>> COMING UP ON" "IVORY TOWER," SHOULD DEMOCRATS KEEP FIGHTING IN THE SHUTDOWN SHOWDOWN?

DOES PRESIDENT TRUMP DESERVE THE NOBEL PEACE PRIZE, NOW?

AND SYRACUSE TOPS THE CHARTS, AGAIN .

.

.

BUT NOT IN A GOOD WAY.

STAY TUNED FOR MORE FROM THE PROFESSORS NEXT.

ON "IVORY TOWER."

♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ >> GOOD EVENING AND, WELCOME TO "IVORY TOWER."

THANK YOU FOR JOINING US.

I'M NINA MOORE OF COLGATE UNIVERSITY.

THE PROFESSORS JOINING ME TONIGHT ARE: ANIRBAN ACHARYA OF LEMOYNE COLLEGE.

JENNIFER STROMER-GALLEY OF SYRACUSE UNIVERSITY AND .LISA DOLAK OF SYRACUSE UNIVERSITY, WHO IS JOINING US ON ZOOM.

AS OF RIGHT NOW WE'RE IN THE SECOND WEEK OF THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT SHUTDOWN AND DEMOCRATS ARE STILL PLAYING HARDBALL.

THE QUESTION WE WANT TO DIG INTO TONIGHT IS .

.

.

SHOULD THEY?

OF COURSE, THERE'S NOTHING NEW ABOUT SHUTDOWNS, BUT THIS ONE COMES WITH THE PRESIDENT'S THREAT OF PERMANENT CUTS TO FEDERAL PROGRAMS AND POSSIBLY NOT GIVING BACKPAY TO FURLOUGHED EMPLOYEES.

THERE'S A LOT AT STAKE, MORE THAN USUAL.

JENNY, IS DEMOCRATS' FIGHT TO SAVE HEALTHCARE SUBSIDIES FOR $24 MILLION AMERICANS WORTH IT?

>> THAT'S A GREAT QUESTION.

AND THERE IS A LOT TO UNPACK AS YOU ARTICULATED BECAUSE THERE ARE MANY DIMENSIONS TO THIS.

FOR DEMOCRATS, I THINK THE STANCE THEY'RE TAKING IS THAT HEALTHCARE IS ON THE LINE AGAIN.

THE PUBLIC TRUSTS DEMOCRATS ON HEALTHCARE MORE THAN THEY DO REPUBLICANS.

AND THAT PARTICULAR ISSUE HAS BEEN ONE THAT DEMOCRATS HAVE BEEN QUITE SUCCESSFUL WITH THIS THE PAST IN PERSUADING THE PUBLIC THAT HERE IN THE RIGHT.

24 MILLION AMERICANS WHO ARE AFFECTED BY A ROLL BACK IN EXTENSIONS OF THE AFFORDABLE CARE ACT SUBSIDIES THAT HAPPENED DURING COVID, THERE IS REAL PAIN THERE POTENTIALLY, WHEN EVEN MARJORIE TAYLOR GREENE, A REPUBLICAN, COMES OUT AND SAYS ACTUALLY, I AM BREAKING WITH MY PARTY, THE REPUBLICAN PARTY, TO SUPPORT AN EXTENSION OF THE AFFORDABLE CARE ACT SUBSIDIES TO SUPPORT AMERICANS BECAUSE OTHERWISE, THEY FACE DOUBLING OF PREMIUMS OR LOSING THEIR COVERAGE ALL TOGETHER.

>> RIGHT.

I MEAN ONE CAN SORT OF UNDERSTAND HER STANCE, GIVEN THE FACT THAT ENROLLMENT IN OBAMACARE WENT UP MOSTLY IN RED STATES.

>> CORRECT.

>> WHAT DO YOU MAKE OF REPUBLICAN STANCE ON THIS?

>> WELL SO THE REPUBLICAN STANCE IS THAT THEY'RE PUSHING A CLEAN CONTINUING RESOLUTION.

SO IN THE PAST, WHEN YOU HAVE THESE SHUTDOWNS, USUALLY WHAT THE FIGHT IS OVER IS LET US JUST CONTINUE THE SPENDING RATE, IN THIS CASE, 2024 LEVELS, AND NOT DEAL WITH POLICY MATTERS.

THAT NEEDS TO HAPPEN THROUGH THE TYPICAL LEGISLATION PROCESS.

THE REPUBLICANS ARE CLAIMING A HIGH ROAD HERE AND SAYING WE ARE JUST GOING TO EXTEND.

AND WE WILL ENGAGE THIS DEBATE ABOUT POLICY AFTER THE EXTENSION.

>> RIGHT.

