Meet Your Mayor: Art Chang - TheCity.nyc

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Art Chang
Courtesy of Art Chang for Mayor campaign

A former director at JPMorgan Chase and serial entrepreneur, Chang has touted his experience in both the public and private sector to try to sway voters. The 57-year-old former member of the city Campaign Finance Board highlights his work in designing Casebook, the web-based software for child welfare agencies, and his role in redeveloping Queens West in Long Island City as proof of his ability to address New York’s complexproblems.

Chang’s top campaign priorities are universal childcare, investing in affordable housing and supporting small businesses. He highlights his personal experience with child care on 9/11 as a pivotal moment for him and says he intends to build on the current universal pre-K model to provide child care from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. for all children who needit.

Chang hopes to take advantage of the new ranked choice voting system by cross-endorsing with fellow Brooklynite and mayoral candidate JoycelynTaylor.

Website: chang.nyc

Positions

THE CITY sent three multiple-choice surveys to every Democratic and Republican mayoral candidate on the ballot for the June 22 primary, starting in February. See how Art Chang answered below.

Read more about how we surveyed the candidates.

NYPD

View topic guide

  • Should the NYPD uniformed force be downsized beyond currently planned levels?

    Yes, redirect a substantial share of NYPD operating resources to other city agencies

    No, maintain police officer headcount at roughly current levels

    No, increase the number of NYPD officers

    "I'm calling for a $1.3 billion immediate cut to the NYPD budget that would first be taken by reduction in uniformed officers."
    from THE CITY Interview, April 30, 2021

  • Should the NYPD respond to 911 calls involving people in severe emotional distress?

    Yes, where the call suggests a risk to others’ safety

    Yes, under most or all circumstances

    No, NYPD officers should not respond to these calls

    Chang calls for a response team modeled after a program in Eugene, Oregon: "unarmed, specifically trained to address these kinds of issues."
    from THE CITY Interview, April 30, 2021

  • Should NYPD officers reside in the five boroughs?

    Yes, all officers should reside in the five boroughs by the end of the new mayor’s term

    Any new NYPD officer must live in the five boroughs but existing officers may live elsewhere until retirement

    NYPD officers should be able to live in any of the counties currently authorized

    Along with imposing residency requiment, Chang would give officers "early retirement incentives."
    from THE CITY Interview, April 30, 2021

  • Should the NYPD commissioner have final say on disciplining officers for conduct violations?

    The commissioner should retain decision-making authority in all cases

    The commissioner should retain decision-making authority in some cases

    Decisions should be made by a newly empowered Civilian Complaint Review Board

    The mayor should have the final say in all cases

    "I'm calling for the City Council ratification of the mayoral nomination of a police commissioner, removal of the police chief's sole power over disciplinary matters."
    from THE CITY Interview, April 30, 2021

Education

View topic guide

  • Should admission to existing specialized high schools continue to depend on a single Specialized High School Admissions Test (SHSAT)?

    Yes, keep the SHSAT

    Keep the SHSAT but also require additional admissions measures

    No, abolish the SHSAT

    Chang favors phasing out the SHSAT over four years, saying: "65% of black students do not graduate with proficiency. And what's little known is that 60% of Asian students do not also graduate with proficiency. SHSAT pits communities of colors against each other in a false debate."
    from THE CITY Interview, April 30, 2021

  • Should New York City have more charter schools?

    Yes, advocate for more charter schools

    No, discourage more charter schools

    Advocate for more charter schools under stricter conditions than currently apply

    "Increasing the number of charter schools will take away from the focus on improving quality in the city's public schools."
    from THE CITY Interview, April 30, 2021

  • Should middle school admissions remain limited to students attending school in or residing in a district?

    Yes

    Allow applicants outside the district, through set-asides or other means

    No

    Chang said removing geographical restrictions "allows for the opportunity for greater integration."
    from THE CITY Interview, April 30, 2021

  • Should public school parent associations continue to be able to raise unlimited sums?

