>> TONIGHT, WHAT'S THE BEST WAY FOR THE U.S.

TO HELP IRANIAN PROTESTERS?

REPUBLICANS COME TO THE DEFENSE OF THE FEDERAL RESERVE CHAIR.

AND THE GOVERNOR'S PLAN FOR UNIVERSAL CHILD CARE STAY TUNED FOR INSIGHTS FROM THE PROFESSORS COMING UP NEXT, ON "IVORY TOWER."

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

THANK YOU FOR JOINING US.

I'M NINA MOORE OF COLGATE UNIVERSITY AND YOUR NEW HOST OF "IVORY TOWER."

THE PROFESSORS AROUND THE TABLE TONIGHT ARE .

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TARA ROSS OF ONONDAGA COMMUNITY COLLEGE RICK FENNER OF UTICA UNIVERSITY LUKE PERRY, ALSO OF UTICA UNIVERSITY AND CHAD SPARBER OF COLGATE UNIVERSITY.

THE DEATH TOLL IN IRAN CONTINUES TO CLIMB AMID THE BRUTAL GOVERNMENT CRACKDOWN ON PROTESTERS.

THE PROTESTERS TOOK TO THE STREETS IN DECEMBER-- FIRST TO PROTEST CRIPPLING PRICES -- BUT THEN CAME WIDER CALLS FOR POLITICAL CHANGE, EVEN FOR A NEW SUPREME LEADER.

SO FAR MORE THAN 2400 ARE DEAD AND 17000 ARRESTED.

BACK HERE AT HOME, PRESIDENT TRUMP TOLD IRANIANS TO KEEP PROTESTING, TO TAKE OVER INSTITUTIONS AND TO TAKE NAMES.

TRUMP ALSO PROMISED THAT 'HELP IS ON ITS WAY,' BUT WITHOUT SAYING WHAT THAT HELP MIGHT BE... AT LEAST NOT AS OF THIS TAPING EARLIER DURING THE DAY ON FRIDAY.

TARA, SHOULD THE PRESIDENT DO ABOUT THE SITUATION IN IRAN?

>> NOTHING MORE THAN HE HAS ALREADY DONE.

QUITE FRANKLY, RIGHT NOW, THE UNITED STATES DOESN'T HAVE AN END GAME.

IT'S UNCLEAR WHO WOULD BE THE LEADERSHIP IF KHOMEINI WAS TAKEN OUT OF POWER OR IF HIS POWER WAS SEVERELY WEAK INNED AND THERE ARE NUMEROUS FACTIONS WITHIN IRAN THAT ARE NOT WORKING TOGETHER.

WHILE THERE ARE LOTS OF PROTESTING, THE FACTIONS ARE NOT WORKING TOGETHER, SO IF KHOMEINI IS WEAKENED OR ELIMINATED, WHICH FAXES TAKES OVER OR DOES THE COUNTRY DEVOLVE INTO A GREATER CIVIL WAR?

SO NOTHING.

>> SO JUST TO FOLLOW UP, THE FORMER IRANIAN CROWN PRINCE, HE SAID HE IS READY TO TAKE OVER IN THE EVENT THERE IS AN OUSTER.

>> PALAVE SOUNDS GOOD BECAUSE HE IS GOOD IN HIS LIFE EXPERIENCE.

HE LEFT THE COUNTRY WHEN THE SHAH WAS DETHRONED AND HAS BEEN IN THE UNITED STATES MOST OF HIS ADULT LIFE.

WESTERN EDUCATED.

HE LOOKS REALLY GOOD.

BUT THERE IS A PROBLEM HERE.

WHILE HE HAS A CERTAIN LEVEL OF SUPPORT IN THE COUNTRY, HE HAS NOT MADE ANY EFFORT TO REACH OUT TO THE MINORITY GROUPS LIKE THE CURDS OR THE TURKS.

THERE ARE OTHER FACTIONS THAT WOULD COMPETE WITH HIM FOR LEADERSHIP.

AND HIS PLAN FOR LEADERSHIP BASICALLY HAS HIM APPOINTING PEOPLE INTO THE JUDICIARY, TO SOME SORT OF RULING COUNCIL.

HE SAYS IT WOULD BE TEMPORARY UNTIL ELECTIONS COULD BE HELD.

BUT THERE IS NO GUARANTEE OF THAT.

>> BUT, LUKE, THE SUPREME LEADER DOESN'T SOUND LIKE HE IS BACKING DOWN.

SO I WONDER IF A DIPLOMATIC SOLUTION WOULD WORK, IF HE IS SAYING THAT HE HAS NEUTRALIZED THE PROTESTORS AND IS ACTUALLY CALLING THEM DOMESTIC MERCENARIES.

