“‘Menin’” is the name of the protein that fights disease” – Rabbi Joseph Potasnik
January 2026 — new leadership, new mayors, a new Speaker — but let’s face it: it’s a fresh coat of paint on the same buildings… or is it?
The calendar doesn’t clear your inbox. It doesn’t fix your habits. It doesn’t make us brand new. What it does give us is the theory of a reset — a psychological permission slip to look at what’s in front of us and decide we’re going to meet it differently. I don’t do New Year’s resolutions. But I do believe any day can be the day you pick a new outlook, set a goal, and adjust the goal based on what you actually need — whether that’s mentally, physically, or economically. Sometimes the shift isn’t some grand reinvention. It’s just choosing to move through your life like you deserve the thing you’re trying to build.
And in politics, January isn’t a restart. It’s musical chairs — can you listen fast enough to claim your seat, or do you end up standing there when the music stops? Usually it’s the same faces with new titles. But this time, it really does feel like a shift: the press conference choreography looks different, City Hall has seen a wave of resignations, and there are people reappearing from four years ago — familiar, but recalibrating, re-learning the room. Everyone’s figuring out what their role is now, and how to have impact without losing themselves in the performance of it.
Under all of that is a quieter thing people keep saying out loud: loneliness. I’ve heard it from more than one person — especially from folks who didn’t choose Zohran Mamdani, Mayor of New York City, and are now trying to locate themselves inside a new reality. Where do they fall? What leadership do they want? Do they stick around and adapt, or do they move on?
It’s a weird time. Everyone’s heading up to Albany to see what’s happening there — a new Mayor, downtown revitalization talk, a whole new cast of characters forming in real time. Eyes on Buffalo. Eyes on anywhere there’s momentum, anywhere there’s opportunity. And somewhere in the middle of it is the question that keeps circling: how much are you willing to give up — of your time, your certainty, your sense of self — to benefit others?
Or maybe that’s not even the right question. Maybe the real question is: how do you serve without disappearing?
SUFFOLK: REORG SEASON
This week kicked off in Trump Country — aka Suffolk County — with the Legislature’s reorganization: Anthony Piccirillo, Suffolk County Legislator and Presiding Officer; James Mazzarella, Suffolk County Legislator and Deputy Presiding Officer; and Nick Caracappa, Suffolk County Legislator and Majority Leader (Majority Caucus Leader). Kevin McCaffrey, Suffolk County Legislator, term-limited after serving as Presiding Officer, and Steve Flotteron, Suffolk County Legislator and last term’s Deputy Presiding Officer, stayed near the front row at the hearing.
In remarks, Jesse Garcia, Chairman of the Suffolk County Republican Party, opened with energy, promising “more cops, more detectives, more prosecutors,” tying public safety to affordability. James Mazzarella framed his role as the bridge — between leadership and members — keeping communication open and collaboration steady. Ed Romaine, Suffolk County Executive, listened as the group walked through its list: the Smith Point Bridge, sewer expansion in Mastic Beach, and federal support for the traffic, flood, and coastal projects that have been waiting for movement.
Ed Romaine’s office is also using the new year to mark Suffolk’s “Suffolk 250” push, a commemorative field guide and mobile app that doubles as a tourism boost and a local history primer. The book is already on Amazon, and residents are being directed to Suffolk250.org for events and updates tied to the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence. It also raises a question that has been floating around lately: if Kamala Harris were President of the United States, would we be marking this milestone the same way? What does this anniversary mean to you? Do you care? Should you?
CITY HALL: A NEW SPEAKER
Back in NYC, the year opened with a full chamber at City Hall, where Julie Menin, New York City Council Member (District 5), was unanimously elected Speaker of the City Council.
Rabbi Joseph Potasnik, Executive Vice President of the New York Board of Rabbis, began with a blessing that doubled as a wordplay lesson — sharing that “Menin” is the name of a biological protein that suppresses disease, and that one letter separates “united” from “untied.” Kevin Riley, New York City Council Member, gave the first nomination; Shaun Abreu, New York City Council Member, followed, remembering his time working for Julie Menin at the Department of Consumer Affairs.
It was my first time at a Speaker nomination ceremony at City Hall—and I walked in expecting something very different than what actually happened. I was braced for dry procedure, polite applause, the kind of formality that lives in the fluorescent lights. Instead, the room had pulse. When Julie Menin was unanimously nominated for Speaker of the City Council, I learned a fun (and very New York) detail: every Council Member gets a chance to speak. But when Julie Menin was unanimously nominated for Speaker of the City Council, I learned a fun (and very New York) detail: every Council Member gets a chance to speak. Almost everyone took it—because would they even be political personalities if they didn’t?!
