The Empire Review

Jonathan Arias
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Welcome to the Empire Review, the legal series that gives you a front row seat inside the courtrooms shaping New York. 

Episodes

  1. MAR 26

    Who Really Runs New York? - An Interview with Akash Mehta, Editor-in-Chief of New York Focus

    Send us a text Democracy requires watchdogs, but who's watching Albany? In this conversation with Akash Mehta, Editor-in-Chief of New York Focus, I uncover the hidden machinery of power in New York State. Research shows that geographic isolation breeds corruption - when state capitals sit far from population centers, accountability suffers. While New York City teems with journalists, few eyes focus on the capital, where the real power resides. Launched in 2020, New York Focus answers the crucial question: "Who runs New York?" Their investigations have revealed family dynasties controlling the prison system, secretive legislative committees determining which bills live or die, and law firms involved in judicial appointments. Most importantly, they've proven that when journalists expose these hidden mechanisms, change happens quickly. As Akash explains, power in New York takes many forms - from predictable corporate influence to dysfunctional bureaucracies where "no one runs New York" and problems persist due to institutional neglect rather than malice. But their work also reveals the power of informed citizens to drive accountability when armed with knowledge. Ready to understand who's really pulling the strings in your state? Subscribe now to hear what happens when fearless journalism meets democratic dysfunction. Then visit nyfocus.com to support their essential work uncovering the stories that shape our lives but seldom make headlines.

    42 min

  2. MAR 10

    The Meritocracy Trap - An Interview with Daniel Markovits, Yale Law Professor

    Send us a text What if everything we've been taught about getting ahead in America is actually a trap? Yale Law professor Daniel Markovits drops a bombshell by revealing how meritocracy—our cherished national myth—has become the very system destroying both the middle class and crushing even those who "succeed" within it. Markovits takes us on a fascinating journey through the transformation of everyday industries. Remember when working at McDonald's meant having actual cooking skills? Today, those jobs have been de-skilled to button-pushing, while a small elite of food scientists earns millions designing pre-packaged meals. This pattern repeats across retail, finance, medicine, and law—middle-skill jobs vanish while a small group at the top commands astronomical salaries and those at the bottom struggle with minimal wages. The most surprising revelation might be how this system harms even those at the top. Unlike aristocrats of old who could simply collect passive income from inherited wealth, today's elites must exploit themselves through crushing work schedules. They spend entire lives being evaluated, tested, and molded to market demands rather than pursuing meaningful interests. Their wealth comes at the cost of their freedom and fulfillment. Markovits offers practical advice for navigating this broken system, suggesting that starting businesses or relocating to areas with greater social mobility might provide alternatives to the elite credential chase. He leaves us with a powerful insight: "We can't make social policy for exceptional people. We have to make social policy for the rest of us who are ordinary." In a world that increasingly rewards only the exceptional, perhaps that's the most revolutionary idea of all.

    51 min

  3. MAR 7

    The Presidential Power Struggle: Trump's Spending Freeze Challenged

    Send us a text A pivotal legal battle has unfolded in federal court, with profound implications for executive power and constitutional boundaries. When President Trump directed the Office of Management and Budget to freeze federal spending for programs related to foreign aid, diversity initiatives, and environmental causes, he triggered an immediate showdown over the separation of powers that define our government. The judge's injunction against this freeze cuts to the heart of our constitutional structure. Congress alone holds the "power of the purse" through the Appropriations Clause, and presidents who wish to impound funds must follow specific procedures established after Nixon's similar attempts in the 1970s. Trump's administration bypassed these requirements completely, leading the court to find his actions likely unconstitutional and "arbitrary and capricious" under administrative law. What makes this case particularly significant is how it exemplifies the tension between presidential authority and constitutional constraints. The administration's transparent attempt to escape judicial review – technically rescinding the memo while publicly declaring the freeze remained "in full force" – failed to convince the judge. Meanwhile, real organizations faced immediate layoffs and financial hardships as a result of this constitutional power struggle. The case resonates with Francis Fukuyama's observation that even the most authoritarian systems require some principle of legitimacy beyond raw power. As our democracy navigates these challenges, the courts remain the primary institutional check against potential overreach – but for how long? This battle over federal funding reveals the fragility of our system when founding principles face determined challenges. Have you considered what happens when presidents test the boundaries of their constitutional authority? Follow along as we examine more pivotal cases shaping our democracy.

    12 min

  4. MAR 6

    Who's Building New York's Transit System?

    Send us a text Congestion pricing has arrived in New York City, and as $9 tolls begin hitting drivers' wallets, widespread skepticism looms over whether the MTA will actually deliver improved transportation. This skepticism isn't unfounded—the transit authority's track record with budget management is troubling, illustrated perfectly by projects like the East Side Access that exceeded initial budgets by billions. But beneath this frustration lies an unexpected opportunity. While you're paying congestion tolls, have you considered owning a piece of the companies receiving those dollars? From Singapore Technologies Engineering (which secured a $550 million contract through its subsidiary Transcore) to Kawasaki Heavy Industries (which has delivered 2,200 subway cars since 1982), numerous publicly-traded companies stand to benefit from the MTA's massive $68 billion capital plan. This approach connects directly to economist Thomas Piketty's groundbreaking work on wealth creation. While many of us focus on homeownership as our primary wealth-building strategy, Piketty's research reveals that "true wealth always consists primarily of financial and business assets." The wealthiest segment of society doesn't just own real estate—they own financial stakes in productive companies. As John D. Rockefeller once said, "I would have every man a capitalist... Own the industries, own the railroads." New York's transportation infrastructure desperately requires investment—not just for city residents but for America's continued prosperity. As the financial capital of the world and the nation's third-largest economy, New York's functionality depends on reliable public transit. Whether you ride the subway or not, the people you depend on certainly do. Rather than just paying increased tolls and fares, perhaps it's time to consider owning shares in Kawasaki, Alstom, Thales Group, Skanska, and other companies building New York's future. After all, if they're getting your money either way, wouldn't you prefer to be on the receiving end too?

