CHANGING OF THE GUARD IN WASHINGTON.

KATHY HOCHUL WANTS TO GIVE YOU MONEY.

AND A GOP FIGHT OVER VISAS-WHY CAN'T TECH COMPANIES HIRE MORE AMERICANS?

STAY TUNED, IVORY TOWER IS NEXT.

>> GOOD EVENING.

WELCOME TO IVORY TOWER.

I'M DAVID CHANATRY, FROM UTICA UNIVERSITY.

I'M JOINED THIS WEEK BY CHAD SPARBER FROM COLGATE UNIVERSITY, SARAH PRALLE FROM SYRACUSE UNIVERSITY, ANIRBAN ACHARYA FROM LEMOYNE COLLEGE, AND TY SEIDULE FROM HAMILTON COLLEGE.

WE'RE JUST A WEEKEND AWAY FROM THE END OF THE BIDEN ADMINISTRATION AND THE START OF TRUMP 2.

IT'S A GOOD TIME TO TAKE A LOOK BACK AT BIDEN'S TERM, AND EXPECTATIONS FOR THE NEXT FOUR YEARS.

BIDEN HAD SOME NOTABLE SUCCESSES AND FAILURES.

HOW DO YOU ASSESS HIS PRESIDENCY?

>> LIKE YOU SAID, IT'S A MIXED BAG OBVIOUSLY, BUT I THINK THAT ON THE DOMESTIC LEGISLATIVE FRONT, IT'S UNDENIABLE THAT HE HAS HAD MASSIVE SUCCESSES.

I MEAN IF YOU LOOK AT THE INFRASTRUCTURE BILL, YOU LOOK AT THE CHIPS ACT, INFLATION REDUCTION ACT, THESE ARE THINGS THAT COULD POTENTIALLY, IF CARRIED THROUGH FULLY IMPLEMENTED COULD TRANSFORM THE AMERICAN ECONOMY IN MANY COMMUNITIES THAT ARE CURRENTLY STRUGGLING.

THESE ARE REALLY MASSIVE INVESTMENTS THAT OTHER PRESIDENTS HAVE TRIED TO DO AND HAVE FAILED TO DO.

BUT, THE PROBLEM IS THE IMPACTS HAVE NOT BEEN FELT ENTIRELY YET BECAUSE IT TAKES A LONG TIME TO BUILD THINGS.

AND ALSO HE DOESN'T SEEM TO BE GETTING CREDIT FROM THE VERY PEOPLE THAT ARE BENEFITING FROM IT.

THERE WAS A REALLY GREAT ARTICLE IN THE WASHINGTON POST.

I WOULD ENCOURAGE PEOPLE TO READ-- THAT PROFILED LIBERTY, NORTH CAROLINA, WHICH IS A REALLY STRUGGLING TOWN, VERY TINY TOWN THAT USED TO HAVE MORE TEXTILE AND FURNITURE MANUFACTURING.

AND TOYOTA HAS NOW EXPANDED THEIR OPERATIONS THERE TO THE TUNE OF $$14 BILLION.

THEY ARE HIRING 5,000 PEOPLE, MANY OF WHICH THEY'VE ALREADY HIRED.

AND THIS REPORTER WENT DOWN THERE AND ASKED THE FOLKS, YOU KNOW, ABOUT THIS.

NOT ONE PERSON GAVE THE BIDEN ADMINISTRATION CREDIT FOR THESE JOBS AND FOR THE REVIVAL OF THEIR ECONOMY, WHICH IS ALREADY OCCURRING.

THESE ARE PEOPLE WHO NOW DON'T HAVE TO TRAVEL TO GO OR LEAVE THE AREA TO GET GOOD PAYING JOBS.

SO THERE IS A PROBLEM, OBVIOUSLY, HE IS NOT GETTING CREDIT FOR A LOT OF THIS.

AND PART OF THAT MIGHT BE PARTISAN, YOU KNOW, BIASES, BUT THERE ARE OTHER PROBABLY OTHER REASONS AS WELL.

>> BUT YOU KNOW, THOSE LEGISLATIVE ACCOMPLISHMENTS WERE REAL AND THEY WERE AND SEEM TO BE SUCCESSFUL.

BUT THERE WERE SOME PROBLEMS HE HAD, TOO.

TY, IT KIND OF STARTED WITH HIM FROM AFGHANISTAN.

>> AS AN HISTORIAN, WE SHOULD KNOW HOW HE HAS DONE IN A COUPLE OF DECADES.

THAT'S THE HISTORIAN'S ANSWER FOR THAT.

FOR FOREIGN POLICY, I THINK THERE IS SOME GOOD AND SOME BAD.

HE DID BRING BACK ALLIES THAT WORK TOGETHER.

SO BEING ABLE TO WORK TOGETHER AGAINST CHINA, REALLY WELL DONE.

