Keeping Relevant With Ronnie Eldridge

Ester Fuchs, professor, public affairs and political science at Columbia University commented on some of the issues presented by Mayor de Blasio in his "State of the City" address: keeping the city safe, environmental stability, and affordable housing.

Mujahid Farid, a promoter of the Release Aging People in Prison (RAPP) Campaign works towards the release of aging prisoners, many who have transformed their lives in prison, many who are sick and infirm. Farid urges the reform of the parole system.

NYC Councilwoman Debi Rose, representing Staten Island's 49th district, discusses SI's economic development: the New York Waterfront Ferris Wheel - the world's largest observation ferris wheel; hotels, a discount shopping mall; mixed income housing-jobs!

Norman Siegel, civil rights and civil liberties lawyer, believes that the number of good cops is overwhelming and that it is essential to "talk the truth" about the number of bad apples in the police force. Education is vital to undo stereotypes.

Vincent Montalbano, president of Montalbano Initiatives for more than 24 years is retiring from the world of lobbying, but he is not retiring from the world of politics. Discussion includes unions losing strength; campaign finance, racism, and optimism.

The Independent Budget Office, led by Ronnie Lowenstein, a publicly funded agency, provides the public and elected officials with nonpartisan information about NYC's budget. The IBO's report, "Understanding New York City's Budget" clarifies the budget.

Les Leopold, author: "The Looting of America" and "How to Make a Million Dollars an HOUR" considers events leading to the rich have become richer and the rest of us have remained the same or become poorer.

PROP-Police Reform Organizing Group-and Bob Gangi, work to correct tactics that harm the city's low-income communities and people of color. An advocate for reform, PROP 's Narratives Project and others, documents aggressive approach to law enforcement.

Having just returned from meetings in Ghana, Dr. Lewis Goldfrank, director of emergency services at Bellevue Hospital Center, NYU Langone Medical Center and the Manhattan VA Medical Center, talks about Ebola, and the role of public policy on health issues

1 in 3 women are killed every day by their spouse or former partner. NYC's Domestic Violence Hotlines get more than 310 calls per day. Sally MacNichol and Quentin Walcott, co-executive directors of CONNECT, talk about their outreach programs.