    20 min

  5. MAR 6

    Welcome to the Empire Review

    Send us a text Surviving in today's urban jungle requires the same environmental mastery our ancestors needed 12,000 years ago - just with skyscrapers and sirens replacing forests and wildlife. The Empire Review pulls back the curtain on the hidden legal architecture shaping New York City, offering viewers unprecedented access to the courtrooms where the city's most consequential decisions unfold. Host Jonathan Arias brings a decade of insider perspective as a former public defender, law professor, and judicial clerk to guide viewers through complex legal battles with real-world implications. Why can affluent Park Slope homeowners pay lower property taxes than those in less affluent Bronx neighborhoods? How did congestion pricing overcome fierce opposition? What legal principles require housing for newly arrived immigrants? And perhaps most surprisingly - how can New York City schools remain among America's most segregated despite desegregation laws passed decades ago? The series demonstrates how these seemingly isolated issues form an interconnected web that defines life in America's largest city. By connecting these dots, The Empire Review provides New Yorkers with essential knowledge to navigate their complex urban environment. Join us for a front-row seat to the legal battles reshaping the Empire State, and discover how judges, lawyers, and juries are making decisions that affect millions of lives daily. Visit TheEmpireReview.com to join our community and access the tools you need to master your modern environment.

    3 min

  6. MAR 6

    The Hidden Cost of Convenience: NYC's Delivery Worker Wage Battle

    Send us a text The battle over New York City's minimum wage law for delivery workers reveals critical tensions at the heart of our modern economy—tensions we must confront as technology transforms work. When delivery workers kept our city fed during the pandemic, they earned just $7.09 per hour without tips, which dropped to a shocking $4.03 after expenses. Their struggle for fair pay culminated in groundbreaking legislation guaranteeing them minimum wage, including payment for "on-call" time spent waiting for orders. But companies like Uber fought back aggressively, claiming the rule would destroy the flexibility that attracts workers to the platform. Behind this legal battle lies a profound question about worker classification. Are delivery workers truly independent entrepreneurs, as apps claim, or employees deserving of basic protections? Looking closer, we discover these workers lack fundamental entrepreneurial control—they don't set rates, choose customers, or negotiate terms. Instead, they're managed by sophisticated algorithms that track their movements, control work assignments, and discipline them through ratings. The stakes couldn't be higher. Delivery workers face astonishing danger—a fatality rate five times higher than construction workers. Meanwhile, Uber, which never turned an annual profit until 2023 after losing an estimated $30 billion over seven years, invested $400 million in autonomous vehicle technology. Their CEO's admission that "cars are to us what books were to Amazon" suggests human workers may be merely a transitional step toward a driverless future. As we navigate this technological transition, we must ask: Can we embrace innovation without sacrificing fair labor practices? The court's decision upholding the minimum wage law demonstrates that collective organizing remains powerful even in our algorithmic age. But the larger question remains—how do we shape a future of work that benefits everyone?

    40 min

  7. MAR 6

    The Battle Over New York's Congestion Pricing

    Send us a text Congestion pricing, New York City's ambitious plan to tackle its overwhelming traffic problem, stands at a pivotal crossroads after decades of failed attempts. This deep dive explores the legal battles, environmental assessments, and underlying tensions that have made this solution simultaneously necessary and controversial. The 2019 Traffic Mobility Act authorized a plan with three clear objectives: reducing vehicle traffic below 60th Street in Manhattan, decreasing vehicles entering the district, and raising $15 billion for public transit improvements. Despite these seemingly beneficial goals, 64% of New Yorkers oppose the plan, viewing it as a financial burden rather than an environmental solution. Through meticulous analysis of the 958-page environmental assessment and court proceedings, we uncover how sophisticated traffic modeling predicted both benefits and challenges. While the Central Business District would see 15-19% less traffic, areas like Staten Island and the Bronx would experience increases, raising crucial environmental justice concerns. The government's response? A $155 million mitigation package and financial assistance for low-income drivers. What makes this story particularly compelling is the zero-sum nature of the conflict: if implemented, opponents lose; if abandoned, supporters lose. Meanwhile, $556 million has already been spent on implementation infrastructure, with abandonment estimated to waste $700 million in taxpayer resources. Beyond the legal arguments lies a deeper question about the hidden costs of the status quo: $5-6.5 billion annually in lost productivity and $2 billion in wasted fuel. Against this backdrop stands the MTA's troubled history of cost overruns and inefficiency, contributing to public skepticism that this new revenue stream will actually deliver promised improvements. Curious about how this battle between traffic relief and financial burden will reshape New York's transportation landscape? Listen now to understand the full complexity of what might be the most consequential urban mobility decision in decades.

    48 min
  • 7 Episodes

About

Welcome to the Empire Review, the legal series that gives you a front row seat inside the courtrooms shaping New York. 

Information

  • Creator
    Jonathan Arias
  • Years Active
    2K
  • Episodes
    7
  • Rating
    Clean
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    © 2025 The Empire Review
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    The Empire Review