1 [ THEME MUSIC ] >> ON THIS WEEK'S EDITION OF "NEW YORK NOW," AN UPDATE ON NEW YORK CITY'S MIGRANT CRISIS AND A NEW ADDITION OF ON THE BILL.

THEN, PAUL RODRIGUEZ IS THE REPUBLICAN NOMINEE FOR STATE COMPTROLLER THIS YEAR.

HE JOINS US TO DISCUSS HIS CAMPAIGN.

AND LATER, WE EXPLORE A NEW PROGRAM FROM THE STATE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT TO CONNECT TEENS WITH CIVICS.

I'M DAN CLARK AND THIS IS "NEW YORK NOW."

[ THEME MUSIC ] >> WELCOME TO THIS WEEK'S EDITION OF "NEW YORK NOW."

I'M DAN CLARK.

IT'S DIFFICULT SOMETIMES TO IMAGINE THE SCOPE OF A CRISIS UNTIL YOU CAN PUT A NUMBER TO IT.

THIS WEEK THAT NUMBER IS 17,000.

THAT'S HOW MANY IMMIGRANTS SEEKING ASYLUM HAVE BEEN BUSSED TO NEW YORK CITY FROM OTHER PARTS OF THE COUNTRY SINCE THE SPRING, AND THAT'S REALLY OVERWHELMED THE CITY'S SHELTER SYSTEM.

SO THIS WEEK THE CITY STARTED SETTING UP NEW SHELTERS AND CAMPS FOR THOSE IMMIGRANTS STARTING ON RANDALL'S ISLAND, BETWEEN MANHATTAN AND QUEENS.

NEW YORK CITY MAYOR ERIC ADAMS AND GOVERNOR KATHY HOCHUL HAVE ASKED THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT TO GET INVOLVED BUT SO FAR NO WORD ON THAT FROM THE BIDEN ADMINISTRATION.

IN 2 THE MEANTIME, MAYOR ADAMS SAID THIS WEEK MORE SHELTERS ARE COMING AND SOON.

>> AND SO STATEN ISLAND AND OTHER COMMUNITIES, THEY ARE GOING-- EVERYONE IS GOING TO SEE ASYLUM SEEKERS.

ALL THE CALLS I'M GETTING FROM ELECTED OFFICIALS, ALL THE CALLS THAT I'M HEARING FROM PEOPLE OF SAYING, YOU KNOW, PLEASE NOT HERE, THAT JUST CAN'T HAPPEN.

THIS IS A CITYWIDE CRISIS AND ALL OF US ARE GOING TO BE IMPACTED.

STATEN ISLAND IS GOING TO BE IMPACTED LIKE THE OTHER FOUR BURROWS.

>> THAT BRINGS US TO A NEW EDITION OF ON THE BILL, WHERE WE TELL YOU ABOUT A BILL OUT OF ALBANY THAT YOU MIGHT NOT HEAR ABOUT OTHERWISE.

THIS WEEK, WE'RE TALKING ABOUT S-81, ALSO CALLED THE ACCESS TO REPRESENTATION ACT.

MOST PEOPLE KNOW THAT IF YOU'RE CHARGED WITH A CRIME AND YOU CAN'T AFFORD AN ATTORNEY, YOU HAVE A LEGAL RIGHT TO HAVE ONE PAID FOR BY THE STATE.

THOSE ARE PUBLIC DEFENDERS, BUT IT'S NOT THE SAME IN CIVIL CASES, INCLUDING DEPORTATION.

IN FACT, THE U.S. HAS A TOTALLY SEPARATE LEGAL SYSTEM FOR IMMIGRATION.

THERE ARE SPECIAL IMMIGRATION COURTS WHERE THOSE CASES ARE HANDLED.

BUT BECAUSE DEPORTATION PROCEEDINGS AREN'T CONSIDERED CRIMINAL, THERE'S NO LEGAL RIGHT TO AN ATTORNEY.

THAT BRINGS US TO S-81.

THE BILL WOULD ADD A NEW LEGAL RIGHT TO COUNSEL IN STATE LAW FOR IMMIGRANTS 3 FACING DEPORTATION, INCLUDING THOSE WHO FOUND THEMSELVES IN NEW YORK CITY IN THE LAST FEW MONTHS.

MANY OF THEM WILL INEVITABLY WIND UP IN IMMIGRATION COURT, AND THEY'RE TEN TIMES MORE LIKELY TO WIN THEIR CASE IF THEY HAVE AN ATTORNEY ACCORDING TO THE ACLU.

SENATE JUDICIARY CHAIR BRAD HOYLMAN SPONSORS THE BILL.

>> IT'S PRETTY FUNDAMENTAL.

AT THE END OF THE DAY WHEN YOU'RE IN A COMPLICATED, LABYRINTH-LIKE LEGAL SYSTEM, IT'S A MATTER OF SOMETIMES LIFE OR DEATH WHETHER YOU GET TO STAY IN THIS COUNTRY AND HAVING A LAWYER CAN MAKE THAT DIFFERENCE.

>> OF COURSE, THE BILL WOULD ALSO COST THE STATE MONEY AND WE DON'T KNOW HOW MUCH JUST YET.

WE'LL SEE IF IT MOVES WHEN LAWMAKERS RETURN TO ALBANY IN JANUARY.

BUT WE'RE GOING TO DROP THE NEWS OF THE WEEK FOR THIS WEEK'S SHOW AND LOOK AHEAD TO NOVEMBER.