BUT I WILLSA, DEMOCRATS-- LISA, DEMOCRATS ARGUE THAT WAITING UNTIL AFTER THE EXTENSION IS TOO LATE BECAUSE OF THE ENROLLMENT DEADLINE.

WHAT ARE YOUR THOUGHTS?

>> THAT'S THE POINT BECAUSE ENROLLMENT BEGINS IN SOME STATES IN NOVEMBER, AND SO YOU ARE CORRECT ABOUT THAT.

MY THOUGHTS ON THIS ARE, YOU KNOW, THE OTHER THING REPUBLICANS ARE PUSHING IS THAT THESE SUBSIDIES, YOU KNOW, 24 MILLION PEOPLE, 92% OF THEM GET THESE SUBSIDIES.

TO ME, THAT'S FAIRLY CLEAR EVIDENCE THAT THE AFFORDABLE CARE ACT ISN'T AFFORDABLE SO THE REPUBLICANS ARE SAYING THERE IS A SIGNIFICANT NEED TO REFORM THIS.

AND THESE CANNOT BE JUST EXTENDED IN THEIR CURRENT FORM, YOU KNOW, INDEFINITELY.

THE DEMOCRATS ARE PUSHING FOR A PERMANENT EXTENSION.

AND SO, YOU KNOW, THERE IS NO-- A COUPLE THINGS ABOUT THIS.

THERE IS NO INCOME MAXIMUM ON THESE SUBSIDIES, ALTHOUGH THEY ARE LIMITED TO THE EXTENT THAT YORP MARKET PREMIUM EXCEEDS 8.5% OF YOUR HOUSEHOLD INCOME.

SO THERE IS A LIMIT.

THE OTHER THING THAT IS GOING ON HERE OF COURSE IS THE DEMOCRATS, NEITHER ONE IS BEING PRECISELY PRECISE ABOUT THE EXTENT, AND DEPENDING ON YOUR DEFINITION OF UNDOCUMENTED MIGRANTS ARE ELIGIBLE FOR THEM, RIGHT?

SO REPUBLICANS ARE PISHING HARD ON THE NOTION THAT ILLEGAL OR UNDOCUMENTED PERSONS, PEOPLE PRESENT IN THE UNITED STATES ARE ELIGIBLE FOR THESE.

THE REALITY IS THAT THOSE WHO ARE LAWFULLY PRESENT ARE ELIGIBLE, AND WHAT THAT MEANS-- AND THAT DOES INCLUDE PEOPLE WHO ENTERED THE PEOPLE ILLEGALLY, EVEN IF THEY NOW HAVE BEEN GRANTED ASYLUM OR TEMPORARY PROTECTED STATUS.

SO THERE ARE GAMES BEING PLAYED AROUND THIS ASPECT OF IT, TOO.

>> LISA, AND SPECIFICALLY IN REGARD TO THE EMERGENCY MEDICAID PROGRAM-- IT DOESN'T MATTER WHAT ONE'S STATUS IS SO REPUBLICANS ARE HANGING THEIR HAT ON THAT.

AND SO, BUT IF YOU THINK ABOUT THE FACT THAT FOLKS GO IN FOR ALL SORTS OF REASONS THAT HAVE NOT ONLY TO DO WITH THE INDIVIDUAL'S HEALTHCARE BUT THE SAFETY OF THE COMMUNITY THAT THEY LIVE IN.

ISN'T THERE A HEALTHCARE ARGUMENT FOR THE COMMUNITY AS A WHOLE TO BE MADE HERE FOR WITHOUT TAKING A LOOK AT HOW WE GOT HERE AND WHETHER OTHER REFORMS NEED TO BE MADE TO THE MEDICAL MARKETPLACE, YOU KNOW, I THINK THAT'S A MERITORIOUS ARGUMENT.

AND I'M NOT ARGUING FOR, YOU KNOW, CUTTING OFF THIS BENEFIT.

BUT THAT'S PART OF THE REPUBLICAN CONCERN HERE IS THAT THERE NEED TO BE REFORMS.

>> YEAH, SO ANIRBAN, DO YOU THINK THAT REPUBLICANS-- OR DEMOCRATS, ARE SUCCEEDING IN THEIR MESSAGING AND DEALING WITH THE ISSUE THAT LISTA JUST TALKED ABOUT?

>> THAT'S THE CRUCIAL POINT HERE THAT THE VOTERS WOULD GO OUT AND VOTE FOR DEMOCRATS.

ONE OF THE ISSUES WITH AMERICAN POLITICS, DEMOCRATIC POLITICS IS THAT POOR PEOPLE WHO ARE RECEIVING THE BIGGER BRUNT OF THESE CUTS GENERALLY DON'T VOTE.