HE EXECUTED THE TRUMP PLAN IN AFGHANISTAN, WHICH WENT DISASTROUSLY.

BECAUSE HE DIDN'T GET THAT MANY PEOPLE.

PERSONALLY I'M MORE ANGRY WITH HIM FOR RUNNING FOR PRESIDENT AGAIN.

HE WAS COMPLETELY OUT OF IT.

WHEN WE SAW HIM IN THE DEBATE, IT WAS LIKE HOLY COW, IS THIS THE GUY WHO HAS BEEN IN CHARGE FOR SO LONG IF HE HAD GREAT PEOPLE AROUND HIM BUT HE SHOULD NOT HAVE RUN AGAIN.

>> THE DEMOCRATIC PARTY SUFFERS FROM A STRANGE SITUATION WHERE IT DOESN'T KNOW IF IT IS A PARTY OF THE PROFESSIONAL CORPORATE CLASS OR IS IT THE PARTY OF THE WORKING CLASS AND LABOR?

AND BIDEN REFLECTS THAT.

IN ONE WAY YES HE HAD PRO-POLICIES, GOING AFTER MONOPOLISTIC TRENDS IN THE UNITED STATES BUT I MUST CRITICIZE BECAUSE I'M AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITIY OFFENDER WHEN IT COMES TO THIS KIND OF STUFF, THE HYPOCRISY SURROUNDING ISRAEL AND RUSSIA.

WE WERE SEEING ETHNIC CLEANSING IN FRONT OF OUR EYES EVERY DAY, VIOLATION OF ALL THESE ACTS AND HE WENT ON CARRYING THIS.

SO HE AIDED AND ABETTED GENOCIDE.

AND THE-- ANOTHER COUPLE MORE THINGS, RIGHT, ONE IS A PARDON OF HIS SON, WHY?

THAT IS SO STRANGE.

DON'T DO THAT.

IF THIS HAPPENED IN THE THIRD WORLD OR WHATEVER, DEVELOPING WORLD OH LOOK, THIS IS WHAT HAPPENS THERE.

YOU KNOW, BUT THIS IS HAPPENING RIGHT HERE.

THEN HE PARDONS THIS JUDGE WHO USED TO SEND KIDS TO JAIL, SOME KIDS COMMITTED SUICIDE-- >> BIG PICTURE THAT'S A PRETTY SMALL THUNK THOUGH-- A SMALL THING THOUGH.

>> I HAVEN'T HEARD ONE WORD YET AND THAT'S INFLATION.

>> THE WORD IS DISAPPOINTING.

EVERY ONE OF YOU HAVE SAID, HE IS THE MOST DISAPPOINTING PRESIDENT IN MY LIFETIME BECAUSE WHEN WE STARTED THIS, I HAD HIGH HOPES.

I HAD THIS EXPECTATION THAT WE WERE GOING TO RETURN TO A WORLD OF NORMALCY, BUT INSTEAD WE GOT GEOPOLITICAL CHAOS AND WE GOT A CONTINUATION OF TRUMP ERA POPULIST PROTECTIONISM.

ALL OF THOSE COME WITH A BIG BUT AND SOME OF IT IS LIKE THE ECONOMIST SAID HE HAS GOT A SLIGHTLY MORE SANITIZED VERSION OF Mr. TRUMP'S AMERICA FIRST WORLD VIEW, THE INFLATION REDUCTION ACT WAS INFLATIONARY, THE GREEN ENERGY POLICIES THAT HE PASSED HAD AMERICA FIRST PROTECTIONIST COMPONENTS TO IT THAT ALIENATED OUR ALLIES A LITTLE BIT AND OF COURSE THESE KINDS OF POPULIST IDEAS, THEY'RE VERY POPULAR BAD IDEAS.

THEY'RE IDEAS THAT TRUMP HAD IN 2016 AND HE IS GOING TO CONTINUE WITH THEM IN HIS SECOND TERM SO LOOKING FORWARD, THOSE THINGS ARE NOT GOING TO GO AWAY.

THEY'RE GOING TO CONTINUE TO BE INFLATIONARY, THEY'RE GOING TO ALIENATE OUR ALLIES AND IT'S GOING TO BE A CONTINUED RETURN TO DEPRESSION ERA ECONOMICS.

>> I HAVE TO DISAGREE WITH YOU ON SOME OF THAT.

FIRST OF ALL, INFLATION WAS A GLOBAL PROBLEM AND SO THE UNITED STATES WAS NOT AN OUTLIER AROUND THAT.

A LOT OF THAT WAS OUT OF BIDEN'S CONTROL.

THERE IS SOME DISAGREEMENT THAT MAYBE SOME OF THE POLICIES HAD AN ADDITIONAL INFLATIONARY IMPACT BUT THINGS LIKE THE INFLATION REDUCTION ACT WERE MASSIVE INVESTMENTS IN CLEAN ENERGY THAT IS GOING TO HELP US MEET OUR CLIMATE GOALS.

