Meet the New Face in Albany Representing the South Bronx
Meet the New Face in Albany Representing the South Bronx
There's a new face in Albany representing the South Bronx. WFUV's Stephanie Colombini talked with Democrat Michael Blake about what he's looking forward to in his first Assembly session.
Freshman Assemblyman Michael Blake says he wants to transform his South Bronx district into an urban metropolis. But the former aide to President Obama's got a tall order.
Blake says the 79th has gotten a bad rap for its high unemployment and drop out rates, and history of political corruption. In fact, Blake's filling the vacancy of the second of the district's last three Assembly members to lose their seat over bribery charges.
But the Assemblyman says he's determined to turn his district around.
"When you strengthen minority- and women-ownded businesses so that they can hire and empower community, while you create a career-oriented education system so someone is graduating and getting a job, there are so many other positive effects and impacts that can happen from there," Blake said.
Assemblyman Blake says he sees the upcoming expiration of New York's rent laws, as well as the potential passing of the Women's Equality and DREAM immigration acts as major opportunities for transformation in 2015.
