Keeping Relevant With Ronnie Eldridge

Ronnie welcomes NY City Council Member Tiffany Cabán, a Democratic Socialist, representing the 22nd District: Astoria, Rikers Island, parts of East Elmhurst, Jackson Heights and Woodside to talk about term limits, Democratic Socialism, voting - and more.

Liz Krueger, NYS Senator and Senate Finance Committee chair discusses her “two jobs” #1 to be responsive to people-making certain that governance works for them; #2 Albany-and public policy, that affects almost 20 million New Yorkers, wherever they live.

Ronnie and election and voting rights attorney, Jerry Goldfeder discuss what's going on today, asking if only a constitutional scholar can follow events. Though Americans have never experienced anything like it, Goldfeder believes they can see it and feel it. Mr. Goldfeder senses that they can recognize a power grab - with no respect for the constitution, for Congress, for the courts.

Happily the number of children in foster care has decreased dramatically, yet Ronald Richter, JCCA’s leadership notes challenges today’s kids face, entering foster care: many have never been to a dentist, have had inadequate medical care, family violence; difficulties that bring these children closer to the criminal justice system. JCCA and fellow agencies work towards stability, life skills, job skills, education support. Cuts in Medicaid will affect agencies ability to lead kids out of foster care!

In memory of Tom Robbins, Ronnie Eldridge reminds us that he “...could not abide injustice or deceit, nor corruption and greed.” In an earlier conversation, Tom describes his long career as a reporter/journalist as "the greatest job in the world. You get to talk to people, to ask questions; doors may be slammed in your face but the bearer has a 'passport' to any place you may want to go." Mr. Robbins describes has dedication to core issues: promoting good government and criminal justice.

Ranked Choice Voting (RCV) a new way for NYC to vote in municipal elections may be different/complicated: but it's the form used on the June 2025, Primary Election to select a candidate for mayor. RCV avoids re-runs, and lets people vote their conscience

Oligarch's money and voters' support elected Pres.Trump for a second term. Mark Green asks will people leave him when their parents can't rely on a social security check; when children's public schools sink; and a nephew can't marry the man of his choice.

Steve Zeidman's op-ed on redemption/mercy/clemency/reevaluating sentences and how- with the support of law students, letters from inmates sentenced, at 16 to 75 years to life; and as aging prisoners die in prison, led to the SecondLookProjectNY: CUNY Law.

Carol Shapiro, an advocate and activist works to reform how we view criminal justice-with programs like La Bodega de la Familia, to help strengthen the family to overcome drug abuse and poverty- and, most importantly, to meet those in prison with respect.

Ronnie and Robert Polner, writer with Michael Tubridy of "An Irish Passion for Justice," discuss the life and career of Paul O'Dwyer, an Irish immigrant, an advocate for social justice-the familiar face, welcome on many picket lines in support of workers.

Lisa Gugenheim brings us to the NY Hall of Science (NYSCI): its history, its innovative Design, Make, Play exhibits, for all learners, programs-STEM Comes to Life, promoting STEM skills in collaboration with families, local schools and the community.

Dorchen Leidholdt tells us that big problems of abused women: surveillance, retaliation and being controled as victims are intensified by the internet. Sanctuary For Families urges governments-city/state/federal to work together to help vulnerable people.

Discussing the 2044 election and America's democratic process, Jerry Goldfeder sites radical conservatism's attempts to suppress the vote, to deny women's health care, to deny election results and more. Yet Goldfeder is hopeful: VOTE and we'll be OK!

Activist/scholar Michelle Fine dedicated to justice, solidarity and empathy working with incarcerated women, domestic abuse victims of violence, discusses CUNY's unique role in higher education: We promote education equity and we're part of the community.

Beth Finkel, leader of AARP New York, advocates for many millions of New Yorkers - 50 and older - who are seeking help with various issues: health/health insurance, home care, nursing homes, and loneliness. "Age just happens but making things better for the aged needs help," welcome AARP New York.

Every presidential candidate, always assuming that he/she will win the election, must prepare and present a transition plan. A transfer of power plan, to be presented every four years was formalized in 1963 and is a characteristic of American democracy.

