Max & Murphy

This special episode features audio from the Abundance Candidate Forum in the Democratic primary for New York's 10th Congressional District, held at New York Law School on the morning of May 19, 2026. The forum was moderated by host Ben Max, and features consecutive one-on-one interviews with challenger Brad Lander (former city comptroller), then Rep. Dan Goldman. The forum was co-sponsored by Abundance New York and NYC New Liberals. The conversations focused on a variety of issues, especially key tenets of the abundance agenda like housing, transit, green energy, and faster government delivery of projects. (Ep 587)

State Senator Erik Bottcher and Assembly Member Keith Powers, two Manhattan Democrats and former City Council Members, joined the show to discuss their transition into the State Legislature (they were both elected in February special elections), their first state budget negotiations as legislators, how Mayor Mamdani is doing, and more. Bottcher represents the West Side's 47th Senate District while Powers represents the East Side's 74th Assembly District. (Ep 586)

Journalists Nick Garber and Annie McDonough joined the show to discuss Mayor Zohran Mamdani's $124.7 billion Executive Budget, released on May 12, 2026, that took a very different approach than his prior budget plan, in part thanks to a lot of help from Governor Hochul and the State Legislature. Garber (of New York Focus), McDonough (of City & State New York), and host Ben Max discussed how Mamdani's budgeting approach has shifted, how his top priorities are faring, some of the city's fiscal challenges ahead, and more. (Ep 585)

Darializa Avila Chevalier, a Democrat and democratic socialist running for Congress in New York's 13th Congressional District, joined the show to discuss her primary campaign against Congressman Adriano Espaillat. The district includes much of Upper Manhattan (East Harlem, Harlem, Washington Heights, Inwood, etc) and a section of Bronx (Fordham, Bedford Park, Kingsbridge, etc) and the primary is in June. (Ep 584)

David Freedlander, a features writer for New York magazine, joined the show to discuss the Democratic primary in New York's 12th Congressional District, which encompasses much of Manhattan's East and West Sides and is currently represented by retiring Rep. Jerry Nadler. The race, which Freedlander just dissected in-depth in New York, features four leading candidates: Micah Lasher, Alex Bores, Jack Schlossberg, and George Conway. The conversation also touched on other interesting New York and national political trends. (Ep 583)

State Senate Deputy Leader Michael Gianaris, a Queens Democrat, returned to the show to discuss the status of state budget negotiations and key issues on the table like aid to New York City, tax rates, and a variety of policy matters that Governor Hochul and the Legislature are negotiating. The state budget, expected to be a massive $260 billion spending and policy package, is a month late, but negotiations are progressing with a lot on the line for New Yorkers and Mayor Mamdani's agenda. (Ep 582)

Jeff Coltin, Editor-in-Chief of City and State New York, joined the show to discuss Mayor Mamdani's endorsements in several 2026 races, key congressional and state races to watch in this year's elections, and more. (Ep 581)

This special edition of the show is a candidate forum in the Democratic primary for New York's 12th Congressional District, which includes much of Manhattan's west and east sides. The forum, moderated by host Ben Max, included 7 candidates running in the June primary and trying to succeed retiring Rep. Jerry Nadler, including: Micah Bergdale, George Conway, Chris Diep, Laura Dunn, Jack Schlossberg, Nina Schwalbe, and Patrick Timmins. Two other candidates - Micah Lasher and Alex Bores - decided not to participate at the last minute after having previously confirmed. The forum was hosted by the American Constitution Society New York Lawyers Chapter along with its Fordham Students Chapter, and the NYC Bar Association and its Election Law Committee. (Ep 580)

State Senator John Liu, a Queens Democrat and chair of the Senate's New York City Education Committee, joined the show to discuss the status of state budget negotiations, major policy items the Governor and Legislature are navigating, state aid to New York City, and several education issues, including potential adjustment of school funding formulas, an extension of mayoral control of city schools, and changes to class size reduction requirements. (Ep 579)

Veteran journalists Sally Goldenberg of The New York Times and Bob Hardt of Spectrum News NY1 joined the show to discuss Mayor Zohran Mamdani's first 100 days in office, his celebratory rally marking the occasion, the highs and lows of his tenure so far, and what comes next. (Ep 578)

New York State Senate Majority Leader Andrea Stewart-Cousins, a Westchester Democrat who has led the Senate since 2019, joined the show to discuss the status of state budget negotiations as the Senate and Assembly majorities and Governor Hochul work to agree on a spending and policy plan. The state fiscal year began April 1, but the parties have passed budget extenders to pay the state's bills while they negotiate the roughly $265 billion spending plan that will also include a variety of major policy decisions, how much aid the state gives New York City, and much more. (Ep 577)