LAST WEEK, WE SPOKE WITH STATE CONTROL TOM DINAPOLI, A DEMOCRAT WHO'S UP FOR RE-ELECTION THIS YEAR AND IF YOU DON'T KNOW ABOUT THIS RACE, YOU'RE NOT ALONE.

18% OF LIKELY VOTERS SAID IN A RECENT POLL FROM SIENNA THAT THEY DIDN'T KNOW WHO THEY WOULD VOTE FOR.

DINAPOLI HAS WON THE LAST THREE ELECTIONS AND HE'S NOW RUNNING FOR A FOURTH FULL TERM.

FOR REPUBLICAN PAUL RODRIGUEZ, THE REPUBLICAN'S NOMINEE FOR COMPTROLLER, IS HOPING TO END THAT STREAK.

4 RODRIGUEZ WAS BORN IN QUEENS AND SPENT MOST OF HIS CAREER IN THE STATE'S BANKING INDUSTRY AND WORKING IN FINANCE.

HE NOW WORKS IN DEVELOPMENT FOR THE ARCHDIOCESE OF NEW YORK AND YOU MIGHT HAVE SEEN HIS NAME BEFORE.

RODRIGUEZ RAN FOR CONGRESS ALMOST TWO DECADES AGO AND WAS THE CONSERVATIVE NOMINEE FOR NEW YORK CITY COMPTROLLER LAST YEAR.

WE SPOKE THIS WEEK ABOUT HIS CAMPAIGN FOR STATE COMPTROLLER, WHAT BROUGHT HIM TO THIS MOMENT, AND MORE.

[ THEME MUSIC ] PAUL.

THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR BEING HERE.

I APPRECIATE IT.

>> THANK YOU.

I APPRECIATE THE OPPORTUNITY.

>> OF COURSE.

SO I WANT TO START BY INTRODUCING YOU TO OUR VIEWERS.

YOU HAVEN'T BEEN ON THE SHOW BEFORE.

WE TALKED ABOUT YOU A LITTLE BIT ON THE SHOW.

CAN YOU TELL ME A LITTLE BIT MORE ABOUT YOUR BACKGROUND?

WHAT BROUGHT YOU TO THIS MOMENT?

>> ON A PERSONAL LEVEL, I'LL TELL YOU I'M A NATIVE NEW YORKER, BORN IN QUEENS TO WORKING-CLASS PARENTS WHO, UNFORTUNATELY, SEPARATED SHORTLY AFTER I WAS BORN.

SO I WAS RAISED BY MY SINGLE MOTHER IN QUEENS BUT ALSO WE-- SHE LEFT AND I WAS RAISED PARTLY IN SAN JUAN, PUERTO RICO, AND IN ROSWELL, GEORGIA, WHICH IS A SUBURB OF ATLANTA.

BASICALLY AS AN ONLY CHILD AND REALLY HAVING 5 TO WORK VERY HARD FROM VERY YOUNG.

I WORKED MY WAY THROUGH SCHOOL.

GOT MY COLLEGE DEGREE AND EVENTUALLY CALLED MY WAY INTO A JOB AT THE OLD SOLOMON BROTHERS.

I CAME BACK TO NEW YORK THEN FOR MY ADULT LIFE.

STARTED OUT MY CAREER AS AN EQUITY RESEARCH ANALYST.

FOR THOSE WHO DON'T KNOW WHAT THAT IS-- [LAUGHTER] WHEN YOU HEAR THE FINANCIAL MEDIA, THAT'S THE PERSON WHO SAYS, FOR EXAMPLE, GOLDMAN SACHS PUT A BUY RATING ON PEPSICO STOCK WITH A $55 PRICE TARGET.

THAT'S THE KIND OF THING I DID.

I USED TO DO IN-DEPTH ANALYSES OF COMPANIES AND INDUSTRIES.

AND I HAVE HAD THE GREAT FORTUNE IN A WAY OF STEPPING INTO THE NONPROFIT SECTOR AND THE FAITH-BASED NONPROFIT SECTOR OF THE ARCHDIOCESE OF NEW YORK.

IT'S JUST BEEN-- IT'S BEEN AN INCREDIBLE RIDE.

I'M MARRIED.

I HAVE THREE DAUGHTERS.

THE OLDEST OF WHICH GOT MARRIED EARLIER THIS YEAR, 27 YEARS OLD.

THE OTHER ONES ARE 15 AND 11 AND I'M HOPING THAT MY OLDEST DOESN'T QUITE MAKE ME YET A GRANDFATHER.

[LAUGHTER] ALTHOUGH I TEND TO LOOK YOUNGER THAN MOST PEOPLE THINK-- >> YEAH, IT CAN BE AN ADVANTAGE IF YOU ARE A GRANDFATHER NOW.

>> I READ ONE TIME ABOUT BRAD PITT.

HE SAID WHEN HE WENT THROUGH HIS MID-LIFE CRISIS, HE SAID HE BOUGHT A 6 PORSCHE.

I CAN'T AFFORD A PORSCHE.

>> NEITHER CAN I. I DON'T THINK MOST NEW YORKERS CAN.

SO YOU RAN FOR NEW YORK CITY COMPTROLLER LAST YEAR ON THE CONSERVATIVE PARTY LINE.

>> YES.

I WAS RECRUITED.

INITIALLY, WE WERE TRYING TO GO FOR THE REPUBLICAN LINE AND AT THE TIME, IT SEEMED THAT THEY WERE CALLING US AS INDIVIDUAL CANDIDATE, BOTH A REPUBLICAN CONSERVATIVE.

