can actually have more housing such that
actually have more housing such that they are not being priced out of this
they are not being priced out of this city. And finally, I'm also going to
city. And finally, I'm also going to make it easier for the private sector to
make it easier for the private sector to build housing in this city because what
build housing in this city because what we see today is that it's not labor,
we see today is that it's not labor, it's not materials, it's the weight that
it's not materials, it's the weight that is often costing so many so much to
is often costing so many so much to actually build the housing we need in
actually build the housing we need in this city.
this city. >> Thank you. And a followup for you, Mr.
>> Thank you. And a followup for you, Mr. Mr. Mom Donnie, the cost of maintaining
Mr. Mom Donnie, the cost of maintaining a building change year to year for
a building change year to year for landlords. The rent guidelines board is
landlords. The rent guidelines board is legally required to consider those costs
legally required to consider those costs when deciding whether to freeze rents.
when deciding whether to freeze rents. So, how can you promise a rent freeze
So, how can you promise a rent freeze today before ever seeing that data next
today before ever seeing that data next year?
year? >> You know, we've seen the data time and
>> You know, we've seen the data time and again. It's data data. It's been data
again. It's data data. It's been data that's been overruled by mayors again
that's been overruled by mayors again and again. The last rent guidelines
and again. The last rent guidelines board study showed that profits were up
board study showed that profits were up 12% for landlords of those units. And
12% for landlords of those units. And what did they do? They raised the rent
what did they do? They raised the rent adding to more than 12% under Eric Adams
adding to more than 12% under Eric Adams administration. What I am speaking about
administration. What I am speaking about is actually reflecting the needs of
is actually reflecting the needs of these New Yorkers and the state of the
these New Yorkers and the state of the market today. These are New Yorkers who
market today. These are New Yorkers who have a median household income of
have a median household income of $60,000. We do not need to be pushing
$60,000. We do not need to be pushing them further out of the city. We need to
them further out of the city. We need to keep them in their hearts.
keep them in their hearts. >> Aren't you saying in that answer that
>> Aren't you saying in that answer that you are going to prejudge? You will not
you are going to prejudge? You will not have seen the data for next year and
have seen the data for next year and you're making a determination based on
you're making a determination based on data you haven't seen.
data you haven't seen. I've seen the data year after year of
I've seen the data year after year of the fact that salaries are stagnating,
the fact that salaries are stagnating, costs are up, New Yorkers can't actually
costs are up, New Yorkers can't actually afford their apartments. And I will also
afford their apartments. And I will also take action to actually ensure
take action to actually ensure >> this is this is a really dumb question.
>> this is this is a really dumb question. Like yeah, you can you can absolutely
Like yeah, you can you can absolutely base policy in response to years and
base policy in response to years and decades of accumulated trends. Like you
decades of accumulated trends. Like you don't need you if you have a decade of
don't need you if you have a decade of data indicating a trend, you don't need
data indicating a trend, you don't need to wait till the last second before
to wait till the last second before saying you're going to support a policy
saying you're going to support a policy that would address the trend because
that would address the trend because what if next year the data indicates the
what if next year the data indicates the trend reversed even though like look at
trend reversed even though like look at the world around you. Do you guys
the world around you. Do you guys seriously think that's going to happen?
seriously think that's going to happen? Housing costs in New York City are going
Housing costs in New York City are going to go down like would like just out of
to go down like would like just out of nowhere. the landlords of those
nowhere. the landlords of those buildings can better handle their costs
buildings can better handle their costs by taking on their insurance, their
by taking on their insurance, their property taxes, and their seen next
property taxes, and their seen next year's dad. I do have a question for you
year's dad. I do have a question for you on this subject. You have proposed
on this subject. You have proposed something that you're calling Zoron's
something that you're calling Zoron's law. You think that Mr. Mandani earns
law. You think that Mr. Mandani earns too much to live in his rentstabilized
too much to live in his rentstabilized apartment, though I should note that
apartment, though I should note that there are no income tests for rent
there are no income tests for rent stabilized apartments. But critics say
stabilized apartments. But critics say your plan would force people to pay too
your plan would force people to pay too much of their income towards the rent.
much of their income towards the rent. So, if you think Mr. Mom Donnie is
So, if you think Mr. Mom Donnie is gaming the system. What about the other
gaming the system. What about the other New Yorkers? Thousands of them just like
New Yorkers? Thousands of them just like him who earn similar salaries who are
him who earn similar salaries who are living in similar apartments.
living in similar apartments. >> Okay, just to follow up on what Sally
>> Okay, just to follow up on what Sally was saying because she's
was saying because she's >> follow that was a [ __ ] post.
