Max & Murphy

On Thursday December 5, 2024 the New York City Council passed a modified version of the Adams Administration's 'City of Yes for Housing Opportunity' zoning reform proposal, which will be paired with other elements in the Council's 'City for All' housing plan that includes $5 billion in housing investments from the City and State. City Council Member Pierina Sanchez, chair of the Council housing committee, and Annemarie Gray, executive director of the pro-housing group Open New York, joined the show to discuss what it all means and how it will impact housing in New York in the years to come. (Ep 476)

Evan Roth Smith, a political consultant from Slingshot Strategies, joined the show to discuss his work as the lead pollster for Democrats' 'Blueprint 2024' project that sought to understand the 2024 electorate, the results of the elections, and what comes next for the Democratic Party. (Ep 475)

Jasmine Gripper and Ana Maria Archila, the co-directors of the New York Working Families Party, joined the show to discuss the 2024 elections in New York, the WFP's bid to get enough votes for Harris/Walz to keep its ballot line, and much more. (Ep 470)

State Senate Deputy Leader Michael Gianaris, a Queens Democrat who also chairs the Democratic Senate Campaign Committee, joined the show to discuss the 2024 election results in New York and what's next for New York Democrats, the party's strengths and weaknesses, and more. (Ep 474)

Congressman Mike Lawler, a Republican representing New York's 17th Congressional District, joined the show to discuss his reelection to Congress and interest in running for Governor in 2026, as well as Donald Trump's win and performance in New York, key policy areas, and more. (Ep 473)

State Senator Jessica Ramos, a Queens Democrat, joined the show to discuss key dynamics and outcomes of the 2024 elections, including the significant increase in Latino support for Donald Trump and his better-than-expected performance in New York City, as well as the early phases of her 2025 campaign for New York City Mayor, and more. (Ep 472)

Murad Awawdeh, president and CEO of the New York Immigration Coalition and its political arm, NYIC Action, joined the show to discuss immigration and the 2024 elections, from border policy to the 'migrant crisis' in New York City, Trump vs. Harris, and more. (Ep 471)

Jay Jacobs, chair of the New York State Democratic Party, joined the show to discuss how Democrats are working to win races across the state, especially in House battleground districts, how the presidential race will impact down-ballot races, and more. (Episode 469)

NYC Deputy Mayor for Operations Meera Joshi joined the show to discuss the efforts she's leading to win federal infrastructure grants through two major laws: the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law and Inflation Reduction Act. Joshi created the city's Federal Infrastructure Funding Task Force with a novel approach and helped secure $2.3 billion and counting from the two programs, as detailed in a new report now out: Funding the Future: New York City's Collaborate Approach to Maximize Federal Infrastructure Funding. https://climate.cityofnewyork.us/reports/funding-the-future/ (Ep 468)

Joe Borelli - a Staten Island Republican, longtime Donald Trump supporter, and New York City Council Minority Leader - joined the show to discuss Trumpism, the 2024 presidential race, New York swing House races, his potential run for Mayor, and more. (Ep 467)

Gabby Seay, co-director for Battleground New York, joined the show to discuss how the coalition of labor and activist groups is working toward Democratic wins in New York's swing U.S. House of Representatives districts, key electoral dynamics in those districts, and more. Battleground New York launched in 2023 and includes coalition members such as 1199SEIU United Healthcare Workers East, the Communications Workers of America, Indivisible, Planned Parenthood Empire State Acts, the Working Families Party, AFSCME, 32BJ SEIU, the NYS Nurses Association, and the Democracy Alliance. (Ep 466) Release date: 17 October 2024

Emily Ngo and Nick Reisman, two authors of Politico's New York Playbook, joined the show to discuss the races to watch in New York in the 2024 elections for the U.S. House of Representatives. New York is home to 26 House seats, seven of which are considered swing congressional districts that will again help determine the balance of power in the House, either allowing Republicans to keep a narrow majority or helping Democrats take control of the chamber and potentially make Brooklyn's Hakeem Jeffries the next Speaker. (Ep 465)

Dan Garodnick, Director of the Department of City Planning and Chair of the City Planning Commission, joined host Ben Max at New York Law School to discuss the Adams Administration's "City of Yes for Housing Opportunity" zoning reform proposal to help build more housing across the city. The proposal has entered the final stage of public review with consideration by and negotiations with the Council Council, and a Council vote by the end of the year. (Ep 464)

On the day that Mayor Eric Adams faced a multi-count federal indictment, Brooklyn Borough President Antonio Reynoso and former City Council Speaker Christine Quinn joined the show to give their reactions to the allegations, the mayor's defiance and claims of innocence, and what comes next. (Ep 463)

Bradley Tusk joined host Ben Max at a live event at New York Law School to discuss Tusk's new book, "Vote With Your Phone: Why Mobile Voting Is Our Final Shot at Saving Democracy." (Ep 462)

Phil Walzak, a political and communications consultant who served in top roles in Bill de Blasio's campaigns and City Hall, joined the show to discuss the challenges facing Mayor Eric Adams and his administration, while also touching on his experience in the NYPD and previewing the 2025 mayoral race. (Ep 461)

Liz Glazer and Josh Greenman — the founder and managing editor, respectively, of the policy journal Vital City — joined the show to discuss New York City crime and public safety trends. That includes how crime in New York City compares to pre-pandemic levels, gains and challenges of recent years, public concerns about safety and order, policy solutions, and more. (Ep 460)

Mohamed Attia, Managing Director of the Street Vendor Project at the Urban Justice Center, and City Council Member Pierina Sanchez, a Bronx Democrat, joined the show to discuss efforts to reform street vendor permitting, laws, and rules in New York City. That includes a package of bills currently proposed in the City Council and a push to award thousands of street vendor permits created by a 2021 law. (Ep 459)

City Council Member Julie Menin, a Manhattan Democrat, joined the show to discuss her proposed legislation to require hotel licensing, her law to create health care cost transparency and accountability, the relationship between the Council and Mayor Adams, and more. (Ep 458)

Political strategists Jason Ortiz and Jon Paul Lupo, veterans of many New York political campaigns, joined the show to reset the 2025 mayoral race with under 11 months until the all-important June 2025 Democratic primary. Ortiz is a co-founder and CEO of Moonshot Strategies and Lupo is Founder and President of Arete Public Affairs. (Episode 457)