[ THEME MUSIC ] 1 .

>> ON THIS WEEK'S EDITION OF "NEW YORK NOW," LAWMAKERS RETURNED TO ALBANY NEXT WEEK AND THE JUNE PRIMARY IS TWO MONTHS AWAY.

WE'LL HAVE A PREVIEW WITH MICHAEL GORMLEY FROM NEWSDAY AND MARINA VILLENEUVE FROM THE AP.

THEN, THE PROGRESSIVE WORKING FAMILIES PARTY IS BACKING ONE OF HOCHUL'S CHALLENGERS IN THE JUNE PRIMARY.

WE'LL SPEAK WITH STATE DIRECTOR, SOCHIE NNAEMEKA.

IF LATER, VOTERS COULD HAVE A THIRD PARTY CHOICE FOR GOVERNOR THIS YEAR, LIBERTARIAN LARRY SHARPE IS TAKING ANOTHER SHOT AT THE GOVERNOR'S OFFICE.

PLUS, A NEW EDITION OF ON THE BILL.

I'M DAN CLARK AND THIS IS "NEW YORK NOW."

[ THEME MUSIC ] >> WELCOME TO THIS WEEK'S EDITION OF "NEW YORK NOW."

I'M DAN CLARK.

THE NEXT TWO MONTHS IN NEW YORK POLITICS MIGHT JUST BE THE TWO MOST IMPORTANT MONTHS OF THIS YEAR, AND THERE ARE TWO REASONS FOR THAT.

FOR ONE, LAWMAKERS RETURNED TO ALBANY NEXT WEEK TO FINISH OUT THIS YEAR'S LEGISLATIVE SESSION.

THAT ENDS IN EARLY JUNE, AND WE DON'T REALLY KNOW WHAT THEY'RE GOING TO DO, BUT THERE'S A LOT ON THE TABLE FROM NEW CRIMINAL JUSTICE REFORMS TO ENVIRONMENTAL MEASURE.

FOR TWO, WE'RE NOW ABOUT TEN WEEKS OUT FROM THIS WEEK'S PRIMARY AND WHATEVER HAPPENS IN ALBANY COULD POINT TO THAT 2 ELECTION.

WE'RE ALREADY SEEING THAT IN THE RACE FOR GOVERNOR.

CONGRESSMAN TOM SUOZZI IS ONE OF TWO DEMOCRATS CHALLENGING GOVERNOR KATHY HOCHUL FOR THE PARTY'S NOMINATION THIS YEAR, AND HERE'S WHAT HE SAID THIS WEEK ABOUT THIS YEAR'S STATE BUDGET WHICH PASSED TWO WEEKS AGO.

>> SO IT'S THE SAME OLD ALBANY MESS.

IT'S THE SAME OLD MOST CORRUPT STATE IN THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA THAT'S GIVING US THE HIGHEST TAXES IN THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, A HIGHER CRIME RATE AND A STATE THAT SO MANY PEOPLE CAN'T AFFORD TO LIVE IN.

>> AND THE CONGRESSMAN WILL JOIN US ON NEXT WEEK'S SHOW TO CHAT MORE.

LET'S BRING IT BACK TO ALBANY WITH MICHAEL GORMLEY FROM NEWSDAY AND MARINA VILLENEUVE FROM THE AP.

THANK YOU BOTH FOR BEING HERE.

SO WE GOT ABOUT TWO MONTHS LEFT IN THE SESSION, PLUS THE PRIMARY WE JUST SAID.

THERE'S A LOT OF MOVING PARTS.

LET'S START WITH SESSION.

MIKE, WHAT ARE YOU WATCHING FOR THESE NEXT SIX WEEKS WE HAVE?

>> RIGHT.

WELL, ONE OF THEM IS ACTUALLY A HOLDOVER.

ONE OF THE OPTIONS FOR GOVERNOR HOKE TOLL GET HER FORMER LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR BRIAN BENJAMIN OFF THE TICKET IS TO HAVE LEGISLATION.

THAT SEEMS TO BE A STRONG 3 POSSIBILITY BASED ON WHAT SHE SAID THIS WEEK.

SO THAT WOULD BE AN ISSUE, BUT THERE'S SOME OTHERS THAT ARE MAYORAL CONTROL IN NEW YORK CITY AND THAT USUALLY ATTACHES WITH IT SOME OTHER MAJOR POLICY.

THERE'S A COUPLE INTERESTING ISSUES THAT HAVE BEEN PUSHED OFF PAST THE BUDGET.

ONE IS ABOUT ACCESSORY DWELLING UNITS WHICH WOULD ALLOW-- ALMOST COMPEL COMMUNITIES TO ALLOW MULTIPLE DWELLINGS IN HOMES, WHICH CRITIC OF IT SAY IT'S GOING TO BE THE END OF SINGLE FAMILY NEIGHBORHOODS, BUT IT'S A WAY TO COMBAT THE LACK OF AFFORDABLE HOUSING STATEWIDE.

AND SEVERAL OTHER ISSUES, TOO.

>> YEAH, IT'S INTERESTING.

YOU MENTIONED MAYORAL CONTROL OF NEW YORK CITY SCHOOLS AND THAT MAY BE COUPLED WITH-- I DON'T KNOW WHAT IT'S CALLED.

421A, IT'S A TAX ABATEMENT PROGRAM FOR HOUSING AND THEY'RE CALLING IT 458-- I DON'T KNOW.

SOME LETTERS AND NUMBERS.

MARINA, WHAT ARE YOU WATCHING FOR THE REST OF THE SESSION?

>> RIGHT.

DEFINITELY FOR ME, I'M GOING TO BE LOOKING AT CRIMINAL JUSTICE REFORM, ENVIRONMENTAL BILLS AS WELL AS THE ROLLOUT OF MORE COVID RELIEF DEBT.

