"We need big thinking and a sense of urgency. We need ambitious policy makers, not just ambitious politicians. We need the courage to buck political orthodoxy in service of genuine progress."
Meet David
- Experienced legislator and policymaker
- Track record of accomplishment and innovation
- As a City Council Member, passed landmark legislation on affordable housing and gun safety
- Played a leading role in revitalizing the north Brooklyn waterfront, Brooklyn Bridge Park, Cadman Park Plaza.
- Served as head of the City’s Taxi and Limousine Commission
- Lived with his family in the same Brooklyn neighborhood for over two decades
What makes David different?
“We are particularly impressed with Mr. Yassky’s ability to think creatively and then implement his ideas
– The New York Times
Throughout his career David has done what is right – no matter how big the opponents (NRA & Exxon Mobil) or how long the odds. He is a fighter with his real progressive roots, a distinguished record of achievement and a bold plan to make New York State a symbol of effective government. He will fight for realistic legislative approaches for public schools, gun safety, affordable housing, green spaces, safer mass transit, transforming the State’s clean energy and manufacturing sector.
David will fight for you.
Gun Violence and Crimes
Our inability to enact sensible comprehensive gun control laws is not appalling and tragic, it is proof positive that our democracy is broken. Like all of us, my heart aches for the families and loved ones of victims of recent massacres. David fought against the NRA when as Chief Counsel in Congress to Chuck Schumer, he helped draft and pass the Brady Handgun Violence Protection Act, and the Assault Weapons Ban. In the City Council, David wrote and passed legislation establishing liabilities against gun manufacturers if their guns cause injury or death. In the State Senate, David will continue to get tough on guns and make New York State the most restrictive gun laws state in the country.
Women’s Health
The June 24th Supreme Court decision to overturn Roe v. Wade turns back 50 years of a woman’s right to choose and have control over her own life and body. This decision is devastating for American women of color, LGBTQ persons, young women, immigrants, people with disabilities and low-income people. Politicians should not be telling people what to do with their bodies – abortion care is health care and nobody else gets to make those deeply personal decisions. David promises to never stop defending safe and legal abortion and to fight to support the rights of pregnant people nationwide.
Transportation
Covid-19 had a devastating impact on New York transit. What’s more, the low ridership has led to more cars on our streets making our roads dangerous to cyclists and pedestrians alike. David wholeheartedly endorses “The Straphangers Campaign” which fights for safe, reliable and affordable mass transit, reimagining NYC’s buses and improving transit accessibility. During his tenure at the City Council, David pushed the NYC DOT to install additional traffic lights at busy intersections in his district, wrote and passed a law requiring office buildings to allow bicycle storage, so employees could commute by bicycle if they choose. In the State Senate, David will advocate for measures that both ensure the safety and cleanliness of our streets for all pedestrians and detour trucks from thundering through our local streets.
Childcare
David understands that child-care swallows one-third of a working household’s yearly income and up to two-thirds of lower-income families yearly pay. Forcing these parents to choose between working to support their families and taking care of their children. Moreover, half of New York City neighborhoods are childcare deserts, areas where demand for childcare is three times the capacity of licensed providers. This includes multiple neighborhoods in our district. David believes it is crucial that the $2 billion dollars allocated for childcare subsidies to families with the greatest need in the state budget is actually effectively spent. In the past only a quarter of families eligible for childcare subsidies actually spent them.
Education
In City Council, David helped turn P.S. 8 in Brooklyn Heights from a half-empty, underperforming school into an in-demand pillar of the neighborhood.
In the State Senate, David will fight to protect and expand programs in all of District 26 that parents value highly, such as gifted & talented classes.
Small Businesses
In the City Council, David authored incentives for film & TV production that tripled the number of NYC jobs in that vital industry. David championed a tax cut for freelance workers and small business owners and eliminated outdated regulations that imposed unnecessary burdens on small businesses.
In the State Senate, David will fight to make South Brooklyn the center of the fast- growing offshore wind industry, creating thousands of good-paying manufacturing jobs. David will advocate for “green economy” training to prepare New Yorkers for jobs in heat electrification, V maintenance and charger installation.
Affordable Housing
In the City Council, David wrote zoning rules requiring developers to include affordable units in new buildings and worked with City Council colleagues Letitia James and Annabel Palma to eliminate costly tax breaks for luxury apartment buildings.
In the State Senate, David will advocate for the largest program of affordable housing construction in the history of New York State. He will push to convert underused hotels and office buildings to affordable housing- and he will get rid of bureaucratic delays so the new apartments can be available as soon as possible.
Climate Change
Climate change is an urgent and existential threat that needs to be addressed with swift and effective action.
David plans to deploy at least 2,000 EV chargers statewide and allow direct sales of EVs. He will require utilities to phase out fossil fuels for heating, and eliminate subsidies for natural gas infrastructure. David will work to foster investment in green industries in NYS (offshore wind, electric heat equipment and installation, and energy storage), and continue investment in renewable energy generation like offshore wind. He will also strive to increase transmission capacity from upstate to downstate, enabling clean energy generated upstate to reduce the use of fossil fuels in NYC.
Protecting
New Yorkers' health
In the City Council, David helped Mayor Bloomberg create a new system for taking garbage out of New York City, eliminating 1,000 trucks trips per day.
In the state senate, David will fight to accelerate the Gowanus Canal clean-up. In the City council, he sued Exxon Mobil, forcing them to clean up 37 million gallons of oil they left in Brooklyn soil.David helped Chuck Schumer pass the Violence Against Women Act and wrote briefs defending the law’s constitutionality. In the City Council, David wrote and passed legislation requiring employers and landlords to make reasonable accommodations necessary to protect women against abusive partners or ex-partners.
Our District
Neighborhoods we call home include:
- Dumbo
- Vinegar Hill
- Brooklyn Heights
- Boerum Hill
- Cobble Hill
- Carroll Gardens
- Columbia Waterfront
- Gowanus
- Red Hook
- Park Slope
- Fort Greene
- Sunset Park
- Bay Ridge
- Dyker Heights