>> follow that was a [ __ ] post. >> This is not a new plan that the
>> This is not a new plan that the assemblyman is talking about. It's Bill
assemblyman is talking about. It's Bill Delasio's plan. It was called freeze the
Delasio's plan. It was called freeze the rent. Bill Delasio says uh the mayor
rent. Bill Delasio says uh the mayor can't say legally he's going to freeze
can't say legally he's going to freeze the rent. There's a rent guidelines
the rent. There's a rent guidelines board. There are certain uh
board. There are certain uh considerations that have to be looked
considerations that have to be looked at. You're right, Sally. You can't say
at. You're right, Sally. You can't say today what it's going to be in four
today what it's going to be in four years. Uh also freeze the rent uh only
years. Uh also freeze the rent uh only postpones the rent because then you have
postpones the rent because then you have to have an increase to cover the costs
to have an increase to cover the costs otherwise the building is going to go
otherwise the building is going to go bankrupt and it
bankrupt and it >> that that is what freezing means. Yeah.
>> that that is what freezing means. Yeah. Yeah. In in an in an e in an
Yeah. In in an in an e in an inflationary economic system. Yes.
inflationary economic system. Yes. Inevitably the number will go up but
Inevitably the number will go up but freezing it freezes it. Yeah. There's
freezing it freezes it. Yeah. There's nothing for the majority of renters who
nothing for the majority of renters who aren't in these rent stabilized units.
aren't in these rent stabilized units. There's nothing for NICHA. There's
There's nothing for NICHA. There's nothing for homeowners. There's nothing
nothing for homeowners. There's nothing black brown communities who are getting
black brown communities who are getting priced out.
priced out. >> I was the
>> I was the >> except for the ones that are in the rent
>> except for the ones that are in the rent stabilized apartments of which there are
stabilized apartments of which there are hundreds of thousands.
hundreds of thousands. >> Secretary, I built affordable housing
>> Secretary, I built affordable housing all across this nation. I built
all across this nation. I built affordable housing in this city when I
affordable housing in this city when I was in my 20s.
was in my 20s. >> I know how to get it done. I will get it
>> I know how to get it done. I will get it done on the rentstabilized units. What
done on the rentstabilized units. What I'm saying is those are the precious
I'm saying is those are the precious units and we should we should keep them
units and we should we should keep them for the most.
for the most. >> We have to move on. But I have a
>> We have to move on. But I have a question for you.
question for you. >> You can't the Ziron pays what 2,300 a
>> You can't the Ziron pays what 2,300 a month.
month. >> So that's like what is that? 30,000.
>> So that's like what is that? 30,000. Yeah. Just shy of 30,000. Like it's it's
Yeah. Just shy of 30,000. Like it's it's not for it's not for homeless people.
not for it's not for homeless people. $2,300 a month. This is a it's it's not
$2,300 a month. This is a it's it's not it's not for like people off the street
it's not for like people off the street or whatever. They're just rent
or whatever. They're just rent stabilized. They're not like designated
stabilized. They're not like designated uh uh uh uh like homeless or halfway
uh uh uh uh like homeless or halfway house units. That's never what they've
house units. That's never what they've been intended to be. They're to ensure
been intended to be. They're to ensure that a certain percentage of New York
that a certain percentage of New York City remains accessible to people who
City remains accessible to people who don't make sky-high incomes.
don't make sky-high incomes. >> No, sorry. He invoked me for much of
>> No, sorry. He invoked me for much of that question. Just a very brief
that question. Just a very brief response here.
response here. >> Very brief.
>> Very brief. >> You know, you've heard it from Andrew
>> You know, you've heard it from Andrew Cuomo that the number one crisis in this
Cuomo that the number one crisis in this city, the housing crisis, the answer is
city, the housing crisis, the answer is to evict my wife and I. He thinks you
to evict my wife and I. He thinks you address this crisis by unleashing my
address this crisis by unleashing my landlord's ability to raise my rent. If
landlord's ability to raise my rent. If you think that the problem in this city
you think that the problem in this city is that my rent is too low, vote for
is that my rent is too low, vote for him. If you know the problem in this
him. If you know the problem in this city is that your rent is too high, vote
city is that your rent is too high, vote for me.
for me. >> If
I understand it correctly, sons of millionaires
millionaires law would not evict Mr. Mand.
law would not evict Mr. Mand. >> It would not evict him.
>> It would not evict him. >> It would apply to people applying for
>> It would apply to people applying for the tenant. But the tenants, it would
the tenant. But the tenants, it would affect it would
affect it would >> look at this now. He's backing off of
>> look at this now. He's backing off of the vindictive [ __ ] that he was
the vindictive [ __ ] that he was crowing about a second ago.
crowing about a second ago. >> No one this this income limitation
>> No one this this income limitation for Mrs. Fat in the schoolyard. Let me
for Mrs. Fat in the schoolyard. Let me roar has a specific question for you. I
roar has a specific question for you. I would like to talk about affordability
would like to talk about affordability address that issue.
address that issue. >> So you've proposed Mr. SLA plans that
>> So you've proposed Mr. SLA plans that would made a point of talking about the
would made a point of talking about the struggle of renters and property owners.
struggle of renters and property owners. describe her plan to help renters and
describe her plan to help renters and landlords.
landlords. >> Well, first off, we have 6,000 available
>> Well, first off, we have 6,000 available apartments that a mayor controls in
apartments that a mayor controls in Nicha and they've been empty for years.
