Ed Lee testifies against tax, citing government corruption and misplaced priorities

Thank you.

Hi, how's it going?

My name's Ed Lee.

As a Republican, I don't take a knee-jerk reaction to everything Mondani says and say that it's bad.

I'm with the Peter tax in spirit because we know that the rich, you know, use tax shelters like capital gains and dividends and pay proportionally less than the rest of us.

And I'm for fair treatment.

By the way, Trump has done significant work to prevent people from hiding money overseas.

But this tax unfairly targets people who choose real estate versus other industries such as securities.

Family assets will be impacted also.

What are the taxes spent on?

Is this really for the little people or is this just one set of aristocrats attacking another set of aristocrats but now with fancy marketing language?

I see a wolf versus a wolf in sheep's clothing and the wolves in sheep's clothing honestly spill more blood.

I'm homeless right now because the not-for-profit system picks winners and losers.

I work with the longest.

Wrongfully incarcerated man in New York State history, Otis Johnson, the parents of Gams and Tron, whose death caused the resignation of CEO and chair of NYCHA, Gregory Russ, a disabled victim of deep theft, terrorized by a tax-sponsored anti-violence group who is here speaking later today.

I have extensive documentation of city agencies and funded not-for-profits, not just ignoring my coalition, but actively raising barriers and interfering with our quest for justice, sometimes even violently assaulting members of my coalition with no acknowledgement or consequences.

Private universities don't pay property taxes while they destroy the financial futures of our children.

Maybe they should be considered to pay property taxes.

What prevents this from happening?

A 2016 Inspector General report found that CUNY spent significant resources on outside contracts, including for lobbyists engaged in questionable...

and seemingly redundant tasks despite also employing its own central and school-based government relations staff.

PSC, a highly visible electoral action group, which is primarily unionized college professors, is asking for more federal research dollars while Jeff Parsons, who was the driving force behind gender-neutral bathrooms, was having cocaine parties and sexually harassing staff and misusing federal research dollars.

I hold New York City's only third-party independent can debates, and every participating candidate in the 2025 election cycle has asked for a public meeting between myself, Corey Edens, and the CUNY Chancellor, as well as Hunter College President.

Mr.

Diner, I would appreciate your help on that.

City agencies and NFPs have consistently let us down.

Before the city raises new taxes, the city should refocus their efforts on fixing the broken and corrupt system that pays homeless shelter executives more than the U.S.

President.

My fellow homeless people are dying protesting the violent and dysfunctional self-serving city services.

Gavin's parents have left this city.

They're now in Florida disgusted by the lack of care for their issues.

Thank you for listening, and God bless.

I know there's a lot of well-meaning stuff behind this tax, but you're not spending the money right.

Thank you very much.

Next.