A couple of related questions about affordable housing. When zoning variences are provided to private developers, is the "80-20" program the best tool for promoting affordable housing that is presently available? Are there any other, better affordable housing program options that are presently under consideration and stand a chance of being adopted? Finally, what new program that is not presently under consideration would you like to see the City adopt to promote the development of affordable housing by private developers?

Where do expenditures like the Iraq War live when existing outside the budget? At what point are debts accrued outside the budget put back in?

Question for Adrianne Shropshire: do you think a bill modeled on the Chicago living wage & benefit law could be passed in New York City? Do you think Mayor Bloomberg would sign such legislation? Is passing such legislation going to be a new priority for your organization?

For Maureen: I once heard the argument that the military's active recruitment of poor people takes the place of having a jobs program in this country. I think this builds off the assumption that for many, enlisting in the armed forces is the best economic option (or best job offer) many people have. If, for example, you can't afford college and can' find another job that would pay you as much as the service would, it seems very attractive to enlist because this option offers you the ability to work toward an education and to earn a (sometimes) livable wage.

But, I think you would argue that a jobs program would not actually change the cycle of poverty and the huge barriers in the way of people being able to pull themselves out of it that are present in this country.

Instead, a jobs program might further infringe on people's ability to educate themselves - which is actually a means of sustainably pulling oneself out of poverty.

Do you agree?

And, what do you think is would work better to stop that system in which we require demeaning and sometimes devastating labor from poor people in exchange for our promise to educate them?

what types of campaigns work best to educate workers about their rights?

and in terms of oversight...some government organizations do a much better job of educating people about given risks, rights, and policies than others and i am wondering if you have any insight into what the best way to educate people is? Should it be a directed advocacy push, a trickle down government effort, something else?

And, has it been statistically shown that when workers know more about their rights they are more likely to demand better workplace conditions and compensation? Related to this is the question of whether these educational campaigns make for good public policy (meaning do they actually have an impact)?

How large of an industry are private prisons? And are these prisons owned by other, larger conglomerate companies or are they the single focus of their owners? Are there private prison chains - you know, like Foot Locker or Wendy's?

What sorts of data are available to show the difference in inmate treatment, behavior and recidivism based on whether a prison is public or private?

(this one's for Ezekiel).

which governmental organizations fall prey or could possibly fall prey to the most damaging english language only policies? How do language access policies differ based on the type of organization they are associated with and are there different strategies for language access policies in, for example, schools vs. rescue vs. small business creation, etc?