Inside Government is 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 with PoliticsNY, sponsored by AARP New York City, features New York City Council Member Inna Vernikov. Council Member Vernikov represents the 48th Council District in Brooklyn which includes Sheepshead Bay, Brighton Beach, Manhattan Beach, Homecrest, and parts of Midwood and Gravesend.
What are your goals for 2026?
First and foremost, my office will continue to prioritize quality of life issues. I will support and propose legislation to make sure our district remains safe and that our agencies do their jobs and are held accountable to the taxpayers. In my new role as co-chair of the Task Force to Combat Antisemitism, I will continue fighting the climate of hate that has engulfed our city and has so negatively impacted Jewish New Yorkers.
How does your work in the City Council affect constituents in their daily lives?
While local government is often overlooked, local elected officials play a more significant role in the daily lives of most New Yorkers than federal or even state government. Our team proudly remains #1 in constituent services. In the recent blizzard, we acted fast to ensure the Department of Sanitation addresses as many plowing and trash issues as possible under challenging conditions.
What services does your office provide to constituents?
Our main task is to act as liaison between constituents and city agencies. We handle concerns about parking, sanitation, parks, roads and schools, among other locally governed issues. In a recent feat, we advocated for an ADA accessible elevator at the busy Sheepshead Bay station. We regularly share city agency updates on social media and connect residents with the appropriate officials when their inquiries fall outside the City Council’s jurisdiction.
What is the top issue in your district and how are you working to resolve it?
There is no question that affordability is the primary concern for most New Yorkers. Our district is one of the few remaining mid-density, mixed-income districts in the city. I will fight to maintain the district’s excellent standard of living by responding swiftly to constituent concerns such as encampments and illegal trash pickups. We’ll also continue supporting small businesses, as we did in a recent Snowman Competition where local pizzerias awarded free pizzas to contest winners!
From AARP New York City: Will you commit to raising the percentage of the overall NYC budget that goes to NYC Aging/DFTA to ensure older adults can age with dignity in the communities they helped build?
As an individual council member, I would be happy to commit to advocating for raising the percentage of NYC’s budget that goes to NYC Aging and DFTA. There are many older adults throughout the 48th District who would benefit and who deserve to retire with dignity. However, exorbitant spending plans and proposed increases to property taxes leave me with concerns about the city budget.