>> I THINK THE PROSPECTS OF A DIPLOMATIC SOLUTION LED BY THE UNITED STATES ARE QUITE SMALL.

WE HAVE NO LEVERAGE OVER IRAN.

WE HAD A TIT FOR TAT AT THE UNITED NATIONS.

THEY DON'T WANT TO LISTEN TO US.

THEY DON'T NEED TO LISTEN TO US.

THEY DON'T CARE WHAT WE HAVE TO SAY.

AND I THINK TRUMP TELLING THE PROTESTORS TO KEEP PROTESTING THAT HELP IS ON THE WAY IS SUICIDE.

A DANGEROUS MISSION.

MOST OF THE IRANS ARE YOUNG.

THEY TOOK TO THE STREETS SPORADICALLY IN TERMS OF NOT BEING ORGANIZED AND IT'S DANGEROUS TO ENCOURAGE THEM TO BE DOING THAT WITHOUT ASSISTANCE WHEN THEY'RE GETTING SLAUGHTERED.

THE BEST THING AMERICA CAN DO IS TO WORK CLANDESTINELY TO TRY TO ENGAGE IN CYBER WARFARE AND OTHER COVERT OPS THAT CAN HELP DESTABILIZE THE REGIME AND ENCHANCE THE SAFETY OF THE PROTESTORS BUT NOT OUTRIGHT INVASION OR DEPOSITION.

>> THE ONLY THING I TAKE ISSUE ON THERE, I READ AN ARTICLE AT .

ONE REASON WE HAVE COME BACK FROM THE BRINK OF MILITARY INTERVENTION IS BECAUSE IRAN AGREED NOT TO EXECUTE THE PROTESTORS THAT THEY HAVE IN PRISON.

SO WHETHER YOU CALL THAT LEVERAGE OR WHATEVER, IRAN SEEMS TO BE DOING SOMETHING THAT THE U.S.

HAS ARGUED THAT THEY WANTED.

ONE OF THE INTERESTING THINGS ABOUT THIS IDEA OF USING MILITARY ACTION HERE IS A.: WE DON'T HAVE ANY AIRCRAFT CARRIER ANYWHERE NEAR THERE.

THE CLOSEST ONE IS IN THE SOUTH CHINA SEA.

AND B. LIKE EVERYBODY IN THE REGION, TO INCLUDE NETANYAHU HAS SAID PLEASE DON'T INTERVENE MILITARILY.

SO THE IDEA OF A MILITARY STRIKE RIGHT NOW, I THINK THAT'S OFF THE TABLE, ESPECIALLY WITH ISRAEL SAYING PLEASE DON'T GO.

>> I WOULD JUST SAY THE REGIME IS NOT TRUSTWORTHY IN TERMS OF WHAT THEY SAID AND THERE IS A MEDIA BLACKOUT.

THEY CAN BE DOING WHATEVER THEY WANT TO BE DOING.

WE DON'T KNOW.

>> THE NEXT QUESTION IS WHILE IT APPEARS THAT THE RHETORIC FROM TRUMP HAS WORKED IN TERMS OF AT LEAST POSTPONING THE EXECUTIONS, WHAT HAPPENS IF THEY REVERSE COURSE AND THEY DO EXECUTE THE PROTESTORS?

BUT I AGREE WITH EVERYONE ELSE.

I DON'T THINK MILITARY ACTION IS WARRANTED.

YOU KNOW, I THINK TRYING TO OPEN UP COMMUNICATIONS, USING STAR LINK OR WHATEVER WAYS, YOU KNOW, THAT IS GOING TO BE A BENEFICIAL BUT I AGREE WITH LUKE.

I THINK WE HAVE STARTED TO PROMISE A WHOLE LOT MORE THAN WE CAN DELIVER.

BOY, TRUMP ADMINISTRATION, A FIRST FOR THEM ON THAT, ISN'T IT?

BUT I REALLY THINK THAT WE ARE TREADING ON DANGEROUS GROUND THERE BY LEADING THE PEOPLE OF IRAN TO THINK THAT WE ARE COMING TO THE RESCUE IN SOME WAY.

>> THE PROBLEM WITH THE STARLINK IDEA IS THAT STARLINK REQUIRES PHYSICAL TERMINALS ON THE GROUND AND THAT'S SOMETHING IRAN PURSUES WITH FERVOR.

AND IF YOU ARE CAUGHT WITH THESE THINGS, THEN EXECUTION IS ON THE TABLE.

SO THERE IS A LOT OF DANGER ON THAT.

I THINK SORT OF A INSURRECTION ACT.

GIVING THE MIDDLE FINGER TO-- NO, THERE IS NO IRONY THERE.