WITH CRIMINAL JUSTICE REFORM, WE HAVE THE CLEAN SLATE ACT WHICH WAS INCLUDED IN SOME IN THE GOVERNOR'S BUDGET PATROL-- BUDGET PROPOSAL AS WELL AS THE SENATE BUDGET PROPOSAL AND THE CLEAN SLATE ACT WOULD BE BASICALLY ALLOW FOR THE CEILING OF CRIMINAL RECORDS AFTER A PERIOD OF TIME.

4 THERE WAS A FORCE OF DIFFERENCES OF HOW THE GOVERNOR AND THE SENATE WANT TO DO IT.

SO IT WILL BE REALLY INTERESTING TO SEE IF THERE IS ANY SORT OF MOMENTUM TO GET THAT PASSED THE REST OF SESSION.

IN TERMS OF THE ENVIRONMENT, THE BUDGET DID A LOT TO INCREASE SPENDING ON CLIMATE CHANGE, BUT THERE IS STILL A LOT OF CALLS FOR ENVIRONMENTAL GROUPS FOR LAWMAKERS TO DO MORE LIKE EVERYTHING FROM NOT ALLOWING GAS-- NATIONAL GAS HOOKUPS IN BUILDINGS AND NEW CONSTRUCTION AND THINGS LIKE THAT WHICH WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE BUDGET, AND THERE ARE A LOT OF PEOPLE IN NEW YORK WHO ARE BEHIND ON THEIR UTILITY BILLS.

LARGELY BECAUSE OF THE PANDEMIC WHICH LED TO A BIG INCREASE IN UTILITY DEBT.

A LOT OF NEW YORKERS WHO APPLIED FOR RENT RELIEF ALSO APPLIED FOR UTILITY DEBT, BUT THE STATE DECIDED TO ONLY USE THAT RENT RELIEF FUND FOR RENT AND NOT UTILITY DEBT, AND THERE'S A BIG CHUNK OF MONEY IN THE BUDGET FOR UTILITY DEBT, BUT ADVOCATES I HAVE SPOKEN TO AND CONSUMERS I HAVE SPOKEN TO WORRY THAT IT'S REALLY NOT ENOUGH.

SO IT WILL BE INTERESTING TO SEE HOW THAT ROLLS OUT.

>> YOU KNOW, THE CLEAN SLATE ACT IS AN INTERESTING ONE.

BECAUSE I REMEMBER LAST JUNE, THEY WERE BRINGING IT UP NEAR THE END OF SESSION.

IT SEEMED TO HAVE SOME SUPPORT AND THEN WE'RE NEARING A DEAL FOR THE END OF SESSION ON A BIG PACKAGE OF BILLS.

AND IT WAS SAID AT THE TIME THAT CLEAN SLATE WAS GOING TO BE IN 5 THERE AND THEN IT WASN'T IN THERE AND BOTH THE ASSEMBLY AND THE SENATE SAID, OH, WE HAVE THE VOTES FOR THIS FOR SURE.

IT WAS JUST A TECHNICAL ISSUE THAT'S HOLDING US UP.

AND THEN FAST FORWARD TO THIS YEAR AND THE VOTES SUDDENLY AREN'T THERE BUT THE MEMBER HAVEN'T CHANGED.

SO THAT'S SOMETHING REALLY INTERESTING TO WATCH.

>> YOU'RE BOTH RIGHT.

THOSE BILLS ARE GOING TO BE KEY.

THE ONES MARINA MENTIONED ARE GOING TO BE VERY BIG THIS YEAR.

PARTLY BECAUSE IT'S AN ELECTION YEAR.

>> YES.

>> AND THESE ARE HIGH PRIORITIES OF A LOT OF-- PARTICULARLY THE PROGRESSIVES IN THE LEGISLATURE.

SO WE'LL SEE THOSE.

>> YEAH.

I WAS GONNA ASK YOU, MIKE, HOW DO YOU THINK THIS PLAYS OUT POLITICALLY?

IF THEY DO SOMETHING LIKE THIS CLEAN SLATE ACT?

WE SEE CRIME AS A MAJOR ISSUE.

I'M ASSUMING IF THEY DO SOMETHING LIKE CLEAN SLATE, THAT MAY PLAY INTO SOME CAMPAIGN ADS DOWN THE ROAD.

HOW DO YOU SEE THEM BALANCING THAT TIGHTROPE?

>> WELL, REALLY, THE TIGHTROPE IS ON LONG ISLAND.

THAT IS THE CONCERN.

PROGRESSIVES IN-- IN THE SENATE AND IN THE ASSEMBLY WILL BE VERY 6 SUPPORTIVE OF A LOT OF THIS STUFF.

THE MODERATE-- THE MORE MODERATE DEMOCRATS IN THE SENATE FROM LONG ISLAND HAVE-- HAVE TOUGHER DISTRICTS.

THEY'RE MORE EVENLY DIVIDED.

SOME STILL HAVE A GREAT DEAL OF REPUBLICANS IN THEM.

SO THEY HAVE TO FIND A WAY WHICH THEY HAVE DONE IN THIS LEGISLATION, CRIMINAL JUSTICE LEGISLATION FIND A WAY TO THREAD THAT NEEDLE, AS YOU SAY.

THAT'S WHERE THE DIFFICULT MEASURE IS.

BECAUSE THE PROGRESSIVES IN THE ASSEMBLY AND THE SENATE, PARTICULARLY IN THE CITY, REALLY WANT THIS STUFF.

>> YEAH.

AND SOMETHING THAT WE'RE ALSO WATCHING, TOO, THAT PLAYS INTO POLITICS IS THIS DEBATE OVER REDISTRICTING.

ON THURSDAY EVENING, WE HAD A COURT DECISION THAT INVALIDATED THE MAPS TO SOME DEGREE, BUT I DON'T WANT TO SPEND TIME ON IT BECAUSE THAT'S GOING TO THE HIGHER COURT NEXT WEEK FOR ARGUMENTS AND A DECISION ON THAT WILL BE FORTHCOMING, PROBABLY IMMEDIATELY.

