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What’s Inside:
* Message from Jo Anne
* Open House + Holiday Party, Friday, 12/19, 4-6pm
* Toy Drive
* Cuts to Healthcare & Possible Hospital Closures
* Why We Need New School Aid Formulas
* Supporting our Mental Health Workforce
* Federal Cuts to SNAP Food Benefits
* New Plan for Atlantic Yards
* Winter Heat Rules
* Worker & Employer Surveys
* Brooklyn Marine Terminal - Extended Comment Period
* Protect Yourself From the Flu, Covid, RSV
* HEAP Applications Open
* Resources for Immigrants
* Gowanus Clean-up Updates
* Transit Updates
* Older Adult Resources: LiveOn
* Housing Lottery in Gowanus
* ‘Tis the Season: Shop Local
* 2026 NYC Parking Calendar
* Community News & Events

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Dear Friends & Neighbors,

Much like you might be, I am distraught from the multiple tragedies and devastating loss of life that took place last weekend. As families prepared to light the Hanukkah candles on the 13th anniversary of the massacre of 20 little children and 6 adults at Sandy Hook Elementary School, there was a devastating mass shooting at Brown University and a vicious antisemitic mass shooting in Australia resulting in 15 deaths. There was also a mass shooting in Brooklyn outside a sweet 16 party, injuring many teens. My heart hurts for the victims, their families, friends and communities who will never again be the same.

In New York, we have made great progress on gun violence prevention and I’ve been honored to do my part, but so much of what would keep people safer requires federal action to protect our nation as a whole and to prevent illegal firearms from coming into New York through other states.

I wanted to remind you of my "red flag" law, the Extreme Risk Protection Order (ERPO), which allows family and law enforcement to petition courts to temporarily remove firearms from individuals posing a risk of harm to themselves or others. Several other states have since adopted such a law. This tool prevents tragedies like suicides and mass shootings; please contact my office or visit my website ([link removed]) to learn more about how to request an ERPO.

In the US, the federal administration is rolling back the bipartisan gun safety law passed only a few years ago. We know how to stop this senseless killing, but we haven’t done it. We must continue the cause for common sense gun laws in this country – and continue to uplift our shared humanity and unite against hate.

Sincerely,

Jo Anne Simon
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Holiday Open House, Friday, Dec. 19 from 4-6pm. I am thrilled to reopen my district office after light renovations in our space (and heavy renovations in the building!). Please come out and see our updated space and celebrate the holiday season with my staff and our neighbors. My office is located at 341 Smith Street in Carroll Gardens. Light snacks and beverages will be provided. RSVP here ([link removed]) so we can plan for supplies.

There will also be a musical guest from the community at 5pm and a holiday elf in the house!

Consider bringing a new, unwrapped book or toy for youth in Warren Houses, if you can. Or you can drop off toys through Monday, December 22.
[link removed]
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Cuts to Healthcare & Possible Hospital Closures. The federal administration’s cuts to healthcare through the passage of the so-called One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA), HR 1, start to impact New Yorkers in January and throughout the year, with additional impacts in the summer of 2026. Cuts to Medicaid, cuts to subsidies for those getting insurance through the Affordable Care Act (Obamacare), cuts to New York’s Essential Health Plan, and reductions to safety-net hospital payments will have devastating impacts on New Yorkers. This will impact access to NY’s Marketplace health plans and Medicaid, and result in substantial revenue loss for hospitals, including job loss.

According to Governor Hochul’s office, up to 1.5 million New Yorkers could lose healthcare coverage due to OBBBA.

Hospitals will also be significantly impacted. The Fiscal Policy Institute reported ([link removed]) that 70 hospitals in New York are at risk of closing due to the federal cuts. Due to the loss of federal funding and increase in uncompensated care from those who lose their coverage, some hospitals will be forced to close entirely, or shutter certain units, or raise the fees on other services which will impact everyone.