HE IS BEING,-- HE IS MORE WILLING TO ACCEPT PROTESTS OF GOVERNMENT OVERSEAS AND SO THIN SKINNED HIMSELF.

I HAD TO GET THAT OUT THERE.

>> POINT WELL TAKEN, BUT APPLES AND ORANGES, RIGHT?

>> MOST DEFINITELY.

>> HERE YOU HAVE A REGIME THAT IS LITERALLY GOING INTO HOSPITALS AND SHOOTING DOCTORS WATCHING PATIENTS.

AND THE BODIES ARE PILING UP SO EVERYONE AT THE TABLE IS SAYING MAYBE A DIPLOMATIC SOLUTION DEFINITELY NOT MILITARY ACTION.

WHAT ABOUT ECONOMIC SANCTIONS?

>> I THINK THE ECONOMY AND ITS STATUS IS ONE OF THE MAIN REASONS THE PROTESTS ERUPTED.

I DON'T SEE HOW THAT HELPS THE IRAN PEOPLE VERY MUCH UNFORTUNATELY.

>> SANCTIONS IS WHERE WE ARE AT.

OVER THE LAST YEAR IRAN HAS A 40% INFLATION RATE, MORE DEPRECIATION IN THEIR CURRENCY.

THIS IS ALL ABOUT REACTIONS TO THE SANCTIONS.

>> THE ONLY WAY IT WOULD BE SUCCESSFUL, IF IT GOT TO THE POINT WHERE THE IRANIAN PEOPLE REALLY DID WANT REGIME AND WERE WILLING TO SUPPORT REGIME CHANGE AND THAT'S NOT WHERE WE ARE AT YET.

>> AND THAT'S WHERE TARA IS.

WHO IS THE HEIR APPARENT.

>> YES.

>> BUT THERE IS A LITTLE BIT OF SUPPORT FOR CHANGE.

THAT'S HOW IT BALLOONED FROM JUST BEING UPSET ABOUT PRICES TO SOMETHING ELSE.

SO SPEAKING OF THE IRANIAN PEOPLE, THE SAME IS TRUE OF AMERICANS.

I CONTINUE TO BE SOMEWHAT SURPRISED THAT WE ARE WATCHING THE BRUTALITY AND YET THE LATEST POLL SHOWS THAT 70% OF AMERICANS ARE OPPOSED TO MILITARY ACTION.

DO YOU GUYS THINK IT'S FOR THE REASON YOU ALL STATED: THAT THERE IS NO EXIT STRATEGY, PERHAPS IT WON'T WORK OR WE DON'T WANT TO GET BOGGED DOWN IN ANOTHER FOREIGN-- >> THE LATTER.

I DON'T THINK MOST AMERICANS ARE ANALYZING THE FINE POINT OF FOREIGN POLICY TO IRAN.

I THINK THEY ARE TIRED OF BEING AT WAR THIS CENTURY PARTICULARLY IN THE MIDDLE EAST AND WANT NO PART OF THIS.

>> IT IS AN INTERESTING CONTRAST, IRAN VERSUS VENEZUELA.

TRUMP FEELS GOOD ABOUT WHAT HE DID IN VENEZUELA.

OVER HALF OF VENEZUELA SUPPORTS HIS ACTIONS SO HE IS FEELING EMBOLDENED BUT VENEZUELA, WE GOT IN, GOT OUT, NO CASUALTIES, AND IRAN IS NOT-- NO AMERICAN CASUALTIES.

AM I WRONG ON THAT?

>> WE HAD ABOUT 30.

>> I APOLOGIZE AMERICA.

BUT IRAN IS GOING TO BE A FOREVER WAR KIND OF SITUATION.

AND TO TARA'S POINT, WITHOUT AN OBVIOUS LEADER TO TAKE THE PLACE.

>> WE WILL SEE AS THIS SITUATION CONTINUES TO DEVELOP.

MOVING ON.

HE'S BEEN THE TARGET OF A PRESSURE CAMPAIGN BY THE PRESIDENT .

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AND NOW .

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FEDERAL RESERVE BANK CHAIR, JEROME POWELL, MAY BECOME THE SUBJECT OF A CRIMINAL INDICTMENT.

THE JUSTICE DEPARTMENT HAS LAUNCHED AN INVESTIGATION INTO WHETHER POWELL MISLED CONGRESS ABOUT BUILDING COSTS DURING CONGRESSIONAL HEARINGS.

IT'S ACTUALLY REPUBLICAN MEMBERS OF CONGRESS THAT ARE CRYING FOUL THE LOUDEST, INCLUDING MAJORITY LEADER JOHN THUNE.

