Mary M. (Polly) Cleveland is an economist focusing on wealth distribution and a long-time activist for social justice. Her blog, “Econamici,” also appears on the Dollars & Sense website. She serves on the Dollars&Sense board.
When I married my late husband, I also married two small Upper West Side apartment buildings. I soon learned that landlording is hard, hands-on work. Many New York landlords notoriously abuse their tenants, neglect maintenance, or leave good sites vacant. This isn’t capitalism, but the incompetence of owners who are too far away, too old, or too rich to care. The best solution may be to force them to sell.
Like his mentor Jerry Nadler, Micah is a professional politician in the best sense: personally unpretentious, deeply concerned with advancing the public interest, skilled in designing legislation and organizing support to get it passed. In short, he is a true leader.
Mamdani is already targeted by big real estate. He has nothing to lose from proposing a tax on properties near bus stops to cover the $800 million cost of free bus fares.