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 Frank Morano. Council Member Morano represents the 51st Council District on Staten Island which includes the neighborhoods of New Springville, Willowbrook, Bulls Head, Travis, Freshkills Park, Oakwood, Richmondtown, Great Kills, Eltingville, Arden Heights, Rossville, Annadale, Huguenot, Prince’s Bay, Woodrow, Tottenville and Charleston.
What are your goals for 2026?
In 2026, I want to push government back toward accountability and away from bureaucracy. That means stronger oversight, smarter public safety policies, real consumer protections, and better constituent communication. My goal is to make City Hall more responsive to the people who pay the bills and less responsive to special interests.
How does your work in the City Council affect constituents in their daily lives?
Quality of life is my focus; cleaner streets, safer neighborhoods, faster agency responses and protecting homeowners from policies that hurt working families. When Staten Island is overlooked during snowstorms, sanitation delays or emergency response issues, I advocate aggressively to make sure the South Shore gets its fair share of resources. Representation means showing up, staying vocal and fighting for your borough every single day.
What services does your office provide to constituents?
We are an advocacy office. If a constituent feels ignored by a city agency, we intervene. We cut through bureaucracy, escalate cases and follow up until issues are resolved. We help residents search for unclaimed funds, distribute compost bins to support cleaner neighborhoods and will soon be offering notary services. We also connect seniors, veterans and families to resources they may not even know exist.
What is the top issue in your district and how are you working to resolve it?
Residents are deeply concerned about overdevelopment without matching infrastructure. Policies like City of Yes are accelerating reckless residential development, while recent ballot questions have weakened local control. I am pushing for stronger oversight, better coordination with DOB and other agencies and meaningful community input before projects move forward. Growth must be responsible, infrastructure must keep pace and Staten Island neighborhoods must have a real voice in what happens around them.
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?
I am committed to protecting seniors and strengthening aging-in-place services. Budget decisions must balance many needs, but ensuring older adults receive dignity, safety, and support in their own communities is a priority I take seriously.