Nicha and they've been empty for years. That you address number one. Then we
That you address number one. Then we talk about senior citizens who are
talk about senior citizens who are living here. My whole goal is to improve
living here. My whole goal is to improve and not to move. I'm concerned about the
and not to move. I'm concerned about the seniors, especially those that own
seniors, especially those that own homes. If they're 65 and make less than
homes. If they're 65 and make less than $250,000,
$250,000, no property tax cuz the property tax is
no property tax cuz the property tax is way too high. We need to cut it in half
way too high. We need to cut it in half to keep people who are here. And then in
to keep people who are here. And then in terms of rentals, we have affordable
terms of rentals, we have affordable housing that can be built in these huge
housing that can be built in these huge skyscrapers. You see them all throughout
skyscrapers. You see them all throughout Manhattan and in northern Brooklyn and
Manhattan and in northern Brooklyn and in Long Island City, which we have 25
in Long Island City, which we have 25 Empire State buildings full of
Empire State buildings full of commercial space that will never be
commercial space that will never be occupied for office space. We should be
occupied for office space. We should be converting them into affordable
converting them into affordable apartments. They're in dense areas. The
apartments. They're in dense areas. The infrastructure can support it. I'm the
infrastructure can support it. I'm the only candidate here who's against
only candidate here who's against that would destroy residential
that would destroy residential neighborhood.
neighborhood. >> I have to interrupt you because we have
>> I have to interrupt you because we have a programming moment right now. We're
a programming moment right now. We're about halfway through the mayoral
about halfway through the mayoral debate.
debate. >> Channel 4 and Telmundo 47 will return to
>> Channel 4 and Telmundo 47 will return to regular programming, but we got a lot to
regular programming, but we got a lot to get to. And you can continue watching
get to. And you can continue watching live on NBC New York and Telmundo 47
live on NBC New York and Telmundo 47 streaming and digital platforms. Tlextos
streaming and digital platforms. Tlextos political.
political. >> So far, by the way, this has been
>> So far, by the way, this has been [ __ ] insane. I'm sorry I haven't been
[ __ ] insane. I'm sorry I haven't been talking that much, but honestly, there
talking that much, but honestly, there have not been that many LOLs. This has
have not been that many LOLs. This has just been a well, there have been many
just been a well, there have been many there.
there. Any fellow residents of the internet,
Any fellow residents of the internet, there have been lots of epic lols. Not
there have been lots of epic lols. Not so many lols. Uh, I haven't had much of
so many lols. Uh, I haven't had much of a chance to speak. It's good TV.
a chance to speak. It's good TV. >> Thank you. That was kind of a natural
>> Thank you. That was kind of a natural point for us to transition. And we want
point for us to transition. And we want to talk now about transportation and
to talk now about transportation and getting around town. And we have a few
getting around town. And we have a few quick questions about how you get around
quick questions about how you get around town. Show of hands. Even though they're
town. Show of hands. Even though they're in their waning days, who has a metro
in their waning days, who has a metro card or maybe uses Omnipay?
card or maybe uses Omnipay? >> Uses Omnipay.
>> Uses Omnipay. >> Omnipay. Yeah. Metro card. I mean, I
>> Omnipay. Yeah. Metro card. I mean, I have one, but you know, I know I'm
have one, but you know, I know I'm hanging on to the last.
hanging on to the last. >> So, you're on the subways, Mr. Slewell.
>> So, you're on the subways, Mr. Slewell. What do you use? I'm just curious if you
What do you use? I'm just curious if you don't.
don't. >> Omniard. In fact, I got a whole batch.
>> Omniard. In fact, I got a whole batch. I'm in the subways. I'm in the buses and
I'm in the subways. I'm in the buses and the express buses. The only candidate
the express buses. The only candidate who rides mass transit every day.
who rides mass transit every day. >> When you need to get somewhere fast and
>> When you need to get somewhere fast and you can't take the train, do you hail a
you can't take the train, do you hail a taxi? Do you use ride share? Mr. Sle,
taxi? Do you use ride share? Mr. Sle, what do you do?
what do you do? >> I try to avoid yellow cabs. As you know,
>> I try to avoid yellow cabs. As you know, I was shot in the back of a yellow cab
I was shot in the back of a yellow cab in 1992 by the Gottis and Gambinos. Uh,
in 1992 by the Gottis and Gambinos. Uh, but I find my way around if I have to. I
but I find my way around if I have to. I I Uber if I can't get there by mass
I Uber if I can't get there by mass trans.
trans. >> What do you Mr. Ramdan, if you can't
>> What do you Mr. Ramdan, if you can't take the train, I would either.
take the train, I would either. >> Did I just have a stroke?
>> Did I just have a stroke? fast and you can't take the train. Do
fast and you can't take the train. Do you hail a taxi? Do you use ride share?
you hail a taxi? Do you use ride share? Mr. Leo, what do you do?
