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Q&A

Impact of delayed racial equity plans and true cost of living analysis

2:13:41

·

3 min

Council Member Nantasha M. Williams asks Jimmy Pan about the impact of delays in releasing racial equity plans and the true cost of living analysis on the budget cycle and marginalized New Yorkers. Pan responds that the delays are hurting the ability to address core issues and improve economic security for New Yorkers.

Pan emphasizes the importance of having data and plans to understand and address economic deprivation
He expresses doubt that the delayed plans will impact this year's budget process
Pan argues against duplicity between CORE and MOERJ, stating that CORE provides essential public accountability

Nantasha M. Williams

2:13:41

Yeah I see the same question I asked Linda which is duplicity in the work and then two, you know given the true cost of living hasn't been released and the racial equity plans haven't been released, both are significantly delayed.

2:14:03

I'll ask you a two part question on that which is one same question as Linda, do you think it'll it'll have a tangible impact on this year's budget cycle and the other question is given the delays and the things that you mentioned and the political and social climate of this country and the state, the city, do you feel the lack of said plans said true cost of living analysis is negatively hurting the most marginalized New Yorkers because these things are not have not been released?

Jimmy Pan

2:14:43

I'll start backwards.

2:14:44

Absolutely I think that the failure to release these plans and these measures is something that is taking away our ability to address the core issues of New Yorkers.

2:14:59

Right, I think last time I was here with the chair Jennifer Jones Austin, we were making that point that at the end of the day these are ultimately about economic security.

2:15:10

I think everything that's happened in our nation in the past year reflects desires of Americans to have economic security, of New Yorkers to have economic security.

2:15:21

And I think by not having these very fundamental tools, you know, the data, the plans, the measures, we can't even begin to understand what it is we need to do.

2:15:33

Of course we can think of big policy changes and understand the structural roots of economic deprivation.

2:15:42

But it seems extremely misguided to me to not prioritize what in some ways is low hanging fruit, which is just measuring what we're doing.

2:15:52

After all, aren't we paid to improve lives for people?

2:15:55

Don't we want to be able to show that, especially with elections coming up to prove that government actually has an impact on the lives of people?

2:16:03

So yes, absolutely I think it hurts our ability.

2:16:07

I don't want to speculate on the budgeting process, but I have to say if I were a betting man I wouldn't put a bet that it would impact the budget process.

2:16:15

And I think it's just hard to imagine with how tight timelines are that it would.

2:16:20

But to your question about duplicity, I have to say firmly no.

2:16:24

I don't think there's any duplicity.

2:16:27

First and foremost, I think CORE provides an extremely essential function of raising the public's voice as a form of accountability.

2:16:39

I think we heard Chair Tajani's testimony today calling out the delays, calling out lack of data.

2:16:49

I think that while that's not an enforcement power I think it's necessary.

2:16:53

I think you have to have a different voice that actually helps all of us do better.

2:17:00

I think we all do better when we're held to account.

2:17:03

So I think while some of the tasks may overlap, I think their missions are completely different and if you hobble one you hobble all of the efforts towards equity in the city.

Nantasha M. Williams

2:17:17

Thank you.

2:17:19

Have anything else you want to add?

Jimmy Pan

2:17:20

Thank you.

Nantasha M. Williams

2:17:21

No thank you.

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Testimony by Jimmy Pan, Former Policy Director of the Racial Justice Commission, on the State of Racial Equity in New York City

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Council member's closing remarks