And my favorite part? Before they could say a word, they all had to ask “permission to explain my vote” first (as if anyone in that room needed encouragement to pick up a microphone). But in all seriousness, it was genuinely beautiful. It made me proud to be watching a governing body talk about service like it matters—and it left me feeling really excited, optimistic and proud. There’s nothing that makes my heart swell more than when our political personalities find common ground, speak highly of one another, and give WE THE PEOPLE hope that government actually works.
From the floor, members took turns stitching Julie’s résumé to their districts and past successes: Farah Louis, New York City Council Member, on She Should Run; Linda Lee, New York City Council Member, on NYC Kids RISE; Kamillah Hanks, New York City Council Member, on Wavemakers and a Museum of Jewish Heritage partnership; Shekar Krishnan, New York City Council Member, on shared parks advocacy; Selvena Brooks-Powers, New York City Council Member, on the day-to-day realities of constituent service. Tiffany Cabán, New York City Council Member, and Shahana Hanif, New York City Council Member, reflected on the historic pairing of the city’s first Jewish Speaker and first Muslim Mayor. Mercedes Narcisse, New York City Council Member, said she was glad to see unity and — in her smiling way — “peace in the Middle East right here.”
Mixed into the floor scene was Nate Swidler, speechwriter for Speaker Julie Menin after his role on the Mayor’s team. City Hall staffers Jeffrey Lefrancois and Rose Christ watched arrivals from the second-floor rotunda staircase — in true Rebecca Seawright, New York City Council Member, fashion (stand at the entry, greet all arrivers). And Phyllis Inserillo, Chief of Staff in Joann Ariola’s New York City Council office, drew laughs when she said her preschool teaching experience had been perfect training for City Council patience…
The social/digital choreography in the chamber was its own subplot: Sophie Secor, staffer filming her new boss Virginia Maloney, New York City Council Member (District 4), speaking on the floor; Cierra Smith, staffer sprinting to her new boss Shanel Thomas-Henry, New York City Council Member (District 21), to make sure she was mic’d up before speaking. (It’s a whole new social media age, people! If it’s not on Instagram, it didn’t happen!)
When Julie Menin took the microphone as Speaker, she promised to be “a Speaker for every member.” Her thank-you roll call stretched across boroughs and job titles: Adrienne Adams, former New York City Council Speaker; Corey Johnson, former New York City Council Speaker; Melissa Mark-Viverito, former New York City Council Speaker; Gifford Miller, former New York City Council Speaker… Letitia “Tish” James, New York State Attorney General; Jumaane Williams, New York City Public Advocate; Mark Levine, New York City Comptroller; Dean Fuleihan, First Deputy Mayor of New York City; Jahmila Edwards… borough presidents, labor leaders, county chairs. She thanked the challengers who’d run against her, then pivoted to plans: using city-owned sites and library branches for housing, easing small-business fines, creating a Healthcare Accountability office, restoring staff vacancies, and balancing reform and safety.
And now in the Speaker’s inner circle: John-Carlo Bautista, Special Advisor to Speaker Julie Menin (and currently with the NYC Department of Citywide Administrative Services). Which immediately raises the district-office question: will Menin open another? A lot of vacant storefronts to do so in her district.
A few days later, Julie Menin, Speaker of the New York City Council, was at Park Avenue Synagogue, speaking about leadership and what the Torah teaches about struggle — a follow-up to her City Hall debut, carrying the same message: leadership comes from experience and endurance — which we unanimously agree, this woman has.
LONG ISLAND ASSOCIATION: STATE OF THE REGION
By Friday, attention shifted east to the Long Island Association’s State of the Region breakfast at Crest Hollow Country Club. Chuck Schumer, U.S. Senator from New York, opened; Kathy Hochul, Governor of New York, closed; and between them came a lively panel with Tom DiNapoli, New York State Comptroller; Bruce Blakeman, Nassau County Executive; and Ed Romaine, Suffolk County Executive.
Bruce Blakeman wished the crowd “a new governor” in 2026 — and as he exited, he shook Kathy Hochul’s hand; she stepped to the mic moments later, greeting Ed Romaine by name and drawing laughs from a room that — let’s face it — Long Islanders know digs and jokes when they hear them…
QUEENS: SECOND CHANCES, ON PURPOSE
Meanwhile in Queens, Evie Litwok, Founder of WITNESS to Mass Incarceration, is expanding the board — bringing new names into a mission that trains justice-impacted New Yorkers for careers in tailoring and the trades. Her version of workforce development is blunt and brilliant — “Bank robbers would make the best employees for bank security,” she likes to say. Queens is the right canvas for that kind of thinking: a borough of languages, labor, and second chances.
