How Major Change Happens in Urban Welfare Policies? Can New York City respond effectively to poverty and related problems? Mayors Lindsay, Giuliani, and de Blasio all sought major change in city welfare policy. When has big change been achieved and how did it happen? Thomas J. Main’s new book, Reforming Social Services in New York City: How Major Change Happens in Urban Welfare Policies (Cornell 2025), will be the springboard for a discussion of these issues.