AND THAT IS THE BIGGEST CLIMATE POLICY WE HAVE HAD SINCE WE'VE LEARNED ABOUT THE YOU KNOW, EXISTENTIAL THREAT OF CLIMATE CHANGE AND THAT CAN HAVE REVERBERATING EFFECTS.

AND SO I HAVE TO STRONGLY DISAGREE WITH THAT.

I THINK IT'S-- THESE ARE NECESSARY INVESTMENTS THAT ARE GOING TO-- IN THE LONG RUN LIKE TY SAID-- REALLY PAY OFF.

>> BUT THERE ARE THE BUTS.

THE BUTS.

I'M NOT ARGUING THAT GREEN ENERGY POLICY IS A BAD IDEA.

I'M ARGUING THAT THERE WERE COMPONENTS OF HIS GREEN ENERGY POLICY THAT WERE FUNDAMENTALLY PROTECTIONISTS THAT SAID YOU GET THESE CREDITS IF YOU ARE GETTING COMPONENTS THAT ARE MADE IN AMERICA AND THINGS LIKE THAT.

ALSO A LOT OF THAT WASN'T ACTUALLY INCREMENTAL LIKE WE ARE MOVING TOWARD GREEN ENERGY.

IT WAS REALLY SUBSIDIES FOR PEOPLE WHO ARE GOING TO BUY GREEN ENERGY.

>> THE MOST DISAPPOINTING-- >> THE MOST DISAPPOINTING.

>> I DON'T KNOW WHO HASN'T DISAPPOINTED BY THE END-- CLINTON AT THE END OF HIS TERM WITH LEWINSKY.

BUSH AT THE END WITH IRAQ.

REAGAN AT THE END WITH REASON-CONTRA.

NIXON-- YOU ARE NOT OLD ENOUGH-- >> I'M NOT OLD ENOUGH.

>> BUT I THINK THAT HISTORICALLY SPEAKING, IT'S A LITTLE NARROW VIEW.

>> DISAPPOINTING MEANS HE STARTED AFTER 53% AND HE IS ENDING AT 37% APPROVAL RATING.

(ALL TALKING AT ONCE).

>> THAT IS LOW.

>> HE ALSO EXPANDED OIL AND NATURAL GAS.

I GIVE AN F IN THIS, YOU KNOW, SHOW, IT'S NOT THAT HE WAS NOT-- HE HAD ALLOWED ALL THESE, YOU KNOW, CONTRACTS AND USING OIL AND NATURAL GAS.

I WILL COME BACK.

ONE EXAMPLE, PLEASE LET ME SAY THIS.

A DOCTOR WHO DEFRAUDED MEDICARE BY DILUTEING DRUGS, GOT 20 YEARS IN PRISON.

PARDONED BY BIDEN.

WHY.

>> WHY?

>> DISAPPOINTING MEANS TRUMP GETS BACK INTO OFFICE.

>> WELL, YES.

>> HE RAN TO TURN THE PAGE ON TRUMP AND IN FACT, HE DIDN'T, SO ... WE'LL TAKE THAT FOR WHAT IT IS.

THE PAST FEW WEEKS HAVE SEEN A BITTER FIGHT WITHIN THE REPUBLICAN PARTY OVER IMMIGRATION AND H-1B VISAS.

THE TECH WING OF THE PARTY WANTS MORE OF THEM FOR FOREIGN WORKERS, WITH ELON MUSK THE BIGGEST PROPONENT.

STEVE BANNON AND THE MAGA BASE ARE VEHEMENTLY OPPOSED.

BANNON EVEN REFERRED TO MUSK AS "EVIL ELON."

TRUMP HAS SIDED WITH MUSK.

CHAD, YOU HAD A COLUMN ABOUT THIS IN THE WASHINGTON POST LAST WEEK.

SHOULD WE INCREASE THE NUMBER OF H-1B VISAS AND THEREFORE FOREIGN WORKERS?

>> I WOULD LOVE TO SEE THE NUMBERS INCREASE BUT THAT'S NOT GOING TO HAPPEN.

SO IN TERMS OF PRAGMATIC PRAGMATIC SOLUTIONS IS I WOULD LIKE TO SEE AN ELIMINATION OF THE LOTTERY THAT IS USED TO SEE WHO GETS TO COME TO THE UNITED STATES OR NOT.

FOR THOSE WHO DO NOT KNOW, H1-B IS A PROGRAM THAT ALLOWS FOREIGN WORKERS WITH COLLEGE DEGREES, MANY OF WHOM ARE TECH WORKERS TO COME AND WORK IN THE UNITED STATES.

THE BENEFITS ARE VERY CLEAR.