SO WE'LL SEE HOW THAT PLAYS OUT.

MIKE, I DON'T REMEMBER.

WHAT IS THE VULNERABLE ON LONG ISLAND IN TERMS OF THE NUMBER OF SEATS?

>> WELL, ACTUALLY, CONGRESSIONAL IS THE CONCERN.

BECAUSE, YOU KNOW, WE'VE GOT-- LONG ISLAND HAS THESE DISTRICTS THAT ARE GOING TO BE VULNERABLE TO THIS KIND OF CHANGE.

WHAT WAS INTERESTING ABOUT LAST NIGHT'S-- THURSDAY NIGHT'S 7 DECISION WAS THAT IT REALLY SAID THAT THIS WAS JERRYMANDERING.

THAT'S A PRETTY POWERFUL DECISION.

IT SHOWS WHATEVER THE COURT OF APPEALS DOES NEXT WEEK COULD BE VERY, VERY IMPORTANT.

AND ON LONG ISLAND, IT COULD BE VERY CRITICAL TO CHANGING WHAT THESE DISTRICTS LOOK LIKE.

>> YES, DEFINITELY, FOR SURE.

MARINA, I WANT TO CIRCLE BACK TO THE POLITICS PART OF WHAT THEY'RE DOING IN TERMS OF THE REST OF SESSION.

YOU MENTIONED ENVIRONMENTAL MEASURES.

THERE'S A LOT GOING ON.

HOW DO YOU THINK THAT PLAYS INTO POLITICS IN TERMS OF-- WE COULD LOOK AT THE PRIMARY.

WE COULD LOOK AT THE GENERAL.

WE'RE TALKING ENVIRONMENT, THAT SEEMS LIKE PEOPLE COULD FORM SOME CONSENSUS, BUT THEY'RE ALSO CONTROVERSIAL.

>> RIGHT.

THERE IS A LOT OF LOBBYING FROM, YOU KNOW, OBVIOUSLY ENVIRONMENTAL GROUPS AS WELL AS REAL ESTATE GROUPS AND GROUPS THAT ARE VERY WORRIED THAT SOME OF THESE PROPOSALS LIKE BANNING NEW GAS HOOKUPS AND NEW CONSTRUCTION COULD RAISE COSTS AND, YOU KNOW, CONCEIVABLY PASSING A BILL LIKE THAT THAT MIGHT LEAD TO INCREASED ENERGY COSTS OR MIGHT NOT.

IT COULD BE USED LIKE POLITICALLY AGAINST DEMOCRATS IF THEY WERE TO PASS THAT AND WE HAD ISSUES WITH HIGH ENERGY COSTS IN NEW YORK, AND I THINK WITH-- THERE IS A LOT FOR DEMOCRATS TO POINT TO AND SAY 8 THEY'VE GOTTEN A LOT DONE ON ENVIRONMENT.

SO I THINK IT IS-- IT COULD BE SORT OF CHALLENGING FOR ENVIRONMENTAL GROUPS TO SAY WE NEED TO DO MORE.

BUT THERE DEFINITELY IS A LOT OF ROOM THERE FOR SOMETHING TO HAPPEN.

>> MIKE, LAST WORD.

WHAT DO YOU THINK ON THAT?

THE CAMPAIGN ADS KIND OF WRITE THEMSELVES IN TERMS OF THE GAS BAN ON NEW CONSTRUCTION.

WHAT DO YOU THINK?

>> I WOULD KEEP IN MIND THAT THE REAL ESTATE LOBBY IS PERHAPS THE STRONGEST IN ALBANY.

>> YES.

>> IF THEY WANT TO STOP THIS AND THEY'VE GOT CONCERNS, IT'S GOING TO BE A FIGHT.

>> YEAH.

ABSOLUTELY.

A LOT TO LOOK AT.

MARINA VILLENEUVE FROM THE AP AND MICHAEL GORMLEY FROM NEWSDAY.

THANK YOU BOTH SO MUCH.

ALL RIGHT.

MORE NOW ON THIS YEAR'S ELECTIONS.

IF YOU FOLLOW POLITICS IN NEW YORK, YOU'RE PROBABLY FAMILIAR WITH THE WORKING FAMILIES PARTY, BUT IF YOU AREN'T, THE WFP IS ONE OF THE STATE'S MINOR PEARS AND ITS MEMBERS ARE CONSIDERED FARTHER TO THE LEFT THAN TRADITIONAL DEMOCRATS, AND BECAUSE OF THAT, IT HOLDS A LOT 9 OF POWER AMONG PROGRESSIVES.

SO WHEN THEY ENDORSE SOMEONE IN AN ELECTION, THAT'S A SIGN OF WHERE THEY WANT THE PROGRESSIVE VOTE TO GO.

IN 2018, THEY BACKED CYNTHIA NIXON IN THE DEMOCRATIC PRIMARY FOR GOVERNOR OVER ANDREW CUOMO.

SHE GOT ABOUT A THIRD OF THE PARTY'S VOTE.

THIS YEAR, THEY'VE ENDORSED NEW YORK CITY PUBLIC ADVOCATE JUMAANE WILLIAMS OVER KATHY HOCHUL IN THE JUNE PRIMARY AND FOR LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR, THEY'RE SUPPORTING ANA MARIA ARCHILA WHO IS RUNNING WITH WILLIAMS.

FOR MORE ON THAT I SPOKE THIS WEEK WITH THE HEAD OF THE WFP NEW YORK, SOCHIE NNAEMEKA.

[ THEME MUSIC ] SOCHIE, THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR BEING HERE.

I APPRECIATE IT.

>> IT'S MY PLEASURE.

THANK YOU FOR HAVING ME.

>> OF COURSE.

SO LET'S START WITH THE RACE FOR GOVERNOR.