DIDN'T ACTUALLY WORK OUT THAT WAY.

I WON'T GO INTO THE DETAILS.

EVEN THOUGH I RAN AS ONLY A THIRD-PARTY CANDIDATE, I DID QUITE WELL.

PARTICULARLY WITH THE HISTORY OF CONSERVATIVE PARTY, I GOT ABOUT 5.5 OF THE VOTE, ABOUT OVER 59,000 VOTES WHICH COMPARES TO ONLY 20,000 OR SO REGISTERED CONSERVATIVES IN THE CITY OF NEW YORK.

SO I GOT ABOUT TWO AND A HALF TO THREE TIMES THAT AMOUNT.

I THINK THAT'S SHOWING US THAT IMPRESSED ENOUGH PEOPLE THAT THEY THEN COME TO ME AND SAID WOULD YOU BE WILLING TO CONSIDER RUNNING FOR STATE COMPTROLLER.

I TURNED IT DOWN MANY TIMES.

BUT THEN-- [LAUGHTER] LIKE I THEY SAID, WHEN YOU ARE ASKED TO SERVE, YOU ANSWER THE CALL.

I DON'T DO THIS AS A VANITY PROJECT.

I DON'T DO THIS TO AGGRANDIZE MYSELF.

I DO THIS BECAUSE I WANT TO HELP PEOPLE.

I LOVE THE STATE OF NEW YORK AND I BELIEVE THAT WE'RE IN A DIFFICULT PLACE RIGHT NOW.

AND WE NEED SOME NEW IDEAS 7 AND SOME DIFFERENT PERSPECTIVES FROM WHAT WE'VE BEEN GETTING.

>> SO IF YOU'RE ELECTED YOU WOULD HAVE A FOUR-YEAR TERM TO START OUT AT LEAST.

TELL ME WHAT YOU WOULD WANT TO DO OVER THOSE FOUR YEARS.

DO YOU HAVE ANY BIG IDEAS THAT YOU WOULD REALLY WANT TO SHAKE UP THE COMPTROLLER'S OFFICE WITH?

>> FRANKLY, THERE'S TWO MAIN FUNCTIONS THAT THE COMPTROLLER HAS.

ONE IS TO BE THE PRIMARY WATCH DOG AND PROVIDE OVERSIGHT OVER ANY ACTIVITY FOR STATE FUNDING ISSUES INCLUDING THE $220 BILLION STATE BUDGET.

ON THE OTHER END, THE COMPTROLLER IS THE SOLE TRUSTEE, MEANING THE PRINCIPAL PERSON IN CHARGE, OF MANAGING THE STATE'S ROUGHLY $270 BILLION PENSION FUND.

NOW THAT'S BASICALLY-- IF YOU THINK ABOUT IT, IT'S ABOUT A HALF TRILLION DOLLARS THAT ONE INDIVIDUAL CAN EXERT INFLUENCE OVER AND YET MOST PEOPLE DON'T SEEM TO KNOW WHO THE COMPTROLLER IS OR WHAT THE COMPTROLLER DOES.

>> YEAH.

>> IN TERMS OF THE OVERSIGHT SIDE, I BELIEVE THAT THE OFFICE HAS BEEN UNDERUTILIZED IN TERMS OF ITS FULL CAPACITY.

EVERYONE -- A LOT OF PEOPLE SEEM TO AGREE.

I WAS CORRECTED TODAY.

NOT EVERYONE, BUT LET'S JUST SAY MANY PEOPLE, PARTICULARLY IN 8 THE POLITICAL ARENA, SEEM TO AGREE THAT MY OPPONENT IS A VERY NICE MAN.

HE'S NOT REALLY THE TYPE OF PERSON WHO WANTS TO ROCK THE BOAT, STICK HIS NECK OUT TOO MUCH.

HE'S WILLING TO GO AFTER PETTY CORRUPTION, $5,000 HERE AND THERE, BUT I DO BELIEVE THERE'S VERY BIG, LARGE PROBLEMS IN THE STATE THAT SHOULD ALSO BE LOOKED AT AND IN FACT, SHOULD BE PRIORITIZED.

CASE IN POINT BEING THE $637 MILLION NO BIG CONTRACT FOR COVID TESTING THAT WAS GIVEN PRESUMABLY TO A DONOR OF THE KATHY HOCHUL CAMPAIGN WHO HAD NOT DONATED REALLY IN THE PAST, BUT THAT PARTICULAR YEAR, COINCIDENTALLY, OF COURSE, HAPPENED TO GIVE $300,000 IN DONATIONS.

>> RIGHT.

>> THOSE TYPES OF THINGS.

THERE SHOULD BE ROOM TO BE ABLE TO DO A LOT MORE OF THAT AND I BELIEVE THAT'S BEEN LACKING.

SO I THINK THERE'S A LOT MORE TO BE DONE ON THAT AND THEN ON THE OTHER SIDE, WITH THE PENSION PLAN, I BELIEVE, FRANKLY, THAT IS IRRESPONSIBLE OR UNETHICAL FOR ANY ELECTED OFFICIAL TO BE USING THAT PENSION FUND, THE VALUE OF THAT PENSION FUND AND THE POWER THAT COMES WITH IT AS A TOOL TO PUSH WHATEVER PERSONAL POLITICS OR NARROW AGENDA THAT THEY MAY HAVE.

