

That looks more like Jeff Coltin’s contribution to what Mandani said. Mamdani did the very politician thing and said ‘there are many ways’. Jeff is adding in the discouragement and the ‘but’ to Mamdani’s quote.
That might have something to do with it.



That’s closer to it. The local permitting jurisdictions get nothing out of approving or denying applications. They get held up for two reasons: the proposal is incomplete/unapprovable by law; and political intervention from an outside entity. Maybe the mayor or a commissioner, sometimes a director of an agency or organization. That’s where any bribery or other such shenanigans would take place. Not the permitting office.