Andrew was born and raised in Bay Ridge and graduated from Fort Hamilton High School. He earned bachelor's degrees from Hunter College and George Washington University Law School. He lives in Bay Ridge with his wife and 2 sons.

Andrew previously served as counsel to Brooklyn Borough President Eric Adams and as a trustee of the New York City Employees’ Retirement System. He also worked as an aide to former City Councilmember Vincent Gentile and as a legislative aide for investigations in the United States Senate.

Andrew S. Gounardes is a state senator State Senate District 26. He was elected in 2018 and is serving his 3rd term.

Supported the temporary expansion of the federal child tax credit, saying that it "lifted 2.9 million children out of poverty" and opposes the credit's expiration, saying that "Washington dropped the ball."

Proposes a family tax credit for New York, with a maximum of $1,600 per child.

Proposes allowing religious organizations to build affordable housing on their land, saying that many would like to do so "but can’t because of restrictive zoning."

- Supported the temporary expansion of the federal child tax credit, saying that it "lifted 2.9 million children out of poverty" and opposes the credit's expiration, saying that "Washington dropped the ball."
- Proposes a family tax credit for New York, with a maximum of $1,600 per child.
- Proposes allowing religious organizations to build affordable housing on their land, saying that many would like to do so "but can’t because of restrictive zoning."

Economy

Proposes a 20% reduction target for car usage by 2050, replacing it with public transit, biking infrastructure, and walkable streets.

- Proposes a 20% reduction target for car usage by 2050, replacing it with public transit, biking infrastructure, and walkable streets.

Energy & the Environment

As of September 19, 2024, Andrew S. Gounardes’s website did not contain information on this issue.

Healthcare

Voting & Elections

Supports protecting pedestrians by increasing fees on large vehicles.

Proposes increasing the number of red light cameras.

Proposes installing speed reduction devices in the cars of drivers who receive repeated speeding or red light tickets.

Proposes that all large public venues have EpiPens, devices that administer treatments for allergic reactions, available.

- Supports protecting pedestrians by increasing fees on large vehicles.
- Proposes increasing the number of red light cameras.
- Proposes installing speed reduction devices in the cars of drivers who receive repeated speeding or red light tickets.
- Proposes that all large public venues have EpiPens, devices that administer treatments for allergic reactions, available.

Public Safety

Candidate website

Supports increasing the number of full-time faculty members while providing a pathway for more adjunct professors.

Supports making City University of New York (CUNY) tuition-free for all students.

Supports increasing the number of academic advisors and clinical mental health counselors to ensure students have the necessary support.

Supports creating a five-year capital plan for City University of New York (CUNY) and State University of New York (SUNY) to address critical maintenance needs.

Supports legislation that recommends schools conduct at least two active shooter drills annually, while allowing schools to conduct more if they choose.

Proposes requiring schools to provide college financial aid applications to every student before they graduate.

Proposes a ban on college admissions considering applicant's family members who attended the school.

- Supports increasing the number of full-time faculty members while providing a pathway for more adjunct professors.
- Supports making City University of New York (CUNY) tuition-free for all students.
- Supports increasing the number of academic advisors and clinical mental health counselors to ensure students have the necessary support.
- Supports creating a five-year capital plan for City University of New York (CUNY) and State University of New York (SUNY) to address critical maintenance needs.
- Supports legislation that recommends schools conduct at least two active shooter drills annually, while allowing schools to conduct more if they choose.
- Proposes requiring schools to provide college financial aid applications to every student before they graduate.
- Proposes a ban on college admissions considering applicant's family members who attended the school.

Education

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Andrew S. Gounardes

Andrew S. Gounardes is a New York State Senator representing the 26th District. He previously served as Counsel to Brooklyn Borough President Eric Adams and as a trustee of the New York City Employees’ Retirement System. He also worked as an aide to former City Councilmember Vincent Gentile and as a Legislative Aide for Investigations in the United States Senate.

Andrew S. Gounardes currently serves as the state senator for New York’s 26th State Senate District. He was elected in 2018 and is serving his 3rd term.

Supports the Department of Transportation's efforts to advance infrastructure projects.

Supports implementing curb enhancements to reduce double parking and traffic congestion.

Supports faith-based affordable housing initiatives.

Supports stronger protections against wage theft for freelancers.

Supports regulating social media companies to protect children's privacy and wellbeing.

Supports the NYC Department of Transportation's plans to expand mid-block crossings, signal changes, and curb enhancements to improve traffic flow and safety.

Supports the Faith-Based Affordable Housing Act, believing it will unite New Yorkers in providing housing and enable faith institutions to serve communities while offering climate-friendly homes statewide.

Supported the temporary expansion of the federal child tax credit, saying that it "lifted 2.9 million children out of poverty." Opposes the credit's expiration, saying that "Washington dropped the ball."

- Supported the temporary expansion of the federal child tax credit, saying that it "lifted 2.9 million children out of poverty." Opposes the credit's expiration, saying that "Washington dropped the ball."
- Proposes a family tax credit for New York, with a maximum of $1,600 per child.
- Proposes allowing religious organizations to build affordable housing on their land, saying that many would like to do so "but can’t because of restrictive zoning."

Believes a new approach to climate policy will protect the environment and make New York safer and more affordable.

Supports the Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act.

Believes New York's mandate for zero-emission vehicles by 2035 will significantly enhance environmental benefits, assuming a "mid-growth electric vehicle scenario."

Supports reducing car dependency to improve mobility options.

Supports Shredfest for shredding and e-waste recycling.

Supports access to EpiPens and applauds legislative efforts to ensure they are available.

Believes in providing compassionate and resilient healthcare support for those in need.

Supports protecting New Yorkers with allergies.

Believes access to food assistance is crucial for families, highlighting that one-third of parents have visited a food bank recently.

Said, "No one should ever lose someone they love to a food allergy and this bill is an important and common sense step toward protecting people with food allergies in New York."

Believes in addressing food insecurity for families in New York's settlement houses.

Believes in addressing food insecurity, financial precarity, and housing instability for families, citing a survey by United Neighborhood Houses and Educational Alliance that found these ongoing challenges for families in New York settlement houses after the expiration of the expanded Child Tax Credit.

Said, "As part of my transparency platform, I’ve made it my mission to be accessible to community members."

Supports redesigning Atlantic Avenue to enhance safety and vibrancy for pedestrians, cyclists, and drivers, prioritizing community over fast traffic.

Supports enhancing public safety through traffic management improvements, including dedicated turning lanes, pedestrian islands, mid-block crossings, and the deployment of Traffic Enforcement Agents at busy intersections.

Believes Governors Island is "one of the premier parks in New York City."

Supports advocacy for civic engagement, neighborhood affordability, healthy aging, early childhood education, adult literacy, and youth development.

Supports reducing school lockdown drills from four to two annually, with options for more, and mandates trauma-informed, age-appropriate drills with accommodations for disabilities and PTSD, plus training for teachers and advance notice to staff and parents.

Supports the Educational Alliance's role in enhancing community safety through quality programs, health services, and cultural enrichment, fostering connections and opportunities in Lower Manhattan.

Supports the "I Heart Refugees" Act, which would provide ongoing support for refugee families in New York and protect refugee services from budget cuts.

Supports increased investment in public university systems to provide comprehensive academic, social, and emotional supports for students.

Supports creating pathways for all New Yorkers to access college and succeed.

- Your state senator is involved in the legislative process at the state level as part of the New York State Senate, which consists of 63 members and serves as the upper house of the New York State Legislature, the state's lawmaking body. 
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- Their annual salary is $142,000.  

Your representative and state lawmaker in the New York Senate.