SO FOR EXAMPLE, OUR INCUMBENT COMPTROLLER IS AT TIMES CRITICIZED HEDGE FUND MANAGERS SAY THAT THEY DON'T 9 SHARE OUR VALUES.

>> HMM.

>> THEY DON'T SHARE OUR POINT OF VIEW BUT IN MANY WAYS, HE IS MANAGING, IN CERTAIN ASPECTS OF THE PENSION PLAN, AS IF IT WERE A HEDGE FUND.

SO I DON'T THINK PENSION-- PUBLIC PENSIONS SHOULD BE MANAGED LIKE PRIVATE ACTIVIST HEDGE FUNDS.

I THINK THE PRIMARY DRIVERS OF THE INVESTMENT MANAGEMENT DECISIONS WITH IN THE PUBLIC PENSION PLAN SHOULD BE, IT IS PRUDENT?

IS IT ETHICAL, AND IS IT LEGAL?

AND THEN FROM THERE, OTHER THINGS CAN COME THROUGH.

>> I WANT TO CIRCLE BACK TO THE PENSION FUND IF WE HAVE TIME BECAUSE IT'S REALLY IMPORTANT, BUT I WANT TO TALK ABOUT OVERSIGHT FOR A SECOND.

>> SURE.

>> BECAUSE I THINK WHEN WE TALK ABOUT CORRUPTION AND MISCONDUCT IN STATE GOVERNMENT, OF WHICH AS YOU REMIND OUR YOU VIEWERS, WE HAVE NO SHORT SUPPLY OF HERE IN NEW YORK.

I THINK THAT IS JUST SUCH AN IMPORTANT ROLE IN THE STATE COMPTROLLER'S OFFICE.

IS THERE ANY MORE SPECIFIC IN STATE GOVERNMENT THAT YOU WOULD WANT TO NARROW IN ON IN TERMS OF YOUR AUDITING POWER IF YOU ARE ELECTED?

IS THERE ANYWHERE YOU WOULD WANT TO DIVE RIGHT INTO?

10 >> FIRST AND FOREMOST, AND THIS MAY SOUND GLIB, BUT A YOUR SHOE YOU IT'S NOT.

I THINK ONE OF THE FIRST PLACES I NEED TO LOOK AT IS WITHIN THE COMPTROLLER'S OFFICE, ITSELF.

>> HMM.

>> NOT TO SUGGEST THAT THERE AREN'T MANY VERY GOOD PROFESSIONALS WITH IN THE COMPTROLLER'S OFFICE, BUT I'M REMINDED THAT A FEW YEARS AGO, MR. DINAPOLI HIRED A GENTLEMAN NAMED NAVNOOR KANG AND OWN A FEW YEARS AFTER HE WAS HIRED, MAYBE ABOUT TWO OR THREE YEARS AFTER THAT, HE ENDED UP GETTING EMBROILED IN HIS OWN PAY-TO-PLAY SCANDAL.

>> RIGHT.

>> WHERE HE RECEIVED ABOUT-- I THINK OFFICIALLY THE NUMBER WAS ABOUT $100,000 IN GIFTS AND CASH, BUT BASICALLY TO FUNNEL BUSINESS TO TWO PARTICULAR BROKERAGE FIRMS WHO WERE COMPENSATING HIM.

I THINK IT'S VERY DIFFICULT IF AS COMPTROLLER YOUR RESPONSIBILITY TO ROOT OUT THAT CORRUPTION AND TO ENSURE THAT THE STATE REMAINS CLEAN, YOU HAVE TO MAKE SURE THAT YOUR OWN OFFICE IS CLEAN AND THAT THE APPROPRIATE CONTROLS ARE IN PLACE.

I THINK IT'S VERY IMPORTANT TO MAKE SURE THAT THE OPERATIONS THAT ARE I'M GOING TO BE OVERSEEING ARE FUNCTIONING PROPERLY TO ENSURE THAT WE ARE ABLE TO PERFORM OUR OVERSIGHT JOB FOR THE STATE.

11 >> ABSOLUTELY.

AND I THINK WHEN YOU TALK ABOUT THAT, TOO THERE'S ALSO THIS PART OF THIS JOB THAT YOU HAVE TO CONSIDER INDEPENDENTS WHEN WE TALK ABOUT INDEPENDENTS, WE'RE USUALLY TALKING ABOUT SOMEBODY LIKE THE LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR OR THE ATTORNEY GENERAL, BUT YOU ALSO HAVE THIS TREMENDOUS POWER, AS YOU SAID, IN THE STATE COMPTROLLER'S OFFICE.

LET'S SAY YOU WIN IN NOVEMBER AND CONGRESSMAN LEE ZELDIN WINS IN NOVEMBER.

HOW WOULD YOU MAKE SURE THERE IS A FIREWALL THERE BETWEEN YOU AND THAT GOVERNOR TO MAKE SURE THAT YOU'RE DOING YOUR JOB AS A CHECK ON STATE SPENDING?

>> WELL, ONE OF THE REASONS WHY YOU HAVE SEEN WHY THE ATTORNEY GENERAL CANDIDATE MICHAEL HENRY AND I HAVE DONE A LOT OF WORK IN PRESS CONFERENCES TOGETHER IS BECAUSE WE'RE SUPPOSED TO BE THE INDEPENDENT WATCH DOGS.

>> RIGHT.

>> AND WE'RE SUPPOSED TO BE MORE APOLITICAL IN THAT SENSE.

