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Advocates call on Gov. Hochul to sign LICH Act ahead of deadline

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News 12 Staff

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For being with us on this episode of Power and Politics. Everyone. I'm Amanda Bossard. We just wrapped up one election, but already we're looking ahead to next year when city races will be on the ballot and the big one will be the race for mayor. And we've heard rumblings of some of the names considering, but now we're learning who will officially be running and joining us now is one of them, Michael Blake of right here in the Bronx who launched his campaign for New York City mayor last week, Michael, thanks for being with us and congratulations on the big announcement. I really appreciate it. Good to see you again, Amanda. Thank you for everything. Likewise, you are a familiar face here in the borough, former assembly member who then went on to become vice chair of the DNC. So why this run for mayor and why now? Because our city needs change. Uh We need to have leadership that is focused on how do we create jobs and ensure justice. How do we actually have safety and support our schools? And our entire vision of tomorrow begins today is framed on that as, as you know how much so in the Bronx, I'm born and raised uh ps 79 1 18 D Wood Clinton High School had the honor of being an assembly member for six years, had the honor of working for President Obama at the White House as well. Uh But I came back home to help our city. And so our vision is how do we transform everything that's happening in our city for better, we deserve change. Only 12% of New Yorkers say they want to reelect the mayor. And this is giving them the contrast of what is possible if you want universal child care, if you wanna help your small businesses, if you wanna keep your community safe, you have an alternative. And my name is Michael Blake and that's why I'm asking for your vote for mayor. You touched on some of the issues that are so important to so many New Yorkers right now. What will be some of the priorities that you are especially pushing for throughout this campaign? And how do you hope to get it done if elected? We, we absolutely have to have universal child care. Uh The cost of raising a child in New York City is becoming exorbitant. And when you think about how JFK said in 1958 so long as there's one child without milk or an aged person without a pension and without decent home, uh that is what we are experiencing too critically in New York City right now. So universal childcare, while also having a care economy for women, Children and families, while also expanding my brother's keeper. So that black and brown men feel engaged a part of the process. The fact that Donald Trump went to a barbershop doesn't show that he gets it, but it also shows that too many brothers feel like we don't get it right now. Uh It's about having an actual tax incentive for businesses to come back into the city and inspire them and incentivize them to hire college graduates to come back home as well. And when we do these things, we create an economic opportunity. And so the vision of this is how do we address cost of living, how do we make it very clear that we are a city of immigrants that we embrace our immigrants? But we all can win at the same time. And how do we ensure that you have public safety, public housing and public schools all thrive at the same time? Is there something in particular that you look to do day one of you taking office? Should you ultimately win? Well, we have to be very clear, Amanda that this is an election that whoever wins and it's our hope that it's me that January 1st 2026. At that point, you were responding to 11 months of what been doing in DC. So you need someone who is ready immediately to be a responsive entity and be a moderate with progressive victories immediately. So what does that entail? That means having an approach around the cost of living and I would believe and focus on on day one, how do we have an economic agenda that actually reduces costs, whether be addressing what's happening with milk housing schools and childcare? Which is why I'm, I'm actually focused on universal childcare. Number two, there has to be the economic incentive for businesses to hire New Yorkers, especially those college graduates to come back home. While equally having a focus on middle class housing, it is unfair that you too rich or too poor to make it. So we we have that incentive. Yes, you can create more housing, but we have to have those that are part of the working class to realize those dreams. That is the approach that we have to have. We talked a bit about your resume before. What about all that past experience you just mentioned, do you think will lend itself to doing the job of mayor here in the city? I've been successful at all levels of government. I've been able to be a White House staffer, President Obama, where I led African American outreach and minority business outreach where we created economic opportunities across the country uh successful in the State Assembly. When we think about diversity in medicine where the whether Albert Einstein or other entities to make sure that we have more black and brown people pursue their path when it comes to medicine. When we think about my brother's keeper, we're still the only state in the country that has a program to help boys and young men of color go to school and graduate from school. My bill of the prompt pay bill, it ensures a bipartisan bill that we did to Republican State Senate. So that businesses o under 300 employees get paid in 15 days. So they get paid faster so they can realize their dream. And so the very different experience that I bring is someone who has had success immediately. And we think about the environment that we're going to be in an environment where we do not know what's coming out of DC. We don't know what's happening in the state, who is ready immediately to lead, who can actually say that I will bring all parties together Democrat, independent Republican so that we can all win. You talk about being responsive to what is happening at the federal government level, which will definitely be a need at that point. But what are your thoughts right now on everything that is going on with the city government? We have a historic federal indictment. Uh some sudden resignations just a few months ago. You talk about being the candidate for people who want change. How would you look to turn the tide, so to speak with your administration. Let's be very clear. The city wants change. Uh it's the reason why the poll on October 26th, that only 12% of New Yorkers would reelect the current mayor. Uh, we can't have a mayor that we're wondering about the headlines on if someone else was rated that we're wondering on Saturday night, if they're going to UFC fights to help Donald Trump as opposed to using their nights and mornings and afternoons to actually help you. And so you have a choice. You have a choice which you can have someone who has had a consistent track record of helping the Bronx from PS 79 1 18 to Dick Clinton High School and what I have done in my lifetime or you can go with someone that you literally do not know what they'll be able to do to stand up for you. And if you're wondering what's at stake, consider this on the day that Mayor Adams was on his way and landed in Washington DC for a meeting around migration. He flew back to help his fund raiser who had been raided. He chose his campaign over you. That is not someone that you need right now. You do not know what he will do to make sure he stands on the side of Donald Trump as opposed to standing on your side. Michael Blake. Thank you so much for sharing your vision with us here on power and politics. Thank you so much, Amanda. Still to come, a new law will ban the sale of certain animals at pet shops across the state. What advocates and business owners have to say about it will have more power in politics in just a couple of minutes.

