Category Archives: Bill de Blasio

de Blasio Press Q&A: The Laboring Leaders Edition



Today Mayor Bill de Blasio assembled many of New York City’s labor leaders in support of his pre-K/after school program initiative.  The labor leaders, including George Gresham, Stuart Appelbaum, Michael Mulgrew, George Miranda, Peter Ward, Vinny Alavarez and Hector Figueroa, pledged to work in support of de Blasio’s initiative.

Here is de Blasio’s press Q&A.

Inauguration 2014 (Updated x 2)



Mayor Bill de Blasio took office on January 1st with an inauguration ceremony on the steps of City Hall.

For the Price of a Small Soy Latte:

In his inaugural address de Blasio highlighted his call for funding universal pre-K and middle school after school programs with an increased income tax on high earners.  We look at his clever framing of the anticipated additional tax burden for those high earners.

Update – Applause:

For the Kremlinologists (CityHallologists? deBlasiologists?), here’s a brief clip of the introductions of elected & former elected officials and their respective applause, both by and for.

Update #2 – Stringer Oath:

NYS Supreme Court Justice Eileen Bransten administered the oath of office to Comptroller Scott Stringer, continuing on despite a jailbreak by one young attendee.

de Blasio Press Q&A: The Closeout Edition



Bill de Blasio’s mayoral transition drew to a close on New Year’s Eve, with a final press conference to announce five appointments: Gilbert Taylor as Commissioner of Homeless Services, Polly Trottenberg as Transportation Commissioner, Bob Linn as Director of Labor Relations, Stanley Brezenoff as a Special Advisor to the First Deputy Mayor and Kyle Kimball as President of the New York City Economic Development Corporation.

Following statements from de Blasio and each of the appointees, de Blasio answered questions from the press.

de Blasio Press Q&A: The Knockout Edition (Updated)



With 36 hours to being sworn in as mayor, Bill de Blasio announced his selection of Carmen Farina as schools chancellor.

Press Q&A:

Here is the full press Q&A.

The Battle of Brooklyn:

Following the press conference, de Blasio spent a few minutes talking with the students who had dutifully stood behind him.  He described the Battle of Brooklyn, an important Revolutionary War battle that occurred near the site of the press conference, and then took questions from the students.

Farina & de Blasio as Student Tumbles:

As Carmen Farina was speaking, one of those dutifully standing students tumbled off the riser.  The student was reported to be unhurt.  Here’s how Farina and de Blasio reacted.

Update – Horse Carriages:

de Blasio reaffirmed his pledge to eliminate horse carriages.  Although he’s slightly modified his campaign pledge to do so immediately upon taking office, he’s unequivocal in his pledge to do so promptly.  (Watch de Blasio and the other candidates discussing horse carriages at a mayoral forum in May.)  Here’s what he had to say on Monday.

de Blasio Press Q&A: The Corp Counsel Edition



Today Bill de Blasio announced his selection of Zachary Carter as Corporation Counsel.  Although often not a focus of public attention, Corporation Counsel is the city’s chief legal officer and an integral part of managing city government.

Following his announcement, and a statement by Zachary Carter, de Blasio took questions from the press.  Topics included pending legal cases against the city on stop & frisk and the Central Park 5, Chiara de Blasio’s recent video describing her struggle with substance abuse and depression and how the transition process will proceed once de Blasio becomes mayor.

de Blasio Press Q&A: The Pre-K Campaign Edition



Today Bill de Blasio announced plans for an organized campaign to push for his pre-K/after-school program initiative.  The campaign includes a mix of business, entertainment and political leaders and about 25 advocacy groups.

Following statements by de Blasio and several others, de Blasio answered questions from the press.  Topics include what the groups involved in the campaign will do, Chirlane McCray’s role in the campaign, details around the pre-K program and the status of de Blasio’s search for a schools chancellor.  Here is the full press Q&A.

de Blasio & Bratton At the House of Justice (Updated)



Today Mayor-elect Bill de Blasio and his police commissioner-to-be Bill Bratton attended a Nelson Mandela commemoration at the National Action Network’s House of Justice.  Hosted by the Rev. Al Sharpton, the commemoration also included Congressmen Charles Rangel and Gregory Meeks and Council Members Mark Weprin, Melissa Mark-Viverito, Ydanis Rodriguez and Jumaane Williams.

Here is Bill de Blasio’s full speech.

Update – Sharpton & Bratton:

The Rev. Al Sharpton gave a powerful introduction of Bill Bratton.  Here is full video of Sharpton’s introduction and Bratton’s speech.

de Blasio Press Q&A – Shorris Appointment



Today Bill de Blasio announced the first appointments for his administration.  Anthony Shorris will be first deputy mayor, Dominic Williams will be chief of staff to Shorris and Emma Wolfe will be Director of Intergovernmental Affairs.

Following statements by de Blasio, Shorris, Williams and Wolfe, de Blasio answered questions from the press.  Topics included the role of de Blasio’s wife, Chirlane McCray, in making these appointments, the anticipated structure of de Blasio’s administration and whether all commissioners will report to Shorris, de Blasio’s strategy for seeking Albany approval of his proposed tax increase to fund pre-K programs and Anthony Shorris’s part-time consulting work during a prior stint as a full time city employee.

Here is the complete press Q&A.

de Blasio Q&A



This afternoon Bill de Blasio held a press conference to announce a working group intended to implement his plan for universal pre-K education.  Following his presentation, he took questions from the press.  Full video of his press Q&A follows:

Where the Wild Things Are:  Immediately before his press conference, de Blasio read Where the Wild Things Are to a pre-K class.  Video of his reading tour de force is here.