SO IT'S A VERY IMPORTANT THING AND MY ATTITUDE HAS ALWAYS BEEN AND EVEN WHEN I RAN FOR CITY COMPTROLLER, FIRST OF ALL, I CAN WORK WITH ANYBODY WHO IS AT THE EXECUTIVE REGARDLESS OF PARTY, BUT BY THE SAME TOKEN, I'M NOT GOING TO SHOW ANY PREFERENCE OR FAVORITISM TOWARDS ANYONE-- ANY EXECUTIVE.

OF COURSE, I'M START OF THE STATEWIDE SLATE.

I SUPPORT 12 CONGRESSMAN ZELDIN.

I THINK HE IS THE BEST CHOICE FOR GOVERNOR, FOR THE STATE OF NEW YORK AND I THINK EVERYONE WITHIN OUR STATEWIDE SLATE CAN BRING A LOT MORE-- A LOT NEWER PERSPECTIVES AND REALLY SOME MUCH-NEEDED OVERSIGHT THAT I BELIEVE WE'RE LACKING SO MUCH-NEEDED LEADERSHIP BUT BY THE SAME TOKEN, AS COMPTROLLER, I'M GOING TO DO MY JOB, AND I WILL GO AFTER WHOEVER.

I DON'T CARE IF THEY'RE REPUBLICAN, DEMOCRAT, CONSERVATIVE, LIBERTARIAN, I DON'T CARE.

MY OBJECTIVE IS TO SERVE THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK BECAUSE I THINK THEY'VE BEEN TAKEN FOR GRANTED FOR FAR TOO LONG.

THAT'S ONE OF THE DANGERS OF ENTRENCHED ONE-PARTY RULE.

PEOPLE WHO ARE ELECTED DON'T FEEL THAT THEY'RE REALLY BEHOLDEN OR THAT THEY NEED TO BE HELD ACCOUNTABLE BY THE VOTERS.

I THINK THAT NEEDS TO CHANGE.

>> IF YOU ARE ELECTED AND CONGRESSMAN IS ELECTED, THERE'S ALSO A GOOD CHANCE THAT THE LEGISLATURE WILL STILL BE IN THE HANDS OF DEMOCRATS.

THE ASSEMBLY IN PARTICULAR, IS A DEMOCRAT STRONGHOLD.

THE SENATE, WE'LL SEE HOW THAT, WOULD OUT.

I'M WONDERING-- BECAUSE I'VE ASKED THIS QUESTION RUNNING FOR THIS OFFICE BEFORE.

DO YOU WISH THAT THIS OFFICE WOULD HAVE MORE POWER THAN IT DOES NOW?

IS THERE ANYTHING MORE THAT YOU WISH THE STATE COMPTROLLER COULD DO?

FOR 13 EXAMPLE, DO YOU WISH YOU DIDN'T HAVE TO REFER THINGS TO A PROSECUTOR?

MAYBE THERE'S A SPECIAL PROSECUTOR AT THE COMPTROLLER'S OFFICE, WHICH IS NOT AN IDEA THAT ANYBODY'S EVER SAID BEFORE, BUT I'M JUST SPITBALLING HERE.

>> I ACTUALLY DON'T HAVE A PROBLEM WITH REFERRING BECAUSE I DON'T THINK THE COMPTROLLER'S IN AND OF ITSELF IS SUPPOSED TO BE A LAW ENFORCEMENT ARM.

I THINK THEY SHOULD WORK IN CONJUNCTION WITH LAW ENFORCEMENT WHEN NECESSARY, BUT I DON'T THINK NECESSARILY THE COMPTROLLER SHOULD HAVE SUBPOENA POWER OR ANYTHING OF THAT NATURE.

AT LEAST NOT AT THIS POINT.

PERHAPS ONCE I'M IN THE OFFICE I'LL HAVE A DIFFERENT ATTITUDE TOWARDS IT.

WHAT I THINK ONE OF THE BIGGEST THING CHALLENGES IS I DON'T THINK THAT VERY POWERFUL BULLY PULPIT, THAT IS THE COMPTROLLER'S OFFICE, IS UTILIZED WELL AND EFFICIENT ENOUGH.

AND THERE'S NOTHING KEEPING THE COMPTROLLER, WHETHER THEY CAN LOOK AT A SPECIFIC CONTRACT TODAY OR NOT, FROM COMMENTING AND FROM EXPRESSING OPINIONS OR FROM EXPRESSING CERTAIN VALUES OR CERTAIN CONCERNS ABOUT CONFLICTS OF INTEREST, ABOUT OPTICS OF SOMETHING.

COMMISSIONER DINAPOLI SOMETIMES SAYS IT'S NOT ILLEGAL FOR DONORS TO GIVE MONEY AND TO RECEIVE CONTRACTS.

STREW.

BUT THE IDEA THAT-- AND BECAUSE IT'S NOT ILLEGAL AND I CANNOT 14 PROVE THERE COULD BE ANY QUID PRO QUO, IT'S JUST OUT OF SIGHT, OUT OF MIND.

IF YOU HAVE THAT ATTITUDE, IS IT ANY WONDER THAT PAY TO PLAY CONTINUES TO HAPPEN?

EVEN HAPPENING IN HIS OWN OFFICE.

YOU NEED TO BE ABLE TO READ BETWEEN THE LINES, GO BEYOND JUST WHAT YOU SEE RIGHT IN FRONT OF YOU IN TERMS OF THE NUMBERS.