THE WORKING FAMILIES PARTY IS SUPPORTING PUBLIC ADVOCATE JUMAANE WILLIAMS IN THE DEMOCRATIC PRIMARY.

OF COURSE, THAT IS TUESDAY, JUNE 28th, FOR EVERYBODY WATCHING.

TELL ME WHY YOU'RE SUPPORTING JUMAANE.

>> WE'RE SO PROUD TO HAVE TWO WORKING CLASS CANDIDATES AND CHAMPIONS FOR FAMILIES AND COMMUNITIES UP AND DOWN THE STATE AT THE TOP OF OUR TICKET.

JUMAANE WILLIAMS, ONE OF THE 10 MOST PROLIFIC PUBLIC ADVOCATES IN THAT ROLE'S HISTORY, CHAMPIONING LEGISLATION, SHOWING UP FOR STUDENTS, FOR TENANTS, FOR IMMIGRANTS IN COMMUNITIES ALL ACROSS THE STATE.

SO IN THIS MOMENT WHEN NEW YORKERS ARE FACED WITH A REAL AFFORDABILITY CRISIS, WHEN WE HAVE NOT ADDRESSED THE LOOMING CLIMATE CRISIS, WE NEED A CANDIDATE WHO IS READY TO HIT THE GROUND RUNNING AND SHOW THAT NEW YORK STATE IS A SAFE PLACE FOR ALL OF OUR COMMUNITIES.

>> TELL ME WHERE THE CURRENT GOVERNOR KATHY HOCHUL FAILS IN THOSE REGARDS?

WHERE DOES SHE FALL SHORT IN THAT SHE DIDN'T GET YOUR ENDORSEMENT BUT JUMAANE DID.

>> WE HAVE A LONG HISTORY OF SUPPORTING CANDIDATES WHO REJECT THE INFLUENCE OF MONEY IN POLITICS, WHO DEFEND OUR WORKING PEOPLE ABOVE CORPORATIONS.

I THINK THIS BUDGET MOMENT WAS A REAL OPPORTUNITY TO SHOW THAT THE ONLY WAY TO HAVING A TRUE RECOVERY IN NEW YORK STATE IS BY ENSURING THAT ALL OF US, ESPECIALLY THOSE WHO HAVE BEEN HIT HARDEST BY THE BRUNT OF THE PANDEMIC, ARE INVESTED IN AND FROM THE LARGEST TO BILLIONAIRES, IT'S PART OF THE BILL'S STADIUM DEAL, TO PUSHING IN BAIL REFORMS INTO THE BUDGET, DESPITE THE ABSENCE OF EVIDENCE SHOWING THAT BAIL REFORM HAS ANYTHING TO DO WITH CRIME IN NEW YORK STATE.

THE GOVERNOR MISSED THIS OPPORTUNITY TO PUT NEW YORK ON BETTER FOOTING.

AND SO WE'RE LOOKING FOR 11 CANDIDATES WHO ARE GROUNDED, NOT ONLY IN FACTS AND EVIDENCE THAT GUIDES OUR LEGISLATION BUT ALSO THE URGENCY THAT WORKING FAMILIES ARE FEELING THIS MOMENT FROM GAS PRICES TO RISING RENTS TO RISING EDUCATION COSTS.

WE NEED A REAL RESPONSE TO THIS MOMENT THAT WE'RE IN.

>> SO YOU MENTIONED THAT THE WFP IS SUPPORTING TWO PROGRESSIVE CANDIDATES IN JUNE.

THE OTHER ONE BEING ANA MARIA ARCHILA FOR LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR.

THAT'S JUMAANE WILLIAMS' RUNNING MATE IN THE PRIMARY.

THE WAY THAT KIND OF NEW YORK STATE WORKS IS KIND OF SPECIFIC IN THAT THE GOVERNOR AND THE LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR CANDIDATES RUN SEPARATELY IN THE JUNE PRIMARY AND THEN COME TOGETHER FOR THE GENERAL ELECTION IN NOVEMBER.

TELL ME WHY YOU'RE SUPPORTING ANA MARIA IN THE LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR PRIMARY.

>> ANA MARIA HAS SPENT THE TWO DECADES ADVOCATING FOR THE MOST TRANSFORMATIONAL LEGISLATION, BUILDING COALITIONS, LEADING ORGANIZATIONS ON THE GROUND, AND SO MANY PEOPLE KNOW HER FOR HER ACTIVISM.

WE KNOW HER ALSO FOR HER EXECUTIVE EXPERIENCE, FOR HER CONNECTION TO COMMUNITY, AND FOR HER COMMITMENT TO REBUILDING A NEW YORK STATE THAT WORKS FOR ALL OF US.

WITH JUMAANE WILLIAMS AS OUR PICK FOR GOVERNOR AND ANNA MARIA FOR LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR WE CAN'T IMAGINE A MORE POWERFUL DUO SHARING A REAL VISION AND A PLAN TO ENSURE THAT NEW YORK IS A 12 PRAISE WHERE ALL OF US CAN THRIVE.

>> SO WHAT DO YOU DO IF ONE OF THEM DOESN'T WIN IN THE JUNE PRIMARY?

WOULD YOU THEN HAVE THEM RUN ON THE WFP LINE IN NOVEMBER AS THEIR OWN TICKET TOGETHER OR SEPARATELY, GUESS, DEPENDING ON WHO WINS THE DEMOCRATIC NOMINATION, OR WOULD YOU GIVE YOUR LINE TO WHOEVER THE DEMOCRATIC NOMINEE IS?

>> RIGHT NOW, WE'RE REALLY FOCUSED ON THE PRIMARY AND ENSURING THAT WE CAN GET THE BEST WORKING PEOPLE-FOCUSED CANDIDATES IN THE GOVERNOR'S EXECUTIVE MANSION IN JANUARY.

THAT'S REALLY WHERE OUR FOCUS IS.

