ON THIS MONTH'S EDITION OF CONNECT NEW YORK, WE ARE GOING TO UNPACK THE FISCAL AND LEGISLATIVE POLICIES UNVEILED IN JANUARY BY GOVERNOR HOCHUL WHO DELIVERED HER FIRST OF THE STATE ADDRESS AND UNVEILED A $216 BILLION SPENDING PLAN FOR THE COMING FISCAL YEAR.

DON'T GO ANYWHERE.

WE'LL BE RIGHT BACK.

WELCOME TO CONNECT-NEW YORK, I'M DAVID LOMBARDO - HOST OF WCNY'S THE CAPITOL PRESSROOM, A DAILY PUBLIC RADIO SHOW BROADCASTING FROM THE STATE CAPITOL - AND - UNTIL SOMEONE HIGHER UP COMES TO THEIR SENSES - I'LL BE JOINING YOU EVERY MONTH FOR CONNECT-NEW YORK.

ON TODAY'S SHOW WE'LL HEAR FROM A PANEL OF POLITICOS - FROM ACROSS THE IDEOLOGICAL SPECTRUM - ABOUT THE 2022 LEGISLATIVE SESSION AND THE ONGOING BUDGET PROCESS.

BUT FIRST, FOR REACTION TO THE GOVERNOR'S STATE OF THE STATE ADDRESS AND TO LEARN MORE ABOUT THE ASSEMBLY DEMOCRATS' PRIORITIES, WE SAT DOWN EARLIER THIS MONTH AT THE CAPITOL, WITH ASSEMBLY MAJORITY LEADER CRYSTAL PEOPLES-STOKES, A BUFFALO DEMOCRAT, WHO HAS SERVED IN THE CHAMBER FOR NEARLY TWO DECADES.

SO THANKS SO MUCH, MAJORITY LEADER FOR MAKING THE TIME WITH US.

WE REALLY APPRECIATE IT.

SO WHEN YOU THINK ABOUT THE GOVERNOR'S STATE OF THE STATE ADDRESS, WHAT, IF ANYTHING, STOOD OUT TO YOU IN TERMS OF THE SUBSTANCE THAT YOU HEARD OR, I GUESS, THE STYLE, BECAUSE THIS WAS OUR FIRST EVER STATE OF THE STATE OF THE STATE FROM A FEMALE GOVERNOR?

>> WELL, I THINK FROM THE CONTENT OF WHAT SHE SAID, I THOUGHT WAS PHENOMENAL AND VERY ON POINT WITH WHAT I THINK NEW YORKERS ARE LOOKING FOR.

BUT THE FACT THAT SHE HAD TO DO IT TO AN ASSEMBLY CHAMBERS, THE PEOPLE'S HOUSE, THAT WAS ESSENTIALLY EMPTY, WAS A LITTLE DISCONCERNING BUT THESE ARE THE TIMES WE LIVE IN AS IT RELATES TO COVID.

I THINK IT IS A GRAND OPPORTUNITY TO BE ABLE TO PRESENTED THE STATE OF THE STATE IN CHAMBERS.

AND EVEN THOUGH IT WAS STILL GRAND BECAUSE OF OUR FIRST HISTORICAL EVER WOMAN GOVERNOR, IT WASN'T THE SAME BECAUSE THE ROOM WAS SO EMPTY.

>> THE GOVERNOR MADE A POINT DURING HER SPEECH, WHICH SHE HAS MADE EVER SINCE, ASSUMING THE ROLE OF GOVERNOR, THAT SHE LOOKS FORWARD TO HAVING A BETTER WORKING RELATIONSHIP WITH THE LEGISLATURE THAN HER PREDECESSOR HAD.

WHAT DO YOU THINK IS THE SUBSTANTIVE CONSEQUENCE THOUGH, OF HAVING A SMOOTHER, HEALTHIER WORKING RELATIONSHIP?

DOES IT IMPACT THE POLICIES PRODUCED OR DOES IT JUST MEAN THAT EVERYONE IS A LITTLE HAPPIER TEND OF THE DAY?

>> IT DEFINITELY IMPACTS THE POLICIES AND IT DOES MAKE FOR A HAPPIER PEOPLE.

QUITE FRANKLY, THE WAY OUR CONSTITUTION IS DESIGNED IN THE STATE OF NEW YORK, WE ARE A CO-EQUAL BRANCH OF GOVERNMENT.

ALL OF US ARE EQUAL: LEGISLATIVE, JUDICIAL AND EXECUTIVE.

AND I HAVE BEEN HERE LONG ENOUGH TO SEE US NOT BEING TREATED AS EQUALS.

SO THE FACT THAT SHE SAYS THAT WE WILL BE, AND I HOPE THAT WE CAN COUNT ON THAT, I THINK IS ENCOURAGING AND I LOOK FORWARD TO IT BECAUSE IF WE ARE THE-- WE ARE THE ONES TO PASS LEGISLATION AND CAN MAKE THINGS HAPPEN.

SHE HAS THE OPPORTUNITY TO SIGN OR NOT SIGN.

RESPECT OUR ROLE.

DON'T DECIDE WHAT OUR ROLE IS BEFORE YOU'VE HAD A CONVERSATION WITH US.

AND HOPEFULLY HOPE THAT'S WHERE SHE IS WITH THAT.

IT HAPPENED TO US ALL TOO OFTEN IN THE LEGISLATIVE BRANCH, AS I SAID, I HAVE BEEN HERE SINCE PATAKI.

THERE ARE NOT A LOT OF PEOPLE IN THE EXECUTIVE BRANCH WHO WRANT WANT TO COOPERATE WITH THE LEGISLATIVE BRANCH BECAUSE THEY SOMEHOW THINK THEY'RE IN A DIFFERENT OR HIGHER ROLE THAN WE ARE.

IN ACTUALITY, WE ARE CO-EQUAL BRANCHES OF GOVERNMENT.

>> IN PARTICULAR, THE EXECUTIVE'S STRENGTH IN THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN THE EXECUTIVE AND THE LEGISLATURE CAN BE SEEN IN THE BUDGET PROCESS WHERE THE STATE CONSTITUTION AS WELL AS SUBSEQUENT COURT RULINGS GIVE THEM SIGNIFICANT POWER.

DO YOU ANTICIPATE THE GOVERNOR WILL, BASICALLY CONCEDE SOME OF THE POWER THAT HER OFFICE HAS BUILT UP?

>> THAT'S ALMOST FUNNY.

I MEAN I REMEMBER WHEN SILL BER VERSUS PATAKI HAPPENED AND THE EXECUTIVE GOT AN ADVANTAGE IN THE BUDGET PROCESS.

IT WOULD BE INTERESTING TO SEE IF SHE IS WILLING TO CONCEDE THAT.

BUT THAT'S A QUESTION BETTER ASKED BY YOU TO HER TO SEE THE RESPONSE.

IF I ASK AND SHE SAYS NO, THAT'S NOT GOING TO MAKE ME FEEL GOOD.

SO MAYBE YOU SHOULD ASK HER.

>> WELL THEN, THE AREA WHERE THE LEGISLATURE CAN DRIVE THE BUS, SO TO SPEAK, IS JUST, AS IT COMES TO STAND ALONE LEGISLATION, AND IN RECENT YEARS, WE'VE SEEN THAT THE ASSEMBLY MAJORITY AND SENATE MAJORITY HAVE BEEN WILLING TO FLEX THEIR MUSCLES A BIT, NOT NECESSARILY PURSUING BILLS THAT ALREADY HAD A THREE WAY AGREEMENT.

ADVANCING BILLS THAT HAD A TWO WAY AGREEMENT.

THE HOUSING PACKAGE IN 2019 IS A REALLY GOOD EXAMPLE OF THAT.

WHEN YOU THINK ABOUT THE LEGISLATION THAT MIGHT BE SPEARHEADED BY THE LEGISLATURE, AS OPPOSED TO FROM THE GOVERNOR, ARE THERE ANY ISSUES THAT REALLY COME TO MIND?

OR DO YOU THINK THAT THIS IS GOING TO BE A SESSION WHERE THE LEGISLATURES GOING TO TRY TO MOVE HAND IN HAND WITH THE GOVERNOR FROM HERE TO JUNE?

>> I WOULD LOVE TO SEE IF WE CAN MAKE THAT HAPPEN, IF WE CAN MOVE HAND IN HAND.

WE ARE ALL DEMOCRATS.

WE ALL BASICALLY HAVE THE SAME PRINCIPLES.

THERE ARE GOING TO BE SOME MINOR DIFFERENCES.

BUT I THINK IT WILL BODE WELL FOR US AS A PARTY IF WE CAN FIGURE OUT HOW TO WORK THAT OUT.

I ASSURE YOU THAT IF IT WAS THE OTHER PARTY, THEY WOULDN'T HAVE ANY QUESTION ABOUT IT AT ALL.

EVERYBODY WOULD BE LOCK STEP.

AND I KNOW THAT THAT'S HARD FOR US AS DEMOCRATS BECAUSE WE ARE A BIG TENT AND WITH A BIG TENT, YOU HAVE A LOT OF BIG THOUGHT PROCESSES BUT AT THE END OF THE DAY, IF WE REALLY WANT TO DO WHAT IS IN THE BEST OF NEW YORKERS, WE'LL FIGURE OUT HOW TO DO THAT IN IN A CO-EQUAL WAY WITH THE EXECUTIVE AND LEGISLATIVE BRANCHES.

>> I'M GLAD YOU MENTIONED THAT BIG TENT BECAUSE IT MAKES ME THINK OF THE FACT THAT WE ARE GOING HAVE JUNE PRIMARIES WHERE SOME OF YOUR INCUMBENT MEMBERS ARE LIKELY GOING TO FACE PRIMARY CHALLENGES FROM MEMBERS TO THEIR LEFT AND POTENTIALLY EXPANDING THE TENT, MAKING IT A LITTLE WIDER, A LITTLE MORE TO THE LEFT.

I'M CURIOUS, WITH THAT POTENTIAL CHALLENGE LOOMING OVER THE SESSION FOR SOME OF YOUR MEMBERS, DO YOU THINK THAT'S GOING TO INFLUENCE SOME OF THE PRIORITIES THAT THE ASSEMBLY MAJORITY WILL ADVANCE BETWEEN NOW AND THOSE PRIMARIES?

OR IS THE LEGISLATIVE SESSION SOMETHING THAT YOU TRY TO DO IN A VACUUM WITHOUT THINKING ABOUT THE OUTSIDE POLITICAL REALITIES?

