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Q&A

Wong asks why program rewards people who don't pay on time

New York City Council · Aug 11, 2026 · starts 0:15:34 · 1 min 1 sec

Wong notes most constituents pay fines on time and asks why the city keeps rewarding those who don't. Lee says the program is an occasional opportunity to cure violations, not run every year, and aims for better outcomes for the city.

Phil Wong

Okay, I'm going to follow up with that.

Phil Wong

Weekly, I deal with constituents with fines and penalties.

Phil Wong

Now, most of my constituents pay their fines on time.

Phil Wong

So can you explain why we keep rewarding the people who don't pay on time, which seems that's what this is doing?

Richard Lee

So it is an opportunity for individuals to cure their existing violations, right?

Richard Lee

And this is one opportunity to do so.

Richard Lee

This is not a program that we run every year.

Richard Lee

It's a program that we come to the council for authorization because we want to use it.

Richard Lee

We don't want to have a situation where we're running this program every single year.

Richard Lee

With that said, it will have better outcomes.

Richard Lee

People who have addressed their violations will likely be able to address their violations and have a better outcome for the city.

Richard Lee

And so that is what we're hoping to do.

Phil Wong

Okay, I have a follow-up?