Ronnie Eldridge and a friend for the past 60 years, Jerry Kretchmer, discuss politics from their "new point of view," that of an "older person"..unhappy with what's happening in the world," especially with what's happening in the presidential election.

Welcoming Mary Brosnahan, an ardent and passionate advocate for the homeless, a 30-year veteran heading the Coalition for the Homeless, Ronnie notes-almost with disbelief, the number of people who need housing - and the significant number of people who are without any.

Journalist, writer - 30 year veteran of The New York Times Editorial Board and a former fellow at the Brennan Center for Justice - Dorothy Samuels is the best person to talk with about federal courts, the Supreme Court’s recent activities, and politics.

Adrienne Kivelson, author of "What Makes New York City Run?" discusses NYC's history and major changes to its Charter, its Constitution. We are reminded that the Charter, received in 1898 - a little over 100 years ago - made New York-New York City. The 1979 financial disaster prompted significant bookkeeping changes. Over the years, Charters have broadened citizen participation, making New York City a more democratic City.

The Alliance of Families for Justice works to end mass incarceration by empowering families with formerly incarcerated loved ones seeking legal support, skills and voting rights. Soffiyah Elijah, afj's tireless leader, discusses programs and campaigns.

Jerry Goldfeder makes clear the importance of NY's vote this year, as it will determine who controls the House of Representatives. Gerrymandering, term-limits vs. for-life appointments for Supreme Court Justices discussed. Goldfeder urges all "Just Vote!"

The US imprisons more people than other countries in the world: long sentences-and many dying in prison. Guest describes ElderParole/Fair + Timely Parole bills to deal with mass incarceration, the bail and parole systems that promote perpetual punishment.

C. Virginia Fields leads the National Black Leadership Commission on Health towards health equity for the Black community. Fields names 8 areas affecting the Black community, saying more Black women die from maternity issues than any other group of women.

Win, the largest provider of family shelter and supportive housing in NYC, reports a "record number" of homelessness-families and children-needing shelter and services in NYC. Christine Quinn discusses long-term housing stability for families in need.

The Labor Institute, founded in 1975-develops and conducts education and policy programs to inform, prepare and train workers taking on issues of runaway inequality with unions. Les Leopold discusses the huge impact of the UAW's victory over mass layoffs.

Carlina Rivera, City Council Member, District 2, was born and raised in District 2 and is never far from home and memories of its diverse neighborhoods. As Chair of the Committee on Criminal Justice, Rivera discusses Rikers, bail, mental illness and more.

Discussing immigration, guest John Mollenkopf remarks that he’d “be doing a lot of what Mayor Adams is doing…screaming for help from the federal government” to allow immigrants to work and to get out of shelters. Mollenkopf pictures cities as "pumps,” drawing people in, lifting them up, providing mobility out of poverty, calling race and class, as factors contributing to a polarized society. Asked why NYC has so large a housing shortage, John Mollenkopf commented it’s hard and expensive to build in New York City.

Douglas Kellner was one of the first election officials to support the concept of a voter verifiable paper audit trail voting machine to replace lever driven voting machines. New York’s Board of Elections Co-Chaired by Doug Kellner, is unique, with a bi-partisan election administration - two officials in each office - representing the two major parties. When asked if they get along, Kellner replied, “...almost always."

Arva Rice smiles when host Ronnie Eldridge says she is the busiest woman she knows, desccribing her leadership roles in the Urban League and the Civilian Complaint Review Board, the oversight entity for the largest police department in the country. Beginning with the Great Migration, the move of black Americans from the south to the north, the 105 year old NYUL, an historic African American organization, continues to work for access, education, housing, employment - full equality.

Beatrice Weber describes the poor secular education given many NYC children. As YAFFED’s executive director, Weber speaks personally about changes in her life, her winning case against a school’s poor secular eduction and YAFFED’s pro education mission.

Vanessa L. Gibson is the first woman, the first African American to be elected Bronx Borough President. With affection and determination, BP Gibson calls the Bronx "..a borough of opportunities" where small business, the heart and soul of the city, grow.

Allen Roskoff, gay rights activist, expresses shock at the current "anger and vitriol..against the gay community," the "hate" openly displayed, which he believes is undoing progress that's been made. Roskoff shares his experiences coming out in the '70s.

