Ballotpedia, Brian Kavanagh

Brian grew up on Staten Island. He earned a bachelor's degree from Princeton University and his law degree from New York University. He has lived in Manhattan for more than 3 decades.

Brian previously worked on the staff of City Councilmember Gale Brewer and in the administrations of Mayors Ed Koch and David Dinkins.

Brian Kavanagh is a state senator in State Senate District 27. He was first elected in 2017 and is serving his 3rd full term. He was the chair of the Housing, Construction and Community Development Committee. He previously served as a New York State Assembly member from 2007 to 2017.

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As a state senator, led efforts to pass the Housing Stability and Tenant Protection Act, which provides comprehensive tenant protections, including permanent rent regulation and eviction protections.

As a state senator, supported the Stability and Tenant Protection Act, which provides comprehensive tenant protections, including permanent rent regulation and eviction protections.

As a state representative, advocated to stop evictions and foreclosures during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Advocated to stop evictions and foreclosures during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Supports creating a Housing Access Voucher Program to provide rental assistance for homeless individuals and those facing eviction.

- As a state senator, supported the Stability and Tenant Protection Act, which provides comprehensive tenant protections, including permanent rent regulation and eviction protections.
- Advocated to stop evictions and foreclosures during the COVID-19 pandemic.
- Supports creating a Housing Access Voucher Program to provide rental assistance for homeless individuals and those facing eviction.

Economy

Supports aggressive climate action, including the Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act, which mandates significant reductions in climate pollution, invests in renewable energy, and creates green jobs to promote environmental justice.

Supports aggressive climate action, including the Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act, which mandates significant reductions in climate pollution, invests in renewable energy, and creates green jobs.

- Supports aggressive climate action, including the Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act, which mandates significant reductions in climate pollution, invests in renewable energy, and creates green jobs.

Energy & the Environment

Supports the 1199SEIU United Healthcare Workers East union in advocating for healthcare workers' rights and better working conditions.

- Supports the 1199SEIU United Healthcare Workers East union in advocating for healthcare workers' rights and better working conditions.

Healthcare

Supports early voting, improving voter registration, and campaign finance reforms.

Supports modernizing voting and establishing effective campaign finance laws to promote cleaner, fairer elections.

- Supports early voting, improving voter registration, and campaign finance reforms.
- Supports modernizing voting and establishing effective campaign finance laws to promote cleaner, fairer elections.

Voting & Elections

Supports gun control and has worked to reduce gun violence.

Public Safety

Believes in advancing education on environmental sustainability, and teaches a course in Columbia University’s Master’s program in environmental sustainability management.

- Believes in advancing education on environmental sustainability, and teaches a course in Columbia University’s Master’s program in environmental sustainability management.

Education

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Brian Kavanagh

Brian grew up on Staten Island and attended Regis High School. He earned a scholarship to Princeton University and earned his law degree from New York University. He has lived in Manhattan for more than 3 decades.

Brian Kavanagh is currently a New York State Senator representing Senate District 27. He previously served as an Assemblymember and worked on the staff of City Councilmember Gale Brewer and in the administrations of Mayors Ed Koch and David Dinkins.

Brian Kavanagh has been a State Senator in State Senate District 27 in New York since 2023.  He is running for re-election.

Supports significant public investments in housing, securing $5.5 billion in capital and $2.5 billion in other expenditures in the 2022-2023 State budget to renovate affordable housing, create homes for homeless and low-income New Yorkers, and provide financial assistance for renters and homeowners.

Supports fair housing practices and tenant protections.

As chair of the Senate Housing committee, led efforts to prevent evictions and foreclosures during the COVID-19 pandemic, securing a statewide moratorium and authoring legislation for rent relief.

Advocates for tenant and homeowner protections, affordable housing, and preventing homelessness due to inability to pay rent.

- As a state senator, supported the Stability and Tenant Protection Act, which provides comprehensive tenant protections, including permanent rent regulation and eviction protections.
- As a state representative, advocated to stop evictions and foreclosures during the COVID-19 pandemic.
- Advocates for tenant and homeowner protections, affordable housing, and preventing homelessness due to inability to pay rent.
- Supports creating a Housing Access Voucher Program to provide rental assistance for homeless individuals and those facing eviction.

Supports local initiatives on resiliency, open space, and green infrastructure to complement statewide environmental efforts.

As an Assemblymember, passed legislation to enhance Battery Park City’s capital for resiliency projects and negotiated to create new parkland and a mile-long esplanade in Manhattan.

Supports environmental conservation and sustainable energy, as evidenced by his legislative work, committee service, and recognition with the Eco-Star Award and high ratings from environmental organizations.

Supports environmental sustainability, including the Environmental Bond Act, which funds various eco-friendly initiatives.

Supports comprehensive climate action, including renewable energy, energy efficiency, and emissions reduction.

- Supports environmental sustainability, including the Environmental Bond Act, which funds various eco-friendly initiatives.
- Supports comprehensive climate action, including renewable energy, energy efficiency, and emissions reduction.
- Supports aggressive climate action, including the Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act, which mandates significant reductions in climate pollution, invests in renewable energy, and creates green jobs.

Supports the New York State Nurses Association's stance on healthcare issues.

Supports the SEIU Council of Interns and Residents in advocating for healthcare workers' rights and fair labor practices.

- Supports the SEIU Council of Interns and Residents in advocating for healthcare workers' rights and fair labor practices.
- Supports the 1199SEIU United Healthcare Workers East union in advocating for healthcare workers' rights and better working conditions.

Supports reforming elections, campaign finance, and open government to enhance transparency and accountability.

As a state senator, enacted comprehensive election reform, closing the "LLC Loophole" for political contributions.

Supports transparency in legislative processes.

As a state senator, enacted legislation establishing stringent training and background check requirements for gun permits, banning guns from sensitive areas, enhancing safe storage requirements, and ensuring thorough background checks for gun and ammunition sales.

Supports public safety measures to ensure community security.

Believes in advocating for ongoing neighborhood resiliency initiatives, saying, "He helped lead relief efforts after Superstorm Sandy."

Supports enhancing public safety measures.

Supports the Council of School Supervisors and Administrators.

Supports the Empire State Supervisors and Administrators Association.

Supports the New York State United Teachers.

Supports the Professional Staff Congress at the City University of New York.

Supports the United Federation of Teachers.

- Supports the Council of School Supervisors and Administrators.
- Supports the Empire State Supervisors and Administrators Association.
- Supports the New York State United Teachers.
- Believes in advancing education on environmental sustainability, and teaches a course in Columbia University’s Master’s program in environmental sustainability management.
- Supports the Professional Staff Congress at the City University of New York.
- Supports the United Federation of Teachers.

As of September 23, 2024, Brian Kavanagh’s website did not contain information on this issue.

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- Their annual salary is $142,000.  

Your representative and state lawmaker in the New York Senate.