On the Brooklyn Borough President race, a mix of endorsements (but not from Adams?), and campaign platforms mostly distracting from actual job duties
Unbeknownst to both myself and Eric a press release was mistakenly sent out by a staffer on my campaign saying that there was an endorsement. That staffer was wrong and was immediately reprimanded. Our campaign regrets that this error happened. (2/2)
— Robert Cornegy for BK BP (@rc4bk) June 22, 2021
So maybe Adams has a preference, at least. And at least one pro-business political action committee sees them as a team:At one Brooklyn BP candidates' forum, when asked if they welcomed Adams's endorsement @JoAnneSimonBK52 was the only one (I think) not to raise a hand.
— Norman Oder (@AYReport) June 22, 2021
She said Adams had already (essentially?) endorsed, tho no one specified who https://t.co/AW4MkraOWx
Brooklyn Eagle print (example here: https://t.co/VDlLA22MUm) has steadily published sponsored section from PAC A Better NY for All featuring Adams/Cornegy/Surrogates Judge Paul
— Norman Oder (@AYReport) June 22, 2021
so seems like an alliance https://t.co/P4WCA9lqKZ pic.twitter.com/ZzDCC06BVp
Cornegy has the Brooklyn Democratic Party Leader, Assembly Member Rodneyse Bichotte-Hermlyn, Council Member Laurie Cumbo (and other centrist electeds), and unions including the Transport Workers and the Teamsters.
Here are the major parts of a BP’s job description, per the City Charter:
Give formal recommendations on big real estate development decisions that go through the “uniform land use review procedure,” known as ULURP. (Curbed wrote a good piece on what ULURP is here.)
The BP’s input on land use and zoning proposals are advisory and non-binding, which means they don’t directly factor into the final up-down vote. But a borough president’s opinion can help the City Council in negotiations with a developer, Bonilla noted. For example, the BP could be an influential voice in pushing a builder to increase the percentage of affordable units within a project.
Manage an annual budget of millions of dollars to dole out funds to schools, parks, local nonprofits and community groups in the borough...
Introduce legislation to the City Council....
Shape community boards by appointing new members to vacancies every year.
It's a useful article, but the shorthand "mini-mayor" is misleading, because, not only do BPs have far fewer powers, they are campaigning as if they are planning to be mayors, commenting on all sorts of policy issues (housing, education, health care) mostly outside of their purview (beyond the bully pulpit and relatively limited capital funds), while mostly ignoring the enumerated powers.
Of all the campaign mailers I received from the "leading" candidates, including Council Member Cornegy, Assemblymember Simon, hospital executive Khari Edwards, and Council Member Antonio Reynoso, only Reynoso--and only in one of the several pieces he sent--addressed that issue, stating:
Fix our Community Boards by making them more representative and responsive so community voices have a real seat at the table.
Some policy excerpts
Cornegy on affordable housing:
Housing is a universal right. Brooklynites are facing shortages in affordable housing and homelessness has increased; the pandemic has further exacerbated these issues. Everyone deserves a roof over their head, no matter their financial status, racial background, or sexual orientation. Robert will:
Offer moratorium on rents and tax lien extensions for those struggling to stay afloat as Brooklyn recovers from COVID.
Allocate capital funding for tenant litigation against corrupt landlords and protection for senior citizens. Every tenant deserves legal representation.
Expand the Accessory Dwelling Unit (basement apartment) program to bring in additional income for homeowners and create more accessible housing.
Rezone higher income income neighborhoods to allow the construction of affordable housing and homeless shelters. Every community must do their part to support housing for New Yorkers.
Reserve public land for affordable housing only and allocate space for the building of new units across the borough.
Support smart, responsible development. Development that benefits communities and helps provide affordable housing and jobs but also helps grow local small businesses.
Tackle NYC’s homelessness crisis. As opposed to expensive short term shelters (which costs 4x as much as permanently housing people), Rob will create long term sustainable housing solutions. He knows we have enough affordable housing units to house people and provide them with social services.
Note that he can't do most of that, but could allocate capital funding (how much?) for tenant litigation and could support development through his non-binding ULURP recommendations.
Edwards on housing:
Brooklyn just does not have enough affordable housing, and what is often deemed affordable simply isn’t for most New Yorkers. Too often, the affordable housing available is meant for people making over one hundred thousand dollars a year. We need housing that is affordable to our fast food workers, bus drivers, teachers, and city employees – the people who make our community work. The lack of affordable housing in Brooklyn leaves thousands of families unhoused and unstable. Khari knows that this is a crisis, especially in a pandemic, and that we must act immediately and aggressively to fix this problem. Khari believes that:
An 80/20 split is not enough affordable housing and must be better balanced to meet Brooklyn’s real needsWell, he could introduce legislation and make recommendations regarding affordable housing, but again, that's not binding.
Housing projects should only be approved if it includes housing for those making less than 50% of the AMI for their zip code, and not using HUD’s overinflated AMI
An increase of more units for families, meaning 3+ bedrooms, is needed in Brooklyn
Utilize the Borough President’s power in introduce legislation to enact policies that address our housing crisis
Reynoso on housing:
Housing is a human right, but gentrification and displacement have made access to affordable housing one of the most pressing issues facing Brooklynites. Stable housing is a building block for thriving communities and economic opportunity. But with homelessness spiraling out of control, a looming eviction and foreclosure crisis, and continued overcrowding and displacement, Antonio will use the power of the Borough President's office to protect existing affordable housing and increase Brooklyn’s affordable housing stock, fighting to:
Guarantee all tenants an attorney in housing court
Provide long-term eviction protection and rent relief to tenants affected by the pandemic
Strengthen rent laws, beginning with the passage of the Just Cause Eviction bill
Dedicate more capital resources to senior and supportive housing
Raise fines for housing violations and improve enforcement against bad landlords
Require that all housing built on public land is 100% affordable, forever
He can advocate but not enact, though again one question is how much the BP might devote from a capital budget.
Simon on housing:
SMARTER CITY PLANNING
Jo Anne knows Brooklyn needs housing within reach of everyone – development that reflects, uplifts and strengthens ALL of our diverse neighborhoods.
That's all I could find.
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