ULTIMATELY, WE WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT WE HAVE A LEADERSHIP TEAM WORKING WITH THE LEGISLATURE TO ADDRESS A CLIMATE CRISIS, TO ADDRESS THE AFFORDABLE HOUSING CRISIS TO ADDRESS RISING COSTS THAT ARE REALLY CRIPPLING NEW YORKERS IN THIS MOMENT.

WHICHEVER CANDIDATE CAN MOVE US FORWARD ON THIS PATH, WE WILL CONTINUE TO SUPPORT THEM.

WE ARE ALSO CENTRALLY FOCUSING ON THAT WE DON'T HAVE A REPUBLICAN GOVERNOR IN THIS MOMENT.

IT WILL PULL NEW YORK FURTHER BACKWARDS.

AND SO AFTER THE PRIMARY, WE'LL TALK WITH OUR CANDIDATES.

WE'LL TALK WITH OUR MEMBERSHIP AND LEADERSHIP, AND WE'LL FIGURE OUT WHAT THE BEST PATH FORWARD IS.

>> SO THERE'S ALSO THIS IDEA OF POSSIBLY CREATING A NEW THIRD 13 PARTY LINE THIS YEAR FOR DEMOCRATS WHO EITHER DIDN'T WIN THE PRIMARY OR JUST WANT ANOTHER PARTY LINE TO RUN ON IN NOVEMBER.

I'M WONDERING HOW YOU FEEL ABOUT THAT AS SOMEBODY WHO IS A LEADER OF A STATE PARTY WHO ALREADY HAS A MINOR PARTY LINE.

>> WELL, WE'RE PROUD TO BE A MINOR PARTY IN NEW YORK THAT IS STEEPED IN THE VALUES THAT KEEP PEOPLE UP AT NIGHT, THAT PEOPLE TALK ABOUT AT THEIR DINNER TABLE.

RIGHT?

WE'RE COMMITTED TO BUILDING A BROAD MULTIRACIAL DEMOCRACY THAT ALLOWS WORKING PEOPLE TO THRIVE IN THE STATE.

PARTIES SHOULD HAVE SHARED VALUES AND THEY SHOULD NOT BE CYNICAL, SHORT-SIGHTED TACTICAL PLAYS.

SO IN THIS MOMENT THAT A PARTY BOSS OF THE DEMOCRATIC PARTY IS COLLUDING TO PUT FORWARD A MINOR PARTY SPEAKS TO THE TYPE OF VOTER CONFUSION AND CYNICISM THAT NEW YORKERS ARE REALLY NOT CALLING FOR IN THIS MOMENT.

WHILE WE WELCOME NEW POLITICAL PARTIES WHO SPEAK TO THE DIVERSITY OF VOTER VIEWS ACROSS NEW YORK STATE, WE HOPE THAT THEY'RE COMING UP WITH THE RIGHT INTENT AND THAT THEY'RE COMMUNICATING TO VOTERS IN A CLEAR WAY THAT ALLOWS PEOPLE TO KNOW WHAT THEY'RE OPTING INTO.

>> NOW WHEN PEOPLE ARE LOOKING IN THE JUNE PRIMARY AND THEY'VE SEEN THAT YOU'VE ENDORSED SOMEBODY WHETHER IT'S SOMEBODY IN A STATEWIDE OFFICE OR SOMEBODY IN A PRIMARY FOR THE STATE LEGISLATURE OR CONGRESS, 14 WHAT DO YOU THINK THAT SHOULD SAY TO VOTERS LOOKING AT ON THE BALLOT, TRYING TO CHOOSE BETWEEN THOSE TWO PEOPLE?

WHEN THEY SEE SOMEBODY THAT'S ENDORSED BY THE WFP, WHAT DOES THAT MEAN?

WELL, WE BELIEVE THAT NEW YORKERS DESERVE CHOICE ON THE BALLOT AND SO EVEN THOUGH WE ARE A BLUE TRIFECTA STATE, WE KNOW THAT THERE ARE DIFFERENCES BETWEEN DEMOCRATS, SOME DEMOCRATS WHO CHOOSE CORPORATE DONATIONS, MAYBE WHO CAUCUS WITH REPUBLICANS VERSUS DEMOCRATS WHO PUT FORWARD A PLAN FOR NEW YORK, THAT ADDRESSES RISING COSTS, THAT HAS A SOLUTION TO THE CLIMATE CRISIS, THAT ENSURES ALL OF OUR COMMUNITIES ARE IN, RIGHT, EVERYONE IN AND NOBODY OUT, AND SO WHEN WE THINK ABOUT WORKING FAMILIES COMMANDS, WE THINK ABOUT CANDIDATES WHO REFUSE THE INFLUENCE OF THE REAL ESTATE LOBBY AND MONEY IN POLITICS WHO ARE NOT TRYING TO CARVE DEALS OR MAKE LEGISLATION THAT SATISFIES, ENSURES AT THE EXPENSE OF PATIENTS, BUT WE'RE WORKING SIDE BY SIDE WITH THEIR COMMUNITIES IN THEIR COMMUNITIES AND ENSURING THAT WE HAVE A BROAD PATH TO RECOVERY.

SO WORKING FAMILIES CANDIDATE IS A COMMUNITY-CONNECTED CANDIDATE, WHO IS PUSHING FORWARD THE VALUES OF UNIVERSAL HEALTHCARE, OF RACIAL EQUALITY, AND ARE NOT DOING SO WITH CORPORATE INTERESTS AT THE CENTER.

>> ALL RIGHT.

WE'LL KEEP AN EYE ON IT.

SOCHIE NNAEKMEKA, THE STATE DIRECTOR OF THE WORKING FAMILIES PARTY.

THANK YOU SO MUCH.

15 >> THANK YOU SO MUCH, DAN.

BE WELL.

[ THEME MUSIC ] >> AND JUST TO KNOW, WE ARE PLANNING TO HAVE BOTH JUMAANE WILLIAMS AND ANA MARIA ARCHILA ON THE SHOW BEFORE THE PRIMARY.

