46th Assembly District

Why should voters choose you?

Alec Brook-Krasny

1. I have spent close to two decades working with neighbors, labor leaders, local activists and elected officials to help solve the problems affecting our community.

2. As the first executive director of the Council of Jewish Émigré Community Organizations, I managed 43 community-based organizations that provide vital assistance to countless Brooklyn families. As a member and officer of Community Board 13, I have worked tirelessly to solve neighborhood problems. As a successful local businessman, I have brought economic opportunity and dozens of jobs to the district.

3. I will be a strong voice for affordable housing, expanded health care and schools. My experience and vision is why trusted leaders like Rep. Jerry Nadler and Borough President Markowitz endorsed me.

Ari Kagan

1. I have over 13 years of service for the disabled, tenants’ committees, children, seniors, immigrants, small business owners, and health care workers.

2. My experience as an investigative reporter gives me the expertise in political issues and social concerns.

3. My political involvement was always people-oriented. I hosted political debates, registered new voters, facilitated meetings with elected officials, lobbied city hall, Albany, and Washington D.C. for affordable housing, better health care, and education.

4. My education (journalism school in the Soviet Union and Baruch College in Manhattan) helped me to get the necessary skills for legislative work.

Why is your opponent unqualified?

Brook-Krasny

I have no interest in participating in the in the mudslinging that all too often dominates politics — all it does is turn voters off.

Kagan

My opponent represents the party machine and special interests — not the voters. And my opponent’s background, education, and campaign tactics explain why he lost two previous elections in my district.

What are the three big issues in your district — and what is your plan to address them?

Brook-Krasny

1. Affordable housing. I will work tirelessly to ensure public monies are earmarked for affordable housing. In the 46th District, many longtime residents are being priced out of the homes they have lived in for generations. We need a serious financial commitment from the state government to solve the housing crisis. The state, quite frankly, needs to hold developers accountable. If a project receives tax breaks, we need to make sure that the developers are following through [and building affordable housing]. If not, they should be forced to return the money to the public.

2. Education: I will make sure that New York City kids have access to a sound public education by taking on the Republicans in Albany and getting local schools their fair share. We need smaller classrooms, experienced teachers and modern facilities.

3. The United States is the only industrialized economy in the free world that does not provide some form of universal health care, and that is flat out wrong. I will work to make prescription drugs more affordable through bulk purchasing programs, and I will fight to expand important programs that work like Healthy NY.

Kagan

1. Affordable housing: I will help shareholders in the Mitchell-Lama developments fight against high property taxes.

2. Public safety: We need funds for better police protection, fighting drugs and street crime, dialogue between various ethnic and racial groups.

3. Preparedness for hurricanes and flooding.

Is Brooklyn heading in the “right” direction or the “wrong” direction?

Brook-Krasny

The right direction. Our streets are cleaner and safer. Our local economy is getting stronger. But many longtime residents are being priced out. Progress is great, and it’s terrific that properties in our borough are becoming more valuable. But we can’t leave people behind.

Kagan

Generally the right direction, but it needs to address issues of zoning, infrastructure, environmental problems, to increase attention to healthcare and education, and to prepare better for possible flooding.