THEY DON'T HAVE THE ABILITY OR THE WISH OR THEY DON'T HAVE THE -- JUST SIMPLY THEY DON'T VOTE.

SO AS A RESULT, I DON'T KNOW VOTING WISE THIS WOULD TRANSLATE TO DEMOCRATS.

AN INTERESTING POLL I SAW YESTERDAY IS THAT THE TIMES SIENNA POLL SAID 1% OF DEMOCRATS SAID HEALTHCARE WAS THE MOST IMPORTANT ISSUE FACING THE COUNTRY.

NOW GIVEN THAT POLL, YOU KNOW, I'M NOT SURE WHETHER, YOU KNOW, DEMOCRATS-- DEMOCRATS BASE WATERS ARE FINE.

BUT WHETHER PEOPLE WHO ARE INDEPENDENT, WHO HAVE NOT LEANS REPUBLICAN, MARJORIE TAYLOR GREENE AND THOSE PEOPLE, ARE THEY GOING TO COME TOWARD THE DEMOCRAT SIDE?

I'M NOT VERY SURE.

BUT ON THE WHOLE, I DO THINK IT'S-- MORALLY SPEAKING, IT IS A GOOD FIGHT.

THEY ARE FIGHTING FOR THE PRESERVATION OF HEALTHCARE.

AND I DO AGREE WITH LISA THAT, YOU KNOW, A LOT OF THAT NEEDS TO BE KIND OF REFORMED IN CERTAIN WAYS.

BUT I AM NOT VERY SURE IF IT IS GOING TO TRANSLATE FOR DEMOCRATS INTO VOATH.

>> I THINK SCHUMER, WHEN THIS WAS THIS BUDGET FIGHT IN THE SPRING, THE CORE DEMOCRATIC BASE WAS VERY FRUSTRATED THAT THE MESSAGE FROM THE DEMOCRATS ULTIMATELY WAS, WE ARE GOING TO WORK WITH THE REPUBLICANS AND PASS TRUMP'S POLITICAL AGENDA.

AND, YOU KNOW, SCHUMER'S OWN PUBLIC OPINION APPROVAL RATINGS DROPPED.

THE DEMOCRATS HAVE HAD A DEFICIT OF SUPPORT SINCE.

AND SO I DO SEE PART OF THE FIGHT THE DEMOCRATS ARE PUSHING ON RIGHT NOW IS ONE TO SPEAK TO THEIR BASE.

AND SAY WE WILL FIGHT AGAINST THIS.

>> AND TO ALSO SHOW STRENGTH, RIGHT?

BECAUSE THAT WAS ONE OF THE THINGS THAT CAME OUT OF THE POLL.

>> IT'S LITERALLY THE ONLY POWER THAT THE DEMOCRATS CURRENTLY HAVE, GIVEN THAT THE REPUBLICANS CONTROL THE HOUSE, THE SENATE AND THE PRESIDENCY.

>> WELL, WE SHALL SEE HOW THIS WILL TURN OUT.

WE ARE GOING TO MOVE ON TO OUR SECOND TOPIC.

WHO• OR WHAT FINALLY BROUGHT ISRAEL AND HAMAS TO THE TABLE TO MAKE A DEAL?

THE DEAL CALLS FOR A CEASEFIRE, THE RETURN OF HOSTAGES BY HAMAS, A PARTIAL ISRAELI WITHDRAWAL FROM GAZA .

.

.

AND THE RESUMPTION OF HUMANITARIAN AID FOR GAZA.

THERE'S A LOT THAT STILL HAS TO BE WORKED OUT, BUT IT SEEMS THE WAR IS DRAWING DOWN.

WHAT BROKE THE LOGJAM, HERE?

WAS IT DONALD TRUMP'S DEAL-MAKING PROWESS OR SOMETHING ELSE?

>> LOOK, YOU HAVE TO GIVE HIM CREDIT FOR PARTICIPATING, FOR ENGAGING HERE.

SOMETHING HAD TO BE DONE HERE AND THE FOUR THINGS YOU JUST MENTIONED: THE RELEASE OF HOSTAGE, THE CESSATION OF FIGHTING, THE WITHDRAWAL OF ISRAELI TROOPS TO SOME LINE TO BE DETERMINED, AND, YOU KNOW, THE RESUMPTION OF AID HERE, THOSE ARE MASSIVELY IMPORTANT ACCOMPLISHMENTS.

SO FOR HIS PARTICIPATION AND HIS TEAM'S PARTICIPATION, ALL FAIR CREDIT.

THAT WASN'T THE WHOLE STORY THOUGH.