Despite success of Open Primaries and Ranked Choice Voting, voter turnout remains low. Ester Fuchs urges education - support from community and local groups to help reconnect people to the political process, as our government lives by the people's vote.

Calling the 2024 U.S. elections “huge," Doug Muzzio describes current politics as the "newest of the new” and the times “the most dangerous period we’ve been in” since pre-Civil War: a divided country, moving further apart. Gun control and more discussed.

Chair of the Judiciary Committee, Sen. Brad Hoylman-Sigal, says Judges matter, and applauds the public's interest in the selection of a chief judge. Sen. Hoylman-Sigal urges the inclusion of LGBT, Black and Asian American histories in NY curriculum.

Gale Brewer, a long serving public servant, has returned to the City Council and District 6. “I love the City Council,” she says: the diversity of newly elected young members, a majority of them women. E-bike battery fires and Smoke Shops are discussed.

Tom Robbins calls his long career as a reporter/journalist, "the greatest job in the world. Doors may be slammed in your face but you have a 'passport' to any place you want to go." Robbins discusses his core issues: good government and criminal justice.

Barbara Treen was a member of the New York Parole Board for 12 years, and continues to work on behalf of the incarcerated to get a chance at parole. Ms. Treen discusses the politics surrounding parole and legislation, the Fair and Timely Parole Act and Elder Parole Bill designed to reform the system. Treen notes the significant support from the CUNY School of Law and others on behalf of those in prison.

"A kid in politics in the early 70's," Ken Sunshine describes his journey as a PR-Political Consultant, his clients: Mayor David Dinkins, Senator Ted Kennedy, President Bill Clinton, Barbra Streisand, to today, as a member of the CUNY Board of Trustees, chairman of the Governance Committee. Siting the affection New Yorkers have for CUNY, Mr. Sunshine outlines the City University's value to New Yorkers, its business and leadership communities.

Sam Roberts, longtime journalist, discusses how few community projects, press conferences, local news, in general, are covered and reported in New York's newspapers. Roberts talks about the digital vs printed forms of getting the news; "It's different," he says, remembering with pleasure, people waiting on the corner for the paper to be delivered. Mr. Roberts is author of "The New Yorkers" untold biographies of remarkable people and their contributions to New York's evolution and host of New York Times Close-Up, on CUNY TV.

CARA's Bridge Program, reflects CUNY's model, says Ronnie Eldridge, ensuring that first generation, low income students, people of color have the knowledge and support to enroll and persist in college. Deneysis Labrada and Dorma Lozada discuss the program

Retired psycho therapist, Carol Meyerson, mindful of how society-even families, often ignoring its older members, comments on the long history, knowledge and experience that the aged are anxious to share. Generations' different attitudes are discussed.

Discussing changes in entertainment law, her specialty, Rosalind Lichter notes that once independent studios are now owned by large corporations; Wall St. makes decisions-will "big films" play well in China? Streaming, contracts, who is hired, discussed.

Discussing Congestion Pricing, Property Taxes, Term Limits-issues affecting NYers, City Council Majority Leader Powers, describes the Council as looking and feeling like the city they were elected to represent. New faces/women/ideas-an energized Council.

John Jay College professor Heath Brown, author of "Homeschooling the Right: How Conservative Education Activism Erodes the State," discusses the homeschooling movement: conservative political groups/religious groups, educating children as they wish.

CUNY Law School Professor Steve Zeidman discusses Second-Look sentencing allowing courts to reevaluate a person's sentence after a significant time is served to determine if a prisoner's lengthy sentence was still necessary; thus offering a second chance

Vietnam, AIDS, Gay Pride Parade/1970 vs today's marches; Act Up, past demonstrations to inform, to motivate to action; current abortion legislation, the right to privacy for all, make Ronnie and Ann Northrop wonder why "...it looks like we're regressing."

Naomi Chase, at 6, believing that she would be a poet, discusses her novel in verse, "Gittel, the Would-Be Messiah" and reads from "Truro, Cape Cod," a current work, about memories. A divided USA/abortion legislation/candidates for president, discussed.

Elizabeth Nunez, in "Now Lila Knows," describes events close to her experiences as a young Caribbean, at an all-white school in the US. A difficult book for her to write, Nunez cites the immigrant's lack of understanding of America's color-based racism.