Question: I would like to ask you about your comments yesterday opposing the Governor's interest in accommodating the wealthy New Yorkers who wanted to leave. You frequently mentioned how bad the city's financial straits are right now. Isn't losing these wealthy people and wealthy taxpayers going to hurt the budget even more?
Mayor: What I'm trying to say is, let's focus on working people. Let's focus on the millions upon millions of people who do their jobs every day, or are fighting to get their jobs back who need help, who are the backbone of the city, the heart and soul in New York City. They're not going anywhere. They're not fleeing. This is New York and these are New Yorkers I'm here to fight for. The wealthy have become more global in many ways long before this crisis. They will come, they will go. Some are true New Yorkers. We got a lot of homegrown millionaires here. I know a lot of them really care about New York City and do a lot for New York City. The folks who want to be a part of this community, God bless them. And if they've done well in life, congratulations. Now let's help out other people.
But I am not going to beg anybody to live in the greatest city in the world. There are plenty of people who want to live in New York City. There are plenty of people who will come here no matter what. This crisis will be over soon. And here's what we found, we actually analyzed this, in recent years some millionaires and billionaires have left, some millionaires and billionaires have come in and started to grow roots here in New York City. And here's the most important fact, New York City has bred more millionaires every year in recent years than ever before because up until February, our economy was booming and people from all over the world wanted to come here sensing opportunity, and they will again. So, I am convinced that by focusing on restoring this city and doing what's right for working people in this city, it will be a better and better and fairer place. And I actually think that's where creative people want to be, entrepreneurial people want to be, and that's our path back.
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