I held a rally in front of Brooklyn Hospital – one of the many at-risk hospitals – to urge Governor Hochul to sign my Local Input in Community Healthcare Act (LICH), A6004 ([link removed]) , which she must sign or veto by this Friday. As you may recall, the Governor vetoed this bill last year. I was joined by a large group of supporters, including Senators Jabari Brisport and Brian Kavanagh, the nurses and health care unions, NYC Council Member Mercedes Narcisse (Chair of the hospitals committee), patient advocates and local activists.

The LICH Act would strengthen state oversight over hospital or major unit closures and ensure that the public is notified and engaged before - not after - such a closure. The bill isn’t a silver bullet to protect against hospital closures due to Trump’s cuts, but it would allow more state oversight in case there is a way to save the hospital (as with SUNY Downstate) or at least time to make a plan for access to health care. The community has a right to know if they are losing their maternity or emergency unit and to know how they will get health care.

2 Minute Action Action to Save our Hospitals: Join Health Care Advocates to Call Governor Hochul at 518-474-8390 and ask her to “Respect local communities and sign the Local Input for Community Healthcare Act into law, S1226/A6004."
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Why We Need New School Aid Formulas. Our schools are being shortchanged on funding because outdated formulas ignore students who are homeless or in foster care. And NYS is using decades-old data to account for regional costs. We need to update the formula to reflect ALL students - and use current data. Senator John Liu and I introduced two bills to address these issues and modernize State Foundation Aid. You can learn more about it here in our op-ed ([link removed]) .
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Mental Health Hearing - Supporting Workers. I recently chaired a hearing on NYS Behavioral Health Workforce. With high job vacancy rates, the Assembly Mental Health & Alcohol & Drug Abuse Committees heard testimony on how we can improve recruitment, retention, and access to services. After nearly two decades of no funding increases, a few things are clear. The work is difficult and emotionally draining, but also fulfilling. Workers desperately need at least a cost of living adjustment consistent with the Consumer Price Index. Overall turnover is at 30%, but in some areas where the needs are acute, it's at 50%. Ultimately, high turnover costs us all. I will be working closely with my legislative colleagues and leadership towards changing this picture.
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Changes to SNAP Food Benefits. Unfortunately, several hundred thousand New York adults ([link removed]) and children older than 14 may lose their SNAP benefits starting in 2026 as a result of federal funding cuts and the federal OBBBA law. These changes are not only inhumane, but they are just bad public policy. SNAP is a support for people when they need it most – when they’ve lost their job or if they are underemployed. It’s also a critical source of nutrition for elderly people and for families making minimum wage. Further, SNAP is long-known to have a strong multiplier effect – recipients spend SNAP money right away in their community at bodegas and supermarkets so $1 in SNAP generates much more than that in local economic activity.

What kind of priorities is the Trump administration setting when they are willing to cut food aid and health care but giving unfair tax cuts to the ultra-rich? FPI sums up OBBBA as follows ([link removed]) : “The bill is especially generous to those earning more than $1 million each year. In New York, these taxpayers stand to save a collective $12 billion annually on their federal taxes.”

Who is impacted? There will be updated SNAP eligibility rules beginning March 1, 2026 for Able-Bodied Adults Without Dependents (ABAWDs) who must meet stringent work requirements to remain eligible. ABAWDs are adults ages 18-64 who have no mental or physical barriers to employment and are not pregnant or care-taking for a child under 14 or someone who cannot care for themselves in the household. The work requirements may be met in various ways including by working a certain number of hours each week, participating in qualifying work-training programs, or qualifying community service. To demonstrate being ineligible for ABAWD status due to physical or mental barriers to employment, your clinical provider must sign this form ([link removed]) and return it to HRA via ACCESS HRA app, mail, fax or by dropping off at an HRA Center.

You will receive a letter if someone in your household is subject to ABAWD. Learn more about the new requirement here ([link removed]) . For further information on the definition of ABAWD, qualifying clinical providers, and options to meet the work requirements, please contact our office.

