Alex K. Pan (D)

As Comptroller, what are your top 3 policy initiatives related to increasing jobs in NYC?

• Increases in post-pandemic aid for small businesses and recovery grants.
• Using the Comptroller's economically targeted investments (ETIs) to invest in our neighborhoods and create good paying jobs for New Yorkers.
• Leveling the playing field for Minority and Women Owned Businesses and Firms by instituting programs to improve information access, access to sufficient bonding, and capital.

What will you do to enforce and expand prevailing wage and benefit rates for companies doing business with NYC?

The Comptroller has broad financial power, and it ought to be used to improve the lives of New York workers. Particularly with major financial institutions and with our pension funds, we can directly make an impact. We will encourage companies to provide equitable compensations for their workers as our office reviews their contracts with the city, and utilize our power in that sector including with our bully pulpit.

How will you use the power of the Comptroller to decrease discrimination and increase diversity throughout workplaces NYC?

From within the Comptroller's office, diversity allows for resiliency - and keeps our investments safe and we need to continue to take care of our own employees with pay and equity. We've mentioned it on our website, but lot of firms have been adopting a no-tolerance for racism policy like Franklin Templeton’s where they swiftly terminated Amy Cooper after her altercation in Central Park with Christian Cooper - and I believe that the Comptroller's office should look to follow that footstep. The same goes for encouraging this implementation across the board. Also like mentioned above, as Comptroller I will support our WMBEs, and ensure equal access, equitable competition, and an opportunity for us all to succeed.

How will you support new businesses and encourage existing employers to stay in NYC to provide living wage jobs for NYC residents?

I will support small business recovery programs, grants for relocation as we want city employees to be NYC residents, and develop innovative programs to promote access.

How will you encourage retraining and developing a workforce to meet the demands for skilled workers?

Investment in education is critical. We will propose education reforms from smaller class sizes to improvements to the CUNY system and CUNY ASAP programs to retain talent for our city. We will continue investing resources into our students, and a quality public education is key to our future.

Education: Graduate of NYC public schools, K-12; student at Denison University

Background:

• Son of working immigrants.
• 18-year old college student.

Work Related Proposals (gleaned from Candidate website):

• Elect managers of NYC worker pension funds that have been proven to deliver above market investment returns and have a history of taking careful measured risk in delivering high performance, ensuring responsive, ethical, and steady managers are in control of our funds.

To learn about Alex Pan's campaign:  https://www.panfornyc.com.