    Yes, keep fundraising as is

    Yes, but a system is needed to share funds between schools with many wealthy families and those with many poor families

    No. Limits or further ground rules are needed for fundraising

    "We need to set a threshold per student of money that can be raised. And...50 cents of every dollar raised should go into a pool to benefit all the other schools."
    from THE CITY Interview, April 30, 2021

COVID Recovery

View topic guide

  • Should New York consider mandatory vaccinations (with appropriate medical exemptions) if voluntary uptake of COVID vaccines does not reach sufficient levels?

    Yes

    Yes, for health, education, law enforcement and other workers interacting with the public

    No

  • Should the Open Streets program, including outdoor dining, become permanent?

    Yes, ban vehicular access to current open streets

    Yes, and expand the program to include more streets

    No

    "I don't think that the current design of the street dining makes long-term sense. But I do but I do believe that we need to redesign the streets."
    from THE CITY Interview, April 30, 2021

  • Should NYC provide economic relief to undocumented immigrants who do not qualify for federal aid?

    Yes, ongoing aid for the needy

    Yes, one-time assistance

    No

  • Which statement most closely reflects your view of Mayor de Blasio’s approach to school reopening?

    Schools have reopened for in-person/hybrid learning too quickly

    Schools have reopened for in-person/hybrid learning too slowly

    Schools have reopened at an appropriate pace

    "It's been tremendously frustrating to watch this mayor fail to recognize that he has so much knowledge and talent within his own department."
    from THE CITY Interview, April 30, 2021

Transportation

View topic guide

  • Should New York proceed as soon as possible with congestion pricing, charging vehicles to enter central Manhattan?

    Yes, supporting current plan to capture funds for the MTA

    Yes, while pursuing city control over the revenue

    No, or further evaluation is needed

  • Should New York City gain control of its subway and bus systems?

    Yes, while splitting bridge and tunnel toll revenue with LIRR and Metro-North

    Yes, provided the city also gains full control of bridge and tunnel toll revenue

    No

    Chang calls for "doubling down on our bus systems," which includes increasing the number of express buses or on-demand services.
    from THE CITY Interview, April 30, 2021

  • What course will you chart for the city-funded NYC Ferry system?

    Continue or build on current NYC Ferry service and expansion plans while keeping fare at $2.75, providing additional dollars to step up service

    Alter NYC Ferry service or expansion plans while continuing $2.75 fare

    Raise or change NYC Ferry fare to help support existing and expanded service

    Raise or change NYC Ferry fare while reevaluating routes and/or service

    Chang says the ferry system is integral to some parts of the city but that expansion has to done on a cost-effective basis.
    from THE CITY Interview, April 30, 2021

  • Choose the statement that best describes your position on bike lanes:

    NYC needs to expand its bike lane network into underserved areas, even where lanes have met some local resistance

    Expand bike lanes, while being responsive to local objections in deciding where to put the lanes

    Alter or remove existing lanes where warranted

    "Local community community boards should have input, but they should not have veto rights over bike lanes."
    from THE CITY Interview, April 30, 2021

Housing

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  • Which statement describes your preferred approach to spending the city’s affordable housing dollars?

    Focus city funding on development projects that mix affordability at a range of incomes, using rents paid by higher earners to help cover costs for the lowest-income tenants

    Focus city funding on 100% affordable development projects for the lowest-income tenants, even if that may create fewer units overall

    Scale back city subsidies to affordable housing development, focusing resources on helping renters pay for existing housing

    "I'm a huge favor of mixed-income and mixed-use developments. But I think that the focus has to be on creating low income housing."
    from THE CITY Interview, April 30, 2021

  • Do you intend to “upzone” (increase permitted building size) areas of low-density neighborhoods to promote affordable and other housing development?

    Yes, as part of area-wide rezonings

    Yes, for specific blocks or properties

    No, the city is already overbuilt

    In addition to creating more affordable housing, Chang calls for factoring climate change. "Where we spend our precious dollars on increasing density has to be in some of these higher land areas."
    from THE CITY Interview, April 30, 2021

  • Should NYCHA continue toward its goal of placing half of its apartments into private management under the Rental Assistance Demonstration (RAD) program?