>> WELL, YOU KNOW, I THINK IT'S A LITTLE DISCONCERTING THAT WE HAVE TO RUN EVERY TWO YEARS IN THAT ASPECT.

I THINK SOMETIMES FOLKS FOCUS TOO MUCH ON POLITICS INSTEAD OF POLICY.

BUT I THINK IF YOU UNDERSTAND THAT YOU GET A TWO-YEAR TERM, YOU COULD ALWAYS BE CHALLENGED AND ANYONE CONCERNED ABOUT THAT, SHOULD, I THINK, JUST BE PREPARED TO BE CHALLENGED BECAUSE IT COULD HAPPEN.

AND I DON'T THINK THE CHALLENGES COME JUST FROM THE LEFT.

THEY COME FROM THE RIGHT AS WELL.

AND I THINK PEOPLE HAVE TO FIGURE OUT HOW TO MAKE THEMSELVES COMFORTABLE IN THEIR SKIN AS LEGISLATORS, WORK AS HARD AS THEY CAN SO WHEN THEY GET THAT CHALLENGE, THEY GO TO THE PEOPLE AND SAY HERE IS WHY YOU SHOULD RETURN ME.

AND I WOULD SAY THEIR OPPONENTS HAVE THE SAME OPPORTUNITY.

BUT I DON'T THINK FOLKS SHOULD DRIVE ALL OF THE POLICY HERE BASED ON THE ELECTION OF ONE OR TWO PEOPLE.

I THINK WE HAVE TO ALWAYS BE FOCUSED ON THE PEOPLE OF NEW YORK AND IF WE DO THAT, THEN I THINK OUR CONSTITUENTS ARE GOING TO VIEW US FAVORABLY, NO MATTER WHO CHALLENGES US: LEFT OR RIGHT.

>> AN EFFORT TO REVERES-- TO REVERSE THE YEARS OF DAMAGE ON THE WAR ON DRUGS IN NEW YORK AND AROUND THE COUNTRY, YOU WERE A MARRIAGE CHAMPION ON THE EFFORT TO LEGALIZE RECREATIONAL MARIJUANA IN NEW YORK, SOMETHING ACCOMPLISHED NOW.

AS WE LOOK AT THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THIS SYSTEM, WE HAD THE ANNOUNCEMENT FROM THE GOVERNOR THAT SHE WANTS TO INVEST $200 MILLION INTO SOCIAL QIRKT, ESSENTIALLY ENSURING THAT MINORITY OWNED BUSINESSES GET A CHANCE TO PARTICIPATE AND COMPETE IN WHATEVER RECREATIONAL SYSTEM IS CREATED, POTENTIALLY THIS FALL, MAYBE EVEN 2023.

WHAT DO YOU THINK OF THE ANNOUNCEMENT FROM THE GOVERNOR?

IS THAT GOING TO BE ENOUGH TO POTENTIALLY ENSURE THAT THESE BUSINESSES CAN TAKE ADVANTAGE OF A ONCE IN A LIFETIME OPPORTUNITY.

>> I WAS ELATED.

IT IS A START AND WE HAVE TO START SOMEWHERE.

WE STARTED WITH PASSING THE LEGISLATION WITH A SPECIFIC INTENT THAT THERE IS A GOAL OF 50% EQUITY BUSINESSES AND FOR THE GOVERNOR WHO HAS ONLY BEEN IN OFFICE A COUPLE OF MONTHS PUT THE CONTROL BOARD IN PLACE AND IN HER STATE OF THE STATE AND MAYBE IN HER BUDGET AND MAYBE MORE, THERE IS GOING TO BE LAID OUT AN OPPORTUNITY FOR $200 MILLION FOR THOSE EQUITY BUSINESSES.

NOW CLEARLY THAT'S NOT ENOUGH, BUT IT IS A START AND IT'S VERY ENCOURAGING.

AND I THINK AT THE END OF THE DAY, THAT MANY NEW YORKERS, AND QUITE FRANKLY, MANY PEOPLE ACROSS THE COUNTRY WHO HAVEN'T SEEN THIS HAPPEN WITH ANY OTHER STATE THAT LEGALIZED ADULT USE, THEY HAVEN'T SEEN IT HAPPEN FOR EQUITY BUSINESSES.

THEY DON'T BELIEVE THAT IT WILL HAPPEN WITH EQUITY BUSINESSES.

PEOPLE STILL DON'T BELIEVE IT WILL HAPPEN.

EVEN THOUGH STATUTORILY IT IS IN THE LEGISLATION AND NOW THE GOVERNOR HAS PUT FORWARD $200 MILLION, BUT THIS IS THE START TO MAKE SURE THAT IT DOES HAPPEN.

WE CAN TURN TO THE PEOPLE WHO ARE SAYING DON'T TELL ME WHAT YOU ARE GOING TO DO.

SHOW ME WHAT YOU ARE GOING TO DO.

I BELIEVE WE ARE GOING TO BE ABLE TO SHOW THEM THAT EQUITY BUSINESSES CAN WORK IN THE STATE OF NEW YORK.

AND AS A RESULT OF THAT, THERE WILL BE PEOPLE, BLACK AND BROWN PEOPLE, WHO HAVE ACCESS TO A BRAND NEW INDUSTRY TO CREATE GENERATIONAL WEALTH.

THAT'S WHAT THIS IS ALL ABOUT.

AND I BELIEVE WE HAVE A GREAT START ON IT.

SO I WAS EXCITED TO HEAR HER ANNOUNCE THAT $200 MILLION.

>> SOME OF YOUR COLLEAGUES HAVE INTRODUCED BILLS THAT WOULD FURTHER SOME OF THE SOCIAL EQUITY PROVISIONS OF THE MARIJUANA REGULATION AND TAXATION ACT AND ALSO ENSURING THAT THERE IS SOME OF THESE INVESTMENTS.

DO YOU SEE A ROLE FOR THE LEGISLATURE IN PASSING SOME STAND ALONE SOCIAL QIBT BILLS AT THIS POINT IN 2022 OR DO YOU FEEL LIKE THE LAW GOES FAR ENOUGH?

>> WELL, I THINK IT DEPENDS ON WHAT KIND OF SOCIAL EQUITY YOU ARE TALKING ABOUT.

THE REASON THIS PARTICULAR EQUITY WAS PUT IN THIS LEGISLATION IS BECAUSE FOR MULTIPLE GENERATIONS, BLACK PEOPLE AND BROWN PEOPLE HAVE BEEN VICTIMIZED, ARRESTED, CRIMINAL RECORDS, CHILDREN IN FOSTER CARE, COMMUNITIES DESTROYED, MOTHERS TRYING TO RAISE CHILDREN ON SOCIAL SECURITY, LITERALLY DESTROYING THE LIVES OF PEOPLE.

THEY HAVE BEEN IMPACTED BY TRAUMA, BY VIOLENCE, AND BY THE LACK OF INVESTMENT IN THE COMMUNITIES THEY REPRESENT.

SO IF THERE IS ANYBODY ELSE WHO FITS THAT BILL, AND YOU WANT TO BE A PART OF EQUITY, JOIN IN.

BUT IF YOU DON'T FIT THAT BILL, FIND YOURSELF ANOTHER LANE BECAUSE THIS IS NOT YOUR LANE.

>> FOR THE LAST TWO YEARS, IN ADDITION TO THE ORDINARY COURSE OF BUSINESS YOU HAVE TO DO AS STATE LAWMAKERS, YOU'VE HAD TO RESPOND TO THE PANDEMIC AND A LARGE PORTION OF THAT JOB HAS BEEN FIGURING OUT HOW YOU WANT TO DISTRIBUTE BILLIONS OF DOLLARS IN FEDERAL PANDEMIC RELIEF.

IT NOW SEEMS LIKE THE SPIGOTS ARE TURNED OFF, SO TO SPEAK FROM WASHINGTON D.C. WITH THAT BEING THE CASE-- >> DON'T SAY THAT.

>> WELL, I'M BEING A LITTLE PEST MITTIC ABOUT THE BUILD BETTER LEGISLATION.

LET'S ASSUME THAT FOR NOW THERE IS NOT GOING TO BE ANY BIG STIMULUS MONEY COMING DOWN, ANYMORE COVID RELIEF DOES THE LEGISLATURE HAVE A ROLE AROUND THE PANDEMIC OR JUST PRIMARILY NORMAL LEGISLATING?

>> I THINK ANYBODY WHO IS IN A POSITION LEGISLATIVELY NO MATTER WHAT LEVEL OF GOVERNMENT YOU REPRESENT, TO HELP PEOPLE GET THROUGH WHAT I THINK IS THE MOST HORRIFIC THING I'VE EXPERIENCED IN MY LIFETIME AND PROBABLY YOU AS WELL.

I MEAN I LITERALLY HAVE PEOPLE THAT I KNOW PERSONALLY THAT ARE STILL DYING, LIKE YESTERDAY.

EVERYBODY HAS TO BE ALL IN ON THIS ONE.

EVERYBODY HAS TO BE, AT ALL LEVELS OF GOVERNMENT, ALL IN.

HOW DO WE HELP PEOPLE GET THROUGH THIS.

PERIOD.

>> WHAT DOES THAT LOOK LIKE THEN FROM THE STATE?

I MEAN ARE THERE MAJOR THINGS THAT.

>> IT DEPENDS ON WHAT WE NEED.

LIKE CLEARLY THE EDUCATION SYSTEM IS NOT NECESSARILY WORKING FOR EVERYBODY BY GOING VIRTUAL AND REMOTE.

I WOULD HOPE THAT THE STATE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT THAT THEY'RE COMING UP WITH A STRATEGY HOW TO GET AROUND IT.

IT'S NOT GOING TO BE CHEAP.

IT IS GOING TO COST MONEY.

YEAH, I THINK WE ALL HAVE A RESPONSIBILITY TO FIGURE THESE THINGS OUT.

>> THERE HAS BEEN PUSHBACK FROM OPPONENTS OF THE CRIMINAL JUSTICE LEGISLATION THAT HAS BEEN ENACTED IN RECENT YEARS, TO ROLL SOME OF THOSE BACK.

THE LEGISLATIVE LEADERS, INCLUDING ASSEMBLY SPEAKER HEASTIE HAS INDICATED THERE IS NO INTEREST IN DOING THAT.

AND I THINK THAT SHOULD BE ENOUGH FOR PEOPLE TO UNDERSTAND THIS IS PROBABLY NOT GOING TO HAPPEN.

SO THEN THINKING THE OTHER WAY, THOUGH, ARE THERE OTHER CRIMINAL JUSTICE REFORMS THAT YOU THINK WE SHOULD BE THINKING ABOUT IN 2022?