RICK, WHEN MOST REPUBLICAN LAWMAKERS ARE RELUCTANT TO DISAGREE WITH THE ADMINISTRATION ON MOST OTHER ISSUES, WHY ARE THEY WILLING TO DO SO ON THIS ONE?

>> I THINK JAMES CAR VEAL, THE CLASSIC LINE "IT'S THE ECONOMY, STUPID."

THE REPUBLICANS RAISING MOST OBJECTIONS HAVE THE STRONGEST UNDERSTANDING OF HOW OUR ECONOMY WORKS.

SENATORS FRED TILL IS AND KEVIN CRAMER BOTH SIT ON THE SENATE BANKING COMMITTEE AND IN THE HOUSE, HILL IS THE CHAIR OF THE PHENOMENON SERVICES COMMITTEE.

THEY UNDERSTAND THE IMPORTANCE OF AN INDEPENDENT FEDERAL RESERVE.

THEY KNOW THAT THERE WILL BE CONSEQUENCES FROM THE MARKET.

IF WE DON'T BELIEVE THAT MONETARY POLICY IS BEING DONE IN AN IMPARTIAL MANNER.

DOESN'T MEAN THAT BUSINESS LEADERS ALWAYS LIKE WHAT THE FED DOES, BUT THEY UNDERSTAND THE RATIONALE BEHIND IT.

AND IF THE FEDS LOSE CREDIBILITY, THERE WILL BE A COST AND THAT WILL BE HIGHER INTEREST RATES TO OFFSET THE ADDITIONAL RISK THAT POLITICIZING MONETARY POLICY IS GOING TO BRING ABOUT.

>> CAN YOU SPEAK AT ALL-- AND I HOPE I'M NOT CATCHING YOU OFF GUARD HERE, BUT CAN YOU SPEAK TO WHAT THE MARKET REACTIONS HAVE BEEN SO FAR, JUST WITH THE THREAT OF A CRIMINAL INDICTMENT TO BRING GREATER PRESSURE TO BEAR?

>> I DON'T KNOW-- I HAVEN'T SEEN ANYTHING YET.

I DO BELIEVE THAT IF THIS INDICTMENT GOES FORWARD AND THE PRESSURE WORKS, ONE THING WE ARE GOING TO REALLY NEED TO LOOK AT IS THE FED MEETS AT THE END OF JANUARY, AND SIGNS ARE THAT THEY ARE NOT GOING TO LOWER INTEREST RATES.

I WANT TO SEE WHAT HAPPENS AT THE END OF JANUARY.

>> THERE WAS AN IMMEDIATE EFFECT BUT THEN IT DISAPPEARED.

>> IT BOUNCED BACK.

>> YEAH, TO RICK'S POINT, IT IS HELPFUL TO THINK OF THE FEDERAL RESERVE AS A TECHNOCRATIC INSTITUTION, MUCH LIKE THE SUPREME COURT.

IT'S A CHECK ON THE SORT OF EXCESSES OF DEMOCRACY THAT CAN HAPPEN.

SO YOU CAN IMAGINE A POPULOUS PRESIDENT RUNNING ON A PLATFORM OF LOWER TAXES AND INCREASED WELFARE SPENDING AND THEY GET INTO OFFICE.

BUT THAT MEANS EXTRA DEBT.

AND IF YOU DON'T HAVE AN INDEPENDENT MONETARY POLICY, THERE IS A TEMPTATION TO SORT OF PAY YOUR WAY OUT OF THAT DEBT BY PRINTING MONEY.

THAT'S A DISASTROUS RECIPE FOR HYPERINFLATION.

PRETTY SOON YOU BECOME PERONIVITY ARGENTINA.

THE FEDERAL RESERVE BANK EXISTS AS AN INDEPENDENT AGENCY TO PREVENT THIS FROM HAPPENING.

>> CENTRAL BANKS FROM ACROSS THE GLOBE HAVE ALL COME OUT IN FAVOR OF POWELL.

AND THEY WROTE A LETTER SUPPORTING HIM, ESSENTIALLY MAKING THE ARGUMENT YOU HAVE BOTH MADE THAT INDEPENDENCE IS SO IMPORTANT.

IN DOING SO, DOES ANYBODY THINK THAT THEY RISK THE IRE OF TRUMP BY BEING SO VOCALLY OPPOSED TO HIM WHEN THERE ARE THE TARIFF THREATS OUT THERE AMONG OTHER THINGS?

IS THERE A COST TO THEM STANDING UP?

>> NOT IF YOU ARE UNIFIED, PARTICULARLY ON THAT COMMITTEE.

TOM TILL IS IS RETIRING.

HE DOESN'T REALLY CARE.

THE PARTISAN SPLIT ON THAT COMMITTEE IS 13-11.

