Transcript: Mayor Mamdani Announces New Mayor’s Fund Board, Including Bronx Public School Teacher and Former Longshoreman
Zohran Mamdani on NYC Mayor's Office transcripts.
Passages
Good morning, everyone. It is a pleasure to be together to mark a new era of public-private partnership. Before I announce our administration's vision for the Mayor's Fund to advance New York City, I would like to first thank my chief of staff, Elle Bisgaard-Church, and the new board members for joining us here today. I would also like to thank Kate Smith, the executive director of the Mayor's Fund, for her long-time commitment to its success. We are grateful that she is staying on through this next chapter to continue its good work. And lastly, thank you to the funding partners who are in the room with us, as well as those who couldn't make it today, for all you do to support this city that we love. Our administration holds an unwavering conviction that government can provide both public goods and public excellence, from filling more than 102,000 potholes across our city to delivering on universal child care to affordable groceries. And we also know that philanthropy has long played an essential role in New York City as an incubator for change and as a powerful tool to expand access to city programs. I like to think of it this way. Government is driving the race car, and philanthropy is there to give it that turbo boost to cross the finish line. Or if you are a Mario Kart fan, government is Yoshi, and philanthropy is the golden mushroom, [the] edge we need to beat Bowser on the Rainbow Road. To belabor this metaphor even further, Bowser is corporate greed in this scenario. In all seriousness, when I think of the Mayor's Fund, I think of New Yorkers from every industry, every borough, coming together. I think of the vision that has defined some of our city's most ambitious initiatives. Initiatives like the Summer Youth Employment Program, also known as SYEP, the largest and longest-running summer jobs program in the country. This is a prime example of a partnership that serves all New Yorkers, from the young people who earn money at jobs that interest them, to the employers who have an extra helping hand, to the community members who benefit from those businesses. And it's made possible with philanthropic dollars through the Mayor's Fund, the 501(c)(3) that has formalized the partnership between City government and philanthropy since 1994. As we bring a new era of ambitious governing to City Hall, we will bring that same commitment to excellence to the Mayor's Fund. As we do so, our first order of business will be assembling a board with a deep understanding of the needs of working New Yorkers, one that has taught in our schools, hauled shipments on our docks and paid dues to our unions. Today, I am proud to announce the person chairing that board will be my chief of staff, Elle Bisgaard-Church. Elle brings a mix of passion, competence and a deep love for New York City to everything that she does. She will deliver a fresh sense of purpose and direction to the Mayor's Fund as it advances our administration's larger vision for what is possible here in New York City. There is no one who works harder for working people. As my former roommate, State Senator Jabari Brisport, once put it, “I don't know when she sleeps.” In many ways, this will mark a continuation of Elle's work as chief of staff. As we work with partners on the Mayor's Fund, we will target funding that advances many of the goals we have pursued from City Hall. Addressing food insecurity, keeping our communities safe and setting ourselves on a path to universal child care for New York's cutest aged six weeks and up. Our newly created Child Care Action Fund will be a cornerstone of our work in building out our universal child care infrastructure. And it is the answer to a question I know many have been asking. Since I began my run for mayor, I have heard from New Yorkers all over the city, excited by the idea of universal child care, who want to get involved in the effort to make it a reality. And I've heard from philanthropists, foundations and business leaders who rightly recognize the benefits that universal child care will compound. That they will be measured in children with better educational outcomes, in parents that can return to the workforce and in a local economy supercharged by top talent able to not only move to New York City because they can finally imagine it, but also because they could finally afford to build a family and a life here. To those people who want to help, I say the Child Care Action Fund is your way to get involved. This fund will help us build the infrastructure necessary to make universal child care accessible to every New Yorker who needs it. To that end, we have set the ambitious goal of raising $20 million in 2026. And today, I'm so proud to be joined here by so many to announce that we are already well on our way. More than $3.5 million have already been committed to this fund. This partnership already stands on a strong foundation. These funds will go towards five key priorities: the first, family outreach and engagement; the second, direct support for providers; the third, workforce development; the fourth, physical capacity building; and the fifth and final, research and innovation. I want to say thank you once again to the philanthropic organizations who have already committed to this work. The Marguerite Casey Foundation, NYC Forward Fund and Robin Hood for their direct support. We look forward to adding more names and organizations to that list. And let me be clear, the Child Care Action Fund is just one of several initiatives that will work to boost the ambitious goals of our administration. It will provide the opening for private-public partnerships that have done so much good in this city already. As the old proverb goes, “If you want to go fast, go alone. If you want to go far, go together.” New York City, let's show the rest of the world what it looks like when we can go far together. Thank you very much. And with that, I will pass it over to our new chair, Elle Bisgaard-Church.
Zohran MamdaniCheck at the source A lot of people ask me about jumping in the swimming pool. I'm going to get back to you soon.
Zohran MamdaniCheck at the source So, on the first question, I'll tell you that that is going to be one of the first tasks of this new board is to take a look at not just the current commitments, but the prior commitments and to see what the status of all of that is, as well as the allocations that had been made or had not been made, and then get back to you on that. And then on the 990 question, I'm going to be honest, I think we're going to have to get back to you on that question.
Zohran MamdaniCheck at the source I think the beauty of this opportunity is a chance to supplement the immediate needs that we are delivering on through this $1.2 billion partnership with the governor. When we went through the five focuses of what this Child Care Action Fund will do, it also speaks to the medium and long-term needs of this city, and also the importance of bringing in more New Yorkers to inform those needs. I'll just bring Emmy up to the microphone to share a little bit additional to that.