MORE ON THAT SOON.

BUT MOVING ON NOW TO ON THE BILL, WHERE WE TELL YOU ABOUT A BILL OUT OF ALBANY THAT YOU MIGHT NOT HEAR ABOUT OTHERWISE.

THIS WEEK, WE'RE TALKING ABOUT A-4331, A BILL THAT WOULD END WHAT'S CALLED QUALIFIED IMMUNITY IN NEW YORK.

QUALIFIED IMMUNITY IS BASICALLY A LEGAL DEFENSE THAT CAN BE USED BY MEMBERS OF LAW ENFORCEMENT IF THEY'RE SUED OVER SOMETHING THEY DO ON THE JOB.

SO IF AN OFFICER IS ACCUSED OF USING EXCESSIVE FORCE, FOR EXAMPLE, AND SOMEONE SUES, QUALIFIED IMMUNITY CAN BE USE AS A DEFENSE.

THAT'S NOT ALWAYS THE CASE BUT SUPPORTERS OF A-4331 SAY IT SHOULDN'T BE AN OPTION AT ALL.

THAT INCLUDES THE ASSEMBLY MEMBER PAM HUNTER, A DEMOCRAT FROM SYRACUSE WHO SPONSORS THE BILL WITH MANHATTAN SENATOR ROBERT JACKSON.

>> THIS IS NOT ANTIPOLICE.

THIS IS ANTI-BAD BEHAVIOR OF PEOPLE WHO ARE VIOLATING OUR CONSTITUTIONAL RIGHTS AND WE ARE SIMPLY SAYING WE WANT TO ELIMINATE QUALIFIED IMMUNITY.

>> AND LAWMAKERS WILL HAVE ABOUT SIX WEEKS TO CONSIDER THAT BILL 16 BEFORE THE END OF THIS YEAR'S LEGISLATIVE SESSION.

ALL RIGHT.

TURNING NOW BACK TO THIS YEAR'S ELECTIONS.

AS WE SAID EARLIER, WE'VE GOT ABOUT TWO MONTHS BEFORE THIS YEAR'S PRIMARY ELECTION FOR GOVERNOR.

AND AFTER THAT, WE'LL MOVE ON TO THE GENERAL ELECTION WHICH, OF COURSE, IS HELD IN NOVEMBER.

NOW IT'S A GIVEN YOU'LL SEE BOTH MAJOR PARTY NOMINEES ON THE BALLOT.

THAT HAPPENS EVERY ELECTION CYCLE.

BUT THERE'S ALSO A GOOD CHANCE YOU'LL HAVE A THIRD PARTY CHOICE AS WELL, AND THAT COULD VERY WELL INCLUDE LARRY SHARPE, A LIBERTARIAN WHO IS TAKING HIS SECOND SHOT AT THE GOVERNORSHIP.

HE RAN IN 2018 AS WELL AND HE WAS ALSO THE LIBERTARIAN CANDIDATE FOR VICE PRESIDENT IN 2016.

WE SPOKE THIS WEEK ABOUT HIS CAMPAIGN AND WHERE HE STANDS ON TOP ISSUES.

[ THEME MUSIC ] LARRY, HAPPY TO HAVE YOU HERE.

THANKS FOR COMING ON.

>> I'M SO HAPPY TO BE HERE.

>> SO YOU ARE THE LIBERTARIAN'S CANDIDATE FOR GOVERNOR THIS YEAR.

HOPEFULLY, YOU'LL BE ON THE BALLOT IN NOVEMBER.

YOU'RE STARTING THAT PROCESS IN JUST A COUPLE OF DAYS.

CAN YOU FIRST INTRODUCE YOURSELF TO VOTERS?

WHO IS LARRY SHARPE?

17 >> I HOPE YOU GUYS REMEMBER ME.

I RAN IN 2018.

I CROSSED THIS STATE, ALL 62 COUNTIES THEN.

WE RAISED HALF MILLION DOLLARS.

WE GOT A BUNCH OF VOTES, AND WE GOT THE PARTY VALID ACCESS, THE LIBERTARIAN PARTY, ABSOLUTELY.

AND I WAS TALKING ABOUT ACTUAL ISSUES TO KEEP NEW YORKERS HERE IN NEW YORK BECAUSE MY BIGGEST ISSUE HAS ALWAYS BEEN NEW YORKERS ARE LEAVING.

I WAS CONSIDERING LEAVING AND I WENT DOWN SOUTH, SAW A CITY I LIKED AND GOT MAD AND CAME BACK AND SAID, YOU KNOW WHAT, WHY IS MY STATE RUN SO BAD?

WHY IS MY BEAUTIFUL STATE RUN SO POORLY THAT I HAVE TO LEAVE MY FAMILY AND MY FRIENDS?

AND I SAID, NO, I'M GOING TO GO BACK, AND I'M GONNA BECOME THE GOVERNOR AND CHANGE THINGS.

THAT DID NOT WORK OUT AS PLANNED.

HOWEVER, THAT WAS THE GOAL AND I CAME BACK AND IT DIDN'T WORK.

BUT I'M AT IT AGAIN.

BECAUSE I DO LOVE THIS STATE.

I DO CARE.

WE HAVE TO HAVE ACTUAL ANSWERS.

WE HAVEN'T HAD ANSWERS IN 20 YEARS.

DEMOCRATS HAVE BEEN RUNNING THIS STATE FOR 20 YEARS.

NO ANSWERS.

REPUBLICANS HAVE BEEN WATCHING, NO PLAN.

NO ONE'S GOING TO FIX THIS STATE IF SOMEONE DOESN'T STEP UP TO DO IT.

TO BE FORWARD, THERE'S A SELFISH PART TO BE RUNNING.

I DON'T WANT TO MOVE, RIGHT?

I LOVE THIS STATE AND I DON'T WANT TO MOVE AND SO MANY PEOPLE ARE MOVING.

