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 Linda Lee. Council Member Lee represents the 23rd Council District in Queens which includes the neighborhoods of Bayside Hills, Bellerose, Douglaston, Floral Park, Fresh Meadows, Glen Oaks, Hollis, Hollis Hills, Holliswood, Little Neck, New Hyde Park, Oakland Gardens and Queens Village.
What are your goals for 2026?
As the new chair of the New York City Council’s Committee on Finance, I look forward to helping deliver a more affordable New York City for all. Taxpayers deserve to see the benefits of their tax dollars come to fruition in their communities, and I look forward to working with my colleagues in the Council to ensure that our city can deliver quality services, while achieving savings to drive costs down.
How does your work in the City Council affect constituents in their daily lives?
As a council member, I want to ensure that government can meet the people where they are. Through the passage of legislation, adoption of budgets, and casework with City agencies, my office works to help maintain a quality of life for residents. Eastern Queens is a great place to raise a family, and my office continues the work to ensure that our communities receive the highest quality services possible.
What services does your office provide to constituents?
In addition to bringing agency services to the community through community fairs and outreach events, my office is proud to fund the CUNY School of Law which provides free legal advice and assistance to District 23 residents on the first and third Wednesday of each month.
What is the top issue in your district and how are you working to resolve it?
A high quality of life and a safe community is at the top of every resident’s mind. My office continues to work and partner with our neighborhood precincts to ensure resident concerns are heard and adequately addressed. Additionally, the affordability crisis has been a financial burden citywide. As finance chair, I look forward to continuing my partnership with Speaker Menin to deliver on this vital issue.
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?
Recent data shows that there are more older adults living in NYC than school students enrolled in our school system. Yet, DFTA remains one of our most underfunded agencies. I look forward to ensuring that our City allows our older adults, who paved the way for future generations, to age in place with dignity. Our budget should reflect the needs of our residents.