THERE WAS OTHER INTERNATIONAL PRESSURE COMING FROM THE ARAB STATES, AND THERE WAS SIGNIFICANT DOMESTIC INTERNAL PRESSURE IN ISRAEL FROM BOTH THE PUBLIC, THE WAR WEARY PUBLIC AND PRESSURES ASSOCIATED WITH WANING MILITARY, YOU KNOW, STRENGTH, IN TERMS OF JUST BEING ABLE TO CONTINUE TO FIGHT THIS.

SO YOU KNOW, THAT'S WHAT I SEE IN BOTH INTERNATIONAL AND DOMESTIC PRESSURE ON BOTH SIDES ARE WHAT MADE THIS POSSIBLE.

>> ON BOTH SIDES.

CERTAINLY BENJAMIN NETANYAHU IS WILDLY UNPOPULAR ON BOTH SIDES.

ANIRBAN, WHAT DO YOU THINK?

>> I THINK ISRAEL FIGURED OUT THAT IT CANNOT FIGHT THE ENTIRE WORLD FOR VERY LONG.

THE PUBLIC OPINION HAD GONE AWAY FOR A VERY LONG TIME, WESTERN ALLIES FRANCE, DUTCH, IRISH, 100,000 PEOPLE CAME OUT IN ITALY, THEY WANTED TO SHUT DOWN ITALY.

IT HAS SPREAD ALL OVER.

AND AT THE SAME TIME, HE IS BEING ACCUSED AS A WAR CRIMINAL BY THE INTERNATIONAL CRIMINAL COURT.

SO ADDING TO ALL THAT, I THINK THE WRITING WAS ON THE WALL THAT BENJAMIN NETANYAHU CANNOT DEFEAT HAMAS I. IS NOT DEFEATABLE, PRECISELY BECAUSE OF THE WAYS ISRAEL IS STRUCTURED AND THE WAY THINGS HAVE HAPPENED THE LAST 78 YEARS, MUCH MORE BEFORE THE HAMAS ATTACK.

THIS IS A GREAT MOVE IN A VERY GOOD DIRECTION.

I ABSOLUTELY FIND THAT, YOU KNOW, THE DEMOCRATS COULD NOT DO, AND THEY TRIED TO SAY THAT, YOU KNOW, WE ARE IN FAVOR OF ISRAEL BROKERING A PEACE.

THEY COULDN'T DO ANYTHING.

IT WAS ULTIMATELY TRUMP WHO DID IT.

SO I'M HOPEFUL.

LET'S SEE WHAT HAPPENS.

ISRAEL IS STILL BOMBING AND KILLING CIVILIANS WITHIN THIS TIME PERIOD, BUT WILL THERE BE A TWO-STATE SOLUTION?

WILL THERE BE A LASTING PEACE?

IS THIS A TEMPORARY PEACE?

A LOT TO BE SEEN BUT I'M HAPPY TO SEE THE ADMINISTRATION BROKERED A DEAL WITH JARED KUSHNER OR WHOEVER WAS THERE THAT LED TO THE CESSATION OF WAR FOR THE MOMENT AND PALESTINIANS AND ISRAELIS ARE CHEERING THIS AND PERHAPS TRUMP SHOULD GET A NOBEL PRIZE IF OBAMA GOT ONE FOR NO REASON, TRUMP SHOULD GET ONE.

>> WELL, IF I COULD JUST DRILL DOWN A BIT ON WHAT YOU WERE SAYING ABOUT BENJAMIN NETANYAHU.

COULD IT BE ARGUED THAT HE IS LARGELY ACCOMPLISHED HIS GOAL, WHICH IS THE DESTRUCTION OF GAZA.

THE INFRASTRUCTURE HAS BEEN DECIMATED.

WHO IS GOING TO REBUILD THAT?

>> IN THAT WAS HIS MOTIVE, HE CANNOT SAY THAT LOUDLY BECAUSE THEN... YES, HE DESTROYED GAZA.

IT HAD BEEN DESTROYED BEFORE SEVERAL TIMES.

ISRAELIS OFTEN CALL THIS MOWING THE LAWN.

THAT YOU GO AND DESTROY AREAS AND STUFF LIKE THAT.

WHETHER THE SETTLEMENTS THAT WERE ALREADY STARTED IN VARIOUS PLACES, WHETHER THEY WILL BE WITHDRAWN OR NOT, I'M SKEPTICALLY HOPEFUL FOR THIS.

THIS IS A MOVE IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION BUT A LOT NEEDS TO BE DONE, AND YES, TO A CERTAIN COALITION, HE CAN SAY, LOOK, I COMPLETELY DESTROYED THIS PLACE AND NOW WE OWN THIS PLACE.

BUT WE WILL SEE WHAT HAPPENS IN THE FUTURE.

>> AND TO THAT POINT, WHAT PES IN THE FUTURE?