Zohran MamdaniCheck at the source So, I will first start with the first question. You know, I think it is worthy of celebration when we work together with the governor to put forward a proposal that will raise a half billion dollars every year by taxing the wealthiest of the wealthy. And just to give a sense of who we're talking about when we speak about a taxation of secondary properties that are owned by non-resident New Yorkers, we're speaking about Saudi billionaire Fawaz Alhokair, who purchased a $95 million penthouse at 432 Park. We're speaking about a Russian auto dealer, Alexander Varshavsky, who purchased a $20.5 million property, all in cash. We're talking about the levels of wealth that are storing themselves here in New York City, all at the time at which our city is facing a generational fiscal crisis. So, I think that this is something worthy of celebration as part of the work that we are doing together with the governor. And we know that the budget conversations continue. We anticipate that they will continue for the next few weeks. And frankly, it is refreshing to be working with the governor and legislative leaders, all of whom are committed to the long-term well-being of this city. And to the second question, you know, I think that it is critically important that body-worn camera footage be made public. And I think it's important for New Yorkers to be able to see for themselves and make their own judgments. I know the investigation is ongoing. And as it proceeds, we will continue to share updates as appropriate. I haven’t seen it.
Zohran MamdaniCheck at the source Absolutely. The administration of this tax is as important as the introduction of it. And that is why we celebrate it, is not only because of it as an idea, but because of our confidence in its ability to raise at least $500 million for the city on an annual basis. And I will also say this, that there are times in politics where political concerns are dressed up as practical and procedural ones, and they mask a lack of political will. And it is something that is incredibly heartening to be working with the governor to deliver on something that had been stonewalled for so many years, and yet so many New Yorkers thought it was the kind of common-sense solution to the inequality that we're seeing.
Zohran MamdaniCheck at the source I think all of the top minds in City Hall who have to do with property tax collection and the administration of these kinds of taxes, they have been at the heart of these conversations, and there's a confidence in not only that this will be a part of how we balance our budget, but that we will actually be able to collect this kind of money.
Zohran MamdaniCheck at the source So, look, I think first and foremost, I'll say that I made the decision to run for mayor, and in doing so, become an incredibly public figure. And this is also a decision that then has ramifications for those that I love and those that are around me. My wife made the decision to be an artist. And I think that these kinds of questions are part and parcel of what is coming with myself being the mayor of the city. But at the end of the day, it is my decision to be in this position. It is my responsibility to the people of New York City. I am grateful that much of the questions that she faces are also questions about her artistry and the work that she does, because that is also who she is. You know, she shared some of her reflections in this interview. I won't add much to them. What I will say, however, is that she is someone of incredible integrity. She's someone that I am lucky to be able to call my wife and that I am proud of her each and every day.
Zohran MamdaniCheck at the source I think that the first order of business that we have is the investigation into that video. And I know that is something that is continuing. I've shared my thoughts on the fact that it is not only incredibly disturbing but also unacceptable. And that investigation, as it continues, these two detectives have been placed on modified duty. And as we have updates in that investigation, and they are ones to share with the public, then I will do so. When it comes to delivering on the needs of any community across the city, I have confidence in the NYPD's ability to do so. Because as we know, these are concerns that we can see our approach to public safety have [been] effective at addressing at a larger sense. But the work always continues on a day-to-day basis.
Zohran MamdaniCheck at the source I think what I'll share is that what I've heard much of in these last few days, the first concern that I've heard from so many across the community is about the health and wellness of that individual. And I am heartened to hear that he is healing at home. I think that that is where our priority has to be. And then as we address that, to also address longer-standing community concerns, absolutely.
Zohran MamdaniCheck at the source I would say that regardless of a vote count, I will always consider pieces of legislation independently, no matter if they're introduced as a package or voted on together, and that I will continue to consider the options that we have. I've heard from a number of New Yorkers about their concerns about aspects of this legislation. And I will be making a decision on that shortly. As you said, the deadline is at the end of next week. And we'll then share that publicly. I think at this time, it's more about incorporating those concerns in the discussion we're having internally and then coming to a decision on the basis of that. Thank you.
Zohran MamdaniCheck at the source I think first I would say that I blame Trae Young. And I think it's always important to blame Trae Young. Look, I think that we have seen sports become more and more of a luxury commodity. And that is not what it always used to be. My political mentor is Bernie Sanders. And Bernie Sanders has shared time and again that one of the moments where he realized just how broken this political system is was when he saw the Dodgers be taken away from Brooklyn. And I think it just speaks to the many ways in which New Yorkers, time and again, are being pushed out of the very things that give them so much joy. I am still confident and hopeful of a championship this year. I do wish, however, that all of these tickets were far more affordably priced. And, you know, I think that there are many New Yorkers for whom the game is something that is celebrated across the entire city. When the Knicks do well, you feel it across this whole city. And it's not just for those who can afford to go to the game.
Zohran MamdaniCheck at the source I think that every single owner of a sports team across the country needs to be doing more to make their tickets more affordable. Truly.
Zohran MamdaniCheck at the source I am speaking to you a few months into serving as our city's mayor after having inherited what was initially a $12 billion fiscal deficit. It was not a deficit that was created by an external set of circumstances. It was not the Great Recession that was affecting the entire country. This was a deficit that was created by City Hall. And so, it is hard to have all that much of appreciation for a predecessor when you are looking at systemic under-budgeting of long-term expenses that drive a city to face a generational fiscal crisis and to not even have the honesty about that level of deficit. It is one that means we have to clean this up even though it was created far before we were here. And that is the responsibility of leadership and that is what comes with this position. But it also means that my opinions about the mayor have not changed. ###
Zohran MamdaniCheck at the source
Every passage above is taken from this recording: NYC Mayor's Office transcripts, Transcript: Mayor Mamdani Announces New Mayor’s Fund Board, Including Bronx Public School Teacher and Former Longshoreman.