    Yes, this is the best way for NYCHA to upgrade its deteriorating apartments

    Yes, but keep a substantial number of apartments out of RAD to maintain oversight of those apartments by the monitor

    No, NYCHA should not rely on private firms to manage its buildings

    "It's an attempt to have one-size-fits-all. RAD is not going to work in all of NYCHA buildings."
    from THE CITY Interview, April 30, 2021

  • Should surplus funds received by the city from Battery Park City — an estimated $400 million over 10 years — be steered exclusively to NYCHA?

    Yes, NYCHA needs a dedicated revenue stream to pay for much-needed apartment upgrades

    Yes, but split the money between NYCHA and other affordable housing programs

    No, 100% of this money should continue to be dedicated to general affordable housing programs

Immigration

View topic guide

  • Should non-citizens be allowed to vote in local elections?

    Yes, permanent residents (green card holders) only

    Yes, all New Yorkers, regardless of their immigration status, should be allowed to vote

    No

    "The vast majority of non citizens are also taxpayers. They contribute to our city's income revenue, they also use our city services. They should have a say in who gets to represent them."
    from THE CITY Interview, April 30, 2021

  • Should government cash assistance be available to low-income undocumented immigrants?

    Yes

    Yes — special pandemic assistance only

    No

    Chang noted in addition to government cash assistance, enabling mutual-aid or a "super network of mutual aid socities" to distribute such funds would be effective. "There are going to be legal constraints on what the government can do. But there are many fewer on private individuals."
    from THE CITY Interview, April 30, 2021

  • Should NYC pay for attorneys to represent New Yorkers facing deportation in immigration court?

    Yes, immigrant New Yorkers facing deportation should have a right to counsel

    Continue existing city funding sponsoring legal services for immigrant New Yorkers held in detention

    No

    "If we are truly in a sanctuary city, and then we need to prevent law-abiding immigrants from being deported, period. This is not about paying for immigration lawyers. This is about preventing deportation."
    from THE CITY Interview, April 30, 2021

  • Do you support measures to legalize basement and attic apartments?

    Yes, revise building codes to allow current illegal apartments to be compliant

    Yes, revise building codes and encourage conversions through financing, counseling or other means

    No

    "We should definitely do this while we preserve safety."
    from THE CITY Interview, April 30, 2021

Labor

View topic guide

  • With hundreds of thousands of low-wage workers facing extended unemployment, which of the following would you make your top priority for investing federal aid dollars?

    Wage subsidies to help employers bring back and retain their employees

    Extended unemployment benefits to all impacted people

    Access to loans for entrepreneurs and worker cooperatives

    Government jobs in underserved communities to rebuild local economies

    "We should have government programs that employ people. And we should also help employers bring back their employees, especially small businesses. But for everybody else, we need unemployment benefits."
    from THE CITY Interview, April 30, 2021

  • Should New York reclassify gig workers — including food deliverers and Uber drivers — as employees?

    Yes, require companies to classify workers as their employees

    Yes, give workers flexibility to decide whether they are classified as employees or independent contractors

    No

  • Which statement best describes your approach to bargaining with municipal labor unions?

    The mayor is working for voters and taxpayers, who must come first in bargaining with city employees

    Municipal employees keep the city running and the mayor should put their needs first

    Mayors should strive to find a balance between taxpayers and workers, even when that leaves everyone unhappy

    "NYPD's PBA is an example of a union that needs changes in its bargaining."
    from THE CITY Interview, April 30, 2021

  • New York has been a leader in increasing the minimum wage. Should the state increase it above $15 an hour in the first two years of your term?

    Yes, and be indexed to inflation so the wage automatically rises each year

    Yes, but not indexed to inflation — the wage should come under review before future increases

    No

    "The rate of inflation should be the rate of inflation for everything."
    from THE CITY Interview, April 30, 2021

Criminal Justice

View topic guide

  • Will you direct the NYPD to stop arrests for drug possession?

    Marijuana only

    Marijuana and one or more other drugs

    No

    "We should stop criminalizing addiction. That people who are addicts have a different problem. It's not a criminal problem. It is a health problem."
    from THE CITY Interview, April 30, 2021

  • Should NYC stay on course to close all jails on Rikers Island by 2027?

