Mayor Bill de Blasio delivers the State of the City address at LaGuardia Community College in Long Island City on Monday. Photo courtesy Rob Bennett/ NYC Mayor’s Office
Mayor Bill de Blasio delivered his inaugural State of the City address at LaGuardia Community College in Long Island City Monday, when he vowed to make good on his campaign promise to make life better for the working- and middle-classes.
“We’ve begun the fight to lift the floor for all New Yorkers…to improve the life conditions of those who struggle with great determination – not to get ahead – but merely to keep their heads above water,” de Blasio said. “And we’re fighting to give everyone a fair shot, so that city government doesn’t set its priorities by the needs of those at the very top while ignoring the struggle of those born under a less lucky star.”
Discussing his administration’s first month in office, de Blasio highlighted a number of initiatives, including launching an interagency task force to eliminate traffic fatalities, introducing paid sick leave legislation affecting a half-million New Yorkers, and settling the years-long legal battle over stop and frisk.
Setting his sights on the future, the mayor said he plans to expand the living wage, including vowing to end legal efforts to block the implementation of living wage measures, sign an executive order expanding coverage, and work with the City Council to increase the number of living wage jobs offered by employers that the city subsidizes.
In an effort to increase job opportunities, de Blasio pledged to expand STEM and health care-oriented training programs in high schools and public colleges, develop new industry-linked apprenticeships, and connect every high-school with an in-demand jobs sector to ensure New York City students are better positioned to fill high-quality jobs in the five boroughs. He will also set a goal that within eight years, the majority of skilled technology-related jobs in New York City are being filled by those educated in the city’s public schools.
Another major initiative proposed by de Blasio was a plan to issue a municipal identification card, which would serve as a form of identification for residents who do not have a valid state ID, including undocumented immigrants.
The mayor also focused part of his speech on the need for the city to accelerate Sandy recovery, including re-examining aid programs.
De Blasio also emphasized his proposal to raise taxes on individuals making $500,000 more a year to pay for a universal pre-kindergarten program – something that has landed him criticism from Gov. Cuomo to state senators.
“We’re not asking Albany to raise the state income tax by a penny to pay for universal pre-K and after-school programs here in New York City,” de Blasio said. “We’re simply asking Albany to allow New York City to tax itself – its wealthiest residents…those making a half-million or more a year. Raising taxes on the rich makes our commitment to our kids more than just words. It makes that commitment real. It makes that commitment fair.”
Cuomo has issued his own pre-K plan, saying state funds should be used instead of increasing taxes.
De Blasio too stressed what he called unprecedented budget challenges facing the city, including unresolved labor contracts.
“It is important that we are honest with New Yorkers about our current fiscal situation,” he said. “We are in the midst of an unprecedented budgetary challenge. We are faced with a federal government in gridlock. There is uncertainty with the state budget. And we have over 150 labor contracts that are unsettled. When you take all these factors into account, we are facing an uncharted path. In the face of this situation, we will be honest with New Yorkers about their government. We will navigate towards a future that is progressive and fiscally responsible. It will not be easy. But we will not turn away from the challenge.”
By Anna Gustafson
