Inside Government with PoliticsNY: A Q&A with New York City Council Speaker Julie Menin
Inside Government is a Q&A series that gives New Yorkers a glimpse inside the role of the elected officials who represent them. This edition of Inside Government with PoliticsNY, sponsored by AARP New York City, features New York City Council Speaker Julie Menin. Speaker Menin represents the Fifth Council District in Manhattan which includes the neighborhoods of Lenox Hill, Yorkville, Carnegie Hill and Roosevelt Island.
What are your goals for 2026?
In my first year as Speaker, I’m focused on building a City Council that works with the determination and urgency that New Yorkers deserve. To address the affordability crisis, we must be proactive and bold in building more affordable housing, lowering skyrocketing health care costs, and enacting universal childcare. I also aim to make certain that we rein in no-bid contracts and identify opportunities for budget savings, while ensuring that we don’t cut any essential services.
How does your work in the City Council affect constituents in their daily lives?
The Council works hard and acts decisively to pass legislation that effectively addresses the needs of our constituents. During my first two terms, the Council passed my bills to advance universal childcare, ease burdens on small businesses, and create an Office of Healthcare Accountability. Our other crucial responsibilities include approving land-use applications to build housing for our neighborhoods and negotiating a budget that delivers vital city services and funding for our communities.
What services does your office provide to constituents?
My district office is committed to addressing issues that affect our constituents on Manhattan’s East Side and Roosevelt Island. We are a resource for constituents looking to navigate city agencies, access free legal services and get help solving issues around the neighborhood. Concerns that constituents have brought to us have guided our efforts to deliver increased public safety resources, improve street cleanliness, increase rat mitigation services and strengthen pedestrian and bicycle safety.
How do you balance your role as Speaker while also ensuring the needs of your district are met?
The same core priorities and values that guide me as Speaker still drive my continued work for District 5. In fighting for universal childcare, for instance, we recently announced a new Pre-K site on the Upper East Side. That fulfills an idea that Community Board 8 and I championed for years – and parallels the Council’s efforts citywide. Importantly, my district office remains staffed with hardworking liaisons and I’m still heavily involved in district affairs.
From AARP New York City: Will you commit to raising the percentage of the overall NYC budget that goes to NYC Aging/DFTA to ensure older adults can age with dignity in the communities
I have been a proud advocate for our older adults, and they will continue to be a priority as I enter the conversation about how we deliver a budget that addresses New Yorkers’ needs. The Council is committed to finding additional areas of savings and revenue so that we can protect essential services, tackle the affordability crisis and help ensure the happiness, health and well-being of older New Yorkers.
