Q&A
Council Member Adams questions Mastro on Charter Revision Commission and pro bono work
6:48:19
·
3 min
Council Member Adrienne E. Adams questions Randy Mastro about his knowledge of the recent Charter Revision Commission's proposals, his past involvement in Charter Revision Commissions, and his recent pro bono work advising the administration on the migrant crisis. Mastro reveals limited knowledge of current proposals and defends his past work as not intentionally affecting the balance of power between branches of government.
- Mastro admits to having limited knowledge of the current Charter Revision Commission's proposals
- Discussion of Mastro's past involvement in Charter Revision Commissions and whether they expanded Council power
- Questioning about Mastro's recent pro bono work advising the administration on the migrant crisis in 2023
Adrienne E. Adams
6:48:19
Thank you, Mister chair.
6:48:21
Mister Mastro, are you aware of the amendments put forth by the recent charter revision commission?
Randy Mastro
6:48:29
I personally, I'm not.
6:48:31
I haven't followed it closely.
Adrienne E. Adams
6:48:33
You don't know any of the proposals that they have recommended beyond the ballot November.
Randy Mastro
6:48:38
I haven't followed it at all other than as an issue I know between the council and the administration about the charter revision commission affecting the legislative proposal to increase advice and consent that would have to go on the ballot, but I've not studied the proposals at all.
6:48:59
I'm sorry.
Adrienne E. Adams
6:49:02
As a commissioner of former Charter Revision Commission some years ago, did you ever recommend any proposals that would actually expand the power of the council?
Randy Mastro
6:49:14
I don't recall whether any of the proposals expanded as opposed to modified, but they were not proposals as I viewed them intended to reduce the powers of one branch over another.
6:49:29
They were intended to address mutual concerns about how to pass a budget and under what circumstances and how to pass a tax increase and under what circumstances.
6:49:39
So I didn't view them as affecting one side of the whole or the other.
6:49:43
But I certainly didn't intend them to affect one side of it.
Adrienne E. Adams
6:49:46
That was my other question.
6:49:47
So then there would be no intention on your part then back then to to make any such recommendation that the power of the council be expanded.
Randy Mastro
6:49:57
I did not understand myself to ever be doing that.
Adrienne E. Adams
6:50:01
Thank you for your response.
6:50:03
One more question.
6:50:06
We disclosed today that you were or had advised the administration and the mayor regarding the migrant crisis in 2023, pro bono.
6:50:15
Yes.
6:50:16
When did that cease?
Randy Mastro
6:50:19
I haven't
Adrienne E. Adams
6:50:21
it is still ongoing today.
6:50:22
You're still advising the administration regarding the migrant crisis?
UNKNOWN
6:50:25
No.
6:50:26
No.
Randy Mastro
6:50:26
No.
6:50:26
I don't think we've provided any advice in some time in 2023.
6:50:30
And again, the advice was limited.
6:50:32
Again, without waving privilege.
6:50:36
The advice was limited to questions of trying to see that asylum seekers got their asylum applications done in a timely fashion under federal law.
6:50:44
It's supposed to happen in a 180 days, but it doesn't.
6:50:47
To see that they can get work permits.
6:50:50
So they can
Adrienne E. Adams
6:50:51
I I understand I understand the capacity?
6:50:53
Okay.
6:50:53
Right.
6:50:54
So this was before you were ever considered or thought to be the nominee for this Particular,
Randy Mastro
6:51:01
completely and detached in time.
Adrienne E. Adams
6:51:04
If you were asked post post that, would you take up tomorrow being advisement for the administration on any issue at this point?
Randy Mastro
6:51:13
I haven't been asked.
6:51:14
If Well, if you ask me to
Adrienne E. Adams
6:51:23
I'm asking you if if that were to happen again tomorrow, would your response be the same in the affirmative?
Randy Mastro
6:51:31
My response to try to help asylum seekers get work permits.
6:51:36
Yes.
6:51:36
I would wanna help them get work permits.
6:51:38
If I wanna help them get legal status here, I think everybody in this room
Adrienne E. Adams
6:51:43
I I understand your response.
6:51:44
So the answer would be yes.
6:51:45
Then.
6:51:45
Okay.
6:51:46
Thank you.
6:51:46
Thank you very much.
Keith Powers
6:51:47
Thank you.
6:51:47
We're now gonna go to Councilor Dela Rosa, and we'll be followed by Councilor Feliz.