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 Manny De Los Santos. Assembly Member De Los Santos represents the 72nd Assembly District in Manhattan which includes the neighborhoods of Washington Heights, Inwood, and Marble Hill.
Q: What piece of legislation are you most proud to have passed this legislative session?
A: The piece of legislation I’m most proud to have introduced and passed this session is my Lithium-ion Battery Safety Bill, which was signed into law by Governor Hochul. It tackles the growing threat of fires from unsafe battery use in e-bikes, scooters, and similar devices. The law establishes statewide safety standards, public education campaigns, and fire prevention tools. It’s a major step toward saving lives, preventing injuries, and ensuring safer, more resilient communities across NY.
Q: How does your office work to support your constituents in their day-to-day lives?
A: Our office is a year-round resource for the community. We assist about 60 people a day with housing, food access, landlord issues, and more, resolving cases by securing SNAP, Medicaid, or preventing displacement. Beyond casework, we host housing and citizenship clinics, clean-ups, professional mixers, and know-your-rights training with partners like NALEO, NYLAG, and Met Council. Our mission is to tackle today’s challenges while empowering our community to build a stronger, more connected future together.
Q: What is the most prevalent issue facing your constituents and how are you working to resolve it?
A: The most pressing issue my constituents face is access to safe, affordable housing. Families are burdened by rising rents, poor living conditions, and the threat of displacement. I’m addressing this through legislation like my Mitchell-Lama Affordability and Protection Act, which enables buildings to access larger loans for energy-efficient upgrades while shielding tenants from steep rent hikes. New York must make sure that affordable, sustainable, modern housing remains within reach for all.
Q: What do you hope to accomplish by the end of 2025?
A: I hope to put a plan in place to support my constituents, who face more uncertainty about their futures and their children’s futures than ever before. Every day, they face urgent challenges like housing instability and food insecurity. Alongside immediate relief, we must build long-term tools to help communities adapt and thrive through workforce development, expanded mental health care, and strong education that prepares New Yorkers for success. We need a toolkit to ensure all prosper.
Q: What is the proudest moment of your political career?
A: One of the proudest moments of my political career was passing legislation to reduce class sizes in New York public schools. As a former school social worker, I know smaller classes can transform a child’s education. This law makes meaningful progress toward that goal while boosting parental involvement and accountability in school governance. It’s a major step toward equity and academic success for students who need it most, and I’m honored to have led it.