Mr. Leo, what do you do? >> I try to avoid yellow cabs. As you know,
>> I try to avoid yellow cabs. As you know, I was shot in the back of a yellow cab
I was shot in the back of a yellow cab in 1992 by the Gotti and Gambinos. Uh,
in 1992 by the Gotti and Gambinos. Uh, but I find my way around. If I have to,
but I find my way around. If I have to, I Uber if I can't get there by mass.
I Uber if I can't get there by mass. >> Can he be kept? Can I feel like he and
>> Can he be kept? Can I feel like he and Eric Adams need to be kept in the New
Eric Adams need to be kept in the New York City administration after Mumani
York City administration after Mumani wins. Like Eric Adams clearly has to be
wins. Like Eric Adams clearly has to be a jester. and this guy like what what do
a jester. and this guy like what what do you think would be a role? Maybe they
you think would be a role? Maybe they could both be No, you can only have one
could both be No, you can only have one jester. They both deserve to be kept
jester. They both deserve to be kept around.
around. >> You Mr. Ramdani, if you can't take the
>> You Mr. Ramdani, if you can't take the train,
train, >> I would either take a cab or ride a
>> I would either take a cab or ride a bike.
bike. >> Mr. Cuomo,
>> Mr. Cuomo, >> uh, I would take a cab, Uber.
>> uh, I would take a cab, Uber. >> Okay. All right. Thanks, Miss Ali.
>> Okay. All right. Thanks, Miss Ali. >> Thank you, David. Uh, let's talk about
>> Thank you, David. Uh, let's talk about free buses. Um, Mr. Mom Donnie, this is
free buses. Um, Mr. Mom Donnie, this is a centerpiece of your campaign. Can you
a centerpiece of your campaign. Can you explain how you will make buses free?
explain how you will make buses free? You have 30 seconds to answer.
You have 30 seconds to answer. >> Absolutely. We will make buses free by
>> Absolutely. We will make buses free by replacing the revenue that the MTA
replacing the revenue that the MTA currently gets from buses. This is
currently gets from buses. This is revenue that's around $700 million or
revenue that's around $700 million or so. That's less money than Andrew Cuomo
so. That's less money than Andrew Cuomo gave to Elon Musk and $959 million in
gave to Elon Musk and $959 million in tax credits when he was the governor.
tax credits when he was the governor. And the reason that we will do so is
And the reason that we will do so is that making buses free doesn't just
that making buses free doesn't just provide economic relief, but also public
provide economic relief, but also public safety. Because what we've seen is that
safety. Because what we've seen is that it decreases assaults on bus drivers by
it decreases assaults on bus drivers by 38.9%.
38.9%. New Yorkers deserve more than the
New Yorkers deserve more than the slowest buses in the country. I know
slowest buses in the country. I know that because I was on the M57 not too
that because I was on the M57 not too long ago and its average speed is 4.9
long ago and its average speed is 4.9 miles.
miles. >> Time though, but the question is how
>> Time though, but the question is how you'll make them free.
you'll make them free. >> We will fund the revenue that would have
>> We will fund the revenue that would have otherwise been brought in from fairs and
otherwise been brought in from fairs and that's something that we would do in
that's something that we would do in partnership with Albany. And I've put
partnership with Albany. And I've put forward two proposals. The first is to
forward two proposals. The first is to raise taxes on the top 1% of New Yorkers
raise taxes on the top 1% of New Yorkers by 2%. That would raise $4 billion. The
by 2%. That would raise $4 billion. The second is to raise the state's top
second is to raise the state's top corporate tax rate to match that of New
corporate tax rate to match that of New Jersey, which would raise $5 billion.
Jersey, which would raise $5 billion. We're going to move along, but I just
We're going to move along, but I just want to point out to viewers that
want to point out to viewers that Governor Hokll has opposed raising the
Governor Hokll has opposed raising the income tax. But Melissa, we'll move on
income tax. But Melissa, we'll move on to your question.
to your question. >> I address that on the buses because hey,
>> I address that on the buses because hey, Hokll just signed off on the idea of um
Hokll just signed off on the idea of um of uh uh uh free
of uh uh uh free child care. There's no way to fund that
child care. There's no way to fund that except with additional taxes.
except with additional taxes. >> People don't pay this their bus fair to
>> People don't pay this their bus fair to begin with. Zorhot and so it's
begin with. Zorhot and so it's >> Zoron Curtis Zoron
>> Zoron Curtis Zoron >> Zor it's a complete disaster if you have
>> Zor it's a complete disaster if you have free bus fair and the Citizens Budget
free bus fair and the Citizens Budget Commission said just last year 2024 a
Commission said just last year 2024 a billion dollars of fair evasion in all
billion dollars of fair evasion in all different forms this MTA system will
different forms this MTA system will collapse there's not enough money out
collapse there's not enough money out there to make up for fair evasion pay
there to make up for fair evasion pay your fair if you don't pay your fair
your fair if you don't pay your fair they have fair fair programs for the
they have fair fair programs for the poor and the indigent but everybody
poor and the indigent but everybody should be forced to pay their fair
should be forced to pay their fair >> Mr. Mr. Cuomo, you had both praise and
>> Mr. Mr. Cuomo, you had both praise and some criticism for Mr. Mandani's free
some criticism for Mr. Mandani's free bus pilots. You're sort of in the middle
bus pilots. You're sort of in the middle on this issue. What's your plan to make
on this issue. What's your plan to make subways and buses more affordable?
subways and buses more affordable? >> I think I think free buses is a mistake.