There are also new restrictions on people who are here legally but not citizens like certain refugees, asylees, victims of trafficking and others. Non-citizens who are eligible for SNAP are lawful permanent resident (LPR), Cuban and Haitian entrant (CHE), or Compacts of Free Association (COFA) citizen.

Due to lawsuits on this topic and changing criteria and complicated rules, please check for the most current information from the City website ([link removed]) and the Federal government ([link removed]) or contact our office.
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NYC Winter Heat Rules. Heat season ([link removed]) , which runs October 31-May 1, requires New York City building owners to maintain an indoor temperature of at least 68 degrees between 6am and 10pm when it’s below 55 degrees outside. From 10pm to 6am, indoor temperature must be at least 62 degrees regardless of the temperature outside. Report heat complaints to 311.
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New Plan for Atlantic Yards. The NY State Empire Development Corporation (ESD) and Brooklyn Ascending Land Co. reached a new agreement to develop Atlantic Yards ([link removed]) . The developers will conduct a community engagement process until February after which they will flesh out their proposed plans and eventually enter into a Memorandum of Understanding in July. After that the environmental review process will begin. At a minimum, they are obligated to construct two platforms over the rail-yard before building residential towers.

So far, ESD has hosted two in-person community workshops that I have attended. I was pleased to see such a large turn out and to talk with neighbors about their concerns and hopes for the project. However, there was poor engagement at the meetings and other technical issues like difficulty seeing the slideshow and hearing the speakers.

I am concerned that the proposed “affordable” housing isn’t deeply affordable enough and will continue to push ESD and the developers to adjust the AMI levels and relative proportion of the whole that were agreed to in the original General Project Plan. As currently proposed, those more deeply affordable units don’t appear to be included. There is also general agreement that there needs to be more units that are two or three bedrooms. We need New York to be a City where you can put down roots and raise a family. Too many studios and one bedroom units ensure more transience than stability. I am working with my colleagues to encourage deeper and more meaningful public engagement so that ESD does not repeat past mistakes and can build trust with the community.

What’s next? There will be a virtual community workshop in January. I am fighting for an additional in-person meeting as well. Please share your thoughts with ESD by completing their online survey ([link removed]) . You can review the meeting materials online ([link removed]) .

What happened to the fees the developer was supposed to pay for not delivering the affordable housing on time? NY State has declined to collect any of the fees owed to the State and the people of New York by the developers for their failure to deliver on their affordable housing commitments. The new developer will pay $12 million to the NYC Housing Trust Fund, in three installments over two and a half years; however, this is not enough. Please sign the Brooklyn Speaks petition ([link removed]) to Governor Hochul, calling on the State to honor their commitments made to the community surrounding Atlantic Yards. ESD should collect the damages due for the developer's failure to meet the agreed-upon affordable housing deadline.

For an overview of this project, check out the AY Blog by Norman Oder ([link removed]) .
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Department of Labor Worker & Employer Surveys. The NY State Department of Labor (NYSDOL) has launched two statewide surveys designed to help the DOL understand the experiences and challenges job seekers and employers face across New York State. Your input helps NYSDOL respond to the evolving needs of businesses, the workforce, and the New York State economy. Fill out the survey here by Dec. 31 ([link removed]) .
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Brooklyn Marine Terminal (BMT) Updates. Thanks to strong community advocacy and support from elected officials, the public comment period for the BMT Draft Scope of Work has been extended from December to March 31, 2026. This will give community members more time to evaluate theenvironmental review process ([link removed]) and comment on the draft scope of work ([link removed]) .

At the City’s hearing earlier this month, I testified on the need to expand the geographic study area that would be impacted by the BMT project, the need to conduct a wastewater and Combined Sewage Overflow (CSO) study, a transit study, the need to take into account the effects of the BQE on this project, flooding and resiliency concerns, and ensuring PortSide has a space at the BMT. Further, the city has issued a Request for Expressions of Interest (RFEI) for BMT proposals, which were just due this week (and should have been issued before the EDC started community engagement, in my opinion). The results of the RFEI could be helpful in considering a more port-centric and manufacturing design, so I will be engaging with that, as well.

