Your guide to NYC's public proceedings.
REMARKS
Commissioner Julie Samuels on affordable housing's economic importance and the issue of open primaries
0:20:08
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123 sec
Commissioner Julie Samuels believes the commission's proposals will meaningfully improve the lives of New Yorkers, particularly those measures that will increase the housing stock.
She argues that an affordable housing market is an economic necessity to attract and retain the talent that powers the city's economy.
Samuels expresses regret that New Yorkers will not have the chance to vote on open primaries, which she feels would empower over a million unaffiliated voters, especially young people who are disengaged from the current system.
Julie Samuels
0:20:08
Thank you.
0:20:09
I'd like to start by echoing the comments of so many thanking my fellow commissioners, chair, vice chair, the amazing staff, Alec and team.
0:20:17
It has been a pleasure, a true pleasure to work with you all.
0:20:21
And not to mention, of course, the hundreds of New Yorkers who showed up, the thousands who submitted comments echoing all of your your other statements so eloquently put.
0:20:30
I firmly believe the proposals we're putting forward can and will meaningfully improve the lives of New Yorkers, and I'm proud of the work we've done to reach this point.
0:20:40
I'm especially encouraged by the measures that will lead to a growth of housing stock, especially affordable housing, proposals that reflect the urgent need to make it easier to build housing in every neighborhood.
0:20:52
A more affordable, accessible housing market is not just a social good, which of course it is, but it's also an economic necessity.
0:21:00
New York's ability to attract and retain talent is utterly essential for our continued growth as a hub for technology, innovation, and entrepreneurship.
0:21:09
That means ensuring the people who power our economy, especially young people and families, can afford to live here.
0:21:16
At the same time, I would be remiss if I did not express my regret that New Yorkers are not going to get a chance to weigh in to empower more than 1,000,000 unaffiliated voters in our city.
0:21:27
Obviously, I'm talking about open primaries.
0:21:30
Many of those unaffiliated voters are young, they're independent minded, and they are disengaged from a system that too often feels close off to them.
0:21:39
I believe younger people increasingly do not see themselves as wedded to a party, and our system should meet them where they are.
0:21:46
In short, expanding participation in our democracy should not be controversial.
0:21:51
And I, like so many others, do hope the city will have another chance to look at this issue again in the near future.
0:21:57
I am incredibly grateful for thoughtful deliberations we've had as a commission and for the staff who've made this possible.
0:22:03
I'll be proud to vote in favor of the proposals that help make New York City more livable, more fair, and forward looking.
0:22:10
Thank you.