PUBLIC TESTIMONY
Testimony by David I. Weprin, Assemblyman from New York State Assembly, on Randy Mastro's Confirmation
8:47:44
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3 min
Assemblyman David I. Weprin testifies in support of Randy Mastro's confirmation as the next corporation counsel of New York City. He highlights Mastro's qualities as a bridge builder, his ability to work with various individuals, and his focus on mission over personal interests.
- Weprin emphasizes his long-standing relationship with Mastro, describing him as a trusted advisor and friend.
- He distinguishes Mastro from Rudy Giuliani, noting that the hearing seems to focus excessively on Giuliani rather than Mastro.
- Weprin describes Mastro as a brilliant lawyer, advocate, and trustworthy individual based on his experiences working with him in different capacities.
David I. Weprin
8:47:44
Is this on?
8:47:46
Okay.
8:47:47
We have the same problem in Albany, by the way.
Keith Powers
8:47:49
You ever be on this side of the table?
David I. Weprin
8:47:51
We can never figure out whether the lights on or not.
8:47:55
I've been on that side many times.
8:47:57
As a matter of fact, this has been nostalgia for me because I was chair of the finance committee, as you may know, for 8 years.
8:48:04
And I actually sat through all the budget hearings, and we often went, you know, till midnight or 1 or 2.
8:48:11
But usually, the testimony was very quick at that point and the audience was less and less as we went through.
8:48:19
So we actually have more people than I expected right now.
8:48:23
I hope this isn't coming off my time.
Keith Powers
8:48:25
Keep going.
David I. Weprin
8:48:29
Speaker Adams chair, powers, I wanna thank you for the opportunity to speak in support of Randy Mastro's confirmation to be the next corporation counsel of the city of New York.
8:48:41
I'm Assemblyman David Weppern.
8:48:43
I represent the 24th District in Queens.
8:48:46
I currently chair the Assembly Insurance Committee and have previously served as chair of the Correction Committee.
8:48:53
I proudly represent my neighbors from 2002 to 2009 in the New York City Council, whereas I mentioned I was chair of the finance committee.
8:49:06
Randy Mastro has been a friend and someone who I've worked with in different capacities, but more in an advisory role.
8:49:16
He is a real outstanding individual when I first got elected to the city council and became chair of the finance committee Randy was someone I I sought advice from and somebody that I respected.
8:49:30
He is a a real bridge builder.
8:49:33
He is a type of person that can work with anyone and everyone and really tries to work for the benefit of the the mission as opposed to the individuals.
8:49:49
I worked with Randy when I was on Wall Street, which I was on 25 years in different positions.
8:49:55
I chaired the Securities Industry Association, New York District for a number of years, and I I've worked with Randy I I wanna state since this I've been in this hearing almost a whole day, and I'm not a Rudy Giuliani fan by any means.
8:50:14
And you think at one point that as we're sitting here, that Rudy Giuliani was up for confirmation.
8:50:23
He's not, and Randy Mastro is.
8:50:26
And I just wanna say that the experience I've had with Randy in different capacities has been I found him to be not only a brilliant lawyer, an advocate, but but also a great individual, someone that I feel I can trust, and you should be able to trust, and IF I HAD TO DEFINE HIM, I WOULD SAY HE'S A REAL MENTION.