Because the people you elect have a meaningful effect on your life, your rights and your city.

In its last two sessions, the New York City Council rezoned Coney Island, required building owners to allow bikes in elevators, outlawed idling near schools, banned smoking outside of hospitals, raised the sales tax, added over a thousand fresh fruit vendors to city streets, tackled storm water management and extended their term limits.

In 2008 and 2009, State representatives reduced an MTA fare hike with a taxi surcharge and new taxes, banned texting while driving, stopped efforts to speed buses with automated enforcement, stalled voting on gay marriage and, yes, even had some difficulties in keeping the Senate working.

Submitted by: lindsey | August 20, 2009