FOR EXAMPLE, THERE IS A BIG PUSH ON THE LEFT TO CHANGE THE WAY OUR PAROLE SYSTEM WORKS.

THERE IS AN EFFORT TO CHANGE THE WAY WE SENTENCE CRIMINAL DEFENDANTS AND THE POTENTIAL PENALTIES THEY FACE.

THERE IS ANYTHING THAT IS ON YOUR MIND WHEN YOU THINK ABOUT CRIMINAL JUSTICE AGENDA?

>> YOU KNOW WHAT?

I THINK THE BIGGEST THING THAT IS ON MY MIND-- AND I WISH PEOPLE WOULD HEAR WHAT SPEAKER HEASTIE IS SAYING WHEN HE SAYS THERE IS NO NEED TO REVIEW BAIL REFORM.

THERE IS NOTHING WRONG WITH IT.

JUST BECAUSE YOU DON'T HAVE MONEY DOESN'T MEAN YOU SHOULD STAY IN JAIL WHEN YOU HAVE BEEN ACCUSED OF SOMETHING.

BUT I THINK OUR THOUGHT PROCESS ON CRIMINAL JUSTICE SHOULD BE AS-- I KNOW WE CAN FIND ALL DIFFERENT WAYS TO FIND IT BUT WE HAVE A BIG JOB TO DO, TO CONVINCE PEOPLE THAT CRIMINALIZING BLACK AND BROWN PEOPLE IS NOT THE WAY TO BUILD YOUR ECONOMY.

IT'S NOT.

BUT IT ALWAYS HAS BEEN THAT IN THIS COUNTRY FROM THE TIME SLAVERY ENDED.

YOU GET PEOPLE IN JAIL, THEY STILL END UP BEING SLAVES BECAUSE THEY HAVE TO DO WORK THAT THEY DON'T GET PAID FOR.

YOU END UP BUILDING A CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM THAT CONSTANTLY HIRES PEOPLE TO WATCH PEOPLE THAT YOU ARREST FOR NON-VIOLENT LOW LEVEL CRIMES.

AND THEN AT THE SAME TIME, YOU COMPLAIN ABOUT THE COST OF GOVERNMENT AND THE FACT THAT TAXES ARE GOING UP.

WELL, I THINK IT'S OUR JOB TO BEGIN EDUCATING PEOPLE.

YOU CAN'T HAVE IT BOTH WAYS.

YOU WANT TO SPEND ALL YOUR MONEY INTO THE CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM, THEN DON'T COMPLAIN ABOUT THE FACT THAT YOUR PROPERTY TAXES ARE GOING UP BECAUSE YOU HAVE NEW JAILS IN YOUR COMMUNITY.

I MEAN I THINK OUR JOB IS MORE ABOUT EDUCATING PEOPLE ABOUT WHY OUR CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM IN AMERICA IS THE LARGEST INDUSTRY THAN ANY OTHER PLACE IN THE WORLD.

THERE IS SOMETHING WRONG WITH THAT.

>> DOES THAT MEAN WHEN YOU THINK ABOUT THE YEAR AHEAD AND WHAT CRIMINAL JUSTICE ITEMS YOU MIGHT ADDRESS, THAT YOUR FOCUS IS GOING TO BE MORE ON OUTREACH THAN CHANGING EXISTING LAWS?

>> MY FOCUS PERSONALLY IS GOING TO BE ON THAT.

I THINK PEOPLE NEED TO BE EDUCATED BECAUSE QUITE HONESTLY, FOLKS ARE TALKING ABOUT BAIL REFORM AS IF THERE IS SOMETHING WRONG WITH IT.

BUT IF YOU ARE A VETERAN AND YOU ARE DEALING WITH P.T.S.D., AND YOU HAVE AN ISSUE IN YOUR COMMUNITY WHERE YOU GET ARRESTED BUT YOU DON'T HAVE MONEY, YOU SHOULDN'T BE IN JAIL FOR SIX MONTHS WHILE, YOU KNOW, YOU COME TO THE FACT THAT THE JUDGE COMES TO THE FACT THAT, YOU KNOW WHAT?

THIS GUY WAS EXPERIENCING TRAUMA AND THAT'S WHY THIS HAPPENED.

WE SHOULD-- HE SHOULD BE GETTING COUNSELING.

IF YOU WANT TO PROTECT VETERANS, IF YOU ARE A SUBURBAN MOTHER WHOSE KID JUST HAPPENED TO GET IN TROUBLE, AND GETS ARRESTED, AND YOU DON'T HAVE A HOUSE TO PUT UP FOR BAIL FOR THEM, YOU LIVE IN A SUBSIDIZED APARTMENT, YOU DON'T WANT THEM STAYING IN JAIL BECAUSE YOU DON'T HAVE MONEY TO PAY BAIL FOR THEM.

I THINK WE HAVE TO NORMALIZE WHAT WE ARE TALKING ABOUT HERE BECAUSE THERE ARE A LOT OF PEOPLE, PARTICULARLY A LOT OF OUR OPPONENTS, THEY LOOK AT THIS AS, THIS IS AN OPPORTUNITY TO LET BLACK PEOPLE OUT OF JAIL.

THIS IS NOT THAT.

THIS IS ABOUT ALL NEW YORKERS HAVING A FAIR OPPORTUNITY TO GIVE WHAT THE CONSTITUTION SAYS.

WE ARE NOT GUILTY UNTIL WE HAVE BEEN FOUND SO.

AND IF WE ARE NOT GUILTY, WE SHOULD NOT BE REMAINING IN JAIL AT THE PLEASURE OF SOME FOLKS WHO THINK WE NEED TO BE TOUGH ON CRIME.

WE HAVE TO BE FIGURING OUT HOW NOT TO BE TOUGH ON CRIME AND DELIVERING THE KIND OF QUALITY SERVICES THAT IMPACT PEOPLE'S LIVES IN A WAY THAT WE DON'T EVER NEED TO REVERT TO TAKING A LOAF OF BREAD FROM THE SUPERMARKET.

>> UNFORTUNATELY WE ARE GOING TO HAVE TO LEAVE IT THERE.

WE HAVE BEEN SPEAKING WITH ASSEMBLY MAJORITY LEADER CRYSTAL PEOPLES PEOPLES-STOKES.

THANK YOU.

>> WITH YOU ARE READY, WE CAN CONTINUE.

AND NOW, FOR POLITICAL AND POLICY ANALYSIS OF GOV.

KATHY HOCHUL'S PLANS FOR 2022, WE'RE JOINED BY REBECCA GARRARD, LEGISALTIVE DIRECTOR FOR CITIZEN ACTION OF NEW YORK - A PROGRESSIVE ADVOCACY ORGANIZATION - MORGAN HOOK - FORMER COMMUNICATIONS DIRECTOR FOR GOV.

DAVID PATERSON AND CURRENTLY THE MANAGING DIRECTOR LEAD OF SKD KNICKERBOCKER'S ALBANY OFFICE - AND CHAPIN FAY - FORMER PRESS SECRETARY FOR GOV.

GEORGE PATAKI AND FOUNDER OF LIGHTHOUSE PUBLIC AFFAIRS.

I WANT TO START OUR CONVERSATION WITH A CLIP FROM THE GOVERNOR'S STATE OF THE STATE ADDRESS, WHERE SHE TALKS ABOUT HER APPROACH TO GOVERNING, AND - WITHOUT MENTIONING HER PREDECESSOR BY NAME - HOW IT WILL COMPARE TO ANDREW CUOMO'S LEADERSHIP STYLE.

TO MY COLLEAGUES AND PARTNERS IN GOVERNMENT, FOR TOO LONG, THE EXECUTIVE AND LEGISLATIVE BRANCHES WERE FIGHTING EACH OTHER IN THAT ARENA.

NO MORE.

THAT ENDS NOW WHAT I AM PROPOSING IS A WHOLE NEW ERA FOR NEW YORK.

THE DAYS OF GOVERNORS DISREGARDING THE RIGHTFUL ROLE OF THE LEGISLATURE ARE OVER.

THE DAYS OF THE GOVERNOR OF NEW YORK AND THE MAYOR OF NEW YORK CITY WASTING TIME ON PETTY RIVALRIES, ARE OVER THE DAYS OF NEW YORKERS QUESTIONING WHETHER THEIR GOVERNMENT IS ACTUALLY WORKING FOR THEM, ARE OVER.

>> HOW DO YOU THINK THE SENTIMENT THAT THE GOVERNOR HAS BEEN ESPOUSING SINCE DAY ONE OF HER ADMINISTRATION WILL MANIFEST ITSELF.

DO WE EXPECT THEM TO SKIP THROUGH THE HALL OF THE CAPITOL OR BE MORE COMBATIVE?

>> I THINK FROM NOW UNTIL JUNE IS PROBABLY A SAFE BET.

THERE IS A TON OF MONEY IN ALBANY WHICH MAKES BEING FRIENDS EASY BUT A LOT OF WHAT I JUST HEARD THERE I FEEL LIKE I HAVE HEARD BEFORE AND I'M THINKING SPECIFICALLY WHEN DAVID PATTERSON BECAME GOVERNOR, AND WHEN HE FIRST TOOK OFFICE, HIS FIRST SPEECH IN THAT SAME CHAMBER, IT WAS A VERY SIMILAR TONE.

WE HAD JUST COME OFF OF THE SPITZER ADMINISTRATION.

>> A STEAMROLLER.

>> AND HE WAS VERY COMBATIVE WITH THE LEGISLATURE.

AND DAVID PATTERSON, FORMER LEGISLATOR CAME IN AND SAID I'M GOING TO DO IT DIFFERENTLY.

AND IT WASN'T TOO LONG, AND AGAIN VERY DIFFERENT FISCAL CIRCUMSTANCES BUT IT WASN'T TOO LONG BEFORE THAT, WE ARE ALL GOING TO WORK TOGETHER AND WE ARE GOING TO RESPECT THE LEGISLATURE WAS TWO YEARS LATER, HIM GIVING A SPEECH WHERE HE PROBABLY DIDN'T GET A SINGLE ROUND OF APPLAUSE AND THE ROOM WAS FULL AS OPPOSED TO KATHY HOCHUL WITH THE ROOM EMPTY, BECAUSE HE WENT RIGHT AT THEM.

HIS POLL NUMBERS WERE IN THE TOILET.

THE STATE HAD NO MONEY.

THERE WAS $40 BILLION IN BUDGET DEFICIT.

THAT KIND OF FISCAL REALITY CAN MAKE THAT FRIENDSHIP BETWEEN THE EXECUTIVE AND THE LEGISLATURE, I THINK, DISSIPATE VERY QUICKLY.