>> I THINK IT'S STILL REALLY EARLY DAYS, RIGHT?

I AM HOPEFUL, BUT ALSO WATCHING A PRIOR PEACE AGREEMENT FALL APART A COUPLE MONTHS AGO, I'M STILL NOT SURE WHAT HAPPENS.

YOU KNOW, I'M THE ONE WHO SUGGEST WEED THINK A LITTLE BIT ABOUT THE KNOW PELL PEACE PRIZE ANGLE TO THIS BECAUSE TRUMP HAD BEEN ON THE SIDELINES FUNCTIONALLY ON THIS ISSUE, PERIODICALLY RAISING OBJECTIONS AND BLUSTERING ABOUT A PEACE DEAL BUT REALLY WASN'T ENGAGING.

HE REALLY WANTS A NOBEL PEACE PRIZE.

AND THE MOTIVATIONS FOR THIS ENGAGEMENT RIGHT NOW IN THE MIDDLE EAST, BECAUSE OF THIS CARROT, NOW THAT CARROT IS GONE BECAUSE HE IS NOT GETTING A PEACE PRIZE THIS YEAR AND I WORRY HIS ATTENTION WILL WANE.

AND WITHOUT SOMEBODY LIKE HIM, WHO WILL REALLY KEEP PUTTING THE FEET TO THE FIRE, OF THESE TWO GROUPS, I JUST WORRY THAT IT WILL ALL FALL APART AGAIN.

>> YEAH, IS PART OF IT THE CRAZY MAN THEORY THAT NEITHER SIDE COULD PREDICT WHAT WOULD HAPPEN NEXT COMING OUT OF THE PERSON OF TRUMP, THAT UNLIKE PREVIOUS AMERICAN LEADERS, YOU NEVER KNOW?

>> ABSOLUTELY.

IT IS A REMARKABLE STRENGTH, ACTUALLY WHEN YOU ARE HARD TO PREDICT.

AND I THINK THERE ARE TUNS THEN THAT-- THERE ARE OPPORTUNITIES THAT A PERSON LIKE TRUMP CAN LEVERAGE TO BRING PEOPLE TO THE TABLE WHO OTHERWISE ARE COMPLETELY RESISTANT TO THAT CONVERSATION.

>> LISA, CAN I ASK YOU A QUESTION?

HAMAS WANTS IN ON WHAT COMES NEXT.

HAMAS DOES NOT WANT TO DISAPPEAR OR TO HAVE THIS VICTORY SNATCHED OUT OF THEIR HANDS.

WHAT DO YOU THINK THE LIKELIHOOD IS OF THEM BEING BROUGHT TO THE TABLE AND A REAL PEACE DEAL BEING WORKED OUT FOR THE FORESEEABLE FUTURE?

>> WHAT YOU ARE TALKING ABOUT IS SO CALLED PHASE 2.

WHAT WE ARE EXPERIENCING NOW, JUST AS OF A FEW HOURS AGO AS OF THE TIME WE ARE TAPING THE SHOW, IS PHASE 1.

AND PHASE 1, BACK TO BENJAMIN NETANYAHU, IS A LOT EASIER TO SELL TO THE ISRAELI HARD LINERS THAN PHASE 2 BECAUSE THE QUESTIONS ARE, YOU KNOW, WILL HAMAS EVEN GIVE UP ARMS, LET ALONE BE EXILED AND EXCLUDED FROM ANY KIND OF A GOVERNMENT.

AND THIS IS SIMPLY NOT-- TO OUR KNOWLEDGE ANYWAY-- BEEN WORKED OUT YET.

SO WE JUST DON'T KNOW.

BUT IT'S-- ON THE ONE HAND HAMAS IS GREATLY WEAKENED BECAUSE HEZBOLLAH HAS BEEN WEAKENED, IRAN HAS BEEN WEAKENED AND THERE IS NOT A GREAT DEAL OF SUPPORT FROM ALLIES, ALTHOUGH THE HUTUS REMAIN IN POSSESSION OF SOME STRENGTH.

BUT WE JUST DON'T KNOW THE ANSWER TO THAT QUESTION.

>> WE SHALL SEE, AS IS SAID.

MOVING ON TO OUR NEXT TOPIC.

BACK HERE, CLOSER TO HOME... SYRACUSE IS TOPPING THE CHARTS BUT NOT IN A GOOD WAY.

ACCORDING TO THE LATEST NATIONAL DATA, SYRACUSE IS AGAIN RANKED AMONG THE TOP TEN POOREST CITIES IN THE COUNTRY.

IT'S NUMBER FOUR ON THE LIST, TO BE EXACT.

