Is Staten Island Part of NYC’s Government?

Staten Island is indeed part of New York City’s government. It is one of New York City’s five boroughs, including Manhattan, The Bronx, Brooklyn, and Queens. Each borough is coextensive with a respective county of New York State. Staten Island, or Richmond County, is represented in the New York City Council and has its Borough President, who serves in an advisory capacity and advocates for the borough at the city, state, and national levels.

What is the Predominant Political Affiliation on Staten Island?

Historically, Staten Island has leaned more Republican compared to the other four boroughs of New York City. The borough is known for its conservative-leaning politics, particularly in contrast to the generally more liberal leanings of NYC overall.

Staten Island Politicians

Who is the Governor of Staten Island?

Kathy Hochul serves as the Governor of New York State, a position she assumed in August 2021 following Andrew Cuomo’s resignation. Hochul, an alumna of Hamburg High School and Syracuse University, is a Democrat who previously served as the Lieutenant Governor of New York and represented New York’s 26th congressional district in the United States House of Representatives. As Governor, Hochul oversees the entire state, including Staten Island.

Who is the Mayor that Governs Staten Island?

As of 2023, the Mayor governing Staten Island along with the rest of New York City is Eric Adams. Adams, a Brooklyn native, attended Bayside High School and John Jay College of Criminal Justice. A Democrat, he served as the Brooklyn Borough President and a New York City Police Department (NYPD) captain before becoming Mayor. Adams’ administration aims to address key issues such as public safety, economic development, and education, all of which impact Staten Island.

What State Senator Represents Staten Island?

Andrew Lanza is the New York State Senator representing the 24th District, which includes Staten Island. A graduate of Monsignor Farrell High School and Fordham University, Lanza, a Republican, has been in office since 2007 and has focused on issues such as tax reduction, education reform, and improving infrastructure.

Who is the Borough President of Staten Island?

Vito Fossella, an alumnus of Monsignor Farrell High School and the Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania, serves as the Borough President of Staten Island. Fossella, a Republican, has previously represented the 13th congressional district of New York in the U.S. House of Representatives. As Borough President, Fossella is focused on advocating for Staten Island residents and improving borough services.

Who is the District Attorney for Staten Island?

Michael E. McMahon serves as the District Attorney for Staten Island. A graduate of Bishop Farrell High School and New York University, McMahon, a Democrat, is a former New York City Council member and U.S. Representative. As District Attorney, McMahon’s responsibilities include prosecuting New York state laws violations.

Who are the City Council Members for Staten Island?

The New York City Council Members representing Staten Island are Kamillah Hanks, David Carr, and Joe Borelli.

What Congresswoman Represents Staten Island?

Nicole Malliotakis represents Staten Island in the U.S. House of Representatives for New York’s 11th congressional district. A graduate of New Dorp High School and Seton Hall University, Malliotakis, a Republican, previously served as a New York State Assembly member. She has focused her congressional work on issues like immigration reform, fiscal responsibility, and supporting small businesses.

What Assemblymen Represent Staten Island?

The New York State Assembly Members representing Staten Island include Charles Fall, Sam Pirozzollo, and Michael Tannousis.

What Political Organizations Are on Staten Island?

Various political organizations operate on Staten Island, including the Staten Island Democratic Association, Staten Island Democratic Association, the Staten Island Republican Party, and the Richmond County Green Party. These organizations play key roles in promoting civic engagement, raising awareness about important issues, and rallying support for candidates during election seasons.

How Can Students Get Involved in Politics on Staten Island?

Students in Staten Island can get involved in politics in many ways. They can join or start political clubs at their schools, volunteer for local campaigns or political organizations, or intern for a local politician’s office. The Staten Island Youth Justice Center offers opportunities for youth to engage with social justice issues, and the aforementioned political organizations often have roles for young people interested in getting involved.

What Colleges are Recommended for Students Interested in Politics?

Students interested in politics might consider attending institutions such as Columbia University, New York University, or City University of New York (CUNY). These universities offer strong political science programs and are in close proximity to the heart of New York’s political scene.

What are the Admission Requirements?