Your comments and questions about the plan are important because the City must respond to them and address them in the next phase of the plan’s environmental review. Submit comments by 3/31/26 to [email protected] (Emily Spokowski, Mayor’s Office of Environmental Coordination, 212-788-5245).
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Protect Yourself From the Flu, Covid-19, and RSV. Respiratory illnesses are on the rise in NYC, especially the flu. Getting your flu shot is a great way to protect yourself and loved ones from serious illness. In addition to vaccination, doctors recommend washing your hands frequently with soap and water, disinfecting surfaces, masking up, and staying home when you have symptoms. To learn more about how to protect yourself and to schedule a vaccine appointment, visit here ([link removed]) .
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HEAP Applications Now Open. The Home Energy Assistance Program (HEAP) can help eligible New Yorkers heat and cool their homes. If you are eligible, you may receive one regular HEAP benefit per program year and could also be eligible for emergency HEAP benefits if you are in danger of running out of fuel or having your utility service shut off. Apply for this benefit here ([link removed]) .
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Resources for Immigrants: ICE has ramped up its presence in NYC, including in our district. A high school student in Downtown Brooklyn who was detained in August has now been released after winning his asylum case. If ICE comes to your home, your school, your workplace or stops you on the street, you have rights. You have the right to remain silent and to not open your door. They must have a signed judicial warrant to lawfully carry out any arrests. For more “Know Your Rights information” including what to do if you spot ICE in your community, visit the Immigrant Defense Project’s Know Your Rights page ([link removed]) and Make The Road NY’s resource page ([link removed]) .
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DEC Encourages Gowanus Residents to Sign up for Soil Vapor Testing. The NYS Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) and the NYS Department of Health (DOH) is continuing to test for Soil Vapor Intrusion (SVI) which ensures that no contaminated vapors are infiltrating homes and to facilitate remediation when necessary. You can learn more about the sampling that was already performed, as well as the plan for this year's round of testinghere ([link removed]) . If you have questions, please email Aaron Fischer at [email protected] (mailto:[email protected]) or Scarlette Messier-McLaughlin at [email protected] (mailto:[email protected]) .

Submit Comments on the Brownfield Cleanup Agreement for Gowanus by Jan. 4th. DEC invites the public to comment on an application to amend the Brownfield Cleanup Agreement (BCA) with The Brooklyn Union Gas Company, the City of New York, Gowanus Green Partners LLC, and Gowanus Green Building A LLC. This site is located at 5th Street & Smith Street, next to the Gowanus Canal. This is the former manufactured gas plant (MGP) site, and the application seeks to subdivide the existing area. This is a highly polluted area with affordable housing and a school slated to be built nearby, so it is important that we get this done right. Due to community advocacy, the deadline to submit public comments has been extended to January 4th ([link removed]∂=2) . Read through the amended application here ([link removed]) .
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Transit Updates:

BQE Closure. From Tuesday, (12/16), and until Saturday, (12/19), the NYCDOT will close one lane in each direction on the BQE in the early morning hours from 1:00am to 5:00am. These lane closures are required for the removal of formwork on the Queens-bound BQE and for surveying and measurements in the Staten Island-bound direction. For questions or concerns, please reach out to DOT Community Liaison, Anita Navalurkar at (347) 647-0876 or to [email protected] (mailto:[email protected]) .

G Train Service Change. From 9:45pm - 5am on weeknight overnights from Wednesday, December 17th - Friday, December 19th, there will be no G service between Bedford-Nostrand Avenues and Court Square. G service will run between Church Ave and Bedford-Nostrand Aves, the last stop. Free B98 shuttle buses will make stops between Bedford-Nostrand Avenues and Court Square.

