How Andrew Yang Would Run New York
HW: So what does Mayor Yang do to reverse that trend?
AY: We re going to have to compete on many levels that New York City has not had to compete on for quite some time. You start by restoring quality-of-life issues that New Yorkers have felt uncertain about during this past year. That begins with reopening schools and as a public-school parent myself, I can tell you that there were many families that felt uncertain about where to spend their time because the schools were closed.
Then it s public safety reducing the number of people that are on our streets and in need of shelter, getting restaurants and bars and theaters open, particularly Broadway all of the things that make New York City safe and appealing for people is job one.
You also need to reach out to organizations that are trying to figure out what their physical office needs are. You have large employers in New York City that have gone remote for a year, and they are trying to navigate whether to bring workers back. Many of the CEOs I talk to want to bring workers back. They think, correctly, that organizations are more innovative and creative and high-functioning and build a better culture when people are physically proximate to each other. And it s true. It s borne out by numerous studies. These organizations need the city s support in bringing people back.
I hope Yang is the next mayor of NYC. Green shoots and all that.