On the Issues
Equitable Housing
Our city is facing a housing affordability crisis. Throughout my time in office I’ve stood on the side of tenants and stood against real estate interests. As Councilmember, I will continue to fight for:
Expanding right to counsel to all tenants
Reforming ULURP, you can see my full Land Use Policy policy here
Increasing funding for NYCHA and expediting repairs
Supporting rent relief programs and protections for tenants
Education and Childcare
As a product of New York City public schools and a new mom, I am committed to fighting for quality childcare and education for our children. This means:
Enacting Universal Childcare
Guaranteeing free after-school programs for all students
Fully funding programs like PromiseNYC for immigrant families
Ensuring that NYC schools use Culturally Responsive Education
Fully funding CUNY and cap tuition increases
Prioritizing investments on excluded student populations, especially English Language Learners, students with disabilities, and students in temporary housing
Public Safety
I envision a City that prioritizes investments to social services over increased policing, eliminating the NYPD’s most harmful programs and practices. We can start by:
Significantly reducing the NYPD’s budget to invest in social infrastructure
Removing police officers from schools, homeless outreach, mental health calls, and rerouting funds to services to resources the community needs, including community-based organizations dedicated to violence interruption and restorative justice practices.
Significantly reducing the number of people in New York City jails and prisons, close Rikers without building new borough-based jails, and meaningful bail reform
Ending arrest and prosecution of low-level offenses and clearing out low-level warrants every year, investing instead in fund diversion programs
Ending all NYPD collaboration with ICE
Decriminalizing sex work
Increase resources devoted to monitoring, reporting, investigating, and prosecuting hate crimes, and investing in bystander training
Making the CCRB disciplinary decisions binding and support the expansion of borough investigation units.
TECHNOLOGY AND ACCESS
As the Chair of the Technology Committee without a background in tech, I have approached this role with a focus on equity and access. That means fighting for:
This means:
Internet for All that provides free and affordable internet for all New Yorkers
The development of a concrete Internet Master Plan every 5 years
Internet access and resources in our shelters
Expanding Digital Literacy programs for older adults
Expand technology funding in our schools
Regulating NYC’s use of emerging technology like biometric surveillance and AI
IMMIGRATION
As the daughter of immigrants, I know how important it is for the City Council to pass legislation to support immigrant families like mine across District 34. As a member of the Council, I am a fierce advocate for immigrants across my district and across the city.
This means:
Limiting ICE presence in NYC
Increasing language access across all points of access in government
Expanding housing vouchers to include undocumented immigrants
Fighting to expedite work permits
Fighting to expand municipal voting to non-citizens
Ensuring incoming migrants receive proper shelter and care
ENVIRONMENTAL JUSTICE AND CLIMATE
The climate crisis is already damaging communities like our own, and North Brooklyn has a long-standing environmental justice community with deep roots in the movement against environmental racism. I hope to continue that legacy by:
Bringing our energy utilities under municipal control
Opposing the North Brooklyn Pipeline
Advocating for flood mitigations
Commiting to send zero waste to landfills by 2030
Expanding greener, transit oriented and pedestrian friendly streets and options
Fighting to pass and enact a Green New Deal, and not watering down Local Law 97
TRANSPORTATION
New Yorkers deserve safe streets that put the safety of people first and transportation options that work for all of us. I’ll advocate for a more livable city by:
Passing Sammy’s Law and giving NYC municipal control over speed limits
Prioritizing Vision Zero and fast track the Streets Plan to eliminate traffic fatalities along Broadway, Bushwick, and Myrtle Avenues
Increasing infrastructure like protected bike lanes and dedicated busways
Expanding the Fare Fares and Free Bus program to more New Yorkers
LGBTQ+/TGNCIQ OPPORTUNITY
Queer folks in our community experience disproportionate levels of poverty, violence and discrimination, and lack basic access to community building resources like education, healthcare, and housing. I will fight alongside this community to:
Institute inclusive sex education
Fight for funding for organizations that support LGBTQ+/TGNCIQ New Yorkers of all ages
Reinforce the NYC Unity Works program
Ensure equitable and gender-confirming access to health services
Fund supportive housing for LGBTQ+/TGNCIQ populations
ACCESS AND DISABILITY
Growing up with a father who was disabled, I know first hand the difficulties that people with disabilities, and their families, face each day.
Ensure all new developments have proper accommodations and upgrade older ones – without the costs shifting to tenants.
Expand right to counsel for New Yorkers with disabilities
Expand and improve Access a Ride, and similar transportation options
Fight to make MTA stations accessible
Advocated for discounted entry to cultural institutions
FOOD INSECURITY
As a member of a family that grew up on food stamps, I know how public assistance programs are a critical lifeline for low income homes in NYC. I am committed to advocating and expanding benefits to all New Yorkers that need them. That starts with:
Advocating for an increase in EBT/SNAP individual allotments
Fighting for prepared food to be covered under EBT/SNAP.
Increase funding for food pantries and food gardens
ANIMAL RIGHTS
Fighting for a more equitable New York includes fighting for the rights and welfare of the animals that live alongside us. I will fight for animals by:
Allocating funding to maintain animal rescue organizations
Requiring the teaching of humane education in New York City public schools
Banning the sale of new apparel products with animal fur
Prohibiting the use of horse-drawn carriages, and ensuring a just transition and training for our New Yorkers that work in this industry
Advocating to fund support networks for low-income pet guardians for all cycles of life care, from veterinarians visits, to food, to end of life services.