SO IF ONE REPUBLICAN GOES TO THE OTHER SIDE, IT WILL BE VIRTUALLY IMPOSSIBLE FOR TRUMP TO GET THE NEXT FED CHAIR CONFIRMED.

SO THEY DO HAVE GEEKY LEVERAGE THEY CAN USE THAT MOST PEOPLE DON'T UNDERSTAND BUT THEY KNOW THAT AND TRUMP KNOWS THAT.

THEY'RE IN THE POWER POSITION HERE.

>> I WOULD LIKE TO ADD AND AGAIN, THIS IS THE SORT OF UNNAMED SOURCE THING.

THERE SEEMS TO BE, WITHIN THE TRUMP ADMINISTRATION, SOME CONCERN ABOUT THE FACT THAT THE U.S.

ATTORNEY GENERAL-- OR ATTORNEY GENERAL JEAN-- JANINE, SHE SEEMS TO HAVE MOVED ON THIS ISSUE QUICKLER THAN THE TRUMP ADMINISTRATION REALLY WANTED HER TO.

SO IN SOME WAYS, THIS ACTUALLY MIGHT HELP THE TRUMP ADMINISTRATION TO, YOU KNOW, ESPECIALLY IF IT LOOKS LIKE SHE REALLY DOESN'T HAVE THE EVIDENCE TO SUPPORT THIS, TO SORT OF PUSH HER SORT OF OUT THERE AS AN OUTLIER MOVING ON HER OWN.

TRUMP IS GENERICALLY SAYING YEAH, I SUPPORT IT.

POWELL HAS BEEN A PROBLEM.

BUT IF SHE DOESN'T HAVE THE EVIDENCE, THIS ALSO GIVES THE TRUMP ADMINISTRATION THE ABILITY TO SAY, OKAY, SHE'S AN OUTLIER.

SHE IS ROGUE AND TO ENCOURAGE HER TO RESIGN OR SORT OF MOVE INTO A LESS VISIBLE POSITION.

>> I WAS THINKING-- FOR WHATEVER REASON, I WAS THINKING IT WAS PAM BONDI WHO WAS IN TROUBLE.

>> IT WAS JANINE PIRRO.

>> PAM BONDI WAS ALREADY ON THE HOT SEAT FOR BEING WEAK AND INEFFECTIVE AND GOSSIP ABOUT HER AND TRYING TO GET HER OUT OF OFFICE, TOO.

BUT TO ANSWER YOUR EARL EARLIER QEA ABOUT-- QI ABOUT PEOPLE STICKING THEIR NECK OUT.

JAMIE DIAMOND, THE HEAD OF J.P.

MORGAN, THE BIGGEST BANK IN THE UNITED STATES.

HE IS SOMEBODY WHO HAS COME OUT IN FAVOR OF POWELL, AND THAT'S BEEN A RISK BECAUSE HE DOESN'T WANT EXTRA SCRUTINY FROM THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT INTO HIS BANK.

HE IS COMPETING FOR A CONTRACT TO DO THE IPO FOR FANNIE MAE AND FREDDIE MAC.

SO HE HAS GOT MILLIONS OF DOLLARS AT STAKE.

AND YET, THE COURAGE TO SAY, LIKE TRUMP, THIS IS A REALLY BAD IDEA.

>> I WANT TO THROW IN REAL QUICKLY, ONE OF THE ARGUMENTS HERE IS WE ARE PROTECTING TAXPAYER DOLLARS.

THAT'S WHAT THE TRUMP ADMINISTRATION OFFICIALS ARE SAYING.

THE FEDERAL RESERVE USES NO TAXPAYER DOLLARS.

THEY RAISE ALL THE MONEY FROM CHARGING BANKS FOR THEIR SERVICES AND FROM INTEREST.

SO, AGAIN, TRYING TO JUST THROW STUFF AT THE WALL AND SEE WHAT STICKS BUT THEY DO NOT USE TAXPAYER DOLLARS.

>> WELL, I'M SORRY, GO AHEAD.

>> POLITICALLY POWELL IS A REPUBLICAN, TOO.

AND TRUMP PUT HIM IN THAT POSITION.

SO IT'S NOT LIKE-- REPUBLICANS WILL THROW DEMOCRATS UNDER THE BUS BUT ONE OF THEIR OWN THEY KIND OF LIKE IS KIND OF MORE DIFFICULT.

>> HE HAS FOUR MONTHS LEFT AND IT'S SO INSANE TO ME THAT WOULD YOU CHALLENGE HIM.

>> DO YOU THINK HE WILL STAY ON?

>> ON THE BOARD?

>> YEAH.

