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Background Information Council Member Domenic M. Recchia, Jr. has dedicated the last 25 years to creating a better life and future for all New Yorkers. As Chairman of the powerful Finance Committee, Domenic shepherds the policy priorities of the Council into reality by managing and negotiating the City’s $69 billion dollar budget. Under his leadership, each year the Council has passed an on-time budget that prioritizes New York City’s children, schools, and working families, without raising taxes.
A product of Brooklyn’s public schools–PS 215, David A. Boody Intermediate School, and John Dewey High School—Domenic knows firsthand how important it is to invest in our children’s education system. First, as president of his local school board and now as Chair of the Finance Committee, Domenic has been a tireless and passionate advocate for increased funding, better infrastructure, and additional support and programming for our schools. He has also been a strong champion of New York City’s teachers and school personnel. In fact, working with Speaker Christine Quinn, the UFT and DC 37, Domenic led the fight to save 4,000 teachers and 650 school aides from layoffs.
While New York City and the rest of the country have faced difficult economic conditions in recent years, Domenic has used his position as Chairman of the Finance Committee to work with the Mayor and Speaker to enact fiscal policies that are responsible and fair. He has proposed and guided into action bold economic ideas to reenergize communities, create jobs, and invest in the long-term sustainability of our city. For example, in 2009, the City Council overwhelmingly passed the rezoning of Coney Island--one of the largest rezonings in the city's history. After years of negotiations, Domenic successfully guided the plan to completion, winning major victories for the community—including year-round jobs and affordable housing—while at the same time protecting amusements and the spirit of an iconic American entertainment hub.
Also in 2009, Domenic sponsored legislation—now law—that requires large commercial buildings to upgrade their lighting fixtures to be more energy efficient by 2025 and to provide tenants with specific information about their energy use. This law not only empowers tenants with the information necessary to make smarter decisions about conservation, but over time it will significantly lower energy costs and create 17,800 green jobs.
Prior to serving as Chair of the Finance Committee, Domenic led the Cultural Affairs Committee. In this capacity, he worked to ensure that New York City remained the nucleus of world culture. A staunch supporter of the arts and the incorporation of arts and culture into our education system, Domenic created the hugely successful Cultural After School Adventure (CASA) program. This program pairs arts groups with schools to facilitate and encourage New York City youth to explore their artistic interests and talents. Since its founding, the CASA program has positively impacted the lives of hundreds of thousands of New York City children. A resident of Gravesend, Domenic and his wife Kim, a public school teacher, have three daughters--Brianna, Daniella, and Julianna. Domenic earned his B.A. in criminal justice from Kent State University, where he played Division I football, and his J.D. from Atlanta Law School. Prior to being elected to the City Council, Domenic served as a member of Community Board 13, and as a member, vice president, and president of Community School Board 21. He is a practicing attorney and founder of the Council for Unity, a group that seeks to foster positive relations between New Yorkers of different races and religious backgrounds.
For more information on Councilman Recchia and events in his district, visit his blog at www.drecchia.com.
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