Stephen Levin (politician)

Stephen T. Levin (born December 3, 1981)[1] is an American non-profit executive and politician. He is the CEO of Solar One, a green energy advocacy not-for-profit and the former New York City Councilmember for the 33rd district.[2]

Stephen Levin
Levin in 2010
Member of the New York City Council
from the 33rd District
In office
January 1, 2010 – December 31, 2021
Preceded byDavid Yassky
Succeeded byLincoln Restler
Personal details
Born (1981-12-03) December 3, 1981
Plainfield, New Jersey, U.S.
Political partyDemocratic
Alma materBrown University (B.A.)
WebsiteOfficial website

Early life and education

Levin grew up in Plainfield, New Jersey. Related to former U.S. Senator Carl Levin of Michigan, and former Congressman Sander Levin from Michigan's 9th congressional district, he graduated from Brown University with a degree in Classics and Comparative Literature.[3][4]

Career

He moved to Brooklyn and began his career working with the Lead Safe House Program at the Ridgewood Bushwick Senior Citizens Council. In 2006 he went to work as chief of staff to New York State Assemblymember Vito Lopez.[5]

Levin was arrested, along with Public Advocate Bill de Blasio, as an act of civil disobedience in protest of the closure of Long Island College Hospital in Brooklyn. He delivered 7,000 petitions to SUNY officials there demanding that the hospital stay open.[6]

In September 2010, he was named one of City & State's "40 under 40" for being a young influential member of New York City politics.[7]

New York City Council

Levin was elected to replace David Yassky, who vacated the position to run for New York City Comptroller, in a competitive seven-way race with the support of Assemblyman Vito Lopez. Lopez helped him secure endorsements from the United Federation of Teachers (UFT), DC 37, the Working Families Party, the New York League of Conservation Voters, Senator Charles Schumer, Brooklyn Borough President Marty Markowitz, and Congresswoman Carolyn Maloney.[8] Most importantly, Lopez secured for his former employee the support of the Zaloni faction of the Jewish Satmar community in Williamsburg. That Hasidic faction provided Levin with his margin of victory in 2009.

In 2013, Levin introduced participatory budgeting, a democratic process in which community members directly decide how to spend part of a public budget, to his district. At that time, Levin was one of eight members of the City Council to offer participatory budgeting to his constituents.[9]

Levin originally opposed the Rose Plaza housing complex on the Williamsburg waterfront. The project initially called for 20 percent affordable housing and 30 three-bedroom apartments. He then voted for the project when the developer agreed to build 60 three-bedroom apartments and 14 four-bedroom apartments, all priced below the market rate. The development passed in council 18-1.[10] Levin also negotiated an agreement with the Community Preservation Corporation Resources (CPCR) over the Domino Sugar factory redevelopment plan.[11] He has also worked with Assemblyman Lopez to seek federal subsidies for public housing developments in Brooklyn.[12]

Levin introduced a bill to reduce fines for street food vendors over procedural violations. The bill passed at the City Council on February 27, 2013, and reduced regulations for them.[13]

Levin is term-limited and could not run for re-election in 2021. His term on the City Council ended on January 1, 2022.[14]

Solar One

In his post City Council career, he has taken on the role of CEO of Solar One.[2]

Personal life

Levin resides in Greenpoint, Brooklyn with his wife and children.

Election history
Location Year Election Results
NYC Council
District 33		 2009 Democratic Primary √ Stephen Levin 33.71%
Jo Anne Simon 20.16%
Isaac Abraham 12.56%
Evan R. Thies 12.42%
Kenneth Diamondstone 8.59%
Doug Biviano 7.31%
Ken Baer 5.26%
NYC Council
District 33		 2009 General √ Stephen Levin (D) 93.33%
Elizabeth Tretter (Conservative) 6.60%
NYC Council
District 33		 2013 Democratic Primary √ Stephen Levin 73.52%
Stephen E. Pierson 26.48%
NYC Council
District 33		 2013 General √ Stephen Levin (D) 91.91%
John Jasilli (R) 7.83%
NYC Council
District 33		 2017 General √ Stephen Levin (D) 89%
Victoria Cambranes (Other) 11% [15]

References
  1. Fishbein, Rebecca (April 18, 2012). "New York activist Stephen Levin, 31". Timeout.com. Retrieved September 21, 2013.
  2. Barry, Michael. "Solar One Announces Appointment of Stephen Levin as Chief Executive Officer" (Press release). Solar One. Retrieved January 5, 2022.
  3. "Even Stephens: Alums face off in race for Brooklyn City Council".
  4. "Stephen Levin to Represent the 33rd District in the City Council « Only the Blog Knows Brooklyn".
  5. "33rd City Council District | Gotham Votes". Gothamgazette.com. Retrieved September 21, 2013.
  6. "Bill de Blasio and Steve Levin Arrested Protesting Against Closure Of Long Island College Hospital | New York Daily News". Nydailynews.com. July 10, 2013. Retrieved September 21, 2013.
  7. Rising Stars 40 Under 40: Stephen Levin Archived February 12, 2012, at the Wayback Machine, City & State, September 28, 2010.
  8. "Archived copy". Archived from the original on March 9, 2012. Retrieved July 20, 2010.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  9. Schuh, Jamie (July 17, 2012). "Four New Council Members Announce Participatory Budgeting - Government - Carroll Gardens, NY Patch". Carrollgardens.patch.com. Retrieved September 21, 2013.
  10. Brown, Eliot. "Council Approves Rose Plaza | The New York Observer". Observer.com. Archived from the original on April 17, 2010. Retrieved September 21, 2013.
  11. "After Modest Changes, City Council O.K.'s Domino Sugar Development | The New York Observer". Observer.com. Archived from the original on July 2, 2010. Retrieved September 21, 2013.
  12. Linderman, Juliet. "Greenpoint Gazette:Housing Bill Passes Thanks to North Brooklyn Electeds". Greenpointnews.com. Retrieved September 21, 2013.
  13. "City eases up on fines against street vendors | Brooklyn Daily Eagle". Brooklyneagle.com. March 4, 2013. Retrieved September 21, 2013.
  14. "How long can each New York City Council member serve?". City and State NY. February 21, 2018. Retrieved July 12, 2020.
  15. "New York City and New York state election results, 2017". New York Daily News. Retrieved December 1, 2017.
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