Andrew Yang in 2010-2020 Mayor's Office Websites
On Budget & Economy:
Subsidize rent for resident artists in buildings
We propose creating a Deputy Mayor of Entertainment, Nightlife and Culture. The Deputy Mayor will focus on rebuilding these essential industries to recover from the pandemic while also building a "more fun" future for
New York. Now, more than ever, we must invest city resources in efforts that will help bring struggling nightlife establishments back to life and support the creation of new businesses.
New York City is home to some of the most famed and celebrated cultural institutions, but we cannot forget about our local artists who create artwork through all mediums right here in New York. That is why our administration will partner
with larger institutions to help subsidize rent for resident artists in buildings. These up-and-coming creators deserve a place to cultivate their craft and the city has a role to play in supporting their dreams.
Source: Mayoral campaign website YangForNY.com
Mar 25, 2021
On Budget & Economy:
Create the People's Bank of New York City
A Yang administration will launch the newly created People's Bank of New York City, initially funded with a $100 million loan from New York City. The People's Bank has two objectives: (1) ensure every New Yorker can access basic financial
products and services, like checking accounts, and has the opportunity to save money affordably, build credit, and secure small business loans; and (2) Support small business lending in underserved communities by guaranteeing loans and loan portfolios.
Source: Mayoral campaign website YangForNY.com
Mar 25, 2021
On Crime:
Appoint Police Commissioner with resume beyond NYPD
Yang will appoint a NYPD commissioner whose career is not primarily in law enforcement. A commissioner will need to be able to advance the culture and support a vision for how the NYPD can be fully integrated into a larger public safety strategy.
The commissioner must have a broad perspective of the NYPD's role in New York and establish clear measures of policing success. That means refocusing the NYPD to protect against and solve violent crimes throughout the City while continuing to evolve.
A majority of NYPD officers live outside NYC. NYPD officers are exempted from residency requirements. A Yang administration will seek state approval to repeal this carveout so that all new officers are required to live in New York City. If we are
committed to the ideals of neighborhood policing, we should have our police live in our neighborhoods. They should be a part of the civic fabric and understand the communities they protect and serve.
Source: Mayoral campaign website YangForNY.com
Mar 25, 2021
On Crime:
Overhaul oversight of the NYPD
Following the NYPD's deplorable reaction to the protests over the summer, the City's independent Department of Investigations released a series of recommendations about how to better conduct oversight of the NYPD in a real and meaningful way.
A Yang administration would supplement disciplinary power from the NYPD Commissioner so that the CCRB or an independent disciplinary committee is able to make a final determination.
Source: Mayoral campaign website YangForNY.com
Mar 25, 2021
On Education:
Extend Universal Pre-K to three-year-olds
The most celebrated accomplishment of the de Blasio administration was the creation of Universal Pre-K. Before COVID, the de Blasio administration was planning to extend this program to 3 year olds, but did not believe this plan was viable in
the current fiscal environment. However, as the economy reopens and the city budget recovers, we should prioritize scaling up 3-K, so that families who need affordable childcare stay in the City.
New York has some of the greatest teachers in the world. We should be using the remote learning tools now in greater use to give them a platform to enrich students around the city and the country. We should take video and curricula
from teachers who are particularly strong at creating remote lessons and make them available to students across the City. This can potentially be a revenue driver for our city too, if expanded to the state/country.
Source: Mayoral campaign website YangForNY.com
Mar 25, 2021
On Energy & Oil:
Bring a Green New Deal to NYCHA
We know that any chance we have to make significant upgrades to NYCHA's buildings will be a once-in-a-generation opportunity, so we must capitalize on these investments by ensuring all capital improvements are aligned with our sustainability
and climate goals. We will usher in not just upgrades to NYCHA buildings, but also, a new era of racial, economic and environmental justice.
Source: Mayoral campaign website YangForNY.com
Mar 25, 2021
On Government Reform:
Appoint small business czar to help in recovery efforts
The Yang administration will appoint a head of small business support and recovery so that there is a single responsible party and point of contact for small business owners to help them in their recovery efforts. The appointee will serve as
a small business czar to coordinate all efforts across several different offices (Department of Consumer Affairs, Small Business Services, and Office of MWBE) to ensure that the City's bureaucracy is not getting in the way of small businesses opening.
Source: Mayoral campaign website YangForNY.com
Mar 25, 2021
On Government Reform:
Give NYC control over city's transit system
Staten Islanders have some of the worst commutes in the country. The borough now suffers from a severe lack of transportation investment, with the MTA and DOT both consistently deferring critical projects. It's a key reason a Yang administration wants
municipal control of the City's transit system--so only the mayor is accountable for the success or failure of our transit system and that each borough and each neighborhood has more of a voice in transit planning in their neighborhood.
Source: Mayoral campaign website YangForNY.com
Mar 25, 2021
On Health Care:
Invest in the Mental Health Emergency Response Unit
The NYPD does not have the capacity nor skill set to respond to many people in emotional distress or who are experiencing mental health crises, particularly those in the disability community. We are encouraged to see the recent announcement by the
City that for the first time, mental health professionals and crisis workers will be dispatched through 911 to respond to mental health emergencies. A Yang administration would scale this pilot program up.
Source: Mayoral campaign website YangForNY.com
Mar 25, 2021
On Immigration:
All agencies must make language access a top priority
All City agencies are required to update their language access plans. But many immigrant communities who speak languages other than English find it very difficult to get services in their preferred language. A Yang administration will ensure that all
City agencies and contracted providers make language access a top priority with a real-time translator provided by the NYC App to serve New Yorkers seeking services in the language that is most comfortable for them.
Source: Mayoral campaign website YangForNY.com
Mar 25, 2021
On Principles & Values:
Outdoor celebrations for the end of the pandemic
Once the state of emergency is officially over and our health experts tell us it's once again safe to congregate, a Yang administration would host outdoor celebrations in each borough to celebrate the end of the deadly pandemic and look toward
a brighter future. In 2019, thousands gathered for a ticker tape parade to celebrate the US Women's National Team World Cup victory. Imagine the excitement of that event in every borough celebrating the end to Covid-19 while remembering those we lost.
Source: Mayoral campaign website YangForNY.com
Mar 25, 2021
On Principles & Values:
Will regularly ride the subway, buses, and his bike as Mayor
The Yang administration will build and maintain a reliable and comprehensive transit network both above and below ground.
As he has done for the past 25 years, Andrew will regularly ride the subway, bus and ride his bike as Mayor. We should expect a mayor to understand how most New Yorkers get around the city.
Source: Mayoral campaign website YangForNY.com
Mar 25, 2021
On Tax Reform:
Push NYS for a Vacancy Tax on empty storefronts
There are too many open storefronts in NYC. A Yang administration would advocate New York State for a vacancy tax, determining an amount of time for which a storefront can be vacant, after which the landlord must pay a tax to the state as a penalty.
This will create an incentive for them not to leave retail spaces empty in the hopes of waiting for a tenant who will pay higher rent. The money could also go towards minority- and women-owned enterprise development.
Source: Mayoral campaign website YangForNY.com
Mar 25, 2021
On Welfare & Poverty:
Launch largest basic income program in the country
A Yang administration will launch the largest basic income program in the country. Through this program, 500,000 New Yorkers with the greatest need will receive a basic income that will help give them a path forward. This will start with providing those
who are living in extreme poverty with an average of $2,000 per year. This program can then be grown over time as it receives more funding, with the vision of eventually ending poverty in New York City altogether.
Source: Mayoral campaign website YangForNY.com
Mar 25, 2021
Page last updated: Nov 30, 2021