+ EDUCATION

As a mother of two young boys educated through New York City public schools, Linda understands the necessity of investing in the community’s schools. Families choose to live in eastern Queens because of the quality of education these schools can provide. In last year’s budget, Linda Lee secured approximately $7 million in funding across 33 different District 23 projects, nearly twice the amount allocated in the previous year. This funding went to projects including:

• Lighting Upgrades for the basement, first, and second floor of Martin Van Buren High Schoool
• Stem Labs for at Q133 and PS 205
• Sound and Projector Upgrades for Q074
• Accessible Playground for P.S./I.S. 295 and 177Q

In addition to securing these Capital Project wins in community schools, Linda Lee also secured historic funding for a full renovation of the Queens Village Public Library - a library that hasn’t seen a major renovation since its construction in 1952.

Linda has also supported the expansion of the Department of Education’s Gifted and Talented programs to not only expand the number of seats available citywide but to also expand programs to every school district in the City, to allow students to test into the program at later ages, so that we can have equity and educational excellence at the same time.

Early childhood programs not only prepare children for future educational success, but they also relieve the burdens felt by families who are forced to choose between work and childcare. As a working mother herself, Linda knows how essential early education is to the success of the future generation. As Council Member, Linda has called for the strengthening of 3-K and early childhood care services for families across New York City.

Linda is committed to prioritizing a positive school experience for the District 23 community. This means prioritizing safety and prioritizing with parents, teachers, faculty, and the school community to cultivate sustainable solutions to serve Eastern Queens.

+ SENIORS

New York has a moral obligation to ensure that the 1.3 million older adults who call this city home age with dignity. Seniors currently make up a larger segment of New York City’s population than public school students, yet the budget for the New York City Department for the Aging continues to dwindle as many programs that serve older adults are often the first to be cut. Older adults paved the way for the next generation to succeed, and our city can’t let them down now.

As Council Member, Linda has:

• Co-Sponsored critical Age in Place legislation for older adults to access the essential resources New York City can provide.
• Coordinated with Health + Hospitals and Test + Treat to distribute COVID tests and masks, and also bring mobile testing sites to our older adult communities in District 23 to avoid forcing seniors to travel long distances for care.
• Partnered with supportive housing and services for the elderly.
• Supported legislation that addresses language barriers for care for senior immigrant communities so that they receive culturally-competent service.

+ HOUSING AND HOMEOWNERS

Housing and affordability are essential to the quality of life. It is imperative to ease the financial burden on low- and- middle-income property owners who pay more on property taxes than the ultra-wealthy, as well as keep housing affordable to the renters in the community.

Linda Lee has worked to:

• Protect against increasing property taxes and utility bills that make it increasingly unaffordable to live in Eastern Queens by supporting state legislation to prevent companies from implementing excessive rate increases
• Support housing-first initiatives for homelessness by getting people off the streets and into stable housing.
• Couple ambitious sustainability goals with investments and assistance for tenants and homeowners who are making property improvements but are financially limited.

+ TRANSPORTATION

Eastern Queens is a transit desert and residents have dealt with the lack of reliable transportation infrastructure for years. This goes beyond unpaved roads and sidewalks but also includes hazards for pedestrians, cyclists, and drivers alike. Illegal commercial parking has plagued Eastern Queens, and finding an alternative for these large trucks that are unfit for our residential streets will also serve to limit air pollution and improve street safety for all residents.

Linda has:

• Worked with the Department of Transportation to identify areas in need of street resurfacing to have targeted road repairs.
• Coordinated with Community Board 13 and the Department of Transportation to erect no parking signs at commercial truck parking hotspots to limit the burden on our residential streets.
• Organized with the 111th Precinct to conduct tag-and-tow operations for commercial vehicles parked overnight in the neighborhood.
• Conducted walkthroughs with DOT to identify areas of need for infrastructural upgrades to improve transit for all residents.

+ HEALTHCARE

The coronavirus pandemic has made obvious the disparities that our community has grappled with for years. I’ll reduce those inequalities by investing in healthcare, preventative, and mental health services. We’ve been left behind when it comes to having accessible healthcare, particularly COVID testing and vaccination sites. In areas like ours with limited transportation options, we need to bring services to residents, which is what I will do in City Council. I will: - Bring mobile COVID testing and vaccination sites to Eastern Queens, particularly near population centers like co-ops, condos, and senior centers. - Support New York’s safety net hospitals to ensure all New Yorkers have access to high quality, affordable care, regardless of employment or immigration status. - Build partnerships between H+H network hospitals and local community-based organizations that have the expertise, trust, and language abilities to best serve those who need them the most. - Expand access to mental health and preventative care, two factors that are under-utilized by marginalized communities and are proven to pay for themselves by offsetting future costs of treatment. - Expand successful programs like Northwell’s House Calls Program to maximize accessibility and efficiency.