AROUND THE ROOMS
Around City Hall, Angela Banks, Mayor’s Office staff (and there since the Giuliani days), was making sure the new media list was up to date — she personally re-added my email, which might be the most New York kind of customer service. Brandon Patterson, Spotify staff, surfaced in comms chatter as policy staff talked about subscription fees… Andrew Rigie, Executive Director of the New York City Hospitality Alliance, was spotted on crutches, recovering from elective foot surgery, and still able to climb the steps of City Hall for meetings (and get a seat inside the Chamber). Jordan Feiner, Manhattan regional representative for Governor Kathy Hochul, was there with a big smile, ready for the upcoming week in Albany.
Staffing/relationship universe: Freddi Goldstein left Uber to become Chief of Staff to Dean Fuleihan, First Deputy Mayor of New York City — who is Greenberg Traurig’s Sam NeJame’s first cousin — and reportedly “Uncle Dean” is the coolest man in government, according to his sons, aka the TikTok generation… (at least they’re learning about local government!).
Long Island’s women’s leadership network was also out in force this week at Domenique Camacho Moran’s annual women’s dinner at Hilltop in Syosset — Resi Cooper, women’s leadership network member; Tracey Edwards, women’s leadership network member; Susan Posner, Hofstra University; Ellen Cooperperson, women’s leadership network member; Teresa Ferraro, EAST/WEST Industries; Katherine Fritz, Long Island Cares; Randi Schubin Dresner, Island Harvest; and Dawn Cagliano, IVCi, sharing tables and stories. Teresa Ferraro is already organizing a facility tour for next week with fellow ladies interested in seeing Long Island defense manufacturing in action.
You may have heard Jeff Coltin is back at City & State as Editor-in-Chief, stepping into the role held by Ralph Ortega the past five years — Ralph Ortega is writing a book about his Cuban father and Chilean mother. His wife, Anna, now serves as an acting Supreme Court judge. Suzanne Adams is re-joining the state Supreme Court bench. And in other development news, KPMG has shifted its headquarters from Park Avenue to Two Manhattan West.
ON THE SCENES THIS WEEK
Catalina Cruz, New York State Assembly Member, stood with the #Care4All coalition to push her Access to Representation proposal: $175 million to establish the right to an attorney in removal proceedings, with “IMMIGRANTS ARE NEW YORK” and “NYers Need Access to Representation” front and center… In the Bronx, Jeffrey Dinowitz, New York State Assembly Member, announced he secured $30,000 for KRVC (Kingsbridge, Riverdale, Van Cortlandt)…
Upstate, Dan McCoy, Albany County Executive, marked The Egg Performing Arts Center reopening after six months of renovations; Mike McLaughlin, Deputy Albany County Executive, spoke and McCoy thanked Kathy Hochul, Governor of New York, while tying it to nearly $20 million in Empire State Plaza capital projects led by the NYS Office of General Services.
On Long Island, John Mikulin, New York State Assembly Member, attended the 2026 LIBOR Installation & Awards Gala and congratulated Richie Krug, Jr., the 2025 LIBOR Realtor Spirit Award honoree.
Grace Meng, U.S. Representative, said the House voted to extend ACA tax credits for three years, with 17 Republicans joining, and urged the Senate to send it to the President.
In the city lane, Zohran Mamdani, Mayor of New York City, promoted DSNY’s illegal-dumping reward programs — including language about earning up to $2,000 and on-screen text referencing 50% of the fine collected. Grace Lee, New York City Council Member, welcomed the new DOE Chancellor at Emma Lazarus High School on Hester Street, and Brian Kavanagh, New York State Senator, visited the Connelly Center for morning assembly.
Julie Menin, Speaker of the New York City Council, highlighted a new public bathroom approved for installation this year in West Harlem, building on Sandy Nurse’s law — Sandy Nurse, New York City Council Member — to nearly double public restrooms by 2035.
Meanwhile, Bruce Blakeman, Nassau County Executive, noted he’d wrapped an interview with Fox News and was heading to Highmark Stadium for Bills vs. Jets.
COMING UP
Albany’s receptions ahead of the Governor’s State of the State on January 12, followed by the address on January 13.
February 1 brings the JCRC Congressional Breakfast, and the Bronx Senate Delegation hosts its virtual budget forum January 22 with Nathalia Fernandez, New York State Senator; Jose Serrano, New York State Senator; Robert Jackson, New York State Senator; Gustavo Rivera, New York State Senator; Luis Sepúlveda, New York State Senator; and Jamaal Bailey, New York State Senator.
See you in the room.