    Yes, build all new planned smaller borough-based jails on the current timeline

    Yes, build new smaller borough-based jails but consider changes to plans or timeline

    Reevaluate closing Rikers

    Close Rikers, but build no new jails

    "If you build it, you will have to fill it. Do we actually know that we need an expansion in our jail system?"
    from THE CITY Interview, April 30, 2021

  • Should NYC ban solitary confinement within jails?

    Ban solitary confinement entirely

    Maintain current plan to allow minimum 10 hours per day out of cells

    No

  • Which of the following would you choose as your top priority in addressing individuals charged with a crime and awaiting trial:

    Promote use of city supervised release programs for more people

    Promote release without supervision programs for more people

    Promote pretrial jail for more people who currently must be released

    Leave the current system as is

    "The data has not shown a correlation between supervised release and crime, especially violent crime. "
    from THE CITY Interview, April 30, 2021

Taxes

View topic guide

  • The next mayor will inherit well documented inequities in property tax assessments. What will you do?

    Respond without impacting overall tax dollars collected, even if that means some will pay more than before

    Respond without increasing anyone’s tax burdens in the process — potentially reducing tax dollars collected

    Maintain existing property tax assessment system

    Chang proposed changing tax assessments when there is a change of ownership for a property. "The perfect time having the least impact on everybody is to do tax transitions during a change in ownership."
    from THE CITY Interview, April 30, 2021

  • Should NYC resume collecting taxes on stock transfers?

    Yes

    No

  • Should New York impose a “pied a terre” tax on homes that are not a primary residence?

    Yes, for all part-time residents (less than 180 days a year)

    Yes, for international owners only

    No

    Chang said international part-time residents need to pay taxes so that they are "contributing to the fabric of the community."
    from THE CITY Interview, April 30, 2021

  • Will you further tax the ultra wealthy?

    Yes, increase the income tax rate for those who earn more than $5 million annually

    Yes, increase the income tax rate for those who earn more than $10 million annually

    No additional taxes

    Chang contends the wealthy wish to contribute under the right circumstances: "If I present the question in the following way, I get 100% agreement: 'If you trust how your money is being spent, are you willing to pay more in taxes?' And the answer is yes."
    from THE CITY Interview, April 30, 2021

Borough Edition

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  • The Bronx: Do you support building a stadium for the NYCFC soccer club next to Yankee Stadium?

    Yes, I will do whatever I can to make this happen

    Yes, but only if a deal can be reached with no public subsidy or tax breaks

    No

    "I'm generally against public subsidies or tax breaks for private investments."
    from THE CITY interview, April 30, 2021

  • Brooklyn: Do you support the National Grid’s proposal to expand its natural gas facilities, including building a pipeline through parts of Brownsville, Bed-Stuy, Bushwick, and Williamsburg?

    Yes

    Yes, but the proposed route requires more review

    No

    "The city should be 100% focused on reducing our carbon emissions footprint, not giving room to expand carbon emissions, which would this would clearly do."
    from THE CITY interview, April 30, 2021

  • Manhattan: Do you support commercial rent control?

    Yes — I’m ready to work toward implementing a system

    Let’s study the issue and see if any model could possibly succeed in Manhattan

    No, commercial rent control does not work

    Chang cited a model in Kyoto, Japan, where business of certain trades are gauranteed a space. "There are certain certain things that I would love to see preserved in New York, but I'm not really sure what that would look like."
    from THE CITY interview, April 30, 2021

  • Queens: The Sunnyside Master Plan envisions 12,000 affordable homes, a new regional rail station, 60 acres of open space and more to be built atop a platform over the western Queens rail yard. Will you work to realize the plan?

    Yes, as planned

    Yes, but the project’s cost, scale, community input or other fundamentals need revisiting

    No

    "The plan is just such a beautiful dream. But it is a dream."
    from THE CITY interview, April 30, 2021

  • Staten Island: Will you commit to restoring 24/7 half-hour service on the Staten Island Ferry? If so, when?