THEY'RE ABOUT EXPANDING THE ECONOMIC CAPACITY AND INNOVATION AND TECHNOLOGY OF THE U.S. ECONOMY.

THE REASONABLE OBJECTIONS TO HUNTER LOBUR CUMMIN-B PROGRAM-- H-1 B PROGRAM UNDER THE WORKERS, IT TURNS OUT THAT BEHAVIOR IS FACILITATED THROUGH THIS RANDOM LOTTERY ALLOCATION OF WHO GETS TO HIRE.

AND SO IF WE JUST CHANGE THAT, THERE IS A LOT OF ALTERNATIVES TO THE LOTTERY.

IF WE CHANGE THAT COMPONENT, A LOT OF THESE PROBLEMS THAT PEOPLE HAVE WITH H1-B PROGRAM GOES AWAY.

>> ANIRBAN.

>> I THINK THE LOTTERY SYSTEM WAS GAMED IN THE 2020S, THERE ARE PEOPLE WHO ARE PUTTING IN MANY, MANY APPLICATIONS ONCE IT WENT ONLINE.

THERE WERE CONSULTANTS THAT CAME IN.

MASSIVE FRAUD GOING ON.

THE LABOR DEPARTMENT STOPPED, I THINK OR IMMIGRATION, BY DOING THAT NOW IF YOU APPLY, YOU ARE ONLY ONE PERSON AND THAT ONE PERSON IS THAT APPLICATION, NOT SIX OR SEVEN APPLICATIONS BUT I WAS LOOKING AT A LOT OF DATA AND LISTENED TO PEOPLE FROM AROUND HERE, THAT, YOU KNOW, THERE ARE WEAK LABOR STANDARDS FOR HIS-B.

YOU CAN HIRE FOR LOWER SALARY THAN OTHERS AND OTHERS HAVE COMBEARED THEM TO INDENTURED SERVITUDE.

IT GIVES THEM OPPORTUNITY FOR COMPANIES TO NOT SERIOUSLY LOOK FOR SKILLED WORKERS BUT RATHER LOOK FOR WORKERS WHO ARE MORE DESPERATE OR, YOU KNOW, WOULD NOT DO ANYTHING OR WOULD NOT BE ACTUALLY USING THEIR OWN WORKER RIGHTS TO, YOU KNOW, FOR EXAMPLE, THERE WAS A CASE WHERE THIS PERSON WAS SUED BECAUSE HE CHANGED FROM ONE HIS-B TO ANOTHER.

IF YOU LOSE ONE YOU HAVE TO FIND ANOTHER SPONSOR FOR 60 DAYS OR LEAVE THE COUNTRY.

THERE ARE OTHER EMPLOYMENT NORMS AROUND THIS THAT JUST, THE LOTTERY SYSTEM ELIMINATION OF THE LOTTERY SYSTEM WILL NOT SOLVE.

>> CAN WE NOT FILL THESE JOBS WITH AMERICANS?

>> APPARENTLY NOT.

>> WE CAN ACTUALLY BUT WE DON'T BECAUSE IT GIVES-- SORRY.

IT REQUIRES A LABOR WAGE CUT.

>> IF YOU LOOK AT THE SEMICONDUCTOR INDUSTRY, RIGHT, WE HAVE NOT HAD A, YOU KNOW, MUCH EVER AN INDUSTRY HERE UNTIL BIDEN'S INVESTMENTS WHICH, YOU KNOW, HOPEFULLY THAT WILL CHANGE.

IN OTHER WORDS WE DON'T HAVE PEOPLE WHO ARE SKILLED IN THAT INDUSTRY.

SO, YEAH, WE DO NEED THOSE WORKERS, RIGHT?

AND THAT'S PART OF THE POINT, TO GET SOME OF THE SKILLED WORKERS IN.

AND THE RESEARCH SHOWS THAT THEY ALLOW THESE FIRMS TO EXPAND AND GROW AS I'M SURE CHAD HAS STUDIED.

AND THEREFORE BRING IN MORE NATIVE WORKERS, ACTUALLY.

SO THEY'VE DONE-- THE RANDOMNESS OF THE PROGRAM MIGHT BE A POLICY PROBLEM BUT IT HAS BEEN USEFUL FOR STUDYING THE IMPACTS OF THE PROGRAM BECAUSE THEY'RE RANDOMLY ASSIGNED.

YOU LOOK AT FIRMS THAT GOT THEM AND FIRMS THAT DIDN'T GET THEM AND THE FIRMS WHO GOT THEM ARE DOING BETTER, HIRING MORE, GROWING.

THE ONES THAT DON'T GET THEM SOMETIMES OUTSOURCE THE JOBS.

THEY JUST, IF THEY CAN'T GET THE PEOPLE, THEN THEY EXPAND THEIR OPERATIONS IN INDIA OR CHINA OR RP.