New York City Council Finance Chair Linda Lee, a Queens Democrat, joined the show to discuss the Council's response to Mayor Mamdani's $127 billion preliminary budget for next fiscal year (FY27, which begins July 1), top Council priorities, how the two sides of City Hall differ on closing the city's budget gap, what the city is asking for from the state, and more. (Ep 576)

New York City Comptroller Mark Levine, a Democrat, returned to the show for further discussion of the city's difficult budget picture and how to fill the multi-billion-dollar budget gap that Mayor Mamdani inherited — including on savings, spending, tax policy, state aid to the city, and more — as well as discussion of the importance of economic growth in the city and key pillars to a city economic development strategy. (Ep 375)

State Senator Gustavo Rivera, a Bronx Democrat and chair of the Senate health committee, joined the show to discuss state budget negotiations with under two weeks until the April 1 start of the new fiscal year. The conversation touched on major areas of negotiation among Governor Hochul and the two Democratic majorities of the State Legislature including climate and energy regulations, tax rates, Medicaid and other health policy and budget issues, mayoral control of New York City schools, and more. (Ep 574)

Experts Howard Slatkin and Annemarie Gray joined the show to discuss housing priorities for the Mamdani Administration, the city's overall housing policy and political climate, the push for state-level environmental review reform to speed housing development, and more housing policy specifics. Slatkin, executive director of Citizens Housing and Planning Council, is a former top official at the NYC Department of City Planning, and Gray, executive director of Open New York, is a former housing and planning official in the NYC Mayor's Office. (Ep 573)

New York City Council Member Lincoln Restler, a Brooklyn Democrat, joined the show to discuss making city government work, his priorities for the new term, a recent hearing on the city's Streets Plan and the expansion of bus, bike, and pedestrian infrastructure, his bill to create the Department of Community Safety that Mayor Mamdani has promised, and more. (Ep 372)

Julie Won, a Democratic candidate for Congress in New York's 7th Congressional District (which includes parts of Brooklyn and Queens), joined the show to discuss her campaign to succeed the retiring Rep. Nydia Velázquez in the House of Representatives. Won is a City Council member from Queens running in this June 2026 primary. (EP 571)

Jasmine Gripper and Ana Maria Archila returned to the show to discuss their work leading the New York Working Families Party, progressive politics and efforts to influence state policy-making, Mayor Mamdani, Governor Hochul, and endorsements in 2026 Democratic primaries including New York's 7th and 10th congressional districts. Gripper and Archila have been co-directors of the NYWFP for the last few years, and Gripper has now become sole state director while Archila just left party leadership to soon join the Mamdani administration as Commissioner of International Affairs. (Ep 570

Claire Valdez, a Democratic candidate for Congress in New York's 7th Congressional District (which includes parts of Brooklyn and Queens), joined the show to discuss her campaign to succeed the retiring Rep. Nydia Velázquez in the House of Representatives. Valdez is a state Assembly member from Queens and Democratic Socialist running for Congress with the support of NYC-DSA and Mayor Zohran Mamdani. The primary is in June 2026. (Ep 569)

New York City Comptroller Mark Levine, a Democrat just elected to the citywide position of chief financial officer, joined the show to discuss Mayor Zohran Mamdani's first budget plan, just after Mamdani released the $127 billion preliminary budget for Fiscal Year 2027 (which begins July 1, 2026). Levine discussed the city's fiscal and economic health, his initial reaction to Mamdani's budget plan (which includes a property tax increase unless the city gets more revenue through state-approved tax increases), and the next steps in the budget process. (Ep 568)

Jon Paul Lupo — a political strategist and former Director of Intergovernmental Affairs for Mayor Bill de Blasio — joined the show to discuss Mayor Zohran Mamdani's first state budget testimony in Albany (which occurred Feb. 11, 2026), how mayors prepare for so-called 'Tin Cup Day,' mayor-governor and mayor-legislature relationships, city budget challenges, the mayor's priorities, and more. (Ep 567)

Antonio Reynoso, a Democratic candidate for Congress in New York's 7th Congressional District (which includes parts of Brooklyn and Queens), joined the show to discuss his campaign to succeed the retiring Rep. Nydia Velázquez in the House of Representatives. Reynoso, the Brooklyn Borough President and a former City Council member, has been endorsed by Velázquez, among others. The primary is in June 2026. (Ep 466)