>> I DON'T KNOW BUT HE IS NOT GOING TO BE CHAIR.

>> HE WILL STAY ON-- WELL NOT AS CHAIR BUT ON THE BOARD ITSELF.

YEAH, JUST SORT OF MAKE THE POINT, RIGHT NOW THAT HE HAS EVERYBODY RALLYING AROUND HIM.

BUT I'M LIKE YOU.

WHY NOT JUST WAIT UNTIL MAY?

HE IS ON HIS WAY OUT THE DOOR.

MAYBE THAT'S WHAT IS GOING TO HAPPEN.

CLOSER TO HOME .

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IT'S CLEAR FROM HER STATE OF THE STATE ADDRESS EARLIER THIS WEEK THAT .

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GOVERNOR KATHY HOCHUL'S BIG-TICKET ITEM FOR THE YEAR IS UNIVERSAL CHILDCARE.

HE GOVERNOR SPOKE OF HOW HER OWN FAMILLY WAS IMPACTED BY CHILD CARE EXPENSES.

SHE SPOKE OF COSTS FOR THE AVERAGE NEW YORKER THAT RANGE BETWEEN $26 AND $40,000 FOR CHILD CARE PER YEAR AND THE GOVERNOR LAID OUT A PLAN TO GUARANTEE PRE-K TO EVERY FOUR-YEAR-OLD IN THE STATE WITHIN FOUR YEARS.

CHAD, WHAT DO YOU THINK OF THE GOVERNOR'S PLAN?

WILL IT BE EFFECTIVE?

DOABLE?

>> I WANT TO SEPARATE THE TWO POLICIES.

SO WITH THE UNIVERSAL PRE-K, WE KNOW IT IS EFFECTIVE.

STATE FUNDED UNIVERSAL PRE-K PROGRAMS DO GENERATE IMMEDIATE TEST SCORE GAINS AND PARTICULARLY FOR LOW INCOME STUDENTS.

BUT, CONTRAST THAT WITH UNIVERSAL CHILD CARE, WHICH IS BASICALLY A SUBSIDY FOR PEOPLE TO OUTSOURCE THE CARE OF THEIR CHILDREN, IF YOUR SUPPLY ON THAT IS RELATIVELY FIXED, THEN THIS SUBSIDY WILL EFFECTIVELY AMOUNT TO A TRANSFER OF AMOUNT TO THE CAREGIVERS.

SO NOT AN EXPANSION IN SERVICE, THOUGHT DECREASED SORT OF FINANCIAL BURDEN FOR THE FAMILIES THEMSELVES.

AND SO THAT'S WHY WHEN IT COMES TO POLICIES LIKE THIS, I SIDE MORE WITH NOBEL LAUREATE CLAUDIA GOLDEN WHO ABOUT FIVE YEARS AGO SAID LOOK, IF THE STATE HAS MONEY, FUNDS AVAILABLE FOR CHILD WELFARE, IT SHOULD PROVIDE CHILD TAX CREDITS BECAUSE AT LEAST THAT MONEY CAN BE USED FOR ANYTHING THAT THE FAMILY MIGHT NEED.

>> BUT HELP ME UNDERSTAND YOUR POINT.

SO YOU SAY IT'S GOING TO BE A TRANSFER TO THE CHILD CARE PROVIDER, BUT IN RETURN FOR THAT, THE PARENT GETS CHILD CARE, WHICH WOULD.

>> THAT THEY DON'T HAVE TO PAY HALF OF THEIR SALARIES FOR.

>> SO A SIMILAR PROGRAM, THINK ABOUT THE 1990S AND 2000 WHEN THE GOVERNMENT INCREASED SUBSIDIES FOR GOING TO COLLEGE, YOU KNOW, I RECEIVED PELL GRANTS AND SUBSIDIZED STUDENT LOANS.

ONE OF THE EFFECTS OF THAT WAS TO INCREASE THE PRICE OF COLLEGE.

SO THERE ARE A LOT OF PEOPLE WHO ARGUE THAT THE REAL EFFECT OF THAT POLICY WAS NOT TO SEND POOR KIDS TO SCHOOL OR REDUCE THE FINANCIAL BURDEN OF ATTENDING COLLEGE.

IT WAS REALLY TO GET AN EXPLOSION IN THE COST OF ATTENDING COLLEGES.

THE COLLEGES THEMSELVES THAT BENEFIT.

THAT'S THE KIND OF THING THAT I'M SAYING WITH THE CHILD CARE SUBSIDY, YOU REALLY RUN THE RISK OF THE BENEFITS GOING TO THE WRONG PEOPLE; THAT THE INTENDED BENEFICIARIES ARE NOT GOING TO BE THE ACTUAL BENEFICIARIES.

