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  • Guns, Garages, and the $30 Minimum Wage

    Guns, Garages, and the $30 Minimum Wage
    2026/04/19
    Three years after a fatal parking garage collapse, New York City is racing to inspect thousands of structures—but many are falling behind. This week, DOB Commissioner Ahmed Tigani joins Morgan McKay to discuss the enforcement crisis, the push to remove sidewalk sheds, and a controversial proposal to allow building inspectors to carry firearms. Then, Councilmember Harvey Epstein stops by to advocate for the city’s workforce. From the ambitious push for a $30 minimum wage and Amazon worker protections to the debate over taxing luxury pied-à-terre apartments, we explore the legislative battles shaping the cost of living in NYC. Infrastructure: Why Manhattan and Brooklyn garages are missing inspection deadlines. Safety: The debate over giving DOB inspectors arrest powers. Labor: Can NYC really sustain a $30 minimum wage? Real Estate: Why the pied-à-terre tax is back on the table. Listen in for a deep dive into the safety and silver of New York City. Quick Hits: Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
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    21 分
  • Tax Wars & Crisis Calls: Is NYC Pushing Business to the Brink?

    Tax Wars & Crisis Calls: Is NYC Pushing Business to the Brink?
    2026/04/06
    Are the "Big Apple’s" biggest employers looking for the exit? This week on Politics Unusual, Morgan McKay dives into the high-stakes battle over the New York State budget and a new vision for public safety under the Mamdani administration. Part 1: The Corporate Exodus?First, Morgan sits down with Steven Fulop, the new CEO of the Partnership for NYC. As state lawmakers negotiate a massive budget, Fulop reveals why the Partnership is launching a seven-figure ad campaign to fight proposed tax hikes on high earners and businesses. While titans like JP Morgan might never fully leave, Fulop warns of a "quiet quitting" of the city—where growth and new jobs are being funneled to Texas and Florida instead of the five boroughs. We discuss the "tipping point" of affordability and how the business community views Mayor Zohran Mamdani’s first 100 days. Part 2: Reimagining the 911 Response Then, we shift to the front lines of the city's mental health crisis. Brian Stettin, former senior adviser on severe mental illness, joins the show to break down Mayor Mamdani’s new Office of Community Safety. Stettin weighs in on the B-HEARD program’s limitations and argues that the city is facing a "false choice." Does it have to be police or social workers? Stettin explains why a "Co-Response" model might be the key to saving lives during a mental health emergency. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
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    21 分
  • Fast Food Paybacks, Debt Collection Rules, & NYC's Massive Budget Gap

    Fast Food Paybacks, Debt Collection Rules, & NYC's Massive Budget Gap
    2026/03/29
    Are your workplace rights protected, and is the city running out of money? This week on Politics Unusual, Morgan McKay dives deep into the financial realities facing both everyday New Yorkers and the city at large. First, Morgan sits down with Department of Consumer and Worker Protection (DCWP) Commissioner Sam Levine. They break down a massive recent settlement with Dunkin' and Taco Bell franchisees that is finally putting hard-earned money back into workers' pockets. Commissioner Levine also pulls back the curtain on ongoing investigations into worker violations, explains how new proposed funding cuts to the DCWP could put future investigations at risk, and unpacks what the city’s brand-new rules around debt collection mean for you. Then, we shift focus to the city's wallet. Sarita Subramanian, Senior Research and Strategy Officer at the Independent Budget Office (IBO), joins the show to discuss a staggering new report. With New York City staring down a projected $7 billion budget gap over the next two years, Sarita explains exactly how we got here—and more importantly, the tough choices and strategic ways the city can close that massive gap. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
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    21 分
  • Showdown at City Hall: Property Tax Battles & The Mayor’s Power Play

