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 with PoliticsNY features New York State Assembly Member Alec Brook-Krasny. Assembly Member Brook-Krasny represents the 46th Assembly District in Brooklyn which includes the neighborhood of Bay Ridge and Coney Island.
Q: What piece of legislation are you most proud to have passed this legislative session?
A: I was honored to cosponsor the Recover-Ready Workplace Act (A.521), aimed at reducing workplace stigma around substance abuse and mental health. The bill allows businesses to earn “recovery-ready” status by adopting policies like peer support training, connecting employees to treatment, and hiring individuals in recovery. We passed this legislation in both the Assembly and Senate, and I’m hopeful Gov. Hochul will sign it into law to support recovery efforts across New York State further.
Q: How does your office work to support your constituents in their day-to-day lives?
A: New York State agencies impact many aspects of New Yorkers’ daily lives. As a state-elected official, I work to ensure these agencies operate with diligence and accuracy. When constituents face issues, whether it’s confusion over an unemployment claim or a denied tax benefit, my staff and I act quickly to resolve them. My team takes pride in tackling even the most complex problems and will assist with city-level matters to support NYC residents whenever needed.
Q: What is the most prevalent issue facing your constituents and how are you working to resolve it?
A: The issues my office resolves are wide-ranging and often complex. A typical case involves excessive fees resulting from missed tolls or violations, where inadequate notification led to steep penalties. We contact agencies to mediate and reduce the amount owed. We’re also researching legislative solutions to improve state debt notifications. Another frequent issue is SNAP benefit theft, which heavily affects older New Yorkers. We work diligently to help protect against fraud and recover stolen benefits.
Q: What do you hope to accomplish by the end of 2025?
A: I’ve been working with Assembly Members Michael Novakhov, Daniel Norber, and Lester Chang on a proposal (A.5141) to bar individuals with ties to terrorist organizations, including Hamas, from holding government jobs or appointed positions in New York State. This common-sense legislation would help protect the integrity of our state workforce. We’re committed to advancing this initiative and hope it reaches the Assembly floor for a vote when session resumes in January.
Q: What is the proudest moment of your political career?
A: While I’ve had many proud moments in my career, my greatest honor is being the first Soviet-born, Russian American in the New York State Assembly. Since immigrating to the U.S. in 1989, I’ve dedicated myself to public service and improving lives across New York. Having lived under both authoritarian and democratic governments, I understand the dangers of radical ideologies and believe firmly in protecting personal freedom, liberty, and our nation’s spirit of building and progress.