Council Member Selvena Brooks-Powers held her State of the District address serendipitously on March 8, 2026—International Women’s Day. The event was originally scheduled for March 22, 2026, but had to be postponed due to a blizzard. The rescheduled address took place at Merrick Academy Charter School.
The State of the District served as a celebration of the $471 million invested in Southeast Queens, with Brooks-Powers leading the charge to bring resources and infrastructure improvements to the community. Council Member Brooks-Powers was praised by her colleagues in New York City government. Speaker Julie Menin highlighted that Brooks-Powers was the first Black woman to serve as Majority Whip in the New York City Council and noted that she will now chair the Committee on Criminal Justice. Senator Leroy Comrie also commended her leadership, stating, “She has never hesitated to fight for her community.”
During her approximately 35-minute address, Brooks-Powers highlighted several key accomplishments from the past four years resulting in $471 million dollars to Southeast Queens.
One major initiative was Introduction 807, legislation focused on flash flood preparedness. The bill requires New York City Emergency Management to distribute localized emergency preparedness materials in areas prone to flash flooding. The goal is to increase public awareness of flash flood risks and encourage residents to register for emergency notification systems.
She also highlighted investments in community infrastructure, including capital funding to expand the Laurelton and Rosedale Libraries, as well as $95 million secured for the new 116th Precinct.
In the Rockaways, Brooks-Powers formed the Far Rockaway Trauma Access Task Force and helped secure $50 million toward the development of a future trauma center, addressing long-standing healthcare access disparities in the area.
Recreation and youth programming were also priorities. The council member secured $35 million for a new recreation center in Rosedale, $5 million for improvements at Sunrise Playground, and $8 million for a new turf field in Idlewild Park.
Brooks-Powers also discussed economic and social initiatives aimed at improving quality of life for residents. Through the Fair Fares NYC initiative, eligibility was expanded to reach 150% of the federal poverty level, making public transportation more affordable for working families.
She also addressed food insecurity by partnering with community organizations such as Campaign Against Hunger to strengthen food distribution networks.
Another major milestone was transportation equity for Southeast Queens. After years of advocacy and community organizing, the area saw expanded express bus service and the installation of a new elevator at the Laurelton station on the Long Island Rail Road, improving accessibility for seniors and residents with disabilities.
Support for older adults was also a focus. Brooks-Powers helped bridge the digital divide by connecting seniors to programs through Older Adults Technology Services and promoted health and wellness through community initiatives such as the Wise Walking Warriors, led by Dr. Elizabeth Madison.
She also highlighted investments in local schools, including funding to increase access to technology and support future-ready classrooms.
While celebrating progress, Brooks-Powers also issued a call to action on several pressing issues facing Southeast Queens.
She identified the region as the epicenter of a foreclosure crisis, noting that 587 foreclosure cases have been filed boroughwide. She emphasized the need for a comprehensive action plan that does not rely on a proposed 9.5% increase in property taxes, a position she outlined in a recent op-ed published in amNewYork.
She also called for further expansion of the Fair Fares program to reach 200% of the federal poverty level, which would provide transportation assistance to an estimated 900,000 New Yorkers.
Another priority remains the creation of a trauma center in Far Rockaway, with the previously secured $50 million potentially supporting development at a site near a New York City Housing Authority property.
Brooks-Powers also addressed her new leadership role as Chair of the Committee on Criminal Justice, outlining goals that include supporting the long-term effort to close Rikers Island and transition to borough-based jails, with a greater emphasis on restorative justice and community-based support systems.
Council Member Brooks-Powers concluded her address with a personal reflection, comparing her dedication to public service with her experience as a distance runner.
“You don’t finish a long-distance race by panicking at the first hill,” she said. “You finish by taking the long view—staying focused on what matters, finding your stamina when it gets hard, and finishing strong. Some of the most important races aren’t solo; they are relays, and you pass the baton with care.”
She explained that the baton represents the collective effort of the community, and affirmed her commitment to continuing the race with discipline, focus, and heart.
