Too many New Yorkers feel like they’re one rent hike away from losing their home, and that’s not by accident. Our housing system has been shaped by policies that prioritizes speculation over stability. While families face rising costs, brand-new apartments sit empty, and longtime tenants are pushed out when buildings change hands. If we want real affordability, we need smart, targeted reforms that protect renters, support responsible landlords, and bring housing back into balance.

This isn’t about dividing tenants and landlords. In fact, many of our long-term property owners were working-class New Yorkers themselves, not so long ago. They understand the value of steady, respectful tenants and the importance of community. These landlords often care more about knowing who’s living in their building than squeezing out every last dollar of rent. And when tenants feel secure and valued, they stay longer, take better care of their homes, and contribute to the strength of the neighborhood.

That’s why I’m proposing a better approach to housing: First, let’s reward landlords who offer long-term leases with tax incentives. This encourages trust, reduces turnover, and creates consistency for both sides. Second, let’s give renters the first chance to buy their homes when a building is put up for sale - through a Tenant Opportunity to Purchase Act (TOPA) supported by city-backed legal and financial resources. And third, let’s stop vacancy abuse. If developers receive tax breaks to build housing, they should be required to fill those homes within a reasonable time, or face a targeted tax on empty units.

This is how we build real affordability: not by pitting neighbors against each other, but by recognizing that stable housing benefits everyone. When we create the conditions for tenants and landlords to plan for the long term, we open the door to stronger communities, shared growth, and a more livable city for all. Homes should be for living, not hoarding. Together, we can bring stability back to our neighborhoods and support those—tenants and long-term landlords alike—who truly care about our communities and want to see them thrive.

In District 47, we know the problem too well: our public transit system doesn’t work for everyone, especially during the hours that matter most.

If you live in certain areas of  Gravesend, Bay Ridge, or the edges of Coney Island, chances are you’ve spent more time waiting for a bus than actually riding one. We hear a lot about “transit equity,” but when commutes are inconsistent and inflexible, people are left out - especially working parents, seniors, and those in transit deserts.

That’s why I’m proposing MicroConnect CD47 - a neighborhood-based, FREE shuttle system to fill the gaps. It’s not a replacement for the MTA. It’s a commonsense supplement during peak hours (6–9 AM and 4–7 PM), when working families need it most.

Instead of pouring millions into new infrastructure, MicroConnect does something simpler and smarter: it uses what we already have. We’ll partner with local nonprofits and trusted shuttle operators, many of whom already own vans or small buses that sit idle during these same hours. And we’ll work with CUNY students and faculty to design a lightweight, accessible app that allows riders to track shuttles in real time and reach the most in-demand destinations quickly, easily, and affordably.

Because good government means using your resources wisely.

Each ride will be tracked. Each route will be based on data. And every dollar spent will be accountable. With discretionary funding, we’ll launch a 12-month pilot with clear performance metrics, cost per rider, average wait time, and usage by seniors, students, and low-income families. If it works, we’ll scale it. If not, we’ll learn and adapt.

Here’s what makes this initiative different:

• Short, local routes only – to avoid traffic buildup and reduce costs
• Existing vehicles, not new fleets – keeping our footprint small
• Community-based providers – local jobs and trusted relationships
• Student-built app interface – civic innovation powered by CUNY

Of course, there are challenges. Insurance, accessibility, and union alignment all matter, and we’ll address them transparently, working with city agencies and stakeholders every step of the way. But if we never try bold, low-risk solutions at the local level, we’ll keep waiting on the same broken systems to fix themselves.

Transit shouldn’t be a luxury, or a lottery. It should be reliable, reachable, and rooted in how real people live. MicroConnect CD47 is about more than shuttles - it’s about smart design, local partnerships, and a better commute for all of us.

Together, we can make transportation in our district faster, fairer, and built for the people who use it every day.

With years of experience working with youth and building community programs, I’ve seen a clear pattern: when young people don’t engage, it’s rarely because they don’t care. It’s because what’s being offered doesn’t reflect their real interests, or help them see a path forward.

Too often, afterschool programs feel outdated or disconnected from what matters. At the same time, students are expected to make major life decisions, like choosing a career or college path - without ever exploring what’s actually out there. That’s not just ineffective. It’s unfair.

That’s why I’m calling for expanded, future-focused youth programs that are designed with young people, not just for them.

We’ll start by making career discovery hands-on, engaging, and early. Through interactive workshops, students will explore different fields - from tech to construction, media to healthcare - led by real professionals and shaped by youth feedback. If something sparks their interest, they’ll have the opportunity to take the next step: shadowing, internships, or fellowships with local organizations, businesses, or government offices.

This isn’t about piling on more programs. It’s about creating a clearer, more inviting path for young people to explore who they are and what they want, before college, before pressure, and before they feel lost.

If we want to build a city where youth thrive, we need to connect them with real experiences, real role models, and real opportunities. Together, we can create a future where every young person has the chance to explore, grow, and lead.

As someone with a background in business, I’ve participated in many city-run workshops and quickly realized a major disconnect: most small business owners aren’t struggling because they lack information - they’re struggling because they lack financial breathing room. These workshops often assume a level of business education that many entrepreneurs, especially immigrant and working-class business owners, simply don’t have time to master. Attending a workshop won't turn someone into a professional marketer or accountant. What small businesses truly need, especially in their early stages, is direct financial relief. That’s why I’m proposing a new initiative focused on cutting costs, not just offering advice. This includes covering interest payments on small business loans during the critical first year, when operating income is often low and every dollar matters. Additionally, we’ll provide Point-of-Sale (POS) Technology Grants that fully cover both the fixed and variable costs of adopting POS systems during the first year, equipment, setup, monthly service fees, so small businesses can stay competitive and operate smoothly in today’s increasingly cashless economy. These aren’t handouts, they’re smart, targeted investments in the businesses that keep our neighborhoods alive. Together, we can build a city where small businesses not only survive - but thrive.

With my background in operations management, I’ve learned that when systems rely heavily on human discretion and still fall short, it usually means performance metrics are misaligned with real outcomes. People respond to the incentives and structures they’re given, and policing is no exception.

In New York City, officers who participate in neighborhood policing receive only about 2.25% in additional pay. That’s a minimal incentive for the kind of consistent, community-based engagement we say we value. If we want safer neighborhoods, we need to invest in what actually works.

That’s why I’m advocating for a neighborhood-first safety model, where officers are assigned to specific communities, are present daily, and are cross-trained in prevention, de-escalation, and mental health response. When officers know the people they serve, when they’re trusted, trained, and visible, they’re less likely to use excessive force and more likely to prevent problems before they escalate.

I also believe in direct partnerships between police and social workers, especially for 911 calls involving mental health or homelessness. Programs like NYC’s B-HEARD have shown that co-response models can reduce harm and provide care, not punishment, in moments of crisis. Let’s expand and improve on that approach locally.

True public safety isn’t just about reacting to crime, it’s about preventing it, building trust, and creating opportunity. That’s why we also need meaningful youth programs, because early intervention makes a lifelong difference.

But none of this works in isolation. Real safety takes all of us: officers, residents, social workers, community leaders, and local officials, working side by side with shared purpose.

Together, we can build a safer, stronger, and more united community. Together, we can.