>> IF WE DON'T HAVE ENOUGH PEOPLE HERE TO FILL THOSE JOBS AND CHAD THE SUGGESTION IS IT'S AMERICAN CULTURE.

WE DON'T PUSH OUR STUDENTS ENOUGH.

>> HISTORICALLY YOU ARE GOING TO TELL PEOPLE EVERYBODY SHOULDING STUDYING STEM NO.

BUT I WORRY THAT STEPHEN MILLER IS GOING TO BE IN CHARGE OF THIS AND HE TRIED TO STOP ALL IMMIGRATION FOR EVERYTHING.

WE ALSO SHOULD THINK BEYOND JUST THE H1-B TO H-THE FOR AG WORKERS AND HOSPITALITY WORKERS.

SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA IS GOING TO NEED THOUSANDS AND TENS OF THOUSANDS OF CONSTRUCTION WORKERS TO REBUILD THAT.

AND WE DON'T HAVE THEM.

SO 23% OF THE CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRY IS THAN DOCUMENTED WORKERS.

SO I THINK THE AMOUNT OF WORKERS WE ARE GOING TO NEED IS SO LARGE THAT WE ARE GOING TO NEED MASSIVE INFLUX OF PEOPLE.

AND I WORRY THAT STEVEN MILLER AND THE TRUMP ADMINISTRATION IS GOING TO CUT THAT OFF.

>> IN SOME WAYS I THINK YOUR QUESTION IS THE WRONG ONE.

IT'S NOT LIKE ARE THERE ENOUGH AMERICANS TO FILL THESE JOBS.

THAT ASSUMES THE NUMBER OF JOBS IS FIXED.

THE RIGHT WAY TO THINK ABOUT THIS.

THIS IS A SCARCE RESOURCE AND SUPER PRODUCTIVE.

DO WE WANT A SUPER PRODUCTIVE RESOURCE WORKING IN THE ECONOMY.

YES.

TO ANIRBAN'S POINT, THERE ARE THESE, YOU CALL THEM LABOR PROTECTIONS, SO LIKE ONE OF THE THINGS THAT TRUMP HAD SUGGESTED IS LIKE RAISING A MINIMUM WAGE ON H-1 B WORKERS.

THAT IS INTERESTING.

IT IS A SOLUTION.

IT SHIFTS THE ENORMOUS COSTS THAT WORKERS ARE PAYING SEARCHING FOR WORKERS THEY KNOW THEY CANNOT HUMAN RESOURCE-- CANNOT HIRE INTO THE POCKETS OF THE WORKERS THEMSELVES.

THAT WOULD WORK.

BUT YOU COULD ALTERNATIVELY DO SOMETHING LIKE AN AUCTION FOR THE RIGHT TO HIRE AN H1-B WORKER OR INCREASE TAXES OR FEES FOR HIRING AN H1-B WORKER.

BY DOING THAT YOU MAKE THE WORKERS MORE EXPENSIVE BUT RAISED REVENUE THAT THE GOVERNMENT CAN THEN SPEND ON THINGS LIKE TRAINING THE DOMESTIC WORKFORCE TO DO STEM JOBS.

AND SO THAT'S WHY, YOU KNOW, ESPECIALLY IN THE CONTEXT OF THIS ADMINISTRATION, I WOULD ENCOURAGE THEM TO THINK MORE ABOUT YEAH, EITHER AN AUCTION MARKET OR TAXES AND FEES OPPOSED TO MINIMUM WAGE.

>> IF THE WAGE RATES FOR H1-B ARE RAISED TO MAKE IT SIMILAR TO AMERICAN WORKERS, THAT WOULD SOLVE ISSUES AND I WANT TO AGREE WITH YOU, IT WAS AN EXTREMELY NATIVIST COMMENT.

>> GOVERNOR KATHY HOCHUL GAVE HER ANNUAL STATE OF THE STATE SPEECH THIS WEEK EMPHASIZING AFFORDABILITY SAYING EVERY FAMILY DESERVES MORE MONEY.

IN THIS CASE THAT MEANS REBATE CHECKS, TAX CUTS, CHILD TAX CREDITS, HOUSING INCENTIVES AND FREE SCHOOL LUNCH AND MADE PROPOSALS ON MENTAL HEALTH, PUBLIC SAFETY AND HOUSING.

SHE DID NOT MENTION THE CAP AND INVEST PLAN TO CURB CARBON EMISSIONS.

THE COST OF LIVING IS HIGH HERE IN NEW YORK SO ANIRBAN, IS HOCHUL'S IDEA OR PLAN FOR MAKING THINGS MORE AFFORDABLE AN EFFECTIVE APPROACH?

>> I THINK THE AFFORDABLE THING SHE HAS BEEN TALKING ABOUT, I JUST READ A COUPLE OF PARTS OF THE SPEECH THAT WAS INTERESTING.

