Dear John,

I tested positive for Covid on Sunday, so I’m working from my sukkah to start the week. Meg and I are sad not to be able to fill our sukkah up with guests this year, as we usually do – that’s what we like best about the Jewish holiday of Sukkot.

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But Sukkot is also about recognizing our shared vulnerability, in a world where we face so many threats and challenges. I’m finding that “working from sukkah” is still a timely reminder.

Like inviting guests into a make-shift tent, the best forms of safety and protection are shared, too. That is why I’ll never stop working for a more competent, compassionate government for all New Yorkers. And the work hasn’t slowed in recent days.

Right now I may be “under the weather,” but it’s nothing compared to the storm that caused severe flooding and damage across the city last week, once again revealing our vulnerability to extreme weather events caused by climate change.

Ironically, New York City’s annual “Climate Week” ended right before the storm hit. After marching through the streets with many of you at the “March to End Fossil Fuels” to start climate week, I concluded it by participating in a summit sponsored by the United Nations Secretary General. I shared New York City pension funds’ historic divestment of nearly $4 billion from fossil fuel reserves and our plan to reach net zero emissions in investment portfolios by 2040. I’m proud that our plan aligns with the high standards the UN has established – and serves as a model to work with other funds across the globe to help drive decarbonization.

Meanwhile, I launched a first-of-its-kind, real-time audit of the City’s $432 million no-bid contract with DocGo after the Mayor chose to move forward with it, despite our objections. DocGo is a medical services staffing company without any evident experience providing shelter or services to migrants. Our Audit Bureau is commencing this investigation, even as I write from the sukkah.

Finally, my office recently launched a lawsuit against Fox Corporation on behalf of New York City’s public pension funds. Fox News's rampant and willful disregard for the truth has put its shareholders – including nearly 800,000 current and retired City employees – on the hook to cover more than three-quarters-of-a-billion-dollars in needless defamation settlements. (Yes, the City’s pension funds own stock in Fox, MSNBC, and most publicly-traded media and other corporations). Our lawsuit will help hold Fox accountable.

As much as I love the sukkah, I’ll be back in the IRL office just as soon as I can. In the meantime, two quick requests:

First, get your booster! (Really wish I had moved more quickly to get mine).

Secondly, will you please consider supporting my work for a competent and compassionate government with a $5 donation? If you’re in a place to do so, I would be earnestly grateful. [[link removed]]

DONATE $5 [[link removed]]

Whatever the location, I’ll never stop working to improve New York City so that we can deliver effective services, mitigate the climate risks we face, and invest in the future that we and future generations deserve.

Thank you for your support, John.

In sukkah and solidarity,

Brad

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