Laurent Hynes seems to find the centralist policies being discussed in New York deeply ironic and counter-intuitive, especially regarding minimum wage and rent control. As is commonly known, the federal minimum wage is $7.50, but the state minimum in New York is already $16.50, and some socialist government has discussed raising it to $30 within the next several years. Hynes comments, "One thing is for certain: such a policy would result in much lower quality and quantity of employment opportunities than would otherwise be available were it not implemented." He says this in regards to the unemployment rate that would raise after such a piece of legislation. Regarding rent control, he points out the economically obvious disadvantages. He points out that rent control will only lessen the quantity and quality of amenities in New York rentals and almost completely erase the chances of finding an open apartment to live in as a consumer.
The quality and quantity being lowered of amenities in New York is everything. People will begin to leave the city. They will be forced to move to cheaper places or they will be leaving because they are dead. Significant portions of New York City's population will be forced to make incredibly difficult decisions and most likely end up at the very least traveling further distances for work or seeking to gain additional labor skills. Overall the whole things makes the quality of life much worse in New York City.