How Will the Current Wall Street Crisis Affect New York's Economy and Politics?

How Will the Current Wall Street Crisis Affect New York's Economy and Politics?

NEW YORK, Oct. 14 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Wall Street is melting down. The state economy is in crisis. In direct response to recent events, Thirteen presents two new specials featuring government, financial and political experts who provide insight and perspective for the local New York audience.

THE FISCAL CRISIS AND THE CITY, airing Thursday, October 16th at 8p.m. on Thirteen, includes interviews with unemployed Wall Street workers, the State Commissioner of Labor M. Patricia Smith, City Comptroller William Thompson, and more to address what the current crisis means for local jobs and the fiscal health of the city. Felix Rohatyn, who the New York Times called "the investment banker who saved New York from financial catastrophe in the 1970's," discusses how today's situation compares to the 70's and the city's current economic outlook. This New York Voices special will also address New York City Mayor Bloomberg's proposed bill to suspend term limits in the face of the economic crisis.

On Thursday, October 23 at 8 p.m., Thirteen presents VOTE 08: THE NEW YORK CHOICE. This November, Democrats may take control of the New York State Senate for the first time in decades. With Governor Paterson in office and the State Assembly safely in their hands, Democrats would control all three branches of state government. Thirteen's New York Voices and WHMT's New York Now in Albany take a state-wide look at some of the decisive State Senate races and the critical issues that will be affected if this shift in power occurs. With input from other public television stations across New York, the special will examine a variety of topics, including the state's struggling economy and its continuing budget woes. The program will be hosted by New York Voices' Rafael Pi Roman and New York Now's Susan Arbetter.

In addition to these specials, Thirteen is New York's source for the nation's most-trusted news and public affairs programming*, including The NewsHour with Jim Lehrer, Washington Week with Gwen Ifill, Worldfocus and numerous others. Thirteen provides reliable, high-quality content that presents diverse voices, addresses complex subjects and examines the issues important to viewers.

New York public media company WNET.ORG is a pioneering provider of television and Web content. The parent of Thirteen/WNET, WLIW New York and Creative News Group, WNET.ORG brings together respected and innovative producers in arts and culture; news and public affairs; science, nature and history; and children's programming in the pursuit of a single, overarching goal - to create media experiences of lasting significance for New York, America and the world.

* Source: 2008 Roper Poll (http://www.pbs.org/aboutpbs/news/20080610_ropersurvey.html)

Source: Thirteen/WNET New York

CONTACT: Deirdre Branley of Thirteen/WNET, +1-212-560-3130,
branley@thirteen.org

Web Site: http://www.thirteen.org/
http://www.wnet.org/

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