THAT'S NOT SOMETHING KATHY HOCHUL NEEDS TO WORRY ABOUT THIS SESSION BUT I FULLY EXPECT SHE WILL BE WINNING A FULL TERM AS GOVERNOR.

AND BY THE TIME-- LET'S WAIT AND SEE WHAT HAPPENS FOR THE NEXT FEW YEARS OF HER TIME IN OFFICE.

>> WELL, CHAPIN, LEFT UNSAID IN THE GOVERNOR'S COMMENTS THERE IS THAT SHE IS REALLY JUST TALKING ABOUT HER RELATIONSHIP WITH THE DEMOCRATIC LEGISLATIVE LEADERS.

WOULD YOU HAVE LIKED TO HAVE HEARD SOMETHING FROM HER IN TERMS OF BIPARTISAN OUTREACH OR, BECAUSE THE WAY OUR STATE GOVERNMENT WORKS WITH DEMOCRATS CONTROLLING BOTH HOUSES OF THE STATE LEGISLATURE, THERE IS REALLY NO NEED TO TALK TO THE PARTY THAT'S NOT IN CONTROL?

>> THAT'S A GOOD POINT AND THERE ARE TWO THINGS HERE.

YES IT WOULD BE NICE TO HEAR BIPARTISANSHIP FROM THE GOVERNOR BUT THE POLITICAL REALITY IS THAT SHE DOESN'T NEED TO BE BIPARTISAN.

SHE DOESN'T NEED REPUBLICAN LEGISLATORS INPUT OR, YOU KNOW, HELP WITH ANYTHING.

AND THAT LEADS TO MY SECOND POINT, WHICH IS, YOU KNOW, THIS COME BIASONE COME ABOUTIA-- BUT ONE PARTY RULE IS TAKING OUR STATE IN A COMPLETELY WRONG DIRECTION.

YOU SEE THINGS LIKE BAIL REFORM, CRIME, DEFUND THE POLICE, LANDLORD-TENANT POLICY.

THERE ARE NO, THE REPUBLICANS ARE NOT ABLE TO HAVE A VOICE AT THE TABLE AND KEEP THE PROGRESSIVES IN THE LEGISLATURE AND THE GOVERNOR ACCOUNTABLE.

SO WHILE, YOU KNOW, IT'S GREAT THAT SHE HAS THE LEGISLATURE THAT WILL PASS WHATEVER SHE WANTS, I THINK IT'S GOING TO BE A COMPLETE LEFT WARD LURCH MUCH LOOK AT NEW YORK CITY.

THE CITY COUNCIL IS SUPER MAJORITY EXTREME SUPER MAJORITY DEMOCRAT AND I DON'T THINK ANYONE WOULD ARGUE THAT THINGS ARE GOING WELL IN NEW YORK CITY RIGHT NOW.

SO IF THAT COMES TO THE REST OF THE STATE, YOU KNOW, I THINK WE ARE IN FOR BIG TROUBLE WITHOUT ANY ACCOUNTABILITY.

>> NOT TO LOB A SOFTBALL DOWN THE MIDDLE FOR YOU, BUT WHEN I THINK ABOUT THE LAST TWO YEARS DURING THE PANDEMIC AND WE TALK ABOUT ACCOUNTABILITY AND OVERSIGHT, I DON'T THINK THAT ANYONE WOULD SAY THAT THE STATE LEGISLATURE WAS ACTIVELY PROVIDING OVERSIGHT OF THE GOVERNOR'S PANDEMIC RESPONSE.

WHAT DO YOU THINK WILL BE THAT APPROACH MOVING FORWARD?

I MEAN IF WE ARE WORKING TOGETHER, DOES THAT MEAN THE LEGISLATURE IS NOT GOING TO BE UP THE GOVERNOR'S REAR END TO SAY AN APPROPRIATE EXPRESSION, DURING THE LEGISLATIVE SESSION AND KEEPING AN EYE ON HER PROGRAMS AND HER POLICIES?

OR DO YOU THINK THAT THERE IS STILL A CHANCE THAT THIS LEGISLATURE MIGHT KICK IT INTO GEAR AND REALLY GIVE HER APPROACH A HARD SECOND LOOK?

>> I THINK THE ONLY TIME THEY'RE GOING GIVE HER APPROACH A HARD SECOND LOOK IF IF SHE IS TOO MODERATE, TOO CONSERVATIVE OR TOO UP THE MIDDLE.

THEY HAVE THE POWER AND ABILITY AND IT SEEMS LIKE THE DESIRE, TO TAKE HER LEFT.

AND I THINK THEY WILL.

AND I THINK THERE WILL BE A VERY LONG HONEYMOON PERIOD.

I'M GOING START CALLING HER GOVERNOR YET BECAUSE IN THIS BUDGET SESSION, I DON'T THINK SHE HAS SAID NO TO ANY LEGISLATORS REQUEST, ANY LOBBYISTS REQUESTS.

I MEAN IT WAS LIKE YOU GET A TAX REBATE, YOU GET A TAX REBATE.

YOU GET SUPPORT HERE AND SUPPORT THERE AND YOU KNOW THAT MAKES SENSE POLITICALLY.

SHE IS A BRAND NEW GOVERNOR WHO HAS NEVER FACED VOTERS AND IS GOING TO HAVE TO, IN LESS THAN A YEAR, AND THAT'S WHAT SHE IS DOING, SHORING UP ALL OF HER POLITICAL COALITIONS THROUGH THE BUDGET PROCESS, WHICH, YOU KNOW, TYPICALLY IS HOW GOVERNORS DO IT.

I JUST THINK SHE TOOK IT TO ANOTHER LEVEL.

AND YOU KNOW, ONE OF MY CONCERNS WITH THIS IS YOU SEE AT THE SAME TIME SHE IS HANDING OUT ALL THE TAXPAYER MONEY, SHE IS RAKING IN 10S OF MILLIONS OF DOLLARS IN RECORD BREAKING FUNDRAISING HAULS.

SO YOU HAVE TO WONDER IF SHE IS TAKING THE PAY TO PLAY NOTION IN ALBANY TO A COMPLETELY OTHER LEVEL.

>> YOU SOUND A LITTLE JEALOUS OF THE FUNDRAISING.

>> I WAS JUST GOING TO SAY THESE ARE THINGS THAT, YOU KNOW, IT'S GOOD TO BE THE GOVERNOR.

AND IT IS MORE JEALOUSY, I THINK, THAN CRITICISM HERE.

>> REBECCA, THE GOVERNOR TALKS ABOUT ENDING PETTY RIVALRIES AND LEGISLATIVE BRANCHES AND EXECUTIVE BRANCHES WORKING AS CO-EQUALS.

WHAT DO YOU HEAR WHEN YOU HEAR ALL THAT?

DOES THAT SOUND LIKE GOOD NEWS TO YOU?

>> I MEAN THAT IS EXACTLY WHAT WE WOULD HOPE FOR, RIGHT?

WE HAVE HAD OVER A DECADE WHERE THE ASSEMBLY AND THE SENATE HAVE WORKED AT ODDS WITH THE DEMOCRATIC GOVERNOR LIKE IT OR NOT.

THE REALITY IS THAT THE REPRESENTATION IN THE SENATE AND ASSEMBLY BEING SUPER MAJORITY DEMOCRATIC IS A REFLECTION OF VOTER WILL.

SO WHAT WE HAVE IS A MANDATE BY THE RESIDENTS OF NEW YORK TO SAY WE WANT POLICIES THAT CENTER EVERYDAY NEW YORKERS, THAT RESPECT THE INHERENT DIGNITY OF EVERYDAY NEW YORKERS AND WE WANT POLICIES AND EXPENDITURES THAT INVEST IN THAT, RIGHT?

AND SO TO HAVE THROW BRANCHES OF GOVERNMENT THAT WORK IN TANDEM TO FURTHER THOSE AGENDAS IS ULTIMATELY WHAT IS BEST FOR NEW YORK AND WHAT IS REFLECTIVE OF THE VOTERS WILL SO WE ARE HOPEFUL THAT THAT IS THE PATH WE ARE DOWN.

I DON'T THINK WE HAVE EVIDENCE OF THAT YET.

I DON'T THINK THE EXECUTIVE'S BUDGET WAS AN INDICATION THAT WE ARE ALL IN ON CENTERING WORKING CLASS NEW YORKERS AND REFLECTION FOR EVERY YORKER BUT CERTAINLY THAT IS THE MESSAGE WE WANT TO RECEIVE AND THE KIND OF GOVERNMENT THAT WE WANT FOR NEW YORK.

>> WE ARE GOING TO TALK IN THE FUTURE ABOUT THE BOLDNESS AND HISTORIC NATURE OF THE GOVERNOR'S STATE OF THE STATE AND HER BUDGET, BUT YOU MENTIONED MANDATE IN THERE AND BECAUSE THIS IS A GOVERNOR WHO ASSUMED HER OFFICE BY THE RESIGNATION OF THE GOVERNOR WHO WAS ELECTED TO THE TOP OF THE TICKET, SHOULD SHE BE DEFERRING TO THE LEGISLATIVE LEADERS WHO WERE ELECTED TO THEIR POSITIONS AND THE LAWMAKERS WHO WERE, LIKE YOU SAY, ELECTED TO THEIR POSITIONS WITH A SUPER MAJORITY IN BOTH HOUSES?

>> I THINK SHE SHOULD BE DEFERRING TO THE WILL OF NEW YORKERS.

AGAIN, THAT SUPER MAJORITY IN BOTH HOUSES REPRESENTS THE DISTRICTS ACROSS NEW YORK AND SO LIKE IT OR NOT, THAT IS A REFLECTION OF THE WILL OF NEW YORKERS AND THAT WHAT IS SHE SHOULD BE REPRESENTING AND SO I PUSH BACK A LITTLE BIT ON THE FACT THAT SHE IS, YOU KNOW, THE DE FACTO GOVERNOR FOR THE NEXT FOUR YEARS.

I HOPE WE HAVE A ROBUST PRIMARY SEASON-- >> CITIZENS ACTION BACKING ANYONE YET.

>> WE HAVE NOT MADE AN OFFICIAL ENDORSEMENT.

>> WOULD YOU LIKE TO MAKE ONE RIGHT NOW.

>> I'M NOT GOING TO DO THAT.

I WISH I COULD.

>> JUMANI WILLIAMS PUBLIC CITY ADVOCATE... >> I THINK ENDORSEMENTS ARE COMING SOON ACROSS PROGRESSIVE ORGANIZATIONS AND I THINK IT WILL CHANGE THE TRAJECTORY OF THIS GOVERNOR'S RACE AND I THINK THAT'S GOOD FOR NEW YORK, RIGHT.