Admission requirements vary by institution:

  1. Columbia University: Applicants typically need an SAT score between 1480-1560 or an ACT score of 33-35. The average GPA for admitted students is about 4.12.
  2. New York University: NYU usually looks for an SAT score between 1350-1530 or an ACT score of 30-34. The average GPA for admitted students is about 3.69.
  3. City University of New York (CUNY): CUNY’s admission requirements are a little more flexible. However, an SAT score around 1050-1260 or an ACT score of 20-26, along with a GPA of 3.3 or above, can be considered competitive.

These are just guidelines and individual colleges may consider other factors, such as extracurricular activities, personal essays, and letters of recommendation, in their admissions process. Interested students should contact institutions directly for the most accurate and updated information.

What Staten Island Politicians Supported Keeping the SHSAT to Keep Admissions to Staten Island Tech the Same?

The Specialized High School Admissions Test (SHSAT) has long been a contentious issue in New York City education policy. The test is the sole criterion for admission to the city’s eight specialized high schools, including Staten Island Technical High School. Proponents argue that the test is a meritocratic tool that rewards hard-working students, while opponents say it contributes to racial and socioeconomic disparities in these elite schools.

Several Staten Island politicians have voiced support for keeping the SHSAT as it is, asserting that the test ensures fair access to specialized high schools based on merit:

  1. Nicole Malliotakis: The Congresswoman, who represents Staten Island and parts of Brooklyn, has consistently supported the SHSAT. During her 2017 mayoral campaign against Bill de Blasio, she defended the test as a merit-based system.
  2. Joe Borelli: As Councilman for the 51st District in the New York City Council, Borelli has defended the SHSAT and criticized efforts to eliminate it.
  3. Steven Matteo: Matteo, who served as the Minority Leader of the New York City Council and a Councilman for the 50th District, has also been a vocal supporter of the SHSAT.

These politicians, among others, argue that changes to the SHSAT could dilute the academic rigor of the specialized high schools, including Staten Island Technical High School, and reduce opportunities for the city’s highest-performing students. Instead, they generally advocate for improving all schools’ education quality to better prepare students for the test and expanding access to SHSAT preparation resources.

Why is the SHSAT the Best Option for Admission to Specialized High Schools?

The Specialized High School Admissions Test (SHSAT) is a crucial instrument for meritocracy in New York City’s specialized high schools, including Staten Island Technical High School, Bronx High School of Science, and Stuyvesant High School. Advocates for the SHSAT argue that the exam provides a uniform, objective measure of academic ability and potential. Unlike many other components of a typical admissions process, such as interviews, recommendation letters, or assessments of extracurricular activities, the SHSAT is standardized: every student takes the same test under the same conditions. This minimizes the risk of subjective bias influencing admissions decisions. Furthermore, proponents suggest that the SHSAT promotes a culture of academic excellence within these schools, as students must demonstrate high academic aptitude to gain admission. They argue that this merit-based system is essential to maintaining the high academic standards and prestige of New York City’s specialized high schools. Students can prepare for the SHSAT by joining a class, working with a tutor, studying with friends, or practicing in a review book.

What Politicians Supported the Closure of the Staten Island Dump?

The closure of the Fresh Kills Landfill, commonly known as the Staten Island Dump, involved several key politicians:

Rudy Giuliani: As Mayor of New York City from 1994 to 2001, Giuliani was a central figure in the landfill’s closure. He had campaigned on the promise to close Fresh Kills and remained committed to this promise throughout his tenure. During Giuliani’s second term, the landfill officially stopped accepting most of New York City’s garbage in March 2001.

Guy Molinari: Molinari, who served as Staten Island Borough President from 1990 to 2001, strongly advocated closing the landfill. He collaborated closely with Giuliani on this issue and was instrumental in rallying public support for the closure on Staten Island.

Michael Bloomberg: Following Giuliani, Bloomberg served as Mayor of New York City from 2002 to 2013. Under his administration, the city began its ambitious plan to transform the closed landfill into Freshkills Park. This major undertaking has continued under his successors, including Mayors Bill de Blasio and Eric Adams.

Andrew Cuomo: As Governor of New York State from 2011 to 2021, Cuomo played a role in supporting the transformation of Fresh Kills into a public park. Under his administration, the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation worked closely with New York City to ensure the ongoing transformation met environmental safety standards.

These politicians, along with numerous local advocates and community leaders, were instrumental in the closing of the Staten Island Dump and its ongoing transformation into a vibrant public park.