Inside Government with PoliticsNY is new 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 features New York State Assembly Member Brian Cunningham. Assembly Member Cunningham represents the 43rd Assembly District in Brooklyn which includes the neighborhoods of Prospect Lefferts Gardens and Crown Heights.
Q: What piece of legislation are you most proud to have passed this legislative session?
A: A4502 will amend state law to allow for homework to be counted toward public assistance benefits requirements. This change will make it easier for part time students, single parents, and those who are taking classes for career advancement to qualify and keep their benefits. This change makes it easier for families to get themselves off of public benefits and brings New York to the same requirements as other states across the country.
Q: How does your office work to support your constituents in their day-to-day lives?
A: We operate as a Community Resource Hub, helping residents with evictions, rent relief, benefits, and paperwork. We partner with city and federal agencies to get people the support they need and ensure programs deliver as promised. We bring services into neighborhoods, host resource fairs, and meet people where they are. Government should be accessible and responsive in order to truly serve the public.
Q: What is the most prevalent issue facing your constituents and how are you working to resolve it?
A: Like much of NYC, Central Brooklyn faces a housing crisis; more than half of renters in our community are rent burdened. Our office advances policies to create affordable housing and protect homeowners while providing hands-on support. We connect residents to legal aid and rent assistance, and hold agencies accountable when vouchers fall short. I do my best as a legislator and lifelong resident to protect the people and places that make this community home.
Q: What do you hope to accomplish by the end of 2025?
A: By the end of 2025, I hope to have all the bills that my office passed this session are signed by the Governor. There are many good policies that my office passed and they will certainly help my constituents and residents of New York State. I want to make sure that the rights of New Yorkers are not infringed and trampled upon by an increasingly hostile federal government and law enforcement.
Q: What is the proudest moment of your political career?
A: The proudest moment of my political career is first being elected to the NYS Assembly and being able to lead and represent the place that I’ve called home for most of my life. I had my share of failures before winning that election and all those ups and downs made the difference in my success. It’s truly the honor of a lifetime to represent my home and I work every day to honor the public’s trust.