    Yes, immediately after taking office

    Yes, within my first term

    No

Leadership

View topic guide

  • Should NYC’s next mayor appoint campaign contributors to boards, commissions and other posts?

    Yes, potentially to any type of position

    Yes, only to advisory or other groups without decision-making authority

    No

    Chang said some of his contributors are of "extraordinary talent" and that he "would not want to foreclose the opportunity of being able to hire some of those folks."
    from THE CITY Interview, May 19, 2021

  • Should city officials be able to raise funds from private donors for affiliated nonprofit entities?

    Yes, as currently permitted

    Yes, adding disclosure of the nonprofits’ spending and recipients

    No

    "I point right to the Eric Adams situation with One Brooklyn.... It's an end run around the intent of contribution limits in New York City politics."
    from THE CITY Interview, May 19, 2021

  • Which of the following leadership styles will best serve NYC’s next mayor?

    The decider — centralize decision-making with the mayor and close advisers

    The delegator — hire top talent to run agencies and rely on their judgment

    The partner — make decisions in coordination with the City Council

    Chang cited his time at NYC Votes, an election education campaign, as an example of partnering private firms with the city Campaign Finance Board.
    from THE CITY Interview, May 19, 2021

  • Should NYC’s next mayor veto any bills presented by the City Council?

    Never — bills should only come to a Council vote following mayoral agreement

    Only under extraordinary circumstances

    As often as necessary

    "The mayor would be would have to be deeply collaborative with City Council, but I could envision a time when the City Council is for whaterever reason is intent on pushing through a bill that I disagree with."
    from THE CITY Interview, May 19, 2021

Homelessness

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  • NYC is legally required to guarantee a “right to shelter.” Should related agreements be updated?

    Renegotiate “right to shelter” into a “right to housing” to invest in permanent solutions

    Keep “right to shelter” but lower existing barriers to families seeking shelter

    Keep “right to shelter” as already agreed to

    “In situations like a pandemic, economic crisis and climate crisis, the effort should be to keep people in their homes. ... We know that for instance, housing a family in a temporary shelter costs $240 a night. That translates into about $53,000 a year....This is incredibly costly to the city, it is far more costly than just paying their rent.”
    from THE CITY interview, May 19, 2021

  • Should hotels remain residences for homeless people post-pandemic?

    Yes, hotel capacity is needed for temporary or permanent housing

    Keep current city plan to phase out hotels for the homeless by 2023

    No, end homeless hotels as soon as possible

    “It's been used to solve an immediate problem but to continue to rely on this is, to me, a capitulation to this idea that we are going to have this continuing wave of homelessness.”
    from THE CITY interview, May 19, 2021

  • Should the NYPD play a role in response to people living on the streets and in the subway system?

    Yes, generally

    Yes, specifically when public safety risks arise

    No, NYPD should not be involved in homeless response

    “We need to have trained mental health workers out there helping to convince these mentally ill homeless folks to get into supportive housing and off the street. And a police officer is also likely to aggravate situations and not help.”
    from THE CITY interview, May 19, 2021

  • Should NYC’s next mayor close the 30th Street shelter, the main point of entry into the system for single men?

    Yes, completely close within the next mayor’s term(s)

    Close but keep ready and available to handle surges in demand

    Keep the 30th Street shelter open as is

    “The lack of safety there is one of the contributors to persistent chronic homelessness by people who do not want to enter the shelter system.... We have to think differently about this. So I think that we need to think about putting homeless intake centers or homeless crisis centers around the city.”
    from THE CITY interview, May 19, 2021

Climate Change

View topic guide

  • By 2024, big NYC buildings will have to meet energy efficiency targets or face fines. Which one of the following should the next mayor prioritize to make sure they don’t fall short?

    Help owners finance upgrades

    Institute a cap-and-trade program that lets owners buy credits to offset their emissions

    Revise the law’s timeline or penalties

    None — Local Law 97 is solid as is

    "The city has to offer owners some financial models, some proofs of how this can work."
    from THE CITY Interview, May 19, 2021

  • What should the next mayor’s top priority be for neighborhoods in the most vulnerable flood zones?