WE DON'T WHAT WE HAVE HAD OVER THE LAST 10 PLUS YEARS IS AN ANOINTMENT, RIGHT, OF A PERSON WHO HAS SERVED AND SORT OF HAD A QUASI DICTATORSHIP OVER THE EXECUTIVE-- >> ANOINTMENT, DAIRPT DICTATORSHIP.

HE WAS ELECTED WITH LARGE MARGINS.

>> BUT WHEN YOU HOLD THE SEAT FOR SO LONG AND WE ALL KNOW THIS, RIGHT, ACCORDING TO THE ADVANTAGES OF INCUMBENCY, THERE IS AN EXTREME ADVANTAGE TO YOUR ABILITY TO MOVE YOUR CAMPAIGN, TO SECURE FUNDING, THAT ANY CHALLENGER IS NOT GOING TO BE ABLE TO LEVERAGE AND SO OBVIOUSLY WE STILL HAVE THAT SKEW.

BUT IT'S A GOOD OPPORTUNITY, RIGHT, TO HAVE THAT CONVERSATION OPEN UP THE ISSUES, RIGHT, AND REALLY TALK ABOUT WHAT ARE THE POLICIES, THE BENEFITS ALL NEW YORKERS AND NOT THE PRIVILEGED FEW.

WHEN IT COMES TO ISSUES THAT NEW YORKERS ARE INTERESTED IN, ACY ENAPOLL AT THE START OF 2022 INDICATED THAT THE POP ISSUE THAT NEW YORKERS WANTED ADDRESSED THAT HAS PUBLIC SAFETY.

THEY DIDN'T SAY HOW THEY WANTED IT ADDRESSED BUT GOVERNOR HOCHUL DID TALK ABOUT THIS A LITTLE BIT IN HER STATE OF THE STATE ADDRESS.

WE HAVE A QUICK SNIPPET OF THAT.

>> GOV HOCHUL: TIME AND AGAIN, NEW YORKERS TELL ME THAT THEY DON'T FEEL SAFE, THAT THEY DON'T LIKE WHAT THEY SEE ON THE STREETS AND THAT THINGS FEEL DIFFERENT RIGHT NOW - AND NOT FOR THE BETTER.

IT'S NOT JUST NEW YORK CITY - IT'S CITIES ACROSS AMERICA.

MANY FACTORS CONTRIBUTE TO OUR STREETS FEELING LESS SAFE, INCLUDING THE VERY REAL UPTICK IN GUN VIOLENCE NATIONWIDE SINCE THE START OF THE PANDEMIC.

NOW, THIS ISN'T A RETURN TO THE DARK DAYS OF THE 70S, '80S AND '90S.

BUT THAT'S NOT OUR METRIC FOR SUCCESS.

WE NEED TO GET BACK ON TRACK.

>> CHAPIN, IF THE ACCOUNTABILITY QUESTION WAS SOFTBALL, THIS IS GOING TO BE RED MEAT FOR YOU.

WHAT DID YOU THINK OF THE GOVERNOR'S PUBLIC SAFETY AGENDA, WHICH DOES NOT INCLUDE ROLLING BACK ANY OF THE PROGRESSIVE CRIMINAL JUSTICE REFORMS ENACTED IN RECENT YEARS, INCLUDING BROAD EXPANSION OF AN END TO CASH BAIL?

>> I THINK IT'S A COMPLETE ABDICATION OF RESPONSIBILITY AND WE WERE TALKING ABOUT THE WILL OF THE VOTERS.

IF YOU LOOK AT WHAT JUST HAPPENED IN NEW YORK CITY IN THE DEMOCRATIC PRIMARY FOR MAYOR, THE FORMER POLICE OFFICER, WHO TALKED ABOUT PUBLIC SAFETY AND NOT LIKE YOUR TYPICAL NEW YORK CITY DEMOCRAT POLL POLITICIAN WON AND BEAT THE MORE PROGRESSIVE DEFUND THE POLICE CANDIDATES.

AND IF YOU LOOK AT THE MAP OF WHERE HE WON, IT WAS NEIGHBORHOODS THAT ARE DANGEROUS AND WHERE PEOPLE ARE AFRAID TO GO OUTSIDE AND PEOPLE ARE GETTING SHOT IN THE STREETS AND THE NEIGHBORHOODS, THE OTHER PEOPLE ONES WERE TYPICALLY ASTORIA, UPPER EAST SIDE, PLACES WHERE THE POLICE WILL ALWAYS BE THERE AND THE PUBLIC SAFETY IS NOT A DAILY CONCERN FOR THESE PEOPLE AND THEY MOVE AROUND THE CITY.

THEY HAVE THE DISPOSABLE INCOME TO BE SAFE IN THEIR APARTMENT, WORK VIA ZOOM, WHILE THE WORK WORKING CLASS PEOPLE HAVE TO RIDE ON THE SUBWAY, WHICH IS, YOU KNOW, PEOPLE ARE GETTING PUSHED ON TO THE TRACKS, COPS ARE GETTING KILLED IN THE STREETS.

THERE IS A REASON THAT THE POLL SAYS THAT PUBLIC SAFETY IS TOP OF MIND.

AND I THINK IF THE DEMOCRATS WEREN'T IN CONTROL ALL OVER THE STATE, IF THEY DON'T ADDRESS IT QUICKLY, THERE ARE GOING TO BE SURPRISES, MAYBE NOT SO SURPRISING THIS NOVEMBER, YOU KNOW.

BAIL IS ONE THING.

YOU KNOW, THEY MADE IT SO THAT IT WAS TO ADDRESS THE INFLEXIBILITY THE JUDGES HAD WHEN SENTENCING AND THE BAIL PROCESS AND THEY MADE IT TO 100% FLEXIBILITY IN THE OPPOSITE WAY.

AND THEY'RE NOT-- THEY HAVE JUST INDICATED RECENTLY, THE LEGISLATURE AND THE GOVERNOR, THEY'RE NOT EVEN GOING TO DISCUSS SMALL REFORMS TO THAT.

AND I THINK THAT'S A DISGRACE AND I THINK PEOPLE'S LIVES ARE AT STAKE AND PEOPLE HAVE RESPONSIBILITIES.

YOU KNOW, IT'S NICE TO HAND OUT PORK AND TAX REBATES IN ELECTION YEAR BUT PEOPLE'S LIVES ARE ON THE LINE AND PUBLIC SAFETY NEEDS TO BE ADDRESSED AND IT NEEDS TO BE ADDRESSED NOW AND I DO NOT SEE ANY POLITICIAN MAYBE EXCEPT FOR ERIC ADAMS TALKING THE TALK, DOING ANYTHING ABOUT IT.

>> BUT CHAPIN, DATA THAT WE GOT FROM THE STATE, BASED ON THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THE BAIL CHANGES INDICATE THAT ONLY ABOUT 2% OF THE PEOPLE WHO HAVE BEEN RELEASED WITHOUT BAIL, OTHERWISE MIGHT HAVE BEEN SUBJECT TO BAIL, ENDED UP BEING ARRESTED AGAIN FOR ALLEGEDLY COMMITTING VIOLENT CRIMES, A PERCENTAGE THAT MANY PEOPLE THINK IS COMPARABLE TO WAS WE WOULD HAVE SEEN WITH BAIL STILL BROADLY USED.

SO IS THERE ACTUAL EVIDENCE THAT WE ARE SEEING THIS AS A BROAD SOCIETAL PROBLEM?

OR ARE WE JUST HIGHLIGHTING, AND BY WE, I MEAN YOU, HIGHLIGHTING ANECDOTAL EXAMPLES AND MAYBE GETTING MORE FEAR.

WOULD THERE BE THE SAME CONCERN ABOUT PUBLIC SAFETY IF PEOPLE TOOK A DEEP BREATH AND SAW ALL THESE INCIDENTS FOR WHAT THEY ARE, WHICH ARE TRAGEDIES IN EACH INDIVIDUAL CASE.

BUT PART OF A SOCIETAL PROBLEM THAT MIGHT NOT BE AS GREAT AS WE THINK IT IS.

>> I THINK THE ISSUE IS COMPLICATED, DAN, WITH ALL DUE RESPECT, I DON'T THINK ANY OF THE FEAR IS GINNED UP.

ROCHESTER, ALBANY, BUFFALO, SOME OF THE MOST DANGEROUS CITIES IN THE COUNTRY, A STATISTICAL FACT.

>> CITIES ALL OVER THE COUNTRY HAVE BEEN SEEING SPIKES IN VIOLENCE DURING THE PANDEMIC.

>> I UNDERSTAND AND THE DATA ON BAIL REFORM, IT'S NOT JUST THE PARTICULAR CRIMINALS WHO ARE BEING ARRESTED AND THEN RELEASED.

IT'S THE FACT THAT POLITICIANS, FOR TWO YEARS NOW, HAVE BEEN NOT SUPPORTING THE POLICE, HAVE BEEN STANDING UP AND SAYING I WANT TO DEFUND THE POLICE.

STATEWIDE OFFICIALS, THE ATTORNEY GENERAL HAS SAID IT.

A.O.C.

IS SAYING WE NEED TO GET RID OF POLICE DEPARTMENTS ALL OVER THE COUNTRY AND CRIMINALS ARE SEEING THIS.

THEY KNOW THERE IS NO ACCOUNTABILITY.

THERE ARE MONTH REPERCUSSIONS TO CARRY A GUN OR KILLING PEOPLE OR COMMITTING VIOLENT CRIMES.

THE COPS ARE NOT THERE.

THE COPS ARE NOT ABLE TO DO THEIR JOBS BECAUSE THEY DON'T HAVE THE RESOURCES.

THEY KNOW THE POLITICIANS ARE NOT BEHIND THEM.

ERIC ADAMS, I HAVE TO GIVE HIM A LOT OF CREDIT.

HE IS TRYING TO CHANGE THAT PUBLIC PERCEPTION BUT IT'S NOT JUST STATISTICS ON BAIL REFORM ITSELF.

IT IS, LIKE YOU SAID, A SOCIETAL PROBLEM AND UNTIL THE RHETORICS CHANGES AND UNTIL POLICE OFFICERS HAVE THE RESOURCES TO DO THEIR JOBS, AND THE SUPPORT FROM THE PEOPLE WHO ARE ELECTED TO DO IT.