4/5 Borough Hall Station Improvements. The new Borough Hall 4/5 station elevators are now up and running! This is a big win for our community as we move closer to a transit system that works for riders with disabilities, older adults, families with strollers, and everyone who depends on accessible travel. The MTA is continuing station repairs over the next few months, and I will keep you updated on the project.

Updated E-Bike Speed Limits. A 15-mile-per-hour speed limit is now in effect for e-bikes, electric scooters, and pedal-assist commercial bicycles. This rule change ensures that speed limits are applied consistently across all e-mobility devices. The City will focus on education outreach as the new limit is rolled out. You can learn more about the rule change here ([link removed]) .
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Older Adult Resource Spotlight: LiveOn. LiveOn NY's Benefits Outreach Program ([link removed]) assists older adults and others in applying for benefits, including SNAP, SCRIE/DRIE, Medicaid, and more! They also provide referrals for other programs and services. They work to ensure older New Yorkers can make ends meet through easy access to public benefits. Call them at 212-398-5045.
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Housing Lottery at 556 Baltic St: Apply by February 9th. One and two bedroom apartments available for income-eligible applicants. Find out if you qualify and apply online here ([link removed]) . You can request an application by mail by sending a self addressed envelope to 556 Baltic Street Apartments C/O Reside Affordable, 349 Keap Street, Brooklyn, NY 11211.
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'Tis the season! It was a pleasure to join the annual tree lighting festivities and menorah lighting with the Atlantic Avenue Local Development Corporation, Downtown Brooklyn Partnership, Brooklyn Heights Association, and many more! Shop, dine, & enjoy our local shops this December! From Santa sightings to holiday lights to locally made gifts, there is much to explore right here.
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2026 NYC Parking Calendar: This pamphlet lists the days of the year when certain parking regulations are suspended throughout the five boroughs. Be sure to buckle up, drive safely, and please be mindful of pedestrians, cyclists, and all others who share our roadways. Stop by my office to pick up a copy or download it here ([link removed]) .

Did you know that 1.35 million New Yorkers are eligible for the MTA reduced cost subway program, yet many aren’t taking advantage of it? There are reduced rates for senior citizens and reduced rates based on income. Visit www.nyc.gov/FairFares or call 311 to apply.
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Community Events & News:
* Columbia Street Waterfront Association Tree Lighting: On Thursday, December 18, at 5:30pm, the Columbia Street Waterfront Association will host a tree-lighting celebration at Human Compass Garden, corner of Sackett and Columbia Streets. There will be music, goodies and Santa at the garden. They will then move the festivities to Jalopy Tavern, 317 Columbia St for an after-party!
* Fifth Ave Park Slope BID Chanukah Celebration on Sunday, December 21: Join neighbors for crafts, latkes, and a menorah lighting at JJ Bryne Playground from 3:45-4:30pm.
* NYC Public Schools Kindergarten Applications now open: If your child was born in 2021 and lives in New York City, they are eligible to attend kindergarten in Fall 2026. Apply by January 23, 2026. You can apply online here ([link removed]) . If you have questions, Advocates for Children offers resources, including upcoming live Q and A info sessions ([link removed]) .
* Free In-Person English Classes: The Fifth Avenue Committee is now accepting registrations for free intermediate and advanced-level English classes. Learn more and register here ([link removed]) .
* Public Benefit Center Relocating: DSS-HRA’s program offices located at 88 3rd Avenue, aka 275 Bergen Street in Brooklyn, was recently relocated to a new nearby DSS-HRA facility located at 2400 Fulton Street in Brooklyn.
* New LockerNYC Installation: A new shared-use locker will be installed at 336 Butler Street at Devpooja Deli Grocery Inc. This locker will be available for the public to use free of charge, 24/7. Learn more and find a location here ([link removed]) .
* Upcoming Workshops ([link removed]) with NYC Small Business Services.

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