>> IF I COULD GO IN A SLIGHTLY DIFFERENT DIRECTION-- AND I DO AGREE, THIS IS A TRANSPORTATION FER.

SO WHILE HOCHUL WAS MAKING FUN OF THE COST OF PRIVATE DAYCARE AND SAID FOR THAT PRICE YOUR TODDLER SHOULD BE FLUENT IN THREE LANGUAGES AND DOING YOUR TAXES.

IF YOU LOOK AT THE NUMBERS, SHE IS CALLING FOR $73 MILLION FOR THE FIRST YEAR TO COVER 2000 SEATS IN NEW YORK CITY'S CHILD 2 PROGRAM.

THAT COMES OUT TO MORE THAN $35,000 A YEAR PER CHILD.

SO SHE IS NOT TALKING ABOUT DOING ANYTHING THAT IS GOING TO LOWER THE COST OR MAKE THIS MORE EFFICIENT.

IT'S SIMPLY TRANSFERRING FROM INDIVIDUALS PAYING TO THE STATE.

AND IT'S INTERESTING, EVEN BRUCE BLAKEMAN WHO IS GOING TO RUN AGAINST HER IS IN SUPPORT OF THIS UNIVERSAL CHILD CARE.

WHAT I'M WORRIED ABOUT IS THE COST, ESPECIALLY DOWN THE ROAD, AT $35,000 PLUS PER CHILD, THIS BECOMES A HUGE BURDEN ON THE STATE.

>> YEAH, BUT GIVEN THE ULTIMATE PAYOFF AND HOW THE BENEFITS REBOUND BACK TO THE STATE AND ITS WORKFORCE, ISN'T THIS IMPORTANT?

I MEAN ISN'T THIS THE SORT OF THING, LUKE, THAT WE WANT TO POUR MORE FUNDS INTO?

>> I THINK SO.

I JUST SPENT FOUR MONTHS IN EUROPE AND THEY'RE AMAZED AT HOW MUCH WE FOCUS ON THE ECONOMY.

WHEN YOU SAID IT WAS THE ECONOMY STUPID, I JUST HEARD MY STUDENTS IN EUROPE SAYING HERE YOU GO AGAIN.

NOT YOU, BUT-- AMERICANS AT LARGE.

AND WE ARE SO INDIVIDUALISTIC.

WE WANT FAMILIES TO HAVE CHILDREN AND WE WANT OUR SOCIETY TO GROW AND REPOPULATE.

WE LIKE TO THINK THAT WE WANT TO TAKE CARE OF CHILDREN.

BUT WE PUT THAT ALL ON INDIVIDUALS TO FIGURE OUT FOR THEMSELVES.

AND THAT DOESN'T MAKE A WHOLE LOT OF SENSE TO ME.

PLUS THE GENDER INEQUITY.

RIGHT?

AS MORE AND MORE WOMEN ARE OUTPERFORMING MEN IN HIGHER EDUCATION, THEY'RE GETTING BETTER JOBS.

THEY'RE POPULATING THE WORKFORCE.

IF A PARENT STAYS HOME, PARTICULARLY A WOMAN, THAT'S TWO, FOUR, SIX, EIGHT YEARS OUT OF THE WORKFORCE THAT THEY HAVE TO RECOUP TO TAKE CARE OF CHILDREN WHICH IS UNFORTUNATE.

>> $35,000 A YEAR PER CHILD SOUND LIKE... >> IF IT ALL PANS OUT LIKE THE GOVERNOR SAID BUT LET'S HEAR FROM TARA.

>> WELL, ONE CONCERN I HAD IS A COST THAT HASN'T BEEN TALKED ABOUT IN THIS.

AND THAT IS WHAT IS THE IMPACT ON THE CHILD CARE PROVIDERS IN TERMS OF, YOU KNOW, MORE REGULATION, IN TERMS OF GETTING QUALIFIED EMPLOYEES, ET CETERA.

>> AND THAT DOES SEEM TO BE THE CHALLENGE, HAVING ENOUGH PROVIDERS.

WELL, THAT'S IT FOR US.

THAT WENT QUICKLY.

SO NOW WE ARE GOING TO TURN TO SERIOUSLY IMPEDE ASSISTANCE TO THE MOST NEEDY, ESPECIALLY VETERANS.

>> RICK.

>> MY F TO THE NEW YORK STATE LEGISLATURE REQUIRING A DISTRICT TO TEACH ABOUT THE JANUARY 6 ATTACK ON THE CAPITOL.

I HAVE BEEN CRITICAL OF THE ATTEMPTS BY LEGISLATORS IN REPUBLICAN STATES TO LIMIT OR PRESCRIBE CURRICULUM LUM.

