Dear John 

• This week, Mayor Eric Adams made history as the first sitting New York City Mayor to be indicted on federal charges. In response, I joined over 40 of my elected colleagues in urging Mayor Adams to resign immediately. New Yorkers deserve stable leadership grounded in integrity and trust, not constant chaos and turnover. It’s clear that the Mayor has lost the trust of our communities and can no longer govern effectively. You can read the statement I issued alongside Progressive Caucus leaders here. I understand that my constituents are concerned about our City’s future as the Mayor’s legal situation unfolds. My colleagues and I at the City Council remain focused on serving our communities during this challenging time. You can find more details about what we accomplished at City Hall this week in today’s newsletter!

• I’m excited to announce that the dog run at Washington Park is now complete and officially open to the public! A huge thank you to the Parks Department for making this project a reality.

• Don’t miss the upcoming Housing and Preservation Department (HPD) “In Your District” event at my District Office on Tuesday, 10/1, from 10 AM to 5 PM. This is a great opportunity to get answers to all your housing-related questions. The Fire Department will also be there to discuss fire safety concerns.

• In April, New York State passed the Good Cause Eviction Law, which protects certain tenants from evictions due to excessive rent increases. To learn more about these important protections, join the workshop hosted by Fifth Avenue Committee on Monday, 9/30, at 6 PM at the Central Library, Info Commons Lab.

I’m Just a Bill!

The legislative session is in full swing, and I’m excited to share that two bills I authored were considered at City Council Committee Hearings this week.

On Friday, the Committee on Criminal Justice heard my Intro 206-A, aimed at tackling the crisis of drug-related deaths in City jails. Tragically, at least ten people died in Department of Corrections facilities from suspected overdoses in 2022 and 2023. If Narcan, a life-saving medication that reverses opioid overdoses, had been administered quickly, these individuals might still be alive. My bill would require all Corrections Officers to be trained in Narcan use and allow incarcerated individuals to request and receive Narcan training and overdose prevention kits upon release. I am grateful to organizations like Brooklyn Defender Services and the Legal Aid Society for their support and insights on this important matter.

On Tuesday, the Committee on Immigration heard my Intro. 215-A, which seeks to improve language access across our City by creating an Office of Translation and Interpretation within the Mayor’s Office of Immigrant Affairs. Currently, City Agencies struggle to meet their legal requirements to provide services in multiple languages, often relying on expensive and inefficient contracts with out-of-state language service providers. This proposed office would bolster the City’s in-house language capacity, employing local New Yorkers to translate materials and provide interpretation at events. This approach would improve the quality of language services, reduce wasteful spending, and create jobs for multilingual residents who understand their communities best. Having grown up in Brooklyn, I witnessed my immigrant family grapple with language barriers in education and healthcare, and I am dedicated to breaking down these obstacles for the next generation.

I look forward to keeping you updated on the progress of these bills!

City Council Stated Meeting Recap

Despite the news of Mayor Adams’ indictment on Thursday, the City Council had a productive day filled with rallies, bill introductions, and the passage of landmark legislation. Check out our Stated thread on X for highlights!

I was proud to sponsor and vote yes on several important bills, including measures to strengthen mental health care for parents, establish a rat contraceptive pilot program, end the discriminatory enforcement of jaywalking, and install solar panels on public properties to help meet our City’s clean energy goals.

I joined community partners in rallying for Intro 909, the Secure Jobs Act, a bill that I introduced with Council Member Cabán earlier this year. This legislation would protect workers from unjust and arbitrary firings. You can find a full explanation of how this transformative bill would work here!

Stay tuned for next month’s City Council Stated Meeting, where I’ll be introducing more bills!

Big Checks for Big Investments in the 39th

My team and I have been working tirelessly to secure funding for vital projects throughout our neighborhoods this fiscal year. From upgrading public spaces to expanding affordable housing and improving local schools, these investments are making a real difference in our district.

While there’s still much to do to ensure our budget fully reflects our community’s needs, I took some time this past month to celebrate the progress we’ve made. Check out this video highlighting some of my Big Check visits over the last two months. A special thank you to the nonprofits and community groups whose partnership and dedication make this work possible. I look forward to continuing our collaboration to build a thriving district together!

Constituent Services Corner

Recently, a constituent approached us after struggling for two months to get a response from the New York State Department of Labor (DOL) regarding their pending unemployment benefits. Our team stepped in, escalated the issue, and within days, the DOL prioritized their claim. I’m happy to report that the case has now been resolved!

Community Bulletin

• After a several-month pause, every household can now order a new round of free at-home COVID tests from the federal government. You’ll receive 4 free tests shipped via USPS. Simply visit covidtests.gov or call 800-232-0233 to place your order.

• Join us for our last neighborhood tree stewardship event of the Fall hosted in collaboration with the Fifth Avenue BID and Old Stone House on Saturday, 10/19, from 9 AM to 11 AM. We’ll be at 4th Street and 5th Avenue to clean, care for, and add mulch to street tree beds. All supplies, tools, and guidance will be provided. Please bring a water bottle to stay hydrated, and feel free to invite a friend or neighbor to help us care for our trees. Sign up here!

• The 17th Annual Hispanic Heritage Essay Contest is now accepting submissions from middle and high school students on how they connect with Hispanic culture, running through 10/31. More information, including the official rules, can be found here.

• Sign up here to join a Rat Walk starting at Dome Playground in Kensington on Tuesday, 10/8, at 5:30 PM. Discover the connections between the built environment, human behaviors, and rat biology.

• The We Are All Brooklyn Fellowship Against Hate is now accepting applications! This six-month program equips community leaders to combat hate in their neighborhoods. Fellows will receive seed funding to create initiatives that foster meaningful connections across communities. Apply by 11/30!

In Solidarity,
Council Member Shahana