I HOPE I'M THE GUY WHO CAN START THAT BALL ROLLING IN THE RIGHT 18 DIRECTION.

>> SO TELL ME WHAT YOU SEE AS TOP ISSUES FOR VOTERS.

HOW DO WE KEEP THEM HERE LIKE HOW YOU WANT TO?

WHAT ARE THEY TELLING YOU ON THE CAMPAIGN TRAIL?

>> WELL, SADLY, IT HASN'T CHANGED.

MY WEBSITE, LARRYSHARP.COM, HAS HAD POLICIES ON IT FOR FOUR YEARS THAT NO ONE'S TAKEN.

BUT THEY'RE STILL THERE.

ONE OF THE NUMBER ONE REASONS-- THERE'S TWO REASONS, BUT NUMBER ONE IS IT COSTS TOO MUCH TO LIVE HERE.

NUMBER TWO, LACK OF OPPORTUNITIES.

WE WILL PAY TONS OF MONEY AS PEOPLE IF THE OPPORTUNITIES ARE AMAZING.

THE OPPORTUNITIES ARE NOT AMAZING AND THE BURDEN IS SO EXPENSIVE IN EVERYTHING.

WE'VE GOT TO FIX THAT.

THERE ARE A COUPLE WAYS WE K THE BIGGEST THING I WANT TO DO IS I WANT TO CREATE A SEPARATE NYST, NEW YORK STATE SOCIAL TRUST, A SIMILAR TRUST TO WHAT WE DO IN NORWAY, IN SWED-- NOT SWEDEN, IN SINGAPORE, RUN BY A SEPARATE PRIVATE COMPANY, OVERSEEN BY US BUT RUN BY A SEPARATE COMPANY AND RAISING MONEY TO DEAL WITH THE ISSUES WE CAN DEAL WITH, LIKE EDUCATION, THINGS LIKE THAT.

WE DO THAT THE RIGHT WAY.

WE DID IT BEFORE WITH THE LOTTERY, WHICH DIDN'T WORK, BUT THE RIGHT WAY WHERE OTHERS DO IT, NOW WE START PAYING FOR EDUCATION DIRECTORS FROM ALBANY.

THAT THEN ENDS THE NEED FOR SCHOOL TAX, WHICH THEN CUTS 19 PROPERTY TAX ABOUT IN HALF OF MOST NEW YORKERS.

RENTS STABILIZE.

THE YOUTH CAN STAY.

NOT JUST THAT, THE ELDERLY CAN STAY.

THE RETIREES CAN STAY.

ALL OF A SUDDEN, THINGS GET BETTER AND PEOPLE START STAYING.

HAPPY NEW YORKER LEAD TO A BETTER NEW YORK.

>> SO WHAT ABOUT THE CRIME PROBLEM?

I THINK YOU'RE TOTALLY RIGHT THAT PEOPLE REALLY FOCUS ON AFFORDABILITY AND COST OF LIVING BECAUSE IT IS TOO HIGH IN NEW YORK.

THERE'S THAT OTHER BIG ISSUE IN THIS YEAR'S ELECTIONS OF CRIME, HOW DO WE LOWER THE CRIME RATE?

WHICH I SHOULD SAY IS LOWER THAN IT WAS IN THE 1990s.

WE'RE STILL RELATIVELY LOW, BUT IT IS GOING UP A LITTLE BIT.

WHAT WOULD YOU DO ABOUT THAT?

>> A HUNDRED PERCENT.

A HUNDRED PERCENT.

LOOK, THE REALITY OF CRIME, CRIME COMES FROM A COUPLE REASONS.

NUMBER ONE IS THE BLACK MARKET.

RIGHT.

NUMBER ONE.

THE BLACK MARKET BECAME HUGE BECAUSE OF LOCKDOWNS.

WHEN THE LOCKDOWNS CAME, PEOPLE WERE GETTING CHECKS AND DIDN'T WANT TO GO TO WORK.

SO THE BLACK MARKET EXPLODED.

NOT JUST THAT, WE STOPPED EVERYTHING FROM COMING IN.

IT THEN BECAME MORE EXPENSIVE.

THE BLACK MARKET EXPLODED.

NOT JUST THAT, WE DECIDED, YOU KNOW WHAT, LET'S KEEP OUR YOUNG MEN NOT GOING TO SCHOOL AND NOT 20 GOING TO WORK.

THE BLACK MARKETEERS SAID, THANK YOU FOR RECRUITING MY ARMY FOR ME.

SO NOW WE HAVE TONS OF BLACK MARKET VIOLENCE.

NUMBER ONE.

NUMBER TWO, ADDICTION/MENTAL ILLNESS, THEY OFTEN COINCIDE.

NOT OFTEN BUT THEY ALWAYS DO.

THAT'S OUR SECOND ISSUE.

YOU HAVE UNHAPPY PEOPLE WHO CAN'T BE WITH FRIENDS, WHO CAN'T GO GET HELP, WHO CAN'T GET THE DRUGS THEY NEED, WELL, THEY'RE GOING TO ACT OUT.

THAT'S HOW IT WORKS.

FIXING THOSE TWO ISSUES.

BLACK MARKET ASPECT, FIRST THING WE DO IS LET THE PEOPLE WORK AGAIN.

OMEN UP, LET PEOPLE WORK AGAIN.

ENCOURAGE PEOPLE TO WORK AND GO BACK AND FORTH.

NUMBER ONE.

NUMBER TWO, HELP PEOPLE WHO ARE IN TROUBLE WHERE THEY ARE.

IN MOST CITIES, THAT MEANS PLACES LIKE THE MGA, PLACES LIKE BUS STATIONS AND INSTEAD OF LETTING PEOPLE ROAM AROUND TO HURT PEOPLE, PROVIDE AREAS RIGHT FOR THEM.

ALLOW PEOPLE TO GO TO THE SAFE AREAS, WITH SECURITY AND WITH PEOPLE WHO WILL HELP AND NOW YOU CREATE ALMOST A MEDICAL FACILITY INSIDE THESE FACILITIES.