Andrew Rein, president of nonprofit Citizens Budget Commission, joined the show to discuss the budget challenges Mayor Mamdani faces and how to address them, where Mamdani is right and wrong in his explanation of the city budget (which included a 1/28/26 press conference to blame former Mayor Adams), the new mayor's push for increased taxes on high earners and corporations, and more. (Ep 564)

Dan Garodnick — outgoing Director of the Department of City Planning and Chair of the City Planning Commission — joined the show to reflect on four years of significant progress addressing New York City's housing crisis, key zoning and planning accomplishments of his tenure, what should come next on these fronts, and more. Garodnick, a member of the MTA Board and a former City Council member from Manhattan, was appointed planning chief by Mayor Eric Adams and worked closely with former Deputy Mayor Maria Torres-Springer and other top housing, planning, and economic development officials. (Ep 563)

Rep. Dan Goldman, a Democrat representing New York's 10th Congressional District, joined the show to discuss his bid for reelection to the U.S. House of Representatives in the district that spans Lower Manhattan and a swathe of Brooklyn. He's facing a challenge in the June 2026 Democratic primary election from former city comptroller Brad Lander. (Ep 562)

Brad Lander, former New York City Comptroller and 2025 mayoral candidate, joined the show to discuss his campaign for Congress in New York's 10th Congressional District, which includes Lower Manhattan and a swathe of Brooklyn. Lander is challenging Rep. Dan Goldman in the June 2026 Democratic primary for one of New York's seats in the U.S. House of Representatives. (Ep 561)

Ben Furnas and Sara Lind — leaders of Transportation Alternatives and Open Plans, respectively, and members of Mayor Mamdani's transition committee — joined the show to discuss ideas for creating a more livable city with improvements for how people get around, use outdoor space, and enjoy the city. They discussed ideas and expectations for Mamdani on street safety, open space, traffic, bike lanes, outdoor dining, use of the curb, and much more, and touched on how Mayor Adams did on those issues. (Ep 560)

Diane Savino — recently a senior advisor to Mayor Eric Adams (2023-25) and previously longtime state senator (2005-22) — joined the show to discuss her work in the Adams administration and the former mayor's legacy, the start of Zohran Mamdani's mayoralty, how government works and doesn't, the state-level passage of Medical Aid in Dying legislation that she worked on as a senator, and more. (Ep 559)

Urban historian Thomas Dyja and political strategist Dr. Basil Smikle Jr. joined the show to put Eric Adams' mayoralty and Zohran Mamdani's inauguration into modern historical context. They joined host Ben Max to discuss the meaning of the Eric Adams era and its impact on the city, how Adams fits in the modern pantheon of mayors, and the meaning of Mamdani's election to succeed Adams, including the hopes and questions about his budding mayoralty. Dyja is the author of several books, including New York New York New York: Four Decades of Success, Excess, and Transformation. Smikle Jr. has been involved in many political campaigns in New York, is a former executive director of the New York State Democratic Party, and is currently a professor in and director of the master's program in nonprofit management at Columbia University's School of Professional Studies, among other roles in politics and academia. (Ep 558)

Tom Allon — longtime journalist, publisher of City & State magazine, and former informal advisor to Eric Adams who helped him with "mayor school" – joined the show to consider Adams' tenure and legacy as Mayor of New York City. (Ep 557)

Vijah Ramjattan, Executive Director of the Office for the Prevention of Hate Crimes in the Mayor's Office of Criminal Justice, joined the show to discuss the office's efforts to prevent bias-based crimes, what makes the difference in increases and decreases in hate crimes, the importance of education and community-building, and more. (Ep 556)

Betsy Plum, Executive Director of Riders Alliance, a nonprofit advocacy group, and a member of Mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani's transition committee, joined the show to discuss Mamdani's campaign promise of "fast and free buses" in New York City, how to really speed up the city's notoriously slow buses, whether free buses is the right goal and how to get there if so, and more. (Ep 555)

Christian Klossner, Executive Director of New York City's Office of Special Enforcement, joined the show to discuss the shifting legal and regulatory landscape around Airbnb and other short-term rental platforms, and his office's education and enforcement work as New York City has sought to eradicate tens of thousands of illegal short-term rental listings while allowing a legal market to flourish. (Ep 554)

Julie Menin, the presumptive next Speaker of the New York City Council, joined host Ben Max and Andrew Rein, president of Citizens Budget Commission, for a conversation at New York Law School on her path to the speakership, her priorities when she takes the position in January, how she plans to work with Mayor Zohran Mamdani, and more. The event took place on December 10, 2025 and was hosted by NYLS' Center for New York City and State Law and Citizens Budget Commission. Menin declared victory in the speaker race in late November, and will have to be officially voted into the position by her Council colleagues in early January. (Ep 553)