    Showdown at City Hall: Property Tax Battles & The Mayor’s Power Play
    2026/03/22
    Is City Hall heading for a massive budget collision? Welcome back to the Politics Unusual Podcast with Morgan McKay! This week, we are diving deep into the rising tensions between the City Council and the Mayor's office over how your tax dollars are spent and how the city handles public safety. First, Morgan sits down with City Council Finance Committee Chair Linda Lee to unpack the brewing financial battle. Chair Lee explains why the Council is drawing a hard line against the Mayor's proposal to raise property taxes and drain NYC's rainy day fund. She also breaks down the push to find budget savings without cutting essential services, and why she’s sounding the alarm on the Mayor bypassing the Council to create the new Office of Community Safety. Then, we hear a completely different perspective on the community safety debate. Alex Vitale, Brooklyn College sociology professor and key transition advisor, joins the show to defend the new office. He breaks down how this initiative—which oversees the 911 mental health dispatch program, B-Heard—is a vital first step in transforming the city's response to mental health emergencies. Plus, he shares his mounting frustration with the City Council for stalling the legislation needed to make this office permanent. What You'll Hear in This Episode: The Budget Battle: Why Chair Linda Lee is fighting property tax hikes and protecting the rainy day fund. The Mayor's Power Play: The controversy surrounding the creation of the Office of Community Safety. Transforming 911: Alex Vitale explains the B-Heard program and why sending mental health professionals to nonviolent calls is the future of public safety. The Gridlock: Why Vitale is calling out the City Council for not making the new safety office permanent. If you want to understand where your tax dollars are going and how NYC is reimagining public safety, you cannot miss this episode! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
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    21 分
  • Taxing the Rich & The Two-Person Train Fight

    Taxing the Rich & The Two-Person Train Fight
    2026/03/14
    Are higher taxes going to push businesses out of New York? And is the MTA sacrificing safety to save a buck? We are asking the hard questions on this week's episode of Politics Unusual. The Budget & The Wealthy: NYS Senate Majority Leader Andrea Stewart-Cousins breaks down the legislative push to tax millionaires and corporations. We discuss the fears of a wealthy exodus, how the state plans to help NYC fill its budget gap, and if these debates are going to delay the April 1st budget deadline. The Transit Union Strikes Back: TWU International President John Samuelsen joins us to discuss his upcoming clash with Governor Hochul and the MTA. After the Governor vetoed a crucial bill requiring two-person train crews citing high costs, Samuelsen is firing back. He lays out his safety concerns and why this veto will fuel the fire in their upcoming contract fight. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
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    21 分
  • The 2-K Rollout: Will NYC's Universal Childcare Plan Work?

    The 2-K Rollout: Will NYC's Universal Childcare Plan Work?
    2026/03/09
    Can NYC actually become affordable for parents AND tenants? This week on Politics Unusual, we’re diving into two of the biggest line items in your monthly budget: Childcare and Rent. First, we sit down with Emmy Liss, Executive Director of the Mayor’s Office of Child Care. The city is officially launching its "2-K" rollout this fall, starting with 2,000 free seats for 2-year-olds. But with a goal of 12,000 seats by next year, we ask the tough questions: How are locations being picked? Who gets priority? And how is the city fixing the childcare worker shortage by finally addressing the pay gap? Then, the housing heat turns up. Kenny Burgos, CEO of the New York Apartment Association (NYAA), joins us to push back on the city’s "Rental Ripoff" hearings. From the rising costs of building repairs to the Mayor’s proposed rent freeze, Burgos explains why he thinks the current path is a "property tax trap" for New Yorkers. Plus, we break down the wild $21 billion pitch to Donald Trump to build 12,000 homes over Sunnyside Yard in Queens. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
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    21 分
  • Trailer

    Trailer
    2026/01/20
    Think of Politics Unusual as your weekly debrief on the circus that is local and national politics. Host Morgan McKay skips the "politician-speak" to get the real story from the people making the rules. Whether you’re a policy nerd or just wondering why your taxes are doing that again, join us for a deep dive into the strange, the messy, and the definitely-not-usual world of politics. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
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    1 分
  • NYS Assembly Minority Leader Ra, "Stop Super Speeders Act"

    NYS Assembly Minority Leader Ra, "Stop Super Speeders Act"
    2026/02/28
    In this week's episode of Politics Unusual, FOX 5 NY's political reporter Morgan McKay speaks with State Assembly Minority Leader Ed Ra about potentially raising taxes on millionaires. Also, a conversation with Chrissy Oakes, a street safety advocate, about the "Stop Super Speeders" legislation Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
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    21 分