THAT'S THE PURPOSE OF AUDITING IS TO DEEP DOWN AND INVESTIGATE AND IF YOUR ATTITUDE IS, WELL, I CAN NEVER PROVE IT, WELL, LET'S BE HONEST, THESE KINDS OF THINGS ARE HARD TO FIND.

YOU'RE NEVER GOING TO FIND AN EMAIL THAT SAYS, HELLO.

THANK YOU FOR THOSE DONATIONS.

I'M GOING TO GIVE YOU THIS OVERPRICED CONTRACT.

>> NO.

>> THINGS DON'T HAPPEN THAT WAY AND IF YOU WERE EXPECTING PEOPLE TO BELIEVE THAT THAT'S HOW THINGS HAPPEN, YOU'RE BASICALLY JUST USING THAT TO SHIELD YOURSELF FROM OR TO SHIELD YOURSELF FROM CRITICISM DUE TO YOUR OWN INACTION IN GOING AFTER IT.

>> IT'S REALLY INTERESTING.

THE OFFICE OF THE STATE COMPTROLLER, YOU'RE RIGHT.

NOBODY REALLY RECOGNIZES THE POWER OF THE OFFICE, BUT IT JUST HAS SO MUCH POWER, WHICH IS WHY WHEN WE TALK ABOUT RACES LIKE THIS, IT'S SO IMPORTANT.

I APPRECIATE GETTING TO TALK ABOUT IT.

PALM RODRIGUEZ, A REPUBLICAN 15 RUNNING FOR STATE COMPTROLLER.

THANK YOU.

>> THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR YOUR TIME.

IT WAS A GREAT PRIVILEGE.

I APPRECIATE IT.

[ THEME MUSIC ] >> AND A REMINDER THAT ELECTION DAY IS NOVEMBER 8th, BUT TURNING NOW TO A STORY THIS WEEK ABOUT EDUCATION IN NEW YORK.

A NEW PROGRAM FROM THE STATE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT IS GETTING STUDENTS MORE ENGAGED WITH CIVICS.

STATE OFFICIALS SAY THE PROGRAM IS DESIGNED TO TEACH KIDS HOW GOVERNMENT WORKS, WHY IT'S IMPORTANT TO GET INVOLVED, AND WHAT THEY CAN DO TO CHANGE IT.

MORE ON THIS FROM PRODUCER CATHERINE RAFFERTY AND ME.

TAKE A LOOK.

[ THEME MUSIC ] >> WHAT IS THE PURPOSE OF PUBLIC EDUCATION?

WHAT DOES A SOUND AND BASIC EDUCATION LOOK LIKE?

NEW YORK STATE HAS A CLEAR DEFINITION OF THAT.

ABOUT TWO DECADES AGO, THE STATE'S HIGHEST COURT HELD THAT THE OPPORTUNITY FOR A SOUND, BASIC EDUCATION MEANS THE STATE MUST OFFER THE SKILLS NECESSARY TO, QUOTE, FUNCTION PRODUCTIVELY AS CIVIC PARTICIPANTS CAPABLE OF VOTING AND SERVING ON A JURY.

>> SO THAT'S POWERFUL.

THAT'S A CONSTITUTIONAL RIGHT OF EVERY KID IN THIS STATE TO BE WELL PREPARED TO 16 EXERCISE CITIZENSHIP ATTRIBUTES AND THE SCHOOLS WERE DEFINITELY FALLING DOWN ON THAT.

>> MICHAEL BELL IS EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF CENTER FOR EDUCATIONAL EQUITY AT TEACHERS COLLEGE, COLUMBIA UNIVERSITY, AND FOUNDER OF DEMOCRACY READY AND WHY, A COALITION OF THE LEADING GROUPS AND STAKEHOLDERS WITH A GOAL OF PREPARING YOUNG PEOPLE FOR CIVIC ENGAGEMENT.

FOUR YEARS AGO, THE STATE BOARD OF REGENTS CREATED WHAT'S CALLED THE CIVIC READINESS INITIATIVE.

THAT WAS TO DETERMINE HOW BEST TO PROMOTE CIVIC PREPARATION IN PUBLIC SCHOOLS THROUGHOUT THE STATE.

NEW YORK EDUCATION COMMISSIONER, DR. BETTY ROSA, SAYS THE INITIATIVE IS IMPORTANT TO ENGAGE STUDENTS IN HOW CIVICS CAN IMPACT THEIR COMMUNITIES.

>> WE'RE BUILDING AGENCY BY TRULY DEVELOPING STUDENTS' ABILITIES TO ELEVATE AND GIVE VOICE TO THESE KEY ISSUES IN SOCIETY.

>> AS PART OF THE INITIATIVE, REBEL WAS NAMED CHAIR OF A SPECIAL TASK FORCE ON CIVIC READINESS.

THAT PANEL WAS CREATED TO PROVIDE RECOMMENDATIONS ON THE CIVIC READINESS INITIATIVE.

TWO YEARS AGO, THE TASK FORCE PRESENTED RECOMMENDATIONS, INCLUDING A DEFINITION OF CIVIC READINESS.

THAT'S DESCRIBED AS, QUOTE, THE ABILITY TO MAKE A POSITIVE DIFFERENCE 17 IN THE PUBLIC LIFE OF OUR COMMUNITIES THROUGH THE COMBINATION OF CIVIC, SKILLS AND ACTIONS, MINDSETS AND EXPERIENCES.