TAX CUTS FOR MIDDLE-CLASS MAKING 323,000 OR LESS AND APPARENTLY INFLATION REFUND CHECKS FOR 500 FOR THE MIDDLE-CLASS, I THINK THESE POLICIES COULD BE BETTER DONE BUT EXPANDING THE CHILD TAX CREDIT, 100,000 NEW HOMES AND THEN AT LEAST ONE NEW NEW YORK CITY POLICE OFFICER IN EVERY TRAIN BETWEEN 9 P.M. AND S THAT SHE HAD TALKED ABOUT.

AND THEN THERE WAS SOMETHING ABOUT INVOLUNTARY COMMITMENT THAT I THINK THE LEGAL AID SOCIETY CAME OUT AGAINST SAYING THIS IS NOT GOOD FOR PEOPLE WITH MENTAL ILLNESS.

>> CONCERN IN NEW YORK CITY HORRIBLE CRIMES IN THE SUBWAY.

>> SO THE LEGAL AID SOCIETY SAID YOU ARE WAITING FOR PEOPLE TO GET TO THE BREAKING POINT WHEN THEY CAN'T TAKE CARE OF THEMSELVES AND FORCING THEM INTO INCARCERATION KIND OF STUFF.

THERE IS A BUDGET GAP, $15 BILLION, IF YOU LOOK AT MONEY THAT WILL COME IN FROM THE NEW TOLLING SYSTEM, IT'S $15 BILLION AND THE BUDGET GAP IS $33 BILLION.

>> THAT IS MONEY SLATED FOR THE METROPOLITAN TRANSIT, SUBWAYS AND TRAINS FOR NEW YORK.

>> I DIDN'T SEE ANYTHING FOR EDUCATION.

EDUCATION EXPANSION BUT I MIGHT HAVE MISSED THAT.

>> SO GETTING BACK TO THE IDEA OF AFFORDABILITY, I MEAN IS THIS A WAY TO CUT THE COST OF LIVING, JUST GIVE PEOPLE MONEY?

>> WELL, I MEAN LOOK, THE GOOD OF THIS POLICY IS THAT SHE IS FOCUSING ON EFFECTIVE GOVERNMENT PROGRAMS.

THERE ARE A COUPLE YEARS AGO A TRIO OF MAXWELL SCHOOL ECONOMISTS WROTE-- IT'S CUTELY TITLED LET THEM EAT LUNCH PAPER, VERY GOOD PAPER ON BASICALLY FINES THAT UNIVERSAL FREE LUNCH, FOR EXAMPLE, IMPROVES THE TEST SCORES OF MIDDLE SCHOOL STUDENTS AND THERE IS ANOTHER PAPER THAT ARGUES THAT IT INCREASES ATTENDANCE RATES FOR K-3 KIDS AND SO YOU KNOW, THAT AND TARGETED TAX CUTS AND CHILD CREDITS ARE ALL VERY EFFECTIVE POVERTY ALLEVIATION TOOLS.

IF THAT'S YOUR GOAL, SHE IS GOING FOR THE RIGHT PROGRAMS.

THE BUT IS IT FEELS LIKE A POPULIST TRAP.

HOW EXPENSIVE IS THIS GOING TO BE?

WHERE IS THIS MONEY COMING FROM?

I HAVE NO IDEA.

>> POPULIST TRAP, SHE IS RUNNING FOR REELECTION IN 26 I THINK, RIGHT?

>> YEAH, IT DOES SMACK A LITTLE BIT OF DESPERATION TO TRY TO RAISE HER, YOU KNOW, FAVORABILITY RATINGS.

SHE IS SUBJECT TO THE SAME THING THAT PRESIDENT BIDEN WAS, WHICH IS CALLED POLITICAL SCIENTIST CALL THE COST OF RULING.

YOUR POPULARITY GOES DOWN OVER TIME ALMOST INEVITABLY.

PEOPLE, GOVERNMENTS, PARTIES AND EXECUTIVES ARE PENALIZED FOR FAILURES MUCH MORE THAN THEY ARE REWARDED FOR THREW SUCCESSES.

AND HIVE FOR THEIR SUCCESSES AND THERE IS A LOT OF GRUMPINESS IN THIS STATE AND ACROSS THE COUNTRY ABOUT INFLATION, HIGH COST OF LIVING, HIGH COST OF FUNDAMENTAL THINGS LIKE HOUSING, HEALTHCARE, EDUCATION.

AND SO SHE IS TRYING TO, I THINK, TRYING TO GIVE SOMETHING BACK BUT I AGREE WITH CHAD, A LOT OF THESE ARE ACTUALLY SOUND AND GOOD IDEAS THAT COULD POSSIBLY HELP.

I MEAN NEW YORK STATE HAS THE HIGHEST TAX BURDEN OF ANY STATE IN THE COUNTRY.