>> I think I think free buses is a mistake. Of course, about $700 million, just to
Of course, about $700 million, just to give you an idea that we only raise
give you an idea that we only raise about 500 from congestion pricing. It's
about 500 from congestion pricing. It's been done before in other cities. It was
been done before in other cities. It was a disaster. They stopped. They basically
a disaster. They stopped. They basically became mobile homeless
became mobile homeless uh uh gathering places. It's like the
uh uh gathering places. It's like the [ __ ] news
[ __ ] news >> for working families who can't afford it
>> for working families who can't afford it and free subways for working families,
and free subways for working families, but don't subsidize rich people uh on a
but don't subsidize rich people uh on a bus. Uh and uh it's been tried and it's
bus. Uh and uh it's been tried and it's failed.
failed. >> Mr. Mandani, can you just respond
>> Mr. Mandani, can you just respond quickly on the point about the uh mobile
quickly on the point about the uh mobile homeless gathering places?
homeless gathering places? >> You know, this is something that we
>> You know, this is something that we heard when we were fighting to make
heard when we were fighting to make buses free in Albany when we delivered
buses free in Albany when we delivered the first fair free bus lines in New
the first fair free bus lines in New York City history. And what we saw is
York City history. And what we saw is when we made one bus route free in each
when we made one bus route free in each burrow of New York City, there was no
burrow of New York City, there was no increase in homelessness on those buses.
increase in homelessness on those buses. There was no increase in fair evasion in
There was no increase in fair evasion in the surrounding area. What there was was
the surrounding area. What there was was an increase in ridership of up to 38.
an increase in ridership of up to 38. Mr.
Mr. >> Candidates, maybe we can dig deeper on
>> Candidates, maybe we can dig deeper on this and get a sense of how all of you
this and get a sense of how all of you would pay for your big ideas. Mr.
would pay for your big ideas. Mr. Romani, we'll start with you. We've
Romani, we'll start with you. We've obviously been talking about the only
obviously been talking about the only one with big ideas, free child care,
one with big ideas, free child care, cityrun grocery stores. So essentially,
cityrun grocery stores. So essentially, you're proposing about$10 billion in new
you're proposing about$10 billion in new spending. And as you've indicated, you
spending. And as you've indicated, you want to pay for it with tax increases,
want to pay for it with tax increases, but as Sally pointed out, Governor Hokll
but as Sally pointed out, Governor Hokll said no to raising income tax on
said no to raising income tax on millionaires. So tell New Yorkers
millionaires. So tell New Yorkers tonight how you're going to pay for all
tonight how you're going to pay for all of this in one minute if you can.
of this in one minute if you can. >> Look, a lot of people have called even
>> Look, a lot of people have called even my campaign a non-starter when we first
my campaign a non-starter when we first began. And now I stand before you proud
began. And now I stand before you proud to be the Democratic nominee who got the
to be the Democratic nominee who got the most votes in city primary history. And
most votes in city primary history. And I believe we will see the same thing
I believe we will see the same thing with our push to ensure that we are
with our push to ensure that we are taxing the wealthiest and the most
taxing the wealthiest and the most profitable corporations the fair amount
profitable corporations the fair amount that they should pay. Now, there are
that they should pay. Now, there are those who will say that because it will
those who will say that because it will be hard, you should give up. We saw what
be hard, you should give up. We saw what giving up looked like when Andrew Cuomo
giving up looked like when Andrew Cuomo was the governor. He gave up on fighting
was the governor. He gave up on fighting for working-class New Yorkers and
for working-class New Yorkers and instead caved in to his billionaire
instead caved in to his billionaire donors. And what did we get? We have the
donors. And what did we get? We have the fastest and most frequent helicopter
fastest and most frequent helicopter service to the Hamptons and we have the
service to the Hamptons and we have the slowest and more expensive bus service
slowest and more expensive bus service across the five burrows.
across the five burrows. But again, Mr. Ramdan, I know Governor
But again, Mr. Ramdan, I know Governor Hokll indicated this week there may be
Hokll indicated this week there may be some some open windows, but more or less
some some open windows, but more or less income tax on millionaires is off the
income tax on millionaires is off the table according to the governor.
table according to the governor. >> Look, I've said very clearly, making
>> Look, I've said very clearly, making buses fast and free costs about $700
buses fast and free costs about $700 million a year. Making universal child
million a year. Making universal child care a reality costs about5 or 6 billion
care a reality costs about5 or 6 billion a year. If you raise the state's top
a year. If you raise the state's top corporate tax rate to match that of New
corporate tax rate to match that of New Jersey, you'd be raising five billion in
Jersey, you'd be raising five billion in of itself.
of itself. >> I have I have a couple, you're next, but
>> I have I have a couple, you're next, but I have a couple followup.