THIS IS NO DIFFERENT.

EDUCATORS SHOULD DECIDE WHAT IS TAUGHT IN OUR SCHOOLS REGARDLESS OF THE POLITICAL AISLE THEY SIT.

>> CHINESE UNIVERSITIES FOR PASSING AMERICAN UNIVERSITIES TOP GLOBAL RANKINGS.

HARVARD FELL FROM NUMBER ONE IN THE WORLD TO NUMBER 3.

AND SEVEN OF THE 10 TOP UNIVERSITIES IN THE WORLD ARE NOW IN CHINA.

>> CHAD.

>> I SHOULD GIVE MYSELF AN F FOR NOT REALIZING THERE WERE 30 U.S.

CASUALTIES IN THE VENEZUELA FIGHT.

>> LET'S HOPE MY NUMBERS ARE RIGHT ON THAT.

>> MY PLANNED F WAS THAT THE U.S.

HAS TRIED TO PURCHASE GREENLAND SEVERAL TIMES SINCE THE 19th CENTURY, ALWAYS TO BE REFUSED SINCE GREENLAND IS IMPORTANT TO DANISH HISTORY AND NATIONAL IDENTITY.

TRUMP'S CONTINUED AGGRESSION TO DO SOMETHING WHETHER THEY LIKE IT OR NOT IS HEART BREAKING.

AMERICA NEEDS FRIENDS.

WHY TRUST US IF WE BRAZENLY THREATEN ONE OF OUR ALLIES.

>> LET'S GO TO THE AS.

>> DOLLY PART ON'S IMAGINATION LIBRARY FOR ITS 30 YEARS OF PROVIDING FREE BOOKS TO CHILDREN.

THE PROGRAM GIVES FREE BOOKS MONTHLY TO CHILDREN UP TO FIVE YEARS OLD.

THE LIBRARY HAS GIFTED APPROXIMATELY 304 MILLION BOOKS TO CHILDREN WORLDWIDE.

>> RICK.

>> MY A GOES TO THE SPORT OF TENNIS.

EXERCISE OF ALL TYPES IS LINKED TO LONGEST, "NEW YORK TIMES" THIS WEEK REPORTED THAT TENNIS MAY BE THE BEST.

A DANISH STUDY SUGGESTS THAT PLAYING TENNIS ADDS 10 YEARS TO YOUR LIFE SEARCES 5 FOR SOCCER AND 3 FOR RUNNING.

TENNIS REQUIRES FULL BODY EXERCISE, COGNITIVELY DEMANDING AND SOCIAL BENEFITS.

ALL GOOD NEWS TO THIS AVID AND AGING TENNIS PLAYER.

>> DIDN'T SEE THAT COMING.

LUKE.

>> MY A GOES TO UTICA ASSEMBLYMEMBER BUTTENSCHON WHO RECENTLY ANNOUNCED THIS IS HER LAST TERM.

SHE IS A FORMER EDUCATOR WHO HAS BEEN VERY SUPPORTIVE OF UTICA UNIVERSITY STUDENTS OVER THE YEARS.

PARTICULARLY WITHIN POLITICAL SCIENCE, WHICH WE GREATLY APPRECIATE.

>> AND CHAD.

>> MY A GOES TO PODCASTER JOE ROGUE AN WHO COMPARED ICE TO THE GESTAPO SAYING WE SHOULD NOT HAVE MILITARIZED GROUPS OF PEOPLE ROAMING THE STREETS SHOWING UP WITH MASKS ON, SNATCHING PEOPLE UP.

MANY PUNDITS CREDIT'S ROGUE GAUGHRAN INFLUENCE OVER YOUNG MEN IN HELPING TRUMP SECURE THE PRESIDENCY.

LET'S HOPE HE CAN BE SIMILARLY INFLUENTIAL IN CHANGING ICE'S TACTICS.

>> GOING BACK TO YOUR F ABOUT THE SUBSTANCE ABUSE CUTS.

THAT SEEMS JUX 25 TOES-- JUXTAPOSED TO THE EFFORTS IN VENEZUELA BLOWING UP THE BOATS, ET CETERA.

YOUR THOUGHTS ABOUT THAT?

>> IT IS AS IF WE ARE CONCERNED ABOUT NARCO TERRORISTS ON THE ONE HAND BUT NOT CONCERNED ENSURING WE DON'T HAVE A NEED FOR THE NARCO TERRORISTS ON THE OTHER HAND.

>> GETTING RID OF DEMAND AS WELL AS SUPPLY.

THAT'S IT FOR US TONIGHT HERE IN THE STUDIO.

PLEASE EMAIL US AND TELL US WHAT YOU THINK.

RIGHT 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.