Bill de Blasio Talks Income Inequality, $15 Minimum Wage, And Progressive Politics On 'CBS This Morning'
NEW YORK (CBSNewYork) - Mayor Bill de Blasio talked about his progressive agenda and potential endorsement for Hillary Clinton on CBS This Morning Wednesday.
De Blasio's appearance on the show comes a week after the mayor was in Washington D.C. to push a progressive agenda focused on battling income inequality by raising the minimum wage, pushing for a progressive tax system, paid sick leave and more.
"I think the challenge this time in our history is income inequality," de Blasio told Charlie Rose, Gayle King and Norah O'Donnell. "I think this country is truly in danger if we don't find a way to uplift working people and get people to a decent standard of living again."
De Blasio's remarks come as fast food restaurant workers are again rallied for a $15 minimum wage in Union Square.
"We have the worst income disparity since the great depression and unfortunately that's worsening all the time," de Blasio said. "So I think the things we need to hear about are progressive taxation, ways of raising wages and benefits."
The mayor went on to applaud Los Angeles. The City Council there voted to raise the minimum wage to $15 by 2020.
"Think about it this way: We all used to think minimum wage meant a wage you could live on, but today in New York City and many other parts of the country, a wage level of under $9 an hour, no one actually thinks you could live on that," he said. "What I think is happening is that there has been a grassroots effort to demand that we re-conceptualize what minimum wage is and actually think about the costs that families face today. And I think that effort has led a lot of governments and a lot of private companies to change their policies."
De Blasio defended his decision to not immediately endorse Hillary Clinton for president, even though he previously served as her campaign manager when she ran for U.S. Senate in New York.
"I think the world of her, and I think that her history is a very progressive one. I particularly point to 1993 when she took on the insurance companies to try and achieve health care reform way ahead of when it was actually done," de Blasio said. "I think she has a very strong progressive history. I think she's one of the most qualified people ever to run for the office. But I think it's absolutely normal to want to hear a vision for how to address what I think is a sensible challenge."
De Blasio said he intends to participate in a progressive presidential forum this fall to ask candidates from both parties what they intend to do about income inequality, adding it is a cause some Republican candidates have been discussing.
"Mouthing the words is good, but we have to talk about real solutions," de Blasio said. "I think progressive taxation, things like the Buffet rule, are one of the necessary components for the change, and I think we need to hear that from all candidates."
De Blasio's comments come as some New Yorkers are giving him heat for spending so much time on the road.
De Blasio defended his travels when asked about them by CBS2's Marcia Kramer Tuesday.
"A mayor of New York has to walk and chew gum at the same time. You can't exist in the modern nation that we are and ignore the fact that there are so many resources in Washington that we deserve and have to fight for."