YOU WILL SEE THE NEW YORK POST PUT YOU OUT ARTICLES ABOUT ALL THE POLITICIANS WHO HAVE SAID THINGS IN THE DEFUND THE POLICE MOVEMENT WHO ARE NOW OFFERING THEIR THOUGHTS AND PRAYERS TO THE POLICE OFFICERS WHO ARE SLAIN.

AND I GUESS THOUGHTS AND PRAYERS ARE ENOUGH BECAUSE IT'S THE DEMOCRATS WHO ARE BEING CHALLENGED.

>> REBECCA, SOUND GOOD TO YOU?

>> YES, I MEAN LOOK, I THINK WE ALL HAVE OUR THOUGHTS AND PRAYERS.

WITH POLICE OFFICERS WHO ARE SLAINED.

THAT IS NOT RHETORIC.

THAT IS GENUINE.

THE REALITY IS THAT AS YOU POINTED OUT, THERE IS AN INCREASE IN VIOLENCE ACROSS THE COUNTRY.

IN STATES WHERE THERE WERE NO CHANGES TO BAIL OR DISCOVERY LAWS, AND SO THAT INCREASE IN VIOLENCE IS A REFLECTION OF AN HISTORIC DISINVESTMENT IN LOW INCOME AND BLACK AND BROWN COMMUNITIES.

AND SO WHEN WE HAVE A PANDEMIC THAT STRIPS WHAT WE ARE ALREADY TENUOUS SOCIAL SAFETY NETS FROM THOSE COMMUNITIES, AND SURVIVAL IS LITERALLY THE MOMENT THAT EVERYBODY IS IN WE DON'T HAVE MENTAL HEALTH SUPPORT SERVICES.

WE DON'T HAVE SUBSTANCE ABUSE SERVICES.

WE DON'T HAVE STABLE HOUSING SYSTEMS IN PLACE IT IS NO SURPRISE THAT WE WILL SEE THESE INCREASES IN VIOLENCE.

AND AGAIN IF YOU LOOK AT THE DATA NOTHING SUPPORTS THAT IT IS RELATED TO BAIL AND DISCOVERY AND SO IF WE TRULY WANT TO ATTACK THE INCREASE IN VIOLENCE, WHICH WE AT CITIZEN ACTION ABSOLUTELY DO AS WELL, WE KNOW WHAT THAT LOOKS LIKE IT LOOKS LIKE INVESTMENT IN OUR COMMUNITIES TO ENSURE THAT EVERYBODY IS ABLE TO ACCESS STABLE HOUSING.

HEALTHCARE, MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES EMPLOYMENT.

THAT IS WHAT CREATES COMMUNITY SAFETY.

>> I WANT TO JUMP IN HERE AND TALK ABOUT THE-- SINALLY TALK ABOUT THE POLITICS.

>> PLEASE DO THAT.

THAT'S WHERE I WAS GOING TO GO WITH YOU ANYWAY.

>> GREAT MINDS.

>> AS YOU POINTED OUT, THE DATA DOESN'T SUPPORT WHAT CHAPIN-- IT SOUNDS LIKE CHAPIN IS ARGUING FOR GUN CONTROL LEGISLATION WHICH I'M SURE THE GOVERNOR WOULD BE HAPPY TO ENTERTAIN.

BUT THE POLITICS HERE WHEN I HEAR THE GOVERNOR TALK ABOUT THE WAY SHE DID IN THE STATE OF THE STATE, TO ME, THAT'S A POLITICAL STATEMENT MORE THAN ANYTHING.

BECAUSE I THINK THE REPUBLICANS HAVE DONE A GOOD JOB OF GINNING UP THIS ISSUE AND THERE IS A MISTAKEN BELIEF THAT DEMOCRATS DIDN'T PERFORM AS WELL FOR INSTANCE IN THE SENATE ON LONG ISLAND IN THE LAST ELECTIONS IN LARGE PART BECAUSE OF CRIMINAL JUSTICE REFORMS.

THE DEMOCRATIC SENATORS ON LONG ISLAND BELIEVE THAT CRIMINAL JUSTICE REFORMS HURT THEM IN THE LAST ELECTION EVEN THOUGH MOST OF THEM WON.

SO I THINK THAT PUBLIC POLICY WISE, MY PERSONAL BELIEF IS THAT THESE REFORMS ARE A GOOD THING AND LONG OVERDUE AND I AGREE THAT WE ARE TALKING ABOUT SYSTEMIC PROBLEMS THAT GO MUCH DEEPER THAN BAIL REFORM.

BUT POLITICALLY, I THINK WHAT YOU HEARD FROM THE GOVERNOR AND I THINK WHAT YOU ARE GOING TO SEE FROM THE LEGISLATURE IS THEY'RE GOING TO BE WORRIED ABOUT THE MARGINAL MEMBERS OF THEIR CONFERENCES.

THEY'RE GOING TO BE WORRIED ABOUT UPSTATE SENATORS, WORRIED ABOUT LONG ISLAND SENATORS, WORRIED ABOUT MEMBERS OF THE ASSEMBLY WHO ARE NOT FROM NEW YORK CITY AND IN THE MEANTIME YOU'VE GOT VERY PROGRESSIVE LEGISLATURES AND THEY WILL BE PUSHING VERY HARD FOR CONTINUED REFORMS.

I THINK IT IS UNLIKELY, AGAIN TALKING SINALLY ABOUT THE POLITICS HERE, MY PERSONAL LEGISLATION I WANT TO SEE PASSED BUT I THINK WE ARE KNOT GOING TO SEE FURTHER REFORMS AND I THINK YOU ARE GOING TO CONTINUE TO HEAR RHETORIC SIMILAR TO WHAT THE GOVERNOR HAD IN THAT SPEECH KIND OF PUSHING THE PAUSE BUTTON ON IT SAYING CRIMINAL JUSTICE IS IMPORTANT BECAUSE THE POLL NUMBERS DON'T LIE.

THIS IS AN ISSUE THAT HAS BECOME TOP OF MIND.

IT'S PASSED UP THE PANDEMIC AS THE MOST IMPORTANT ISSUE FOR PEOPLE, WHICH IS TYPICALLY LIKE CRIME AND SAFETY ARE TYPICALLY HIGH POLLING THINGS.

AND TO SEE IT COME BACK UP THAT WAY, I ACTUALLY THINK IS A CREDIT TO THE REPUBLICANS WHO ARE TALKING ABOUT THIS INCESSANTLY.

IT'S THE ONLY THING THEY TALK ABOUT IN ALL OF PLI THEIR PRESS CONFERENCES AND I THINK IT HAS DEMOCRATS SCARED A LITTLE BIT.

>> I WANT TO RESPOND TO MORGAN AND TOTALLY AGREE AND PUT MY POLITICAL HAT ON, NOT MY IDEOLOGICAL HAT ON.

MY MESSAGE TO THE TWO SUPER MAJORITIES HAS BEEN THIS, YOU KNOW, IT IS A FALSE BELIEF THAT THESE DECISIONS THAT WERE MADE WERE THE RIGHT DECISIONS WERE WHAT LOST SEATS.

AND AS WE ARE IN THIS ELECTORAL CYCLE, THE REALITY IS IF THERE WERE ACTUAL INVESTMENTS IN COMMUNITIES THAT ARE EXPERIENCING THIS INCREASED VIOLENCE, IF THERE WERE ALTERNATIVE SOLUTIONS OFFERED, IT'S A POLITICAL WIN.

I THINK IT'S THE RIGHT MORAL ETHICAL THING TO DO.

BUT IT'S A POLITICAL WIN.

AND SO THE REALITY IS IN THE ABSENCE OF ACTUALLY OFFERING AN ALTERNATIVE, THAT'S WHERE YOU RUN INTO THE PROBLEMS OF POTENTIALLY EXPERIENCING A POLITICAL LOSS, RIGHT?

AND SO MY MESSAGE HAS BEEN, THERE SHOULD BE MORE CONCERN ABOUT BLUE VOTERS STAYING HOME, ESPECIALLY IN A REDISTRICTING YEAR THAN RED VOTERS TURNING OUT.

GIVE THEM A BOLD AIRPORT.

GIVE THEM AN ALTERNATE SOLUTION.

THAT IS A WINNING POLITICAL STANCE TO TAKE AND IT'S THE RIGHT THING TO DO.

>> I'M SURE CHAPIN IS GOING TO WANT TO RESPOND TO THIS BUT I'LL SAY QUICKLY, I AGREE WITH THIS AS WELL.

I THINK WHERE DEMOCRATS GET THEMSELVES IN TROUBLE AND REPUBLICANS DON'T HAVE THE 15EU78 PROBLEM TO THE EXTENT DEMOCRATS TRY TO APIECE EVERYONE WHERE THEY TRY TO DO VANILLA APPROACH.

I THINK STANDING YOUR GROUND AND TAKING A BOLD POSITION ON PUBLIC POLICY IS THE WAY TO GO.

WHETHER OR NOT YOU THINK I KIND OF FEEL LIKE THE GOVERNOR'S POSITION THERE WHICH IS PUBLICLY BACKING AWAY FROM IT.

>> SHE DOESN'T MENTION BAIL IN THE SPEECH.

>> SHE IS NOT INCLUDING POLICIES ABOUT ROLLING BACK THE REFORMS, SHE IS ALSO NOT INCLUDING POLICIES THAT WILL CONTINUE REFORMS.

IT'S THE SORT OF-- IT'S THE MIDDLE GROUND, WHICH DOESN'T MAKE ANYBODY HAPPY.

EITHER BE BOLD OR ROLL IT BACK.

DON'T DO THIS MIDDLE THING BECAUSE THAT'S WHAT KEEPS VOTERS HOME.

LIKE GIVE ME SOMETHING.

THEY'RE NOT DOING ANYTHING.

I THINK TAKING BOLD DECISIVE PUBLIC POLICY ACTIONS IS ACTUALLY THE SMART POLITICAL MOVE, BUT IT TAKES COURAGE.

>> CHAPIN, I PROMISE WE WILL LET YOU SPEAK MORE LATER ON.

BUT I WANT TO STICK WITH CRIMINAL JUSTICE I WANT TO HIGHLIGHT WHAT WE HEARD FROM THE GOVENROR ABOUT REHABILITATION, WHICH IS A CRITIAL PART OF ANY LONG-TERM PUBLIC SAFETY SOLUTIONS.

>> GOV HOCHUL: WE KNOW THAT INCARCERATED PEOPLE WHO PARTICIPATE IN CORRECTIONAL EDUCATION PROGRAMS ARE FAR LESS LIKELY TO REOFFEND AND 13 TIMES MORE LIKELY TO OBTAIN EMPLOYMENT AFTER RETURNING HOME.