THAT INCLUDES NEARLY HALF OF ALL OF THE CHILDREN LIVING IN THE CITY.

AND IT'S NOT JUST SYRACUSE PROPER.

MANY NEARBY RURAL COMMUNITIES ARE FACING THE SAME PROBLEM.

WHAT DO YOU MAKE OF THIS?

LET'S TALK ABOUT WHAT DO WE MAKE OF THIS?

WHAT IS GOING ON, ANIRBAN.

>> THIS HAS BEEN A PERSISTENT ISSUE WITH SYRACUSE, IF YOU LOOK AT THE ACIPE DATA WHICH I REFER TO THE SMALL AREA INCOME AND POVERTY ESTIMATES REMAINING AT 45.6 BETWEEN 2019 AND 2023.

ABOUT 26% OF THE CITY OVERALL IF YOU TAKE ALL AGES LIVE UNDER THE POVERTY LINE.

AND THAT'S ABOUT 11TH IN THE U.S.

RANKING OF CITIES WITH POVERTY.

>> THAT IS VERY HELPFUL TO POINT OUT.

>> YOU CAN MEASURE CITIES OF ALL SIZES OR CITIES WITH SIZES SIMILAR TO SYRACUSE.

EITHER WAY THE POINT REMAINS, THE CITY OF SYRACUSE REMAINS ONE OF THE MOST POOREST CITIES IN THE U.S.

AND A COUPLE OF THINGS HERE I CAN THINK ABOUT AND MY LEGAL COLLEAGUE HERE CAN POINT THIS OUT IF I'M SAYING SOMETHING WRONG.

THERE IS A LOT OF THESE TAM FUNDS THAT SIT HERE, TEMPORARY ASSISTANCE FOR NEEDY FAMILIES.

TANF FUNDS THAT ARE NOT DISBURSED.

CLAUDIA TENNEY BROUGHT THIS UP A FEW YEARS AGO.

I WONDER WHY THAT IS THE CASE.

THE SECOND THING I WONDERED, EVER SINCE I CAME TO THE UNITED STATES, ABOUT 20 YEARS AGO, IS THAT WHY IS THAT OUR SCHOOLS AND HOW GOOD THE SCHOOLS ARE ARE ALREADY TIED TO THE INCOME OF THEIR PARENTS AND THE ZIP CODES WHERE THEY LIVE?

WHY CAN'T WE HAVE SCHOOLS THAT HAVE EQUAL RESOURCES FOR EVERYONE?

THIS IS A HUGE STEP FORWARD TO ERADICATE, LIKE YOU KNOW, CHRONIC LONG-TERM POVERTY, WHEN THERE ARE GOOD SCHOOLS-- NO MATTER WHAT NEIGHBORHOOD YOU GROW UP IN.

THOSE ARE THE THINGS I THINK ABOUT.

WHY IS THAT?

>> ANOTHER STUDY CAME OUT AND SYRACUSE CITY SCHOOLS SPEND ON AVERAGE $10,000 MORE PER PUPIL THAN OTHER REGIONAL SCHOOL DISTRICTS AND EVEN NATIONAL SCHOOL DISTRICTS.

I MEAN THEY NEW YORK STATE HAS THE HIGHEST PER PUPIL, THE SECOND HIGHEST PER PUPIL RATE IN THE COUNTRY.

WE PUT A LOT OF MONEY INTO EDUCATION IN THIS STATE.

AND THE CITY OF SYRACUSE, IT'S 33,000 DOLLARS PER STUDENT BEING PAID.

MY LITTLE RURAL DISTRICT WHICH IS ONLY 27,000, SO THERE IS-- THE MONEY IS BEING SPENT.

BUT THE PROBLEM IS THAT YOU CAN'T-- KIDDOS WHO ARE HUNGRY, KIDDOS WHO ARE STRESSED, KIDDOS WHO HAVE LIVED IN INTERGENERATIONAL POVERTY, WHO ARE LIVING IN SUBSTANDARD HOUSING, I MEAN THE RENT-- MOST PEOPLE IN POVERTY ARE RENTING.

RENTING DOES NOT ALLOW YOU TO BUILD GENERATIONAL WEALTH.

THE HOUSING STOCK IN SYRACUSE IS ABYSMAL.

SO YOU PUT ALL THOSE THINGS TOGETHER AND, YEAH, IT'S A HARD-FOR-A STUDENT TO COME AND BE FOCUSED AND ATTENTIVE AND LEARN.

AND OF COURSE, WITHOUT THAT, THAT CYCLE CONTINUES BECAUSE IF THEY'RE NOT SUCCEEDING IN THEIR EDUCATION, THEN THEY END UP FALLING BEHIND AGAIN WHEN THEY BECOME ADULTS.

