Turning his first State of the City speech into a liberal call to arms, Mayor de Blasio on Monday vowed to use government to attack income inequality so all New Yorkers have a “fair shot at a better life.”
He called for expanding “living wage” laws, providing ID cards to New Yorkers living in the U.S. illegally, improving job training and career-prep programs and raising taxes on the rich to pay for universal prekindergarten.
Debbie Egan-Chin/New York Daily News
Mayor Bill de Blasio delivers his first State of the City address at LaGuardia Community College in Long Island City, Queens, on Monday.
And he urged Albany to give the city the power to set its own minimum wage so residents “aren’t relegated to the ranks of the poor when putting in a full week’s work.”
Together, the proposals will “lay the foundation now for the strength and stability of New York’s future — a future of greater equality and opportunity,” de Blasio said.
Debbie Egan-Chin/New York Daily News
During the State of the City speech, Mayor de Blasio proposed expanding ‘living wage’ laws and improving job training.
“We demand a city that lifts the floor for those struggling day to day, that offers every New Yorker a fair shot, because that is the city that we all signed up for.”
The 43-minute speech, to hundreds of supporters and elected officials, offered few surprises and was thin on specifics, although de Blasio is expected to flesh out his proposals in his budget address on Wednesday.
Debbie Egan-Chin/New York Daily News
Chirlane McCray attends husband Mayor de Blasio’s State of the City address at LaGuardia Community College in Queens.
Instead, de Blasio used Monday’s speech to offer an unwavering defense of the “progressive” agenda that he rode to his landslide victory in November.
For those struggling at the bottom of the ladder, he promised a “fair shot” and to “lift the floor” a half-dozen times each.
Debbie Egan-Chin/New York Daily News
During his address, Mayor de Blasio promised a ‘fair shot’ and to ‘lift the floor’ a half-dozen times each.
It was a striking departure from the speeches of Mayors Rudy Giuliani, a Republican, and Michael Bloomberg, a Republican-turned-independent, who emphasized economic development to help the city’s have-nots.
De Blasio tempered his call to action by warning of “a budgetary challenge that is unprecedented.”
Debbie Egan-Chin/New York Daily News
(From left) Public Advocate Letitia James, City Council Speaker Melissa Mark-Vevirito and Scott Stringer attend Mayor de Blasio’s State of the City address on Monday.
Although Bloomberg left him with a $ 2 billion surplus, de Blasio cited the “gridlock” in Washington and the more than “150 municipal labor contracts that are unsettled.” The unions want more than $ 7 billion in back pay.
“We will navigate toward a future that is progressive and fiscally responsible. It will not be easy. But we will not turn away from the challenge,” he said.
Debbie Egan-Chin/New York Daily News
Former New York Mayor David Dinkins at the State of the City speech.
For all the momentum de Blasio tried to generate for his agenda, the mayor faces stiff headwinds in Albany. Gov. Cuomo and the Republican co-leader of the Senate, Dean Skelos (R-L.I.), oppose raising taxes to pay for expanding pre-K.
And Republicans in Albany also do not support passing a law giving communities the power to set their own minimum wage.
Debbie Egan-Chin/New York Daily News
Reps. Charlie Rangel (left) and Gregory Meeks in the crowd at Mayor de Blasio’s State of the City address on Monday.
Still, de Blasio’s allies — Democrats and union chiefs who chafed for 20 years under Giuliani and Bloomberg — hailed the new tone in City Hall.
“People really felt the power of his words,” said City Council Speaker Melissa Mark-Viverito (D-Manhattan).
Bryan Smith for New York Daily News
Mayor de Blasio, during his speech, urged Albany to give the city the power to set its own minimum wage. Here, a rally for higher wages on the steps of City Hall.
“As with any government, the success comes when you’re true partners. … On these issues he presented today, I believe we are on the same page.”
Business leaders and Republicans were more muted.
“We look forward to working with the mayor and the Council on the details of how to best … build housing and create jobs for all New Yorkers,” said Steven Spinola of the Real Estate Board of New York.
Vincent Ignizio (R-S.I.), the Council’s Republican leader, called the speech “consistent” with de Blasio’s agenda. “As a general rule, I’m not in favor of government interfering with private businesses,” he said.
De Blasio repeatedly sought to align his vision with that the late Mayor Fiorella La Guardia.
He mentioned La Guardia — who he said made “the New Deal come alive in New York” — five times. He was introduced by LaGuardia’s granddaughter, Katherine LaGuardia, and gave the speech at LaGuardia Community College in Queens.
LaGuardia “responded to the urgent challenge of his time. That’s what so many women and men of great vision and compassion … have done throughout New York’s history,” de Blasio said. “That’s the path I choose.”
“We’ve got one chance to get this right. Let’s seize it,” he said.
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