I have a couple followup. >> I would just want add one additional
>> I would just want add one additional thing. We have also put forward a plan
thing. We have also put forward a plan to save money here in New York City with
to save money here in New York City with a billion.
a billion. >> He's so confident. This is the fourth
>> He's so confident. This is the fourth time to my account that he has continued
time to my account that he has continued over time and that he's been allowed to
over time and that he's been allowed to >> dollars in savings through procurement
>> dollars in savings through procurement reform through following the independent
reform through following the independent budget offic's assessment about hiring
budget offic's assessment about hiring more fiscal auditors and in actually
more fiscal auditors and in actually collecting the fines and fees from bad
collecting the fines and fees from bad landlords across the
landlords across the >> Just a quick couple of follow-ups. If
>> Just a quick couple of follow-ups. If you could find some of the funding but
you could find some of the funding but not all of it, which of your priorities
not all of it, which of your priorities would come first? would be the first
would come first? would be the first among equals that you would try to get
among equals that you would try to get done.
done. >> Well, freezing the rent doesn't require
>> Well, freezing the rent doesn't require any fiscal infusion. So, that will be
any fiscal infusion. So, that will be something we'll be pursuing immediately.
something we'll be pursuing immediately. And universal child care after housing
And universal child care after housing is the second cost. Child care is the
is the second cost. Child care is the second cost pushing New Yorkers out of
second cost pushing New Yorkers out of this city. $22.5,000 a year is the
this city. $22.5,000 a year is the estimate we've seen. That will be a
estimate we've seen. That will be a priority for us.
priority for us. >> And I just want to know if uh you could
>> And I just want to know if uh you could get the money and funding elsewhere,
get the money and funding elsewhere, would you drop the call for the tax
would you drop the call for the tax increase?
increase? >> Absolutely. The most important thing is
>> Absolutely. The most important thing is funding these agenda items. I think
funding these agenda items. I think these are the two most important and
these are the two most important and straightforward direct ways to do so.
straightforward direct ways to do so. But if the money comes from elsewhere,
But if the money comes from elsewhere, the most important thing is
the most important thing is >> Let's ask a question for Mr. Leeway.
>> Let's ask a question for Mr. Leeway. >> Mr. Slewell, you've been talking about
>> Mr. Slewell, you've been talking about cutting taxes and spending. So, what is
cutting taxes and spending. So, what is your plan and how would you pay for your
your plan and how would you pay for your programs like 7,000 more cops?
programs like 7,000 more cops? >> Well, Zoron, uh, boy, your fantasies
>> Well, Zoron, uh, boy, your fantasies are never going to come about in terms
are never going to come about in terms of funding everything you want that's
of funding everything you want that's going to be free, free, free. It's a
going to be free, free, free. It's a fantasy. Let's deal with the reality.
fantasy. Let's deal with the reality. 7,000 cops. You already have a plan in
7,000 cops. You already have a plan in Boston where you pay for taxes in the
Boston where you pay for taxes in the future. This is a great plan in which
future. This is a great plan in which universities and others who have bought
universities and others who have bought up properties uh that are now taken from
up properties uh that are now taken from the real estate market and taken from
the real estate market and taken from property tax pay. We could raise a
property tax pay. We could raise a billion dollars from Columbia
billion dollars from Columbia University, NYU that are in the real
University, NYU that are in the real estate business and Madison Square
estate business and Madison Square Garden, your friends, Andrew Cuomo,
Garden, your friends, Andrew Cuomo, Jimmy Dolan, who pays no property taxes.
Jimmy Dolan, who pays no property taxes. That's how you raise a billion dollars
That's how you raise a billion dollars to get 700 police officers trained,
to get 700 police officers trained, vetted, and out into the streets in the
vetted, and out into the streets in the five burrows. And then the police will
five burrows. And then the police will be on the subways and they will be
be on the subways and they will be patrolling the oldfashioned way where
patrolling the oldfashioned way where they're needed going up and down the
they're needed going up and down the moving subway cars where people want to
moving subway cars where people want to see the visual protection especially
see the visual protection especially women.
women. >> People [ __ ] love that [ __ ] man.
>> People [ __ ] love that [ __ ] man. That's true.
