As your candidate for New York State Assembly District 52-serving the diverse neighborhoods of Brooklyn Heights, Downtown Brooklyn, Cobble Hill, Boerum Hill, Carroll Gardens, Gowanus, and beyond-I believe every family deserves access to good, stable jobs that provide dignity, fair pay, and the ability to support loved ones without constant struggle.
In our district, from public housing in Gowanus to brownstones in Park Slope and everywhere in between, residents share the same goal: secure employment that lets them thrive in one of the most expensive cities in the country. Too many hardworking New Yorkers face challenges-high rents eating into paychecks, long commutes, and barriers to opportunities-while our local economy has shifted away from manufacturing and toward services and tech. We need to bring back and create jobs that pay well, stay local, and benefit our communities equitably.
Brooklyn's waterfront and industrial history offer untapped potential. With smart investment and community input, we can revive manufacturing in ways that create union jobs, reduce pollution, and support small businesses-without displacing residents or ignoring environmental justice.
When elected, I will fight in Albany for:
- Policies that attract and retain businesses offering good-paying, union-supported jobs-prioritizing worker rights, fair wages, and protections against exploitation.
- Revitalizing Brooklyn's waterfront for sustainable manufacturing and commercial use, leveraging our shipping access to make local production more efficient and competitive-creating opportunities in skilled trades, logistics, and innovation while protecting against gentrification and ensuring community benefits.
- Supporting large-scale indoor farming and urban agriculture initiatives in Brooklyn to generate local jobs, provide affordable, high-quality fresh produce year-round, strengthen food security for families, and cut reliance on long-distance trucking (reducing pollution and costs). Excess production could be exported via waterways for cleaner, more efficient distribution.
- Promoting green and resilient job growth-tied to climate adaptation (e.g., flood-resistant infrastructure, green building, renewable energy installation)-that creates pathways for residents in public housing, immigrant communities, and underserved areas to access training, apprenticeships, and employment.
- Strengthening small business support-helping neighborhood shops, restaurants, and startups survive high rents and economic pressures through targeted incentives, streamlined permitting, and access to capital without burdensome red tape.
These efforts must be equitable: jobs should go to local residents first, with training programs that include women, people of color, and those facing barriers to employment. We can grow our economy while upholding worker protections, environmental standards, and community priorities-no one should be left behind. Together, let's create good jobs that strengthen District 52-affordable, dignified, and rooted in our neighborhoods. Join me in pushing for these priorities in Albany. Contact me today to share your ideas on jobs, small business challenges, or how we can make Brooklyn a place where families thrive through work. Our communities deserve an economy that works for everyone.