>> IT REALLY IS A CYCLE THAT POOR EDUCATION LEADS TO LOW INCOME, WHICH LEADS TO POOR HOUSING, WHICH CIRCLES BACK TO THE SAME.

LISA, WHAT ARE YOUR THOUGHTS?

>> WELL, I WOULD JUST SAY, I AGREE ALSO THAT THIS IS A MULTIFACETED CONCERN AND JENNY HAS MENTIONED SEVERAL ISSUES AND ANIRBAN, SCHOOLS, HOUSING.

ALTHOUGH THERE IS SOME EVIDENCE FROM SOME OTHER CITIES THAT PUTTING HIGH POVERTY CHILDREN INTO LOW POVERTY SCHOOLS HAS HAD SOME SIGNIFICANT BENEFIT.

SO-- AND I AGREE WITH JENNY, WE THROW A TON OF MONEY AT THIS.

SEVERAL OF THESE CITIES, YOU KNOW, ALBANY, ROCHESTER, SYRACUSE, AND EVEN BUFFALO, HAVE HAD, YOU KNOW, INTRACTABLE PROBLEMS HERE.

AND SO YOU DO HAVE TO ASK, YOU KNOW, WHAT IS IT ABOUT NEW YORK -- NOT THAT THERE ARE NOT OTHER STATES THAT HAVE CITIES SIMILARLY SITUATED, BUT IT'S SO SIGNIFICANT HERE.

SO ANYWAY, BUT SO THAT'S ONE THING ABOUT SCHOOLS.

THE OTHER THING THAT HASN'T COME UP THAT SEEMS TO ME TO TRACK THROUGH MANY OF THE CITIES ON THIS LIST OF PERSISTENTLY HIGH POVERTY, HIGH CHILD POVERTY IN PARTICULAR, IS A LACK OF, YOU KNOW, RELIABLE, AFFORDABLE, REALISTIC TRANSPORTATION FOR PEOPLE TO GET TO JOBS ON A RELIABLE BASIS.

AND SO I WOULD JUST ADD THAT INTO THE MIX.

THE OTHER THING I THINK WE, ON THE CATEGORY OF SPENDING A LOT OF RESOURCES BUT NOT GETTING A LOT OF RESULTS, WE HAVE A LOT OF EFFORTS AND AGENCIES, BOTH PUBLIC AND PRIVATE SECTOR, YOU KNOW, AGENCIES, BUT THERE IS NOT-- THERE DOESN'T SEEM TO BE THE KIND OF COORDINATION AMONG THEM THAT HAS THE POTENTIAL TO ACTUALLY YIELD RESULTS.

>> WELL, IT ALSO SORT OF POINTS UP THE FACT THAT YOU'VE GOT ECONOMIC CAPITAL, BUT THERE IS ALSO THE THING WE USED TO CALL SOCIAL CAPITAL, WHICH HAS TO DO WITH, NOT SIMPLY HAVING THE TRADITIONAL FAMILY STRUCTURE, BUT ALSO THE SORT OF BENEFITS THAT COME WITH THAT.

TIME AND HOME WORK, RELATIONSHIPS WITH TEACHERS, ABILITY TO SUPPORT TEACHERS AND SO FORTH.

AND SO TO YOUR POINT ABOUT SYRACUSE AS IT COMPARES TO OTHER UPSTATE CITIES, IT'S SYRACUSE THAT CONTINUES TO LAND THERE.

SO I THINK IT'S TIME NOW FOR US TO MOVE ON TO OUR Fs AND OUR AS AND WE'LL START WITH YOU, ANIRBAN.

>> MY F GOES TO PRESIDENT TRUMP'S ATTACK ON U.S.

CITIES WHERE DEMOCRATIC LAWMAKERS ARE IN POWER; ESPECIALLY CLAIM THAT THE GOVERNOR OF ILLINOIS AND MAYOR OF CHICAGO SHOULD BE ARRESTED BECAUSE OF THEIR OPPOSITION TO THE DEPLOYMENT OF THE NATIONAL GUARD.

>> MY F GOES TO THE TRUMP ADMINISTRATION'S CUTS TO FEDERAL FUNDING FOR LIFE CHANGING RESEARCH LIKE THE WORK AT CORNELL TO DEVELOP A PEDIATRIC ARTIFICIAL HEART.

IMAGINE ANY PRESIDENT IN MODERN HISTORY BEFORE TRUMP CUTTING FUNDING THAT COULD SAVE LIVES LIKE THIS JUST BECAUSE OF IDEOLOGICAL GRUDGE.

IMAGINE THE UPROAR.

>> LISA.