REBEL SAYS THAT DEFINITION IS IMPORTANT BECAUSE IT NOT ONLY COVERS CIVICS, IT TARGETS THE IMPORTANCE OF MEDIA LITERACY AND CRITICAL THINKING.

>> IT SPEAKS NOT ONLY ABOUT CIVIC KNOWLEDGE, WHICH IS IMPORTANT, UNDERSTANDING HOW GOVERNMENT WORKS, SEPARATION OF POWERS, RULE OF LAW, THOSE KINDS OF THINGS BUT THE DEFINITION ALSO EMPHASIZES CIVIC SKILLS, AND THAT MEANS CRITICAL THINKING.

IT MEANS MEDIA LITERACY, WHICH IN THESE DAYS IS ABSOLUTELY IMPORTANT, KNOWING HOW TO USE SOCIAL MEDIA AND THE INTERNET CORRECTLY, HOW TO DISTINGUISH ACCURATE AND INACCURATE INFORMATION.

>> ALONG WITH THAT DEFINITION, THE TASK FORCE ALSO RECOMMENDED A FRAMEWORK FOR A CIVIC CAPSTONE PROJECT AND A SEAL OF CIVIC READINESS.

THAT'S A FORMAL RECOGNITION THAT A STUDENT HAS A HIGH LEVEL OF PROFICIENCY IN TERMS OF CIVIC KNOWLEDGE, CIVIC SKILLS, CIVIC MINDSET AND CIVIC EXPERIENCES.

TO EARN THAT SEAL, STUDENTS HAVE TO FINISH THE REQUIREMENTS FOR A REGENTS DIPLOMA AND SCORE ON A SPECIAL POINTS SYSTEM GEARED TOWARD CIVIC ENGAGEMENT.

THOSE POINTS CAN BE EARNED IN A LOT OF DIFFERENT WAYS, LIKE REACHING MASTERY LEVEL ON A 18 SOCIAL STUDIES REGENTS EXAM, COMPLETING A SERVICE-ORIENTED PROJECT AND MORE.

THE PROGRAM LAUNCHED IN MORE THAN 300 SCHOOL DISTRICTS THIS FALL AFTER A PILOT PROGRAM LAST YEAR.

ANGELIQUE JOHNSON-DINGLE IS THE DEPUTY COMMISSIONER FOR P12 INSTRUCTIONAL SUPPORT AT THE STATE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT.

>> THE EDUCATION SHOULD NOT JUST NOT SIMPLY HAPPEN TO OUR STUDENTS.

IT SHOULD HAPPEN FOR OUR STUDENTS AND BY GIVING THEM THE ABILITY TO TARGET SOMETHING THAT THEY ARE PASSIONATE ABOUT, SOMETHING THAT THEY RECOGNIZE, THAT THEY WOULD LIKE TO WORK ON HELPS THEM TO FEEL EMPOWERED AND REALLY IMPACTS THEIR SOCIAL-EMOTIONAL LEARNING.

>> SHENENDEHOWA CENTRAL SCHOOLS IN SARATOGA COUNTY WAS ONE OF THE DISTRICTS THAT PARTICIPATED IN THE PILOT OF THE SEAL PROGRAM LAST YEAR.

LISA KISSINGER IS THE ACADEMIC ADMINISTRATOR IN SOCIAL STUDIES THERE.

>> WE ASKED THEM TO MAKE PRESENTATIONS ABOUT WHAT THEY HAD DONE IN THEIR EXTRACURRICULAR ACTIVITIES THAT THEY FELT MADE THE CONNECTIONS BETWEEN WHAT THEY HAD LEARNED IN THEIR GOVERNMENT CLASS, IN THEIR CIVICS CLASSES TO THEIR EXPERIENCES IN THE COMMUNITY.

SO WE WERE ABLE TO AWARD 19 SENIORS THE 19 DIPLOMA SEAL LAST YEAR AT GRADUATION.

WE WERE EXCITED ABOUT THAT.

>> AND TEACHERS WHO HAVE BEEN INVOLVED IN THE PROGRAM SO FAR SAY, IT'S BEEN SUCCESSFUL.

BOB KAISER, ALSO OF SHENENDEHOWA, IS A SOCIAL STUDIES TEACHER WHO WORKS CLOSELY WITH A GROUP OF STUDENTS WHO EARNED THE SEAL.

>> WE REALLY GAVE THEM OPPORTUNITY TO EARN POINTS FOR MANY DIFFERENT AVENUES.

INCLUDING WORK EXPERIENCE AND MANY OF THEM WERE OUT DOING JOBS IN THE COMMUNITY ALREADY SO THEY COULD DO JOBS AND GET IT THROUGH THERE.

WHY NOT GIVE THEM CREDIT FOR BEING INVOLVED IN OUR COMMUNITIES AND MAKING A DIFFERENCE AND SHOWING THEM HOW THEY'RE ALREADY DOING IT, AND OUR HOPE WAS IT WOULD NOT ONLY GIVE THEM CREDIT FOR THAT BUT ENCOURAGE MORE KIDS TO BE INVOLVED.

>> SIDDHI WADEKAR GRADUATED FROM SHENENDEHOWA HIGH SCHOOL LAST YEAR AND IS NOW IN COLLEGE STUDYING COMPUTER SCIENCE.

FOR HER SEAL PROJECT, SHE STARTED A CHAPTER OF THE CLUB, SUPER POSITION, AN INTERNATIONAL NONPROFIT GEARED TOWARD BRIDGING THE GENDER GAP IN STEM FIELDS, SCIENCE, TECH, MATH AND ENGINEERING.