THAT'S HOW YOU BEGIN TO STOP BOTH OF THOSE THINGS.

LET PEOPLE FEEL LOVED AND CARED ABOUT.

HAPPY PEOPLE DON'T COMMIT CRIMES.

>> AS WE TALK ABOUT YOUR CANDIDACY, SOMETHING THAT COMES UP WHEN THIRD PARTY RUN A LOT IS THIS FEAR THEY WILL SPLIT THE 21 VOTE OF ANOTHER CANDIDATE AND THEN HAND IT TO A CANDIDATE THAT THE THIRD PARTY IDENTIFIES WITH EVEN LESS.

WHAT DO YOU SAY TO THOSE PEOPLE ABOUT BEING ON THE BALLOT THIS YEAR AND POTENTIALLY SPLITTING THE VOTE OF SOMEBODY ELSE?

>> A HUNDRED PERCENT.

I LOVE THAT QUESTION.

HERE'S THE REALITY OF NEW YORK STATE.

WE ARE ABOUT 3:1 DEMOCRAT TO REPUBLICAN.

A REPUBLICAN HAS NOT WON A STATEWIDE ELECTION IN THIS STATE IN 20 YEARS AND THE STATE'S IS GETTING BLUER NOT REDDER.

ANY REPUBLICAN WHO TELLS YOU THEY'RE GOING TO WIN A STATEWIDE ELECTION IS EITHER DELUSIONAL OR LYING TO YOU.

THEY ARE TAKING YOUR MONEY.

THEY'RE NOT GOING TO WIN.

HOW DO I KNOW THAT?

THEY HAVE NO IDEAS.

ASK-- THE QUESTIONS YOU ASKED TO ME, ASK THE REPUBLICAN.

HE WILL SAY, AH, AH, DEMOCRATS BAD, AH, AH, DEMOCRATS BAD.

HE HAS NO PLAN.

HE CANNOT WIN.

SO SPLITTING THE VOTE IN THIS CASE IS A FANTASY.

ONE OF TWO THINGS WILL HAPPEN.

EITHER A DEMOCRAT WINS, THAT'S OPTION ONE.

OR AN OUTSIDER WINS.

I HOPE I'M THAT OUTSIDER.

IF DEMOCRATS ARE UPSET WITH HOCHUL, AND I HOPE THEY ARE, THEY WILL DO ONE OF THREE THINGS.

STAY HOME.

TWO, HOLD THEIR NOSE AND VOTE FOR HOCHUL ANYWAY OR THREE, VOTE FOR ME.

THE DATA IS IN.

ABOUT 25% OF THE PEOPLE FOR ME 22 ARE REGISTER DEMOCRATS.

DEMOCRATS WILL VOTE FOR ME.

THEY WILL NOT VOTE FOR A REPUBLICAN.

THERE IS NO SPLIT VOTING HERE.

THERE IS NO TAKING AWAY ANYONE'S CHANCES.

IT WILL EITHER BE A DEMOCRAT OR INDEPENDENT.

>> SO TALK TO ME ABOUT THAT.

WHY NOT KATHY HOCHUL FOR THESE VOTERS.

FOR PEOPLE WHO ARE THINKING OF CHOOSING BETWEEN KATHY HOCHUL AND YOU IN NOVEMBER, WHY GO WITH YOU?

>> BECAUSE IF YOU WANT WHAT'S HAPPENING IN NEW YORK STATE TO CONTINUE, VOTE FOR HER.

SHE'S EXACTLY THE ESTABLISHMENT.

IF YOU SAY TO YOURSELF, NEW YORK STATE IS FINE.

YOU'RE RIGHT.

VOTE FOR HER.

IF YOU'RE SAYING NO, I'M TIRED OF MY FRIENDS AND FAMILY LEAVING, I'M TIRED OF PEOPLE I KNOW COMPLAINING ALL THE TIME.

I'M TIRED OF HAVING TO GO AWAY ON VACATION AND NOT STAYING IN NEW YORK STATE.

I'M TIRED OF BUSTING MY RUMP AND NOT GETTING AHEAD.

IF THOSE ARE THE THINGS YOU'RE SAYING, WHY WOULD YOU VOTE FOR THE PEOPLE WHO HAVE BEEN DOING THAT TO YOU FOR 20 YEARS?

STOP!

VOTE FOR SOMEBODY WHO WON'T DO THAT.

VOTE FOR SOMEONE WHO UNDERSTANDS THAT AND WANTS TO CHANGE IT AND HAS PLANS AND YOU MIGHT SAY, LARRY, I DON'T KNOW IF I LIKE YOUR PLANS.

I HAVE PLANS.

LET'S TALK ABOUT 'EM.

NO ONE ELSE DOES.

23 >> ALL RIGHT.

LARRY SHARPE, THE LIBERTARIAN PARTY'S COMMAND FOR GOVERNOR THIS YEAR.

THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR BEING HERE.

WE APPRECIATE YOUR PERSPECTIVE.

>> THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR HAVING ME.

[ THEME MUSIC ] >> NOW SHARPE WILL SPEND THE NEXT FEW WEEKS COLLECTING SIGNATURES TO GET ON THE BALLOT FOR NOVEMBER.

HE TELLS ME HE'S CONFIDENT THAT HE'LL QUALIFY BUT IF HE DOESN'T, HE ALSO HAS THE OPTION OF A WRITE-IN CAMPAIGN.

WE'LL LET YOU KNOW WHERE THINGS END UP ON THAT A LITTLE BIT LATER THIS YEAR.

IN THE MEANTIME, THANKS FOR WATCHING THIS WEEK'S "NEW YORK NOW."

HAVE A GREAT WEEK AND BE WELL.

[ THEME MUSIC ] >>Announcer: FUNDING FOR "NEW YORK NOW IS PROVIDED BY WNET.