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Welcome back to power and politics and the clock is ticking for pet stores that sell dogs, cats and rabbits starting December 15th, a new law will ban those sales statewide news. Twelve's Edrick Robinson spoke with one Pelham Bay pet shop owner who says this might shutter their family business. It's an end to the sale of puppies like these but not everyone is wagging their tails about it. Well, it's not a fair law. The puppy mill pipeline law was created to stop animals coming from large scale breeders. These facilities often house animals in poor conditions, but that's not happening here at the Crosby Pet Center in Pelham Bay. They say they follow strict rules. All the pups we get are all from USDA licensed breeders. They're all checked, regulated, inspected. Now, Earl says they will comply with the December 15th deadline, but he's worried about what comes next. We also do collect a lot of sales tax, corporation tax, sales tax. We provide jobs if you take that away from us, you're gonna put people or stores out of business for families in the Bronx. Ready to welcome a new pet advocates strongly encourage adoption though you can buy from a licensed breeder customers here, say they love this shop. No, this is a perfect place to showcase them. They're well taken care of and, uh, look what they do to. They did a good job on squeaky. My dog and pet shop owners risk penalties of $1000 per violation. The owner here tells me that this family run business has been here for over two decades now and they're hoping this law is overturned in Pelham Bay. Eric Robinson used to have the Bronx. All right. Something to look ahead to Edric. Thank you, Cathy Hoel announced that workers in New York will get a higher paid family leave starting next year. According to the state's workers compensation board chair beginning January 1st, pregnant workers will get more paid time off for prenatal care under the state's separate paid sick leave program. Now new working moms will get up to 12 weeks of job protected, paid time off to bond with their newborn child. Also, under the 2025 plan, employees taking leave will continue to receive 67% of their average weekly wage. It is that time of year where people are making their list and checking it twice. But holiday shoppers have something else to think about what should they get. Now, in case president elect Trump's proposed tariffs go into effect. Smartphones are a favorite gift during the holidays and experts say now is the time to get one, a recent analysis from the Consumer Technology Association suggests prices could rise by 26% due to proposed tariffs. Other products that will cost more include gaming consoles and laptops. That's all for this week here on power and politics on news 12. Thanks so much for watching.

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Assembly Member Yudelka Tapia and mayoral hopeful Michael Blake join the show. 

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