The Brian Lehrer Show

Elisabeth Benjamin, Vice President of Health Initiatives at the Community Service Society and co-founder of the Health Care for All New York Campaign, shares insights on the upcoming challenges in health insurance costs. She discusses the expected 30%-45% premium increases, the impact of political opposition to ACA subsidy extensions, and offers practical enrollment tips. Elisabeth emphasizes the importance of personalized help from navigators and outlines how recent policy changes affect eligibility for essential plans. Listeners are encouraged to reach out for local support and advocacy resources.

Nikita Biryukov, a reporter for the New Jersey Monitor, dives into the intricacies of New Jersey's electoral landscape. He shares insights on early voting trends and how they compare to previous elections, highlighting party registration effects. Biryukov discusses the role of Republican and Democratic sentiments in voter enthusiasm and the significance of the DOJ's monitoring in Passaic County. Notably, he analyzes endorsements from Obama and Trump, their impact on gubernatorial dynamics, and the shifting voter demographics in the region.

Jessie Gómez, a reporter at Chalkbeat Newark, dives into the contentious world of New Jersey's public education funding. She breaks down how property taxes and student needs impact school aid, highlighting disparities in funding. Gómez discusses gubernatorial candidates Mikie Sherrill’s and Jack Cittarelli’s contrasting plans for modernizing the funding formula and implementing a per-student funding standard. The episode also addresses the challenges of teacher shortages and the effects of charter schools on local budgets, illustrating the complexity of education policy in the state.

Arlan Fuller, the Director of Emergency Preparedness and Response at Project HOPE, shares critical insights on the devastation caused by Hurricane Melissa in Jamaica and surrounding areas. He discusses the challenges in communication and damage assessment, stressing the importance of local contacts for finding loved ones. Arlan highlights the effectiveness of monetary donations over in-kind aid for relief efforts. Additionally, he addresses concerns about Cuba's safety amid communication blackouts and the potential U.S. governmental response to the crisis.

Calder McHugh, a reporter at POLITICO Magazine, dives into the scandal surrounding the leaked Young Republicans group chat. He defines edgelord and groiper culture, revealing how offensive jokes serve as loyalty tests within far-right circles. Calder discusses the troubling content of the chat, including misogynistic and racist remarks. The conversation delves into the implications for GOP grassroots trends and how the rise of younger staffers influences real political dynamics. He also reflects on the consequences for participants, including resignations and firings.

Sam Rivera is the executive director of OnPoint NYC, a nonprofit focused on harm reduction, while Ethan Geringer-Sameth serves as a healthcare reporter covering public health policy, and Gustavo Rivera is a New York State Senator advocating for harm reduction. They discuss the varying positions of mayoral candidates on overdose prevention centers and explore how these facilities can save lives through effective interventions. Listeners share personal experiences, highlighting community concerns and support for the centers amidst political tensions.

Elizabeth Kim, a political reporter for WNYC and Gothamist, dives into the surge in early voting with Bridget Bergen, a senior political reporter focusing on election data. They discuss a fivefold increase in early voters, particularly among those aged 55 and up. Additionally, Kim sheds light on candidate Mamdani's strategic silence regarding housing proposals, while both reporters analyze voter coalition shifts and the implications for equity in housing. They also compare grassroots efforts versus paid campaigns, revealing the evolving dynamics as election day approaches.

Seth Berkley, an infectious disease epidemiologist and former CEO of Gavi, discusses urgent lessons from the COVID pandemic. He highlights the critical need for vaccine equity, arguing that vaccinating all countries protects global health. Berkley critiques wealthy nations for hoarding vaccines and explores logistics of delivering doses to low-income areas. He warns against anti-vaccine sentiments and emphasizes the importance of trustworthy science amid rising skepticism, while also addressing the ongoing challenges in developing an HIV vaccine.

Nick Garber, a politics reporter at Crain's New York Business, shares insights on the NYC mayoral candidates' stances on jobs and the minimum wage. He discusses Andrew Cuomo's $20 wage proposal and Zoran Mamdani's push for a $30 minimum, framing it as a living wage. The conversation dives into how candidates are addressing business concerns and the perceived flight of companies from the city. Garber also highlights the complexities of taxes and regulations affecting small businesses, along with the candidates' varying promises to ease red tape.

Listeners express their struggles about voting decisions, revealing their ambivalence towards candidates and ballot questions. A caller weighs the experience of Cuomo against the energy of Mamdani. Discussions turn to concerns over national politics affecting local choices. New Jersey voters share skepticism over negative campaign strategies and demand clearer candidate positions. One caller debates the pros and cons of syncing city elections with federal ones, while another voices confusion over misleading charter revision proposals. The segment wraps up with advice and encouragement.