THAT OUTCOME BENEFITS THE FORMERLY INCARCERATEDEMPLOYERS THAT OUTCOME BENEFITS THE FORMERLY INCARCERATED EMPLOYERS IN NEED OF WORKERS.THE TAXPAYERS OF NEW YORK STATE - AND IT'S THE RIGHT THING TO DO.

SO TODAY I'M ANNOUNCING A NEW "JAILS-TO-JOBS," INITIATIVE, SO INCARCERATED PEOPLE WITH HAVE THE SUPPORT THEY NEED TO FIND EMPLOYMENT DURING RE-ENTRY.

WE'RE ALSO GOING TO RESTORE THE TUITION ASSISTANCE PROGRAM FOR INCARCERATED PEOPLE-ENDING A 30-YEAR BAN.

MORGAN, WE SAW FORMER GOVERNOR CUOMO ATTEMPT TO RESTORE TUITION ASSISTANCE FOR INCARCERATED NEW YORKERS, I THINK BACK IN 2014.

AND HE GAVE THAT UP PRETTY QUICKLY BECAUSE HE SAW BIPARTISAN OPPOSITION TO IT.

WHAT SORT OF COMMITMENT DO YOU EXPECT TO SEE FROM GOVERNOR HOCHUL ON THIS ISSUE.

>> SO, YOU KNOW, IT'S FUNNY BECAUSE I JUST FINISHED CRITICIZING THE GOVERNOR FOR BEING SORT OF WISHY WASHY.

I ACTUALLY THINK THIS POLICY, THIS SOUNDBITE, IT'S THE BOLDEST THING SHE ROLLED OUT IN THE STATE OF THE STATE OF THE STATE BECAUSE YOU ARE NOT WINNING MANY VOTES FOR TUITION ASSISTANCE PROGRAMS FOR PEOPLE IN JAIL BUT IT ABSOLUTELY IS THE RIGHT THING TO DO AND WE KNOW IT HELPS WITH RECIDIVISM.

IT HELPS KEEP PEOPLE OUT OF JAIL OR GOING BACK TO JAIL, WHICH IS WHAT YOU ARE SUPPOSED TO BE DOING FROM A PUBLIC POLICY STANDPOINT.

I WOULD SAY THIS ABOUT GOVERNOR HOCHUL IN GENERAL, AND I THINK IT WILL HOLD TRUE FOR THIS ISSUE AS WELL.

SHE IN HER TIME IN OFFICE, HAS BEEN INCREDIBLY DECISIVE.

SHE MAKES DECISIONS, SHE COMES OUT PUBLICLY AND SAYS THIS IS WHERE I'M GOING TO STAND.

AND I THINK IT IS A HUGE DEPARTURE FROM WHERE WE WERE WITH GOVERNOR CUOMO WHO, I THINK HE HAD A CERTAIN REPUTATION IN ALBANY BUT AT THE SAME TIME FOR FOLKS WHO SORT OF DEALT WITH LEGISLATIVE ISSUES, HE WAS INCREDIBLY INDECISIVE AND HE WOULD ALLOW ISSUES TO FESTER AND HE WOULDN'T TAKE A POSITION AND HE WOULD SAY THE LEGISLATURE CAN DECIDE THIS BUT HE WOULDN'T PUT HIS THUMBS ON THE SCALES TOO OFTEN UNTIL HE FELT HE COULD GET A WIN OUT OF IT.

GOVERNOR HOCHUL IN HER SHORT TERM IN OFFICE HAS COME OUT AND SAID WE ARE GOING TO DO THIS AND DO THIS AND IT'S BEEN CERTAIN THINGS THAT THE GOVERNOR, THE PREVIOUS GOVERNOR WOULDN'T WEIGH IN ON SO I THINK THIS IS AN EXAMPLE OF THAT DECISIVENESS.

SHE SAW SOMETHING, WHETHER IT WAS POLITICAL OR WHETHER IT WAS A PUBLIC POLICY DECISION, SHE HAS SEEN SOMETHING AND WAS DECISIVE ON IT.

I WILL BE VERY SURPRISED IF THAT IS NOT IN THE FINAL BUDGET.

>> REPUBLICANS WHO WE HAVE SPOKEN TO ON THE CAPITOL PRESS ROOM HAVE SAID THIS IS AN ADMIRABLE USE OF FUNDING BUT THEY'RE UNCOMFORTABLE INVESTING MONEY IN INCARCERATED NEW YORKERS AND THEIR HIGHER HIGHER EDUCATION ASPIRATIONS BEFORE EVERY NEW YORKERS OUTSIDE OF THE CORRECTION SYSTEM CAN OBTAIN A SECONDARY AGREE IF THEY WANT ONE.

IS THAT THE RIGHT MESSAGING THAT REPUBLICANS SHOULD BE TAKING RIGHT NOW OR SHOULD THEY LEAN INTO THIS AND SAY YEAH, IT'S A GREAT PUBLIC SAFETY PLAN?

>> WELL, TIMING IS EVERYTHING, RIGHT?

AND I THINK, UNFORTUNATELY, THE REALITY RIGHT NOW IS THAT PUBLIC SAFETY IS TOP OF MIND, SO THAT'S WHAT PEOPLE ARE DISCUSSING.

AND THEN WHEN YOU HEAR AT THE SAME TIME YOU KNOW, PEOPLE IN JAIL ARE GETTING THESE BENEFITS, IT'S A TOUGH ARGUMENT TO MAKE THIS THIS TIME BUT MAKE THE REPUBLICANS ARE TELLING YOU, I THINK YOU WILL FIND BIPARTISAN SUPPORT FOR, YOU KNOW STARTING WITH THE AGREEMENT, I AGREE WITH REBECCA THAT I THINK YOU WILL FIND BIPARTISAN SUPPORT AND ON CRIMINAL JUSTICE REFORM, IT'S NOT JUST BAIL REFORM.

THERE ARE PLENTY OF OTHER THINGS APPROPRIATE SENTENCING, YOU KNOW, AN EXAMPLE FROM YEARS PAST IS THE ROCKEFELLER DRUG REFORM LAWS.

YOU SEE NATIONAL REPUBLICANS TAKING UP THIS ISSUE AS WELL, EVEN THE PEOPLE WHO ARE TALKING ABOUT CRIMINAL JUSTICE REFORM.

YOU MAY NOT AGREE WITH THEIR POLICIES BUT IT'S SOMETHING THAT THERE IS SHARED VALUES AND CAN FIND COMMON GROUND.

BUT THIS IS A TOUGH ISSUES AND REPUBLICANS ARE ATTACKING IT NOW BECAUSE I THINK YOU SEE DISINVESTMENT IN PUBLIC SAFETY AND MORE INVESTMENT IN SOME OF THESE OTHER PRIORITIES THAT THE LEGISLATURE AND THE GOVERNOR HAS AND I THINK THAT'S THE, YOU KNOW, THAT'S JUST THE POLITICAL REALITY AS MORGAN HOOK MENTIONED.

THE POLITICAL REALITY IS THERE WAS A RED TIDAL WAVE ON LONG ISLAND WHETHER YOU AGREE, WHETHER YOU THINK IT WAS BASED ON FALSE INFORMATION.

AT THIS POINT THAT DOESN'T MATTER.

REPUBLICANS CAME OUT IN WAVES AND VOTED IN BASICALLY JUST BASED ON BAIL ROORM, WE WON THE NASSAU AND SUFFOLK COUNTY DISTRICT ATTORNEY'S RACES.

THEY RAN SO STRONG WE WON ALL THE OTHER COUNTY WIDE RACES THAT WE FELT WERE GOING TO BE CLOSER.

POLITICAL REALITY IS THAT THIS NEEDS TO BE ADDRESSED FOR BOTH REASONS OF, YOU KNOW, PEOPLE ARE IN DANGER AND FOR REASONS OF POLITICS.

I MEAN IT HAS TO BE ADDRESSED OR THE CORRECTION IS GOING TO COME AND COME IN A BIG WAY.

>> REBECCA.

THIS FOCUS ON TUITION ASSISTANCE FOR INCARCERATED NEW YORKERS AS WELL AS A CAMPAIGN FROM THE GOVERNOR WHERE SHE IS GOING TO PICK UP THE BALL ON CLEAN SLATE NEW YORK, LEGISLATION THAT WOULD SEAL CRIMINAL RECORDS FOR SOME FORKERS ARE THE MAIN SORT OF CONTROVERSIAL CRIMINAL JUSTICE ISSUES THAT THE GOVERNOR HAS BACKED IN HER BUDGET AND STATE OF THE STATE.

SHE HAS NOT, FOR EXAMPLE TAKEN UP SOME OF THE OTHER BIG ISSUES THAT ACTIVISTS ON THE LEFT ARE HOPING INCLUDING MAKING PAROLE ACCESSIBLE FOR OLDER NEW YORKERS, ENDING MINIMUM MANDATORY SENTENCES FOR DRUG EFFORTS.

WHAT DO YOU ANTICIPATE HAPPENING IN IS SHE GOING TO SEE A TON OF PRESSURE FROM THE LEFT AND WILL THE LEGISLATIVE LEADERS PICK UP THE BALL OR LIKE MORGAN IS TALKING ABOUT IN TERMS OF THE POLITICAL REALITIES, WILL THEY SIT ON THEIR HANDS THIS YEAR?

>> I'LL START BY SAYING THAT IT IT WAS, YOU KNOW, WE WERE ENORMOUSLY GRATEFUL TO SEE THESE PROGRAMS IN PLACE, AS MORGAN SAID, RIGHT?

THAT THERE WASN'T A HUGE POLITICAL WIN THERE.

AND IF WE TRULY WANT TO REENVISION PUBLIC SAFETY AND WHAT DECARCERATION LOOKS LIKE, IT HAS TO INCLUDE INVESTMENT IN TRANSITION FROM INCARCERATION TO COMMUNITY.

WE CAN'T BE SUCCESSFUL WITHOUT THAT.

AND SO I DON'T WANT TO MISS A MOMENT TO NOTE ALIGNMENT WITH THE GOVERNOR ON SOMETHING ENORMOUSLY IMPORTANT.

THE REALITY THOUGH IS THAT WE STILL HAVE TOO MANY BLACK AND BROWN NEW YORKERS LANGUISHING IN INCARCERATION UNNECESSARILY.

THEY'RE NOT RISKS TO SOCIETY.

THEY'RE NOT PUBLIC SAFETY RISK AND THAT IS AN ISSUE THAT WE CANNOT CONTINUE TO IGNORE IT IS A REFLECTION OF RACIST SYSTEMS THAT WE CONTINUE TO TRY TO UNDO AND SO WE CAN'T GO ANOTHER YEAR WITHOUT FACTIVE DECARCERATION SYSTEMS.

