New York City’s New Deputy Mayor Faces Scrutiny Over Past Record
New York City’s newly elected mayor, Zohran Mamdani, has announced Julie Su as the city’s first deputy mayor for economic justice. While Mamdani praises Su’s history of advocating for workers, her past performance as California’s labor secretary is raising concerns among some.
Mamdani, in a statement, highlighted Su’s commitment to workers’ rights, emphasizing her role in securing fair wages and protecting the pensions of union workers and retirees. However, Su’s tenure as head of California’s Employment Development Department (EDD) has drawn sharp criticism.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, California experienced widespread unemployment, and the EDD struggled to manage the surge in claims. Under Su’s leadership, the department is estimated to have paid out $31 billion in fraudulent unemployment claims. Critics point to frozen checks and a failure to prevent payments to suspicious accounts as major failings during her time in office. This mismanagement has left California’s unemployment insurance fund with a significant deficit.
Concerns about Su’s appointment extend beyond her handling of unemployment fraud. Senator Bill Cassidy questioned her competence during her consideration as U.S. labor secretary, citing her “extensive record of partisan activism” and her promotion of policies that favored labor unions over the interests of workers.
Cassidy argued that the Secretary of Labor should be able to negotiate effectively, manage the department responsibly, and avoid partisan activism. He stated that he had not seen evidence of Su’s ability to fulfill these requirements.
Mamdani, when questioned about Su’s controversial past, defended his choice. He stated that he was aware of her record and excited to have her on his team. He emphasized her work standing up for workers across the country as a reason for his enthusiasm.
The appointment of Su comes on the heels of another controversial hire by Mamdani. Catherine Almonte De Costa, who was appointed to a position in the new administration, resigned after anti-Semitic social media posts she had made surfaced.
These appointments raise questions about the vetting process and the direction of the new city government. While Mamdani emphasizes economic justice and workers’ rights, critics worry about the potential for mismanagement and the impact of past decisions on the city’s finances. The focus will be on how Su addresses these concerns and works to improve economic opportunities for all New Yorkers.
