The NYC Comptroller and The Power of the People

BY ERIN TELESFORD

As abrasive and quicktempered New Yorkers are stereotyped to be, underneath the harsh exterior, the people of New York are some of the most accepting people in the United States. The power that New Yorkers hold in their level of acceptance and push for positive change can influence the attitudes of the rest of the country. NYC's elected Comptroller, Brad Lander, believes the power of the people can change the current housing crisis affecting the city. In an interview with Pearl Phillip, our Editor-in-Chief and Host of People, Power and Politics, Lander explains his role as Comptroller and the agency's goals. As the NYC Comptroller, Lander oversees the fiscal activity of businesses, agencies, and organizations in New York, such as the New York City Housing Authority (NYCHA) and the Department of Corrections (DOC). By September 2022, Lander released data on the DOC and Rikers island, information that had never been made available to the public before, on the NYC Comptroller's website. This information could lead to more discoveries of the hidden parts of the DOC and law enforcement.

Housing Crisis The City Comptroller must audit every city agency to improve government services' quality, efficiency, and integrity. Starting with one of the most immediate and pressing matters facing New York's working class is the housing crisis. Lander states they were able to end the "tax giveaway boondoggle program called 421, a $1.8 billion for-profit developers for almost all luxury housing, in the name of affordable housing, but no real affordable housing." 421A is a tax break program "designed to offset the high cost of building in New York and high property taxes on rental properties," or, in actuality, an exemption that allows developers to skip a payment on property taxes without the required 20% affordable units. Lander worked with the NYCHA to make sure this loophole would be abolished. Lander explains he audited the NYCHA many times and found that "doors aren't locking, the roofs aren't well maintained, the playgrounds aren't in good shape… but the audits don't have the power to require change." Previously, the Comptroller has done town halls, family days, and surveys to involve the community in decision-making. However, change can only be acquired through constant pressure on our government to give leaders like the Comptroller, those who are dedicated to improving the lives of NYC citizens, more power to enforce positive alterations in how these agencies are run. This is where the power of the people is most necessary.

Inflation Reduction Act Another development meant to build change in inequality is the Inflation Reduction Act Biden signed in August. Although the Federal Reserve is attempting to get it under control, inflation is primarily affecting the working class and lowincome people the most. Lander says, "Even though unemployment is down, Black unemployment is still four times the national unemployment rate." People all over the city, the Bronx, and parts of Brooklyn, are struggling due to a lack of opportunities. The Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) is being used to change this by creating jobs. The IRA is focused on climate change, which can mean jobs like solar panel installers, all while the federal government will pay for these panels to be installed. Black and Brown people will benefit from this act if these jobs go to them.

Property Tax Reform Property Tax Reform is another campaign the Comptroller runs to allocate taxes fairly throughout New York. Lander conducted a study on homeowners in "Southeast Queens, Eastern and Central Brooklyn, the Northeast Bronx," places more likely to have Black and Brown people disadvantaged by the property tax rate. Homeowners in Manhattan and Brownstone, Brooklyn pay a lower effective tax rate, "it is a reflection of systemic racism." Lander's plan for change is to make sure every homeowner pays the same effective tax rate. "And if your home is worth more, that means you'll pay more. If your home is worth less, you'll pay less." The Comptroller held press conferences and town halls to gain support, exchange information, and push for change. The voice of the homeowners is the most important in this case and many more.

Asylum Seekers The power of the people was demonstrated recently with the awful transportation of 50 migrants from Texas to New York by Governor Greg Abbott. Lander visited Port Authority, where two buses of these migrants arrived, and described what he saw: New Yorkers of all backgrounds banded together to help those who were confused and lost after being lied to. Lander explained that "volunteers were the most diverse group of immigrants themselves." Muslims, Central and South American immigrants, a Jewish soup kitchen, and the New York Immigration Coalition were all there to provide immediate needs, food, clothing, and shelter. Gov. Abbott committed this cruel deed to demonstrate that all other Americans would react to this situation the same cynical way he would, but he was proven wrong. New York is a place that gives people welcome and opportunity, a city full of immigrants who know the struggle and have the heart and humanity to help others through it and invoke a change in the system. The Comptroller's office wants to hear your struggles and what they should be working on. Visit comptroller.nyc.gov to have your voice heard.p

Comptroller Lander at a rally in City Hall Park. Editorial credit: lev radin / Shutterstock.com