AND IT'S NOT TOM REASON PEOPLE ARE-- IT'S NOT THE ONLY REASON PEOPLE ARE LEAVING THE STATE BUT ONE REASON PEOPLE GIVE FOR MOVING ELSEWHERE AND I THINK SHE WANTS TO TRY TO STOP THAT.

I DON'T FLOW IF THIS WILL HELP BUT LIT HELP A LOT OF PEOPLE.

I DO AGREE THAT-- I DON'T UNDERSTAND HOW MIDDLE-CLASS IS $323,000 A YEAR THOUGH.

YOU KNOW THAT STRIKES ME AS GOING TO THE EXPENSE SIDE THAT CHAD MENTIONED.

ONE THING WOULD BE TO LOWER THAT, RIGHT?

BECAUSE I'M SORRY, I DON'T THINK PEOPLE, THE AVERAGE INCOME IN NEW YORK STATE, THE MEDIAN INCOME IS $84,500.

>> I READ IT AS WHAT WASN'T IN THERE.

AND WHAT WASN'T IN THERE IS ANY MENTION OF TRUMP AND THIS SEEMED TO BE BOY NEW YORK DEMOCRATS ARE REALLY WORRIED ABOUT TRUMP.

THEY LOST SO MANY VOTES COMPARED TO 2016, AND I THINK IF WE CONTINUE THAT ON, I THINK ABOUT THE CENSUS IN 2030 WHERE NEW YORK MAY LOSE FOUR SEATS IN THE ELECTORAL COLLEGE, WHICH IS GOING TO BE A HUGE BLOW FOR THE STATE TRYING TO FIGURE THAT OUT AND ONE THING SHE DOES MENTION, WHICH I THINK THEY NEED MORE ON IS MORE HOUSING.

HOW IS NEW YORK STATE GOING TO GET-- THEY HAVE-- SHE CREATED AN OMBUDSMAN POSITION TO TRY TO DO THAT BUT IT'S SO DIFFICULT TO TRY TO BUILD HOUSING AND IF THERE IS ONE THING THAT THIS STATE NEEDS IS CHEAPER AND MORE AND MORE HOUSING.

>> SHE HAS BEEN PUSHING.

THEE PUSHED THAT LAST YEAR BUT IT'S THE THING-- THE OTHER THING THAT MAKES IT SO EXPENSIVE HERE PARTICULARLY IN THE CITY AND LONG ISLAND AND WESTCHESTER IS JUST HOW EXPENSIVE HOUSING IS.

>> WILL BARCLAY, THE REPUBLICAN LEADER IN THE ASSEMBLY SAID THESE ARE PRETTY GOOD REPUBLICAN PROPOSALS AND SO I'M WONDERING WHETHER WE MAY BE-- THE DONOVAN-- THE DAWN OF THE AGE OF BIPARTISANSHIP IN NEW YORK STATE.

>> IT REFERRED TO THE CONGESTION TAX AND FRANKLY THE CONGESTION TAX IS A GOOD IDEA, BUT THERE IS A BIPARTISAN OR NON-PARTISAN CITIZEN BUDGET COMMISSION THAT BASICALLY SAYS WE CANNOT FUND THESE IDEAS IN THE LONG RUN UNLESS IT RESTRAINS SPENDING ELSEWHERE.

AND THAT'S THE QUESTION.

>> I GUESS THE QUESTION IS, AND WE CAN'T ANSWER THIS RIGHT NOW, DOES NEW YORK STATE NEED A D DOAJ PROGRAM.

CHAD WE BEGIN WITH YOUR F. >> MY F GOES TO DESTINY USA HAVE CLOSED.

ARDEN AND HUGO BOSS.

NORDSTROM RACK WILL CLOSE.

AND TGI FRIDAYS CLOSED LASTED YEAR.

DESTINY IS IN TROUBLE AND IF LOCAL RETAIL IS IMPORTANT TO YOU, PUT DONE YOUR AMAZON APP GO OUT AND SHOP IN THE REAL WORLD.

>> BRICK AND MORTAR.

SARAH.

>> THE U.S. HOUSE PASSED A DREADFUL IMMIGRATION BILL WITH THE HELP OF 48 DEMOCRATS.

THIS LEGISLATION MANDATES THE DEPORTATION OF MIGRANTS WHO ARE ACCUSED OF PETTY THEFT BUT IT'S MUCH WORSE THAN THAT.

MANDATES THE GOVERNMENT DETAIN THESE ACCUSED MIGRANTS AND DOES NOT ALLOW THEM OUT ON BAIL EVEN IF THE CHARGES ARE LATER DROPPED.

IN OTHER WORDS, THEY CAN BE INDEFINITELY HELD WITH NO OPPORTUNITY FOR DUE PROCESS.

THERE ARE OTHER BAD THINGS ABOUT THE BILL.