+ PUBLIC SAFETY

The safety of the community is the most important issue on the minds of residents. Eastern Queens remains a beautiful place to raise a family, and safe streets and communities will continue to help stimulate the economy and lead the city back from the hardships of the pandemic. Linda has partnered with local precincts to ensure that the community feels safe and secure carrying on their daily tasks.

Linda has:

• Organized multiple public safety and community town halls to bring precincts and the community together to cultivate real, sustainable community-led solutions to public safety and crime in the area.
• Worked with the Admininstration to shift responsibilities from NYPD to the Behavioral Health Emergency Assistance Response Division to give those duties to professionals who are equipped to respond to mental health distress.
• Introduced and passed a bill to establish a catalytic converter etching program to combat the widespread thefts of catalytic converters throughout our city.
• Worked with law enforcement and community stakeholders to ensure that borough-based jails will not put our communities at risk with the closure of Rikers Island.

+ SMALL BUSINESSES/WORKER'S RIGHTS

The economic hardships of the pandemic took a toll on everyone, but small businesses in particular were dealt a heavy blow. These businesses are the backbone and the identity of communities and the economic engine that keeps New York City running. Linda is the daughter of immigrant small business owners and is committed to protecting these businesses while providing the blueprint for New York’s economy to continue its rebound in the post-pandemic years.

During her time as Council Member:

• Linda has partnered with NYC Small Business Services, civic leaders, and community members to provide grant information and economic resources during small business tours throughout the district.
• Supported the New York City Taxi & Limousine Commission’s Medallion Relief Program to provide debt relief, financial stability, and legal representation for hundreds of taxi drivers let down by City Hall.
• Supported unionization efforts and collective bargaining so that workers are always the prime beneficiaries of economic success.

+ ENVIRONMENT/PARKS

Eastern Queens’ beautiful parks and open green spaces make District 23 such a wonderful place to grow up and raise a family. Maintaining and improving the essential infrastructure of our public parks positively impact the overall mental and physical health of all residents.

While holding office Linda has:

• Funded multiple targeted cleanups of common hotspots known for illegal dumping within District 23 parks and neighborhoods to remove over 50,000 pounds of litter from neighborhood streets.
• Supported neighborhood sports leagues and social clubs that make our neighborhoods inclusive and welcoming places to live.
• Worked with community organizations to keep the eyesore of graffiti off our local businesses and public spaces.
• Co-sponsored key environmental legislation revolving around park equity, open spaces, transportation, and reducing plastic waste to ensure a safer and sustainable New York for future generations.
• Received a 93 score from the New York League of Conservation Voters.

+ CIVIC ENGAGEMENT

Residents should feel heard, and be engaged in government. As a Council Member Linda believes that elected leaders should be responsive to the distinct needs of the community they represent.

Linda has:

• Hosted multiple town halls and fairs to bring agencies to the community, instead of having residents seek them out independently.
• Supported legislation that promotes linguistic accessibility throughout city agencies so that residents can receive essential services in their preferred language.
• Hired staff that was representative of the district so that all constituents can communicate in the language of their choice.

+ WOMEN'S ISSUES

As a working mother of two, I know personally the challenges facing women in the workforce. I’m committed to: - Ensuring salary parity for all municipal workers as well as the employees of any firms with contracts with the City. - Expanding access to affordable childcare. - Make more early education programs available to working families.

+ LGBTQ ISSUES

Linda has strongly supported the LGBTQ community and the rights of every New Yorker to be their true authentic self to live openly and proudly. New York has continued to make great advances on these issues due to tireless advocacy, but our City must continue to make sure the rights of all New Yorkers are protected.

Linda supports:

• Increasing programs dedicated to LGBTQ+ seniors and expanding their capacity to reach a greater number of communities.
• Committing resources to address the high rates of homelessness, mental health issues, and other problems affecting LGBTQ+ youth in New York City
• Ensuring the recognition of the LGBTQ+ community’s vast contributions to New York City’s history.

+ DISABILITIES

Linda's work at KCS has made her intimately aware of the challenges people with disabilities face every day to lead a full life. Linda's also seen how service providers struggle to support people with disabilities in the face of government budget cuts. We must build a New York that is inclusive and accessible to all by ensuring more comprehensive social services are available to those who need them. Linda will:

• Promote the development and maintenance of accessible housing and transportation to ensure that every New Yorker can live in and move around our city with dignity.
• Fund road and sidewalk repaving to make it easier for people with mobility disabilities to live their daily lives.
• Oppose budget cuts to social services for people with disabilities, and advocate for increased funding and more services.
• Increase accessibility in government, including by making my offices, website and other resources as accessible as possible, and by encouraging the elected and community leaders I work with to do the same.
• Update the Building Code to provide support for seniors with age-related disabilities, so that they can “age in place” with as much dignity and independence as possible.