New York City Council Member Tiffany Cabán, a Queens Democrat, joined the show to discuss the growth of the NYC-DSA, her exploration of a run for Congress in NY-7, the Council speaker race won by Julie Menin, prospects for Zohran Mamdani's mayoralty, and more. (Ep 552)

From a live event held on November 20 at New York Law School, host Ben Max talks with four experts who have experience across the last several mayoral administrations and transitions: Anthony Crowell (NYLS Dean; former Counselor to the Mayor), Jennifer Jones Austin (FPWA CEO; co-chair of the 2013 mayoral transition), Meera Joshi (President of Green-Wood; former Deputy Mayor of Operations) , and Emma Wolfe (Chief of Staff to the NYU President; former Deputy Mayor for Administration). They spoke about the keys to a successful mayoral transition, how to best organize and run city government, lessons from Mayors Bloomberg, de Blasio, and Adams, advice for Mayor-elect Mamdani, and more. (Ep 551)

City Council Member Crystal Hudson, a Brooklyn Democrat, joined the show to discuss her bid to become the next Speaker of the City Council. She is among five candidates vying for the legislative leadership position, which will be decided upon by the 51 Council members of the new class seated in January. Hudson discussed her accomplishments in the Council thus far, her approach to leadership, her relationship with Mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani, and more. (Ep 550)

Harry Siegel — an editor at The City, co-host of FAQ NYC, and Moynihan Fellow at City College — joined the show to discuss the agreement between Mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani and NYPD Commissioner Jessica Tisch for her to remain in that position in the new administration. Siegel and host Ben Max discuss how this decision came to be, specific areas of policing that they must navigate, potential pitfalls, how it coincides with Mamdani's planned Department of Community Safety, and more. (Ep 549)

Rich Azzopardi, a longtime spokesperson for Andrew Cuomo in government and politics, joined the show to discuss Cuomo's 2025 mayoral campaign, how things shifted from the primary to the general election, and more. Azzopardi was a senior advisor and director of communications in the governor's office under Cuomo and then, after Cuomo resigned in 2021, founded his own public affairs firm, Bulldog Strategies. He led communications on Cuomo's 2025 mayoral campaign. (Ep 547)

On this episode, we break down Zohran Mamdani's victory to become the next Mayor of New York City, what it means for Democrats in New York and beyond, and what comes next for Mamdani as he enters City Hall. First, an interview with Maya Handa, who was Mamdani's general election campaign manager. Then, Rebecca Katz and Morris Katz (no relation) of Fight Agency discuss elements of Mamdani's success that Morris helped craft as his lead media strategist, lessons from Bill de Blasio's tenure he needs to take into City Hall, and much more. (Ep 546)

In our final episode, we talk about the future of New York City under Mayor Elect Zohran Mamdani and who he will surround himself with to help him accomplish his vision. We're also joined by Patrick Gaspard, senior fellow at the Center for American Progress, former key Obama aide and now key advisor to Mamdani, to talk about this historic moment. — FAQ NYC and Max Politics are teaming up for a limited series, coming to you every Tuesday through November, featuring special guests who will help us dig into the latest in the mayor's race – and what's at stake for New Yorkers. City Hall Free For All is brought to you with generous support from Jamie Rubin and Vital City. This week's episode was hosted by Christina Greer, Katie Honan, Ben Max and Harry Siegel. Our Senior Producer is Giulia Hjort, and Noah Smith is our engineer. Our series consultants are Jess Hackel and Courtney Harrell. Music from Epidemic Sound.

State Senate Deputy Leader Michael Gianaris, a Queens Democrat and close ally of Mayor-Elect Zohran Mamdani, joined the show to discuss Mamdani's victory and the path ahead for his agenda, especially in Albany, where much power lies. (Ep 544)

The Election Night results are in: Zohran Mamdani will be New York City's 111th Mayor. Our hosts react to Mamdani's big win over Andrew Cuomo and Curtis Sliwa, with over 1 million votes out of more than 2 million cast, and discuss his rousing, defiant victory speech and what comes next. — FAQ NYC and Max Politics are teaming up for a limited series, coming to you every Tuesday through November, featuring special guests who will help us dig into the latest in the mayor's race – and what's at stake for New Yorkers. City Hall Free For All is brought to you with generous support from Jamie Rubin and Vital City. This week's episode was hosted by Christina Greer, Katie Honan, Ben Max and Harry Siegel. Our Senior Producer is Giulia Hjort, and Noah Smith is our engineer. Our series consultants are Jess Hackel and Courtney Harrell. Music from Epidemic Sound.