AND IT'S REALLY DISAPPOINTING TO SEE THAT SEVERAL NEW YORK STATE DEMOCRATS VOTE FOR THIS CRUEL AND LIKELY UNCONSTITUTIONAL PROPOSAL.

>> ANIRBAN.

>> AND DENYING VISAS-- MY F IS A SERIES I LIKE TO CALL DID WE REALLY DO THAT?

MY F GOES TO SPEAKER MIKE JOHNSON'S POLICY TO BAN THE FIRST TRANSGENDER WOMAN SARAH McBRIDE TO BE ELECTED FROM CONGRESS USING A WOMAN'S BATHROOM.

SHE SAID I'M HERE TO BRING DOWN COSTS FOR FAMILIES.

>> TY, YOU ARE UP.

>> MY F GOES TO THE REPUBLICANS AND FEW DEMOCRATS ON THE SENATE ARMED SERVICES COMMITTEE.

THE CLEARLY UNQUALIFIED TO LEAD AN ORGANIZATION THAT SPENDS A TRILLION DOLLARS A YEAR AND EMPLOYS 3 MILLION PEOPLE AND IT'S A DIPLOMATIC JOB AS WELL.

BUT I WISH THE DISCUSSION THERE HAD BEEN MORE ON WHAT SHOULD WE DO FOR THE DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE COMING AND IT'S NOT TO END WOKENESS AND INCREASE LETHALITY.

THE SENATOR SHOULD HAVE DONE BETTER.

>> TO THE AS NOW.

>> NOW CAN I DO MY A FOR NOBLE SELLER.

A RESTAURANT THAT JUST WON AN AWARD OF EXCELLENCE FROM THE DISTINGUISHED RESTAURANTS OF NORTH AMERICA.

IT IS THE FIRST SYRACUSE RESTAURANT TO DO SO.

IT RECOGNIZES EXCELLENCE IN CULINARY MASTERY SERVICE, BEVERAGES AND AMBIENCE AND JOINS TAYLOR AND THE COOK AND OTHER PAST WINNERS IN CENTRAL NEW YORK.

>> SARAH.

>> ARCHEOLOGISTS UNCOVERED HUMAN REMAINS FOR AN IRON AGE BURIAL SITE IN SOUTHERN ENGLAND AND SUBSEQUENT DNA TEST IN THIS CELTIC COMMUNITY HUSBANDS MOVED TO JOIN THEIR WIVES FAMILIES.

A RARE SIGN OF FEMALE INFLUENCE AND EMPOWERMENT IN THE ANCIENT WORLD.

MY A GOES TO THE EARLY SOCIETY AND THE ARCHEOLOGISTS WHO FIGURED THIS OUT.

>> ANIRBAN.

>> MY A GOES TO THE FIRE FIGHTING CREWS BATTLING THE ARMAGEDDON FIRES IN L.A., ESPECIALLY THE THOUSANDS OF FIREFIGHTERS WHO ARE INCARCERATED.

THEY HAVE BEEN WORKING ROUND THE CLOCK WHILE LEARNING AS EARNING LITTLE IN HIGH FIRE RISK AREAS AND CORPORATIONS SPRAY ON INSURANCE HOLDERS.

THESE PEOPLE ARE FIGHTING AGAINST FIRES.

>> AND TY.

>> MY A GOES TO THE MUCH MALIGNED SENIOR LEADERS OF THE MILITARY, THE JOINT CHIEFS OF STAFF.

THEY ALL SERVED JOBS DURING THE WAR ON TERROR FOR 20 PLUS YEARS.

THE PROBLEM THE MILITARY FACES ISN'T WOKENESS.

IT'S CHINA, BUREAUCRACY AND TOO FEW PEOPLE TO ACCOMPLISH A MISSIONS ALL OVER THE GLOBE DETERRING WORLD.

I WISH THEM THE BEST BUT THESE ARE PATRIOTIC AMERICANS.

USE THEM DON'T ABUSE THEM.

>> THANK YOU VERY MUCH.

>> TY, YOUR F YOU GAVE TO THE COMMITTEE ABOUT THEIR HEARING WITH HEXUS.

THAT STRUCK ME AS WELL THAT THE QUESTIONS WERE HORRIBLE.

>> TERRIBLE QUESTIONS.

>> AND ABOUT THE WRONG THING.

THE GUY NEEDED MANAGEMENT EXPERIENCE FOR A JOB LIKE THAT.

THANK YOU FOR JOINING US THIS EVENING.

FOR COMMENTS YOU CAN WRITE TO THE ADDRESS ON YOUR SCREEN.

IF YOU WANT TO WASH THE SO AGAIN YOU CAN DO SO ONLINE AT WCNY.

I'M DAVID CHANATRY.

FOR ALL OF US AT "THE IVORY TOWER."

HAVE A GOOD NIGHT.

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