>> MY F ALSO GOES TO THE TRUMP ADMINISTRATION FOR ITS AIRING OF VIDEOS AT AIRPORTS ACROSS THE COUNTRY, BLAMING DEMOCRATS FOR THE GOVERNMENT SHUTDOWN, AND SIMILARLY FOR DISPLAYING BANNERS ON VARIOUS GOVERNMENT WEBSITES THAT DO THE SAME THING.

THIS IS AN ABUSE.

>> ABUSE OF GOVERNMENT RESOURCES.

ANIRBAN, I WANT TO COME BACK TO YOUR THOUGHTS ABOUT THE DEPLOYMENT OF MILITARY TROOPS.

SAY MORE ABOUT SOME OF THE MEANS AND MEMES AND SPOOFS THAT WE HAVE SEEN TO COUNTER THE PRESIDENT'S CLAIMS THAT THE CITIES ARE BURNING DOWN.

>> IT'S FUNNY RIGHT?

A COUPLE VIDEOS WHERE PEOPLE WERE DANCING IN BUNNY SUITS AND DINOSAUR SUITS.

THEY WERE JUST DANCING TOTS MUSIC IN FRONT OF, FAR AWAY FROM IT.

AND THOSE THINGS KIND OF SHOW, RIGHT, THEY'RE SHOWING BECAUSE A LOT OF PEOPLE ARE TUNED INTO SOCIAL MEDIA, THEY'RE CONSTANTLY SHOWING THE CLAIM IS UNTETHERED FROM REALITY WHICH IS ALSO WHAT THE JUDGE AGREES IN SOME OF THESE CASES.

IT'S A GOOD CHARM OFFENSIVE, IF YOU WILL, TO BASICALLY SHOW THAT PEOPLE ARE GOING ON WITH THEIR LIVES AND THEY HAVE THE RIGHT TO PROTEST PEACEFULLY.

>> TO PROTEST PEACEFULLY.

WE'LL GO TO OUR AS, STARTING AGAIN WITH YOU.

>> MY A GOES TO THE RESEARCHERS WHO OWN THE IG NOBLE OR NOBEL PRIZES AWARDED FOR SCIENTIFIC RESEARCH THAT MAKES PEOPLE LAUGH AND THINK.

PAINTING ZEBRAS LIKE STRIPES ON COWS, DOES THAT PREVENT FLIES FROM BITING THEM AND DRINKING ALCOHOL IMPROVES PERSON'S ABILITY TO SPEAK A FOREIGN LANGUAGE SO KEEP CALM, DRINK MARGARITA AND SPEAK MANDARIN.

>> SOUNDS GOOD TO ME, JENNY.

>> SO MY A GOES TO THE AMERICAN PUBLIC TELEVISION FOR THEIR PLAN TO AUCTION OFF 30 BOB ROSS PAINTINGS TO SUPPORT RURAL AND STRUGGLING STATIONS AFTER TRUMP'S QUESTIONABLY LEGAL CLAW BACKS OF FEDERAL FUNDING FOR PUBLIC MEDIA.

IT MAKES ME HAPPY THAT ROSS' HAPPY LITTLE TREES WILL GO TO HELP A PUBLIC GOOD.

>> THAT IS GOOD.

LISA.

>> THIS WEEK WE SAW A WATERSHED MOMENT IN THE TREATMENT OF HUNTINGTON'S DISEASE FOR THE FIRST TIME A THERAPY HAS BEEN SHOWN TO ACTUALLY SLOW DISEASE PROGRESSION WITH PATIENTS EXPERIENCING 75% LESS DECLINE OVER THREE YEARS COMPARED TO THE CONTROL GROUP.

THIS IS A FATAL NEURODEGENERATIVE DISEASE THAT HAS HAD NO DISEASE MODIFYING TREATMENTS SINCE THE GENE WAS DISCOVERED OVER OVER 30 YEARS AGO.

THIS OFFERED GENUINE HOPE TO THE MANY PEOPLE LIVING WITH THIS DISEASE.

>> THAT IS REALLY GOOD NEWS TO HEAR, LISA.

AND LET'S HOPE THAT THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT CONTINUES TO CHIP IN AS MUCH AS IT CAN FOR THIS.

AND OTHER IMPORTANT RESEARCH.

WELL, THAT'S IT FOR US TONIGHT HERE IN THE STUDIO, BUT WE WOULD LOVE TO CONTINUE THE CONVERSATION WITH YOU.

WRITE TO THE ADDRESS ON YOUR SCREEN.

IF YOU WANT TO WATCH THE SHOW AGAIN OR SHARE IT WITH OTHERS, GO TO WCNY.ORG.

I'M NINA MOORE.

FOR ALL OF US HERE AT "IVORY TOWER" GOOD NIGHT.