For a final pre-election preview of the 2025 race to be the next Mayor of New York City, a three-part episode: 1) Political analyst Michael Lange and pollster Adam Carlson on the final polls of the mayoral race, the early voting turnout, & expectations for the outcome; 2) Nada Al-Hanooti of Defend and Advance, a Super PAC working to turn out Muslim voters to support Zohran Mamdani; and 3) Republican strategist Chapin Fay with his thoughts on GOP nominee Curtis Sliwa, calls for Sliwa to drop out and endorse Andrew Cuomo, and various related political dynamics. (Ep 543)

Longtime New York journalists and policy analysts Nicole Gelinas and Josh Greenman joined the show to discuss some of the big questions about mayoral frontrunner Zohran Mamdani's big promises, namely his top policy pledges of freezing the rent on rent-stabilized apartments, free buses, and universal child care, as well as increased taxes to pay for his agenda, and more, like a $30 minimum wage and a Department of Community Safety. Gelinas is a Manhattan Institute senior fellow and contributing opinion writer at the New York Times and Greenman is managing editor at Vital City. (EP 542)

Grace Rauh, executive director of government reform group Citizens Union, joined the show to discuss ballot question 6 and whether New York City should move its elections to presidential years. The question is on the 2025 general election ballot, put to city voters to see their preference, but would still require a state constitutional change to actually happen. If city voters approve the measure - placed on the ballot by a Charter Revision Commission - and the state process unfolds (including state legislative passage in two consecutive terms and a statewide ballot referendum being approved), it could be in effect for 2032. Rauh and Citizens Union are in favor of the switch to improve voter participation, but some are worried about local races and issues getting overshadowed by national ones, among other concerns. The one-time shift could also allow the next mayor and other city electeds to hold office for 11 years in sum. (Ep 541)

Grace Mausser and Gustavo Gordillo, the co-chairs of the New York City branch of the Democratic Socialists of America, joined the show to discuss the DSA, the Zohran Mamdani campaign and mayoral election, and what comes next if Mamdani is elected mayor. (Ep 540)

In episode six, we're focusing on affordability, housing and the related ballot proposals. We're joined by housing experts Jamie Rubin (Chief Investment Officer of Aligned Climate Capital & Chairman of the Board of NYCHA) and Alicia Glen (Founder and Managing Principle of M Squared & former Deputy Mayor for Housing and Economic Development), who share their thoughts on what the next Mayor should accomplish – and how. Remember: early voting is in full swing. Visit vote.nyc or call 1-866-VOTE-NYC to find your early and election day polling sites — they may be different — and see what will be on your ballot. — FAQ NYC and Max Politics are teaming up for a limited series, coming to you every Tuesday through November, featuring special guests who will help us dig into the latest in the mayor's race – and what's at stake for New Yorkers. City Hall Free For All is brought to you with generous support from Jamie Rubin and Vital City. This week's episode was hosted by Christina Greer, Katie Honan, Ben Max and Harry Siegel. Our Senior Producer is Giulia Hjort, and Noah Smith is our engineer. Our series consultants are Jess Hackel and Courtney Harrell. Music from Epidemic Sound.

Alex Armlovich, a member of the New York City Rent Guidelines Board (RGB) and Senior Housing Policy Analyst at the Niskanen Center, joined the show to discuss the work of the RGB, Zohran Mamdani's rent-freeze pledge, how to help struggling rent-stabilized buildings and apartments, and much more. (Ep 539)

Kenny Burgos, CEO of the New York Apartment Association and former State Assembly member from the Bronx, joined the show to discuss the challenges in rent-stabilized housing, the perspective of landlords and building managers, the prospects of a Mayor Mamdani and the candidate's promise to freeze stabilized rents for four years, and much more about housing policy. (Ep 538)

Cea Weaver — Executive Director of Housing Justice for All and New York State Tenant Bloc, a longtime tenant activist, and a housing policy advisor to Zohran Mamdani — joined the show to discuss renters' political power, Mamdani's housing agenda including his pledge to freeze rents on rent-stabilized housing, and more on housing policy and politics. Weaver's organizations "work together to strengthen tenant organizing, advocate pro-tenant legislation, and elect tenants and their allies to public office in New York." She has run winning campaigns to expand rent stabilization and protect rent-stabilized housing, pass "good cause eviction," and more. (Ep 536)