>> IT FELT LIKE I COULD DO SOMETHING AT THE END FOR SOMEONE ELSE.

I STILL REMEMBER EVEN IN MY STEM 20 CLASSES, I USED TO LOOK AROUND AND FIND LIKE TWO OR THREE OTHER GIRLS.

I'M LIKE, OH.

BUT IT IS PROGRESSIVELY GETTING BETTER.

LIKE A LOT OF PEOPLE ARE TALKING ABOUT IT.

SO WE JUST WANTED TO LIKE START A CHAPTER AT OUR GOAL TO HELP OTHERS GET TO LEARN MORE ABOUT IT.

>> THERE ARE OTHER STRATEGIES UNDERWAY AS WELL TO GET YOUNGER GENERATIONS INVOLVED IN CIVICS.

THE LEAGUE OF WOMEN VOTERS IN NEW YORK IS ALSO A MEMBER OF THE DEMOCRACY READY AND WHY COALITION AND EACH YEAR, THEY PUT ON A PROGRAM CALLED STUDENTS INSIDE ALBANY.

ABOUT 60 HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS FROM ACROSS THE STATE GET THE CHANCE TO COME TO THE STATE CAPITOL AND LEARN HOW PUBLIC POLICY IS PROPOSED, ENACTED AND CHANGED IN STATE GOVERNMENT.

>> THE IDEA OF THE PROGRAM IS TO LEARN HOW TO INFLUENCE PUBLIC POLICY, BUT ALSO LEARN ABOUT YOUR STATE GOVERNMENT.

SO HOW DO THEY INFLUENCE PUBLIC POLICY, OR HOW CAN THEY?

ONE MODEL IS WHAT THE LEAGUE DOES, WITH LOCAL LEAGUES AND COMMUNITY FORUMS, WE EDUCATE VOTERS, ALL OF THAT.

WE BRING IN OTHER GROUPS THAT LOBBY OR MAKE THEIR VOICE HEARD IN DIFFERENT WAYS.

>> BEERMAN SEES BOTH THE SEAL PROGRAM AND THE LEAGUE'S INITIATIVES AS WAYS TO SHOW YOUTH HOW THEY CAN MAKE TANGIBLE CHANGES IN THEIR COMMUNITIES.

21 >> YOU NEED TO HAVE THE BACKGROUND.

YOU NEED TO KNOW HOW IS THIS DECISION MADE.

WHERE DOES IT COME FROM?

IS IT A STATE DECISION?

IS IT A CITY DECISION?

WHAT COMMITTEES?

WHAT'S THE STRUCTURE?

HOW DOES A BILL GET PASSED?

WHAT INFLUENCE CAN I HAVE ON THAT PROCESS?

BECAUSE THAT'S WHERE THEY'RE GOING TO MAKE CHANGE.

>> AND FOR BOB KAISER FROM SHENENDEHOWA THE FUTURE IS BRIGHT FOR CIVICALLY MINDED STUDENTS WHO ARE INTERESTED IN MAKING A DIFFERENCE.

>> WE DO HAVE A VERY FRACTURED SOCIETY RIGHT NOW, BUT I THINK BY HAVING PEOPLE OUT THERE, HEARING OTHER PEOPLE'S STORIES, UNDERSTAND WHAT OTHER PEOPLE ARE GOING THROUGH THAT ARE NOT NECESSARILY THEMSELVES BUT HAVE DIFFERENT EXPERIENCES, IT LEADS TO BETTER SOLUTIONS IF PEOPLE CAN UNDERSTAND WHAT OTHERS ARE GOING THROUGH.

>> COMING OFF THE SUCCESS OF THIS PAST YEAR JOHNSON-DINGLE, FROM THE STATE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT, HOPES TO EXPAND THE PROGRAM AND SUPPORT DISTRICTS WHO PARTICIPATE.

>> WE ARE PROUD OF THE GROWTH WE'VE SEEN IN JUST THIS ONE YEAR BUT WE WOULD HOPE THAT MORE WOULD LOOK TO BECOME A PART OF IT.

LOOKING TO PROVIDE MORE RESOURCES AND SUPPORTS FOR 22 SCHOOLS AS DISTRICTS MAY LOOK TO REWORK SOME OF THEIR LOCALLY DECIDED CURRICULUMS TO HELP SUPPORT PERFORMING AND ENGAGING IN THIS TYPE OF A COURSE.

ULTIMATELY AT THE END OF IT, WE WANT TO MAKE SURE THROUGH AN EQUITY LENS THAT ALL STUDENTS FEEL AS IF THEY HAVE A VOICE, AS IF THE THINGS THAT ARE IMPORTANT TO THEM MATTER AND THAT THEY CAN USE THIS COURSE TO DEVELOP THAT AGENCY.

[ THEME MUSIC ] >> AND THAT DOES IT FOR THIS WEEK, BUT JOIN US NEXT WEEK FOR AN IN-DEPTH INTERVIEW WITH CONGRESSMAN LEE ZELDIN, THE REPUBLICAN PARTY'S NOMINEE FOR GOVERNOR IN THIS YEAR'S ELECTION.

WE'LL SEE YOU THEN.

THANK YOU FOR WATCHING THIS WEEK'S "NEW YORK NOW."

HAVE A GREAT WEEK AND BE WELL.

[ THEME MUSIC ] >>Announcer: FUNDING FOR "NEW YORK NOW" IS PROVIDED BY WNET.