Harvey Epstein
NYC Council Member · Since 2022
What This Office Can Do
- Proposes and votes on city laws
- Approves or rejects the city budget
- Holds agencies accountable through public hearings
- Directs discretionary funds to local projects
Background
Council Member Harvey Epstein represents the 2nd District, covering Greenwich Village, the Lower East Side, the East Village, Midtown South-Flatiron-Union Square, Gramercy, and Murray Hill-Kips Bay. He previously served as the Assembly Member for District 74 since 2018, passing over 50 bills that became law. He has been a community leader for almost 30 years, with experience on Community Board 3, public school advocacy, and work with The Legal Aid Society and the Urban Justice Center.
- Career
- Attorney (Legal Aid Society and Urban Justice Center) and community organizer
Policy Priorities
- Affordable Housing & Tenant Protections — Worked tirelessly to protect tenants and preserve and expand affordable housing in New York State during his tenure in the State Assembly.
- Land Use — Served 14 years on Community Board 3, including as board chair, tackling critical land use issues.
- Education Equity — As a public school parent, served as president of the District 1 President's Council and numerous PTAs, advocating for equity and excellence in education and championing diversity in public school admissions.
- Worker Protections — Engaged in activism to protect low-wage workers.
- Early Childhood & Daycare — Worked to preserve local daycare centers in the community.
- Legislation — Passed over 50 bills that became law during his tenure in the State Assembly.
Issue Stances
Sourced from public statements, council votes, and news coverage via AI research. Verify with primary sources.
Issue Stances
Legislative Record
Resolution calling on the New York State Government to take the steps necessary to amend the constitution and applicable statutory law to increase New York City’s debt limit
Refusing to renew, suspending, or revoking a license of a tobacco retail dealer that has violated certain authorization requirements of the cannabis law
A citizen enforcement program for illegal disposal of household or commercial refuse in public litter baskets
Lighting controls for street lighting fixtures
Requiring the department of sanitation to clean and maintain all city-owned vacant lots
A public outreach and education program regarding Hajj and Umrah-related scams
Resolution recognizing animals as sentient beings and calling on the New York State Assembly to pass, the New York State Senate to introduce and pass companion legislation, and the Governor to sign, A.107, recognizing animals as sentient beings statewide and establishing that animals can be victims of a crime
Resolution calling on the New York State Legislature to pass, and the Governor to sign, S.7282/A.7873, also known as the No Slavery in New York Act, in relation to ending involuntary servitude in state and local correctional facilities in New York State
Conduct & Ethics
Data sourced from NYC Legistar, NYC Campaign Finance Board, NYC Conflicts of Interest Board, and curated public records. This page is a permanent record of Harvey Epstein's service in District 2.