    Limit new development and enable owners to sell properties to the city

    Invest in elevating and fortifying homes and other buildings

    Construct protective infrastructure such as seawalls and restore wetlands

    No new action

    Chang said "city will likely have to buy" properties in flood-prone areas.
    from THE CITY Interview, May 19, 2021

  • NYC’s current mayor vowed to ban gas hook-ups in new construction by 2030. Are you on board?

    Yes

    Yes, and move the goal sooner and/or make strides to phase out fossil fuels in existing buildings

    No

    "I am 100% on board."
    from THE CITY Interview, May 19, 2021

  • The newly revived organic waste recycling program will be available only in some community districts and only on demand. Should that change?

    Maintain the program as is

    Expand organic waste collection to all New Yorkers, but keep it optional

    Expand organic waste collection to all New Yorkers and make it mandatory

    Get rid of the program

    "This is clearly an area where we have an opportunity to lower costs for the city."
    from THE CITY Interview, May 19, 2021

Building NYC Better

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  • What route should NYC’s mayor take to expand access to broadband internet at home?

    Create a publicly owned and operated municipal broadband network

    Build on the existing city plan inviting companies to build out low-cost service

    New state law requiring $15/month broadband for low-income customers is sufficient

  • Should real estate developers be allowed to construct bigger buildings if they pay for elevator installation at nearby subway stations without access?

    Yes, with the MTA maintaining the elevators

    Yes, only if the developer also commits to providing ongoing maintenance

    No

    “The MTA needs to be funded to create true accessibility across the subway system, and so many of our solutions, you know, rely on the private sector to do these things. And these, to me, are just kind of one-shot, fragmented deals that let the MTA off the hook.”
    from THE CITY interview, May 19, 2021

  • Should new real estate development require approvals beyond those that currently exist under the city land use review process?

    Yes, require additional review

    Stick with existing procedures and customs

    The process needs fewer obstacles to development

    Chang considers the Uniform Land Use Review Procedure an “archaic and broken system,” and he is calling for a city charter revision commission to rewrite it. “What we need to have is continuous conversation and review with the city, communities and any private interests that are involved in those projects.”
    from THE CITY interview, May 19, 2021

  • Which of the following should NYC’s next mayor do first about sidewalk sheds attached to buildings?

    Champion, sign and enforce a City Council bill that would require property owners to complete facade repairs within 90 days

    Review existing building codes and enforcement to ensure the Department of Buildings doesn’t go overboard in requiring sheds

    Focus on managing the current facade inspection and repair system

    “A property owner may get a permit for a building shed, but then getting the permit to do the building work is not necessarily fully aligned. In an ideal situation, if you have a small building ... you need to have a sidewalk shed, but there's no reason why that couldn't and shouldn't be finished within 90 days.”
    from THE CITY interview, May 19, 2021

Quality of Life

View topic guide

  • Should the mayor’s office crack down on short-term rentals from services like Airbnb, which are illegal under state law if the owner is not present during the stay?

    Yes, large-scale professional operators only

    Yes, all illegal rentals

    No, let Airbnb be

    "Single-family homes in the city where they have a guest apartment — I think there should be some lightweight regulation for those. But having an apartment, having an additional source of income is how we make homeownership more affordable for New Yorkers across the board."
    from THE CITY interview, May 19, 2021

  • Should NYC be home to full-fledged gambling casinos?

    Yes — including Manhattan

    Yes — not including Manhattan

    No

    "Gambling as an industry is designed to take money from people and very often from people who are least able to afford it."
    from THE CITY interview, May 19, 2021

  • Should city government open public restrooms as a widely available amenity?

    City should launch effort to deploy and maintain public restrooms

    No city restroom program, but incentivize business establishments to make their restrooms available to the public

    No

  • A new law creates 4,000 new street vendor licenses over 10 years, most outside Manhattan. Should the city:

    Expand the number of licenses further

    Keep the number of licenses as set

    Evaluate impact of new vendor licenses on businesses before further action

    "Licensing actually provides a way to manage the geographic distribution of the street vendors. More importantly, it allows street vendors to be able to have a claim to legitimacy for their businesses."
    from THE CITY interview, May 19, 2021

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