Rush Transcript: Mayor de Blasio Holds Press Gaggle

May 14, 2015

Question: [inaudible] 

Mayor Bill de Blasio: I’ve been getting the question over and over. It’s the same answer – we need to make the changes we need for the people of New York City. We have to change national policies. I think it’s as simple as that. I mean, yesterday in Washington was one example to get a transportation bill out of the Congress. That could mean billions for New York City and the metropolitan region. You know, we’ve got 160 –

Unknown: [inaudible]

Mayor: Thank you – 160 bridges in New York City that are over 100 years old. We can’t fix all that without [inaudible]. So that’s one example of using the bully pulpit and gathering fellow mayors to change national policy. But when it comes to this larger discussion of income inequality, look at the things we’re talking about – progressive taxation. The Buffet Rule is estimated to bring in $70 billion a year more in federal revenue. That’s the context we’re [inaudible] the changes we need in a place like New York City. Historically, we had a very energetic federal role in terms of affordable housing and mass transit infrastructure. We don’t have that anymore, and it’s part of what’s holding us back. So, we’re not going to achieve that without progressive taxation. And, you know, we can’t help a lot of our people without improving the minimum wage. So, I would love to raise the minimum wage in New York City. I would do it myself if I had the power. But the only places I can get that change are either Washington or Albany. And Albany obviously at this moment is not interested in making a change. So we have to change the politics in order the change the policies that affect our people, and that’s worth building momentum and building a moment for. 

Unknown: We’ve got to go.

Mayor: Thank you.