THE THINGS SHE PROPOSED ARE ENORMOUSLY IMPORTANT TO PREVENTING RECIDIVISM AND REINCARCERATION BUT WE HAVE TO ACTIVELY PURSUE DECARCERATION.

SO I HOPE THAT THE SENATE AND ASSEMBLY FEEL PRESSURE TO MOVE THOSE POLICIES THIS LEGISLATIVE SESSION AND THAT PRESSURE IS FELT BY THE GOVERNOR BECAUSE IT'S LONG OVERDUE IN THIS STATE.

>> WE ARE GOING TO STEP BACK FROM SPECIFIC POLICIES AND LOOK AT THE GOVERNOR'S AGENDA MORE BROADLY BUT FIRST WE ARE GOING TO HEAR HOW THE GOVERNOR DESCRIBED HER 2022 VISION DURING THE STATE OF THE STATE.

>> MY AGENDA REFLECTS MY BELIEF THAT WE CANNOT ALLOW THE VIRUS TO GRIP US SO TIGHTLY THAT IT CONSTRAINS US FROM LOOKING TO THE FUTURE.

LONGING FOR A SIMPLE RETURN TO OUR PRE-PANDEMIC WORLD AND WAY OF LIFE WOULD NOT ONLY BE TIMID AND UNIMAGINATIVE.

IT WOULD IGNORE OUR HISTORY AND GO AGAINST EVERYTHING THAT MAKES NEW YORK, NEW YORK.

IF WE CAN'T EMBRACE THE POSSIBILITIES THAT COME OUT OF TIMES LIKE THESE, THEN WE FAIL TO HONOR THE LEGACY OF THE DARING, VISIONARY NEW YORKERS WHO CAME BEFORE US.

>> REBECCA, THE GOVERNOR AND HER PRESS SHOP HAVE REPEATEDLY CALLED HER BUDGET AND AGENDA BOLD AND HISTORIC.

WE HAVE HEARD FROM LAWMAKERS ON THE LEFT WHO SAY HER VISION IS TOO LIMITED IN SCOPE AND THAT SHE IS NOT MEETING THE MOMENT THAT WE ARE IN IN TERMS OF FISCAL SPENDING AND REALLY TAKING A CRISIS AND CRETEING IT LIKE AN OPPORTUNITY-- CREATING IT LIKE AN OPPORTUNITY.

WHERE DO YOU COME DOWN ON THAT.

>> WE ARE STILL LOOKING FOR THE BOLD PARTS.

>> ZING.

>> THE REALITY IS THAT THERE ARE TWO THINGS AT PLAY HERE, RIGHT?

WE ARE STILL TRYING TO RECOVER FROM A PANDEMIC.

AND WE KNOW THAT PRIOR TO THE PANDEMIC, WE DIDN'T HAVE A NEW YORK THAT WORKED FOR ALL NEW YORKERS AND SO WE SHOULDN'T BE FORMULATING A PLAN THAT GETS US BACK TO WHERE WE WERE, WE SHOULD BE FORMULATING A PLAN THAT BRINGS US TO A PLACER WITH WE NEVER FIND OURSELVES IN THIS SITUATION THAT WE WERE IN IN 2020 AND THANK YOU LOOK AT THE POLICIES AND EXPENDITURES IN THE EXECUTIVE BUDGET, IT DOESN'T MEET THE MOMENT FOR EVERYDAY NEW YORKERS.

WE COULD LOOK AT CHILD CARE.

WE KNOW DURING THE PANDEMIC CHILD CARE OR THE LACK OF ACCESS THEREOF, THAT HAS A HUGE IMPEDIMENT FOR WORKING MOMS, PREDOMINANTLY BLACK AND BROWN MOMS BEING ABLE TO PROVIDE FOR THEIR FAMILIES AND ON AN ISSUE THAT GOVERNOR HOCHUL HAD REALLY CLAMPIONS AND WE HAD A LOT OF FAITH THAT THIS WOULD BE A SHARED WIN.

>> A LOT OF LIP SERVICE.

A LOT OF RHETORIC.

THE EXPENDITURE AND THE MONEY OFFERED AND THE POLICY CHANGES THAT WERE MADE ON WHO WOULD BE ELIGIBLE WAS WHOLLY INSUFFICIENT.

WHEN WE LOOK AT THE HOUSING CRISIS THAT WAS EXPERIENCED DURING THE PANDEMIC, THE PROPOSALS IN THE EXECUTIVE BUDGET ARE LITERALLY GOVERNOR CUOMO 2.0.

ALMOST IDENTICAL.

SO, YOU KNOW, WITHOUT GOING INTO TOO MANY MORE EXAMPLES,WE ARE STILL LOOKING FOR THE BOLD TRANSFORMATIVE PIECES OF THIS AND WE ARE REALLY HOPEFUL THAT THE ONE HOUSE BUDGET RECOGNIZE THE OPPORTUNITY THAT WE HAVE WITH THE SURPLUS OF THIS YEAR TO REALLY NOT JUST GET US BACK TO WHERE WE WERE BUT PLACE US ON A PATH THAT, IF THERE IS ANOTHER CRISIS, WE DON'T END UP WHERE WE DID.

>> IF I KNOW MY LEGISLATIVE LEADERS, I'M SURE THE ONE HOUSE BUDGETS WILL REPRESENT TONS OF LIBERAL PRIORITIES AND BILLIONS OF DIGSAL SPENDING BUT OBVIOUSLY WHERE THE RUBBER MEETS THE ROAD IS HOW THEY THEN PROCEED DOWN THE FINAL STRETCH HEADING INTO THE MARCH 31 BUDGET DEADLINE.

BUT MORGAN, AS YOU THINK ABOUT THIS BUDGET AND WHETHER IT IS BOLD AND HISTORIC AND, YOU KNOW, I WANT TO HIGHLIGHT THE CHILD CARE ISSUE BECAUSE WHAT THE GOVERNOR IS PROPOSING, FOR EXAMPLE, IS ELEVATING CHILD CARE SUBSIDIES FROM PEOPLE WHO MAKE 200% OF THE FEDERAL LEVEL TO 300% OF THE FEDERAL POVERTY LEVEL WHICH IS NOT UNIVERSAL CHILD CARE AND WHICH IS NOT SOMETHING SHE PROPOSING TO DO IN ONE YEAR.

SHE WANTS TO PHASE IT IN OVER THREE YEARS, WHICH COSTS A LOT LESS THAN THE $5 BILLION THAT UNIVERSAL CHILD CARE WOULD TAKE.

AND THE SAME THING YOU COULD SAY ON HIGHER EDUCATION.

SHE WANTS TO EXPAND ACCESS TO SUNY AND CUNY BUT SHE DOESN'T, YOU KNOW, GO SO FAR AS TO MAKE SUNY AND CUNY FREE.

WHAT DO YOU THINK OF THE RESPONSE?

IS THERE POLITICAL REASON THAT WE ARE SEEING THIS, IS THIS JUST GOOD GOVERNMENT?

WHAT ARE YOUR THOUGHTS?

>> MY FIRST THOUGHT AND I'M SURE CHAPIN AGREES WITH ME AS FORMER PRESS OFFICERS, BOLD AND HISTORIC ARE OUR FAVORITE WORDS TO INCLUDE IN HEADLINES.

EVERYTHING IS BOLD AND HISTORIC.

LOOK, I THEIR THAT-- I THINK THAT SPECIFICALLY WITH REGARDS TO CHILD CARE, IT CONTINUES TO BAFFLE ME THAT WE LIVE IN A COUNTRY THAT IS SO FAR BEHIND THE REST OF THE WORLD WHEN IT COMES TO LIKE PAID FAMILY LEAVE AND HOW WE TAKE CARE OF CHILDREN AND MOTHERS, LIKE WE ARE BEHIND AFGHANISTAN WHEN IT COMES TO STUFF LIKE THIS.

>> THAT MAY OR MAY NOT BE AN EXAGGERATION.

>> THAT MAY OR MAY NOT BE AN EXAGGERATION.

PROBABLY IS.

SO SOME OF THIS, I GUESS I'LL PLAY THE ROLE OF THE CYNIC THEY'RE FLUSH WITH CASH WHAT CAN WE DO THIS YEAR THAT WE CAN BASICALLY SAY THAT WE HAVE ADDRESSED THIS THIS GOOD PUBLIC POLICY PRIORITY, WE CAN PUT OUT A REALLY GOOD PRESS RELEASE THAT SAYS BOLD AND HISTORIC BUT MAYBE ISN'T GOING TO COST $5 BILLION EVERY YEAR IN THE OUT YEAR GAPS FOR THE BUDGET AND THEN HAVE TO PAY THE PRICE ON THAT FIVE YEARS DOWN THE ROAD AND SMALL BUSINESS LOBBY IS GOING TO KILL US IN THE MID TERMS THOSE ARE THE TYPES OF CALCULATIONS THAT GO INTO WHEN YOU ARE MAKING POLICIES LIKE THIS AND IT IS UNFORTUNATE BECAUSE I MEAN IT'S FORTUNATE AND UNFORTUNATE PART OF THE TWO PARTY SYSTEM IN AMERICAN POLITICS IS THAT THE ONE PARTY OUT OF POWER SAYS YOU ARE DOING THIS WRONG OR THIS IS A BAD PRIORITY AND THE PARTY IN POWER HAS TO THINK ABOUT IT IN CONTEXT.

SOME OF THAT IS WHAT WE ARE SEEING HERE WE WILL GIVE IT ENOUGH TO SAY WE DID IT BUT MAYBE NOT ENOUGH SO THAT WE ARE CRITICIZED AT THE OTHER END.

>> GIVE US A THUMB'S UP IF YOU THINK THE BUDGET TAXES TOO MUCH AND SPENDS TOO MUCH THAT'S WHERE WE HAVE TO END IT.

UNFORTUNATELY THANK YOU FOR WRAPPING UP WITH US QUICKLY.

YOU HAVE BEEN WATCHING CONNECT NEW YORK.

I WANT TO THANK OUR PANELISTS FOR JOINING US I WANT TO THANK OUR PANELISTS FOR JOINING US - CITIZEN ACTION'S REBECCA GARRARD - SKD KNICKERBOCKER'S MORGAN HOOK - AND LIGHTHOUSE PUBLIC AFFAIRS CHAPIN FAY.

AND TO THE VIEWERS - THANKS FOR WATCHING - I HAD A LOT OF FUN - LET'S DO THIS AGAIN NEXT MONTH.