That's true. >> Being assaulted, perved, and like we saw
>> Being assaulted, perved, and like we saw this morning on 86 Street, a woman with
this morning on 86 Street, a woman with a gun to her head, an armed robbery
a gun to her head, an armed robbery because we don't have enough cops. I
because we don't have enough cops. I have a question for you in this topic
have a question for you in this topic and let's talk about history because as
and let's talk about history because as governor you raised and cut taxes. Now
governor you raised and cut taxes. Now you're proposing some tax relief. What's
you're proposing some tax relief. What's the price tag for your proposals and
the price tag for your proposals and where will you get the money for, for
where will you get the money for, for example, 5,000 new police officers? You
example, 5,000 new police officers? You have a minute to answer.
have a minute to answer. >> Yeah. Uh I think Sally's question was
>> Yeah. Uh I think Sally's question was very well taken. Uh the assemblyman's
very well taken. Uh the assemblyman's whole plan is based on a myth. Uh he's
whole plan is based on a myth. Uh he's going to raise taxes. Albany is going to
going to raise taxes. Albany is going to raise taxes statewide on corporations,
raise taxes statewide on corporations, but the money is only going to go to New
but the money is only going to go to New York City. That could never happen. It's
York City. That could never happen. It's not just that the governor wouldn't
not just that the governor wouldn't support it. It's
support it. It's >> hate. He said he's going to raise the
>> hate. He said he's going to raise the taxes the same as New Jersey corporate
taxes the same as New Jersey corporate tax. No, it would be double the tax. You
tax. No, it would be double the tax. You would see New Yorkers on 995 fleeing to
would see New Yorkers on 995 fleeing to Florida. We would be alone. Uh, so
Florida. We would be alone. Uh, so >> such an insane thing to say as as a
>> such an insane thing to say as as a potential mayor to to to potentially run
potential mayor to to to potentially run New York City, the capital city of the
New York City, the capital city of the world, and to be like, yeah, a tiny
world, and to be like, yeah, a tiny marginal increase in our tax rate, which
marginal increase in our tax rate, which wouldn't even come close to me matching
wouldn't even come close to me matching like European cities, our
like European cities, our contemporaries, everyone would flee to a
contemporaries, everyone would flee to a [ __ ] hole [ __ ] hurricane state. Like,
[ __ ] hole [ __ ] hurricane state. Like, it's just it's just such an insulting
it's just it's just such an insulting thing. And so many of these
thing. And so many of these conservatives are the same way. They
conservatives are the same way. They have no love for their country, no love
have no love for their country, no love for their city. This is I'm I'm often
for their city. This is I'm I'm often accused of not being patriotic, which is
accused of not being patriotic, which is true, but like I go outside and I
true, but like I go outside and I breathe that fresh American air and I
breathe that fresh American air and I look at that beautiful blue American sky
look at that beautiful blue American sky and I love that and I love it. The city
and I love that and I love it. The city that I live in and I love the the the
that I live in and I love the the the buses that I take and the roads that I
buses that I take and the roads that I drive on and the start the sidewalks
drive on and the start the sidewalks that I walk on. These people hate
that I walk on. These people hate all of it. They only care
all of it. They only care about their their their connections, you
about their their their connections, you know, their loyalists, the people who
know, their loyalists, the people who who fund them and and maybe the votes if
who fund them and and maybe the votes if not the people who vote for them. You
not the people who vote for them. You know, they hate this [ __ ] There is no
know, they hate this [ __ ] There is no genuine love. That's I mean, listen,
genuine love. That's I mean, listen, credit where credit's due. SWAD does
credit where credit's due. SWAD does love New York City. He actually does.
love New York City. He actually does. It's one of the reasons he's so
It's one of the reasons he's so different from other conservatives. he
different from other conservatives. he doesn't have the same thieving contempt
doesn't have the same thieving contempt um for the place that he wants to
um for the place that he wants to represent, you know, but Cuomo is just
represent, you know, but Cuomo is just like that.
like that. >> Be realistic with revenue. You have $115
>> Be realistic with revenue. You have $115 billion budget. You have to go through
billion budget. You have to go through that city budget and find savings. I
that city budget and find savings. I started the state. It had which is
started the state. It had which is double the budget of the city at a$10
double the budget of the city at a$10 billion deficit. I closed it and added
billion deficit. I closed it and added services. And we can do the same with
services. And we can do the same with New York City. Governor, as mayor, you
New York City. Governor, as mayor, you would not increase spending in the New
would not increase spending in the New York City budget. Yes or no?
York City budget. Yes or no? >> There would be whatever additional
>> There would be whatever additional spending would be revenue neutral.
spending would be revenue neutral. >> So,
>> So, >> is it possible? You got to cut You got
>> is it possible? You got to cut You got to cut taxes for people to stay here.
to cut taxes for people to stay here. >> Corporations are not going to stay here.
