DBP’s 2025 Legislative Breakfast brought together local elected officials and key stakeholders from the Downtown Brooklyn community to discuss pressing challenges facing the city. With candid discussions about state budget delays, housing initiatives, and concerns about federal funding, the event provided valuable insights into the priorities and challenges that will shape Downtown Brooklyn’s future.

Hosted at 651 Arts’ beautiful new space at the L10 Arts + Cultural Center, the morning kicked off with networking among DBP members and guests, introductory remarks from 651 Arts Executive Director Toya Liddard and Aram Marcelle of Con Edison, followed by a panel discussion moderated by DBP President Regina Myer. The event provided an excellent opportunity for Assemblymember JoAnne Simon, State Senator Andrew Gounardes, Councilmember Crystal Hudson, and Councilmember Lincoln Restler to have an open conversation about their policy initiatives and priorities and their potential impacts on the future of Downtown Brooklyn and NYC.


Left to right: Councilmember Crystal Hudson, Senator Andrew Gounardes, Councilmember Lincoln Restler, Assemblymember JoAnne Simon

State Budget Delays and Fiscal Concerns

Assembly Member Joanne Simon opened with sobering news about the state budget process, which has seen seven extenders (and counting). She noted significant concerns about potential federal funding cuts. New York receives $96 billion annually from the federal government – money the state cannot backfill if withdrawn.

Further exacerbating the landscape, federal tariffs are already increasing consumer costs (the 10% increase in the price of bananas being cited as “totally bananas”), and tariffs on steel and other building materials will soon slow down housing construction.


Councilmember Crystal Hudson and Senator Andrew Gounardes

Senator Andrew Gounardes provided additional insights into the State budget process, explaining that the New York State Constitution gives the governor significant control—”about 90% of the leverage”—in budget negotiations. The governor can attach policy provisions to the budget if they are connected to state spending, creating a complex and unpredictable negotiation environment.

The Senator painted a stark picture of New York’s childcare landscape, pointing to a $1 billion deficit in the city’s childcare subsidy program and emphasizing the need to fund subsidies for low- and middle-income families. Gounardes is championing a tax credit proposal that would provide up to $1,600 per child, paid quarterly. Based on the successful COVID-era child tax credit model that cut child poverty by 40%, his proposal could reduce child poverty by 18% statewide and 25% for those in deep poverty.

Of interest to the real estate contingent, business relocation incentives, such as the State REAP program extension and the new RACE program, are currently “on hold” in budget negotiations and may be discussed post-budget.

Councilmember Crystal Hudson

Councilmember Crystal Hudson shared updates on the Atlantic Avenue Mixed-Use Plan (AAMUP). The result of a 15-year community planning process, AAMUP aims to create a combined work-live community along Atlantic Avenue from Vanderbilt Avenue to Nostrand Avenue.

“The plan includes approximately 4,000 new housing units with nearly 40% affordable,” Hudson noted, adding that they are working to secure publicly owned sites like MTA and school properties. The plan also seeks to maintain light manufacturing and cultural spaces while investing in tenant protections and anti-displacement measures. Hudson expressed concern about how changes in City Hall leadership might affect the plan’s future.


Left to right: Councilmember Crystal Hudson, Senator Andrew Gounardes, Councilmember Lincoln Restler, Assemblymember JoAnne Simon

Councilmember Lincoln Restler highlighted recent achievements, including the opening of Abolitionist Place Park and the establishment of new elementary schools (PS482 Albee Square Montessori and PS456 on State Street). However, Restler pointed out a challenging dynamic: commercial rental costs are higher in Downtown Brooklyn than in Lower Manhattan, yet many buildings face 50% office occupancy rates. While Class A office space is performing well, Class B and C properties are struggling.

The need for stronger business attraction was emphasized, with Restler noting successful efforts on Montague Street, which has seen vacancies reduced significantly. He stressed the importance of replacing closed pharmacies and other core retail businesses with large footprints.

Transportation Issues

Transportation infrastructure featured in the discussion, with electeds actively coordinating on the BQE cantilever reconstruction and expressing frustration at the city’s unwillingness to develop a “Plan B” should federal funding not materialize. On congestion pricing, Assemblymember Simon emphatically declared, “It’s working,” with broad agreement that toll-free roadways had previously generated most of the traffic in Downtown Brooklyn. The conversation also highlighted the Atlantic Avenue redesign as a critical component of the rezoning plan, aiming to transform what Councilmember Hudson described as a “barrier rather than a corridor” through comprehensive safety and streetscape improvements. Additional transportation concerns included DOT’s consideration of a potential Flatbush Avenue busway, though community engagement has not yet begun on this proposal.

City Budget Outlook

Federal funding concerns loomed over the city budget discussion, with officials noting that over 8% of the city budget (approximately $10 billion) comes from federal funding that the city cannot replace if cut.

Councilmember Restler discussed his proposed plan to “Trump-proof” city government, expressing concerns about federal cuts to HHS, FEMA, and the CDC. Of primary concern is maintaining services for vulnerable New Yorkers, with non-profits losing federal grants and some being told to stop providing emergency food to undocumented immigrants.

The officials also acknowledged the complicated political dynamics ahead, with “two people running for mayor negotiating a budget,” which is not ideal, and a perceived lack of engagement from the mayor’s office.


St. Francis College President Timothy Cecere asks the panelists a question

The Q&A brought up issues of interest to the audience, including:

Local Law 97 & Utility Rates

Buildings are struggling with compliance costs and rising utility rates. Current assistance programs cover equipment but not infrastructure work, pointing to the need for better planning and public education.

City of Yes & Land Use

Councilmembers Hudson and Restler expressed support for the City of Yes zoning amendments and seek additional citywide land use changes. They emphasized the need for more housing in districts that have built little new housing.

Development Economics

Participants touched on how construction wage requirements are affecting the financial feasibility of residential development, and the “math” of 485x (the tax incentive to build affordable housing that replaced 421a) “doesn’t math.” Developers are now looking to split large projects into smaller pieces to avoid union labor requirements – a very inefficient way to build.

Higher Education Concerns

The president of Saint Francis College, Tim Cecere, raised issues around accelerated teaching programs to address teacher shortages and nursing education bottlenecks. Student financial aid under the current federal administration was summed up with: “It’s not a question of where they get the money; it’s that they won’t go to college” without Pell/TAP assistance, especially with federal student loan repayment requirements resuming.

Left to right: DBP President Regina Myer; 651 Arts Executive Director Toya Liddard; Councilmember Crystal Hudson; Senator Andrew Gounardes, Councilmember Lincoln Restler; Assemblymember JoAnne Simon; Con Edison Corporate Affairs Manager Aram Marcelle

The event highlighted the significant challenges facing Downtown Brooklyn and the dedicated work of local elected officials and community partners such as DBP to address these issues. As budget negotiations continue and federal policies evolve, collaboration between community stakeholders and government representatives will be crucial in navigating the path forward.