Melinda Katz
| Melinda Katz | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Katz in 2013 | |
| 19th Borough President of Queens | |
| In office January 1, 2014 – Incumbent | |
| Preceded by | Helen Marshall |
| Member of the New York City Council from the 29th District | |
| In office 2002–2009 | |
| Preceded by | Karen Koslowitz |
| Succeeded by | Karen Koslowitz |
| Constituency | Forest Hills, Rego Park, Kew Gardens, Maspeth, South Elmhurst, Richmond Hill |
| Member of the New York State Assembly from the 28th district | |
| In office 1994–1999 | |
| Personal details | |
| Born | August 19, 1965 Forest Hills, Queens |
| Nationality | United States |
| Political party | Democratic |
| Domestic partner | Curtis Sliwa |
| Residence | Forest Hills, Queens |
| Alma mater | University of Massachusetts Amherst St. John's University School of Law |
| Website | Campaign website |
Melinda R. Katz (born August 19, 1965) is a New York politician who is currently the Queens Borough President.
Katz was a New York City Councilwoman from 2002 to 2009.[1] She left politics in 2009 to work at Greenberg Traurig, a law firm where she specializes in government affairs and land use.[2] In 2012, she announced her return to politics with a run for Queens Borough President in 2013.[2] She had previously run for City Comptroller in 2009.[1]
Early life
Melinda Katz grew up in Forest Hills, Queens, and still resides there with her two children, fathered by radio personality Curtis Sliwa. On February 14, 2015 the New York Daily News reported they separated on Election Day 2014.
She comes from a family with a long history of civic involvement. Her father, the late Maestro David Katz, was founder of the Queens Symphony Orchestra in 1953, and her mother, the late Jeanne Dale Katz, founded the Queens Council on the Arts.[3]
Katz graduated from the University of Massachusetts Amherst, summa cum laude, where she was named a Commonwealth Scholar, and later earned a law degree from St. John's University School of Law.[3] She was recruited by the law firm Weil, Gotshal & Manges, where she worked as an associate for several years before running for the New York State Assembly.[3] In 1995, the New York Daily News named her "one of the one hundred up-and-coming young leaders for the 21st Century."[3]
Katz is involved in a court case involving her former live-in boyfriend, Curtis Sliwa. Sliwa is accused by his ex-wife Mary of diverting money to Katz while still married to Mary as part of a plan to build a "nest egg" with Katz prior to moving in with her.[4][5]
Political career
During Katz's tenure in the New York City Council (2002 to 2009),[1] she represented the 29th Council District, which includes Forest Hills, Rego Park, Kew Gardens and parts of Maspeth, South Elmhurst and Richmond Hill.[1] Katz served as Chair of the Standing Committee on Land Use, which was responsible for approving rezoning measures that will ultimately give an extreme makeover to wide-ranging pockets of the city, including, Williamsburg, Greenpoint[6] and Jamaica.[7] As chair of the committee, Katz oversaw the rezoning of 6,000 city blocks, including the Greenpoint-Williamsburg rezoning in 2005.[8] Prior to being elected to the New York City Council, Katz was Director of Community Boards for the Office of the Queens Borough President (1999–2002),[1] and served as a Member of the New York State Assembly representing Queens' 28th District (1994–1999), which included Forest Hills, Rego Park, and parts of Middle Village and Glendale.[9]
During her tenure as an Assembly Member, Katz authored sixteen bills that became laws, including some crucial health care initiatives.[3] She wrote the law requiring HMOs to provide women direct access to gynecological care without forcing them to first see a primary care physician.[3] She was also the Chair of the Sub-committee on Urban Health.[3] Additionally, she has carried several bills to increase penalties for various forms of assault and has been a long-time supporter of working men and women.[3] In June 2009, she was the only woman running in the Democratic Primary for New York City Comptroller.[3]
In 2012, she announced her plans to run for Queens Borough President in 2013.[2] She has been endorsed by Congresswoman Grace Meng, Councilman Leroy Comrie and the 1199 hospital workers union.[10]
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 "Candidate Melinda Katz: City Controller". The New York Daily News. August 16, 2009. Retrieved October 25, 2012.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 Cullen, Terence. "Katz creates campaign team for Queens borough president run". Katz creates campaign team for Queens borough president run. Terence Cullen. Retrieved October 25, 2012.
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 3.3 3.4 3.5 3.6 3.7 3.8 Huffington Post, The (2009). "Melinda Katz". The Huffington Post. Retrieved October 25, 2012.
- ↑ "Guardian Angels' Curtis Sliwa Swindled Wife During Affair, Lawsuit Says - Forest Hills - DNAinfo.com New York". Dnainfo.com. 2013-05-09. Retrieved 2015-03-01.
- ↑ "Curtis Sliwa child-support trial: Melinda Katz gets grilled". NY Daily News. 2013-12-11. Retrieved 2015-03-01.
- ↑ "Katz, Melinda". Candidate Details. Our Campaigns.com. Retrieved October 25, 2012.
- ↑ Craven Mcginty, Jo (September 11, 2007). "Rezoning Plan for Jamaica Wins Approval of Council". The New York Times. Retrieved October 25, 2012.
- ↑ Hughes, C.J. "Where real estate meets politics". Where real estate meets politics. The Real Deal. Retrieved October 25, 2012.
- ↑ "Melinda Katz". Queensnewyork.com. Retrieved October 25, 2012.
- ↑ Ross Barkan (2013-08-15). "Melinda Katz Scores 1199 Endorsement | Observer". Politicker.com. Retrieved 2015-