>> Corporations are not going to stay here. They're being lured south, the cities
They're being lured south, the cities that are more corporate friendly. You
that are more corporate friendly. You got to cut the property tax income tax
got to cut the property tax income tax for those who are 19 to 28 skill levels
for those who are 19 to 28 skill levels if they go to school here.
if they go to school here. >> Thank you, Mr. Andrew Cuomo thinks it's
>> Thank you, Mr. Andrew Cuomo thinks it's all right to spend $60 million to fund
all right to spend $60 million to fund his legal defense from accusations of
his legal defense from accusations of more than a dozen women of sexual
more than a dozen women of sexual harassment. But if I say we should spend
harassment. But if I say we should spend the same amount of money on delivering
the same amount of money on delivering cheaper groceries in this city through a
cheaper groceries in this city through a pilot program, that is unfathomable.
pilot program, that is unfathomable. >> Quick, David, I got a right to respond
>> Quick, David, I got a right to respond to that quickly.
to that quickly. >> First, uh I did not bring those
>> First, uh I did not bring those brought by the attorney general, which I
brought by the attorney general, which I said was political. That's what
said was political. That's what generated by individual women and some
generated by individual women and some of them have still been making their way
of them have still been making their way through the courts this year and
through the courts this year and >> yes and have been dropped from the
>> yes and have been dropped from the cases.
cases. >> Not all of them.
>> Not all of them. >> Yeah. And the what the assembly says all
>> Yeah. And the what the assembly says all this money that he wants to pass. Uh the
this money that he wants to pass. Uh the one thing he did do is he voted for a
one thing he did do is he voted for a pay raise for himself. They're the
pay raise for himself. They're the highest paid legislators.
highest paid legislators. I did I did ask the state office this
I did I did ask the state office this week. I did ask the state controllers's
week. I did ask the state controllers's office this week. The total was above 60
office this week. The total was above 60 million, but just those sexual
million, but just those sexual harassment cases to defend Governor
harassment cases to defend Governor Cuomo and his staff was about 21.
Cuomo and his staff was about 21. >> Sorry, was the sexual harassment analy
>> Sorry, was the sexual harassment analy want to clarify because you said 60, but
want to clarify because you said 60, but on those cases it was 21.
on those cases it was 21. >> Thank you. We have to talk about quality
>> Thank you. We have to talk about quality of life in the city. Let's turn to
of life in the city. Let's turn to everyday life in the city and some
everyday life in the city and some issues a mayor can directly impact. We
issues a mayor can directly impact. We start with a couple of questions about
start with a couple of questions about 311, the number New Yorkers call or text
311, the number New Yorkers call or text for non-emergency help.
for non-emergency help. First off, have you ever called 311? And
First off, have you ever called 311? And if so, for what? Mr. Mumdonni,
if so, for what? Mr. Mumdonni, >> I called 311 uh for issues with my
>> I called 311 uh for issues with my heating in my apartment, and I've spoken
heating in my apartment, and I've spoken to New Yorkers time and time again who
to New Yorkers time and time again who are frustrated by the fact that they can
are frustrated by the fact that they can track their Uber Eats block by block,
track their Uber Eats block by block, but when they call 311 for them to come
but when they call 311 for them to come to their apartment, it's just a question
to their apartment, it's just a question of hoping and praying that they do.
of hoping and praying that they do. There's no actual appointment. That's
There's no actual appointment. That's something that we would change.
something that we would change. >> All right, Mr. SWA, have you ever called
>> All right, Mr. SWA, have you ever called 311?
311? >> You know, there used to be that song 911
>> You know, there used to be that song 911 is a joke by Public Enemy. 311 is a
is a joke by Public Enemy. 311 is a joke. You can call it over and over and
joke. You can call it over and over and over again and you never get the
over again and you never get the analytics are when the operators talk to
analytics are when the operators talk to you as I talk to them.
you as I talk to them. >> Have you called?
>> Have you called? >> Yes, I've called them many times and got
>> Yes, I've called them many times and got no response. Most citizens I talked to
no response. Most citizens I talked to on the subways and streets never get
on the subways and streets never get good responses answer. Mr.
good responses answer. Mr. >> Cuomo, I've heard a lot of complaints
>> Cuomo, I've heard a lot of complaints about 311. So, I actually made a call to
about 311. So, I actually made a call to 311 myself to see if
311 myself to see if >> Oh, that's [ __ ] relatable. Thanks.
>> Oh, that's [ __ ] relatable. Thanks. Really? Really? beyond the level with
Really? Really? beyond the level with these two. Why would you admit that
these two. Why would you admit that you'd only like the peasant rabble
you'd only like the peasant rabble informed me there might be a problem
informed me there might be a problem with this
with this >> complaints were bonafidey
>> complaints were bonafidey uh and uh I was uh dropped twice uh then
uh and uh I was uh dropped twice uh then they were going to send someone to uh
they were going to send someone to uh find help a homeless woman in distress
find help a homeless woman in distress uh and no one showed up.
uh and no one showed up. >> You're all expressing frustration. Last
>> You're all expressing frustration. Last year, 311 received 38 million contacts
year, 311 received 38 million contacts from New Yorkers from calls to the
from New Yorkers from calls to the website. Wanted to know if you had a
website. Wanted to know if you had a sense across five burrows what the top
sense across five burrows what the top two categories of complaints were. What
two categories of complaints were. What do you think they were, Mr. Lewa?
do you think they were, Mr. Lewa? >> Uh potholes constantly potholes,
