Skip to content
Council Discourse

NYC Council meetings, chaptered and linked by time.

Created by Uzair Qadir

Inspired by Vikram Oberoi's City Meetings

Q&A

CM Wong questions panel on safety risks and administration transparency

New York City Council · Aug 18, 2026 · starts 0:48:35 · 2 min 12 sec

Council Member Phil Wong criticizes the administration's absence and the burden on residents to prove residency. He asks panelists if they feel safe with the list public. Thors expresses concern about the administration putting homeowners 'on the hot seat.'

Phil Wong

Thank you, Chairs.

Phil Wong

So much for transparency.

Phil Wong

The administration is refusing to send anyone to answer questions for a rollout that has already produced thousands of challenges, widespread confusion,

Phil Wong

a court fight, and nearly 2,700 homeowners who have been told the city got it wrong.

Phil Wong

And the Charter Revision Commission already showed that the mayor's view of the council's checks and balances are not something this administration respects when they get in the way.

Phil Wong

Now, at the hearing convened to conduct oversight of the mayor's own tax rollout, the administration is sending no one.

Phil Wong

I would like to say this.

Phil Wong

My residents in my district shouldn't have to hire lawyers to prove they live in their own home.

Phil Wong

Thank you, thank you.

Phil Wong

And if the city can pull tax data, the statute allows finance to pull tax data to verify residency, it makes no sense that the work is being handed to the homeowner to do that instead.

Phil Wong

So my question is, do you feel safe now that the list is out there?

Phil Wong

Or you think we'll all be targets of fraud, threats, harassments?

Member of the Public - Jason Haber

Anyone answer that?

Gale A. Brewer

Somebody besides Jason.

Gale A. Brewer

I love Jason, but somebody besides Jason can answer that question.

Gale A. Brewer

Go ahead.

Member of the Public - Thor Thors

I'm more concerned, rather than specific safety, I'm more concerned that this administration is putting homeowners on the hot seat.

Member of the Public - Thor Thors

That what they're saying is, we know how much, we know who you are, we know how much your apartment is worth, it's all up in the air now, there's going to be future taxes, we're going to tax you in the future.

Member of the Public - Jason Haber

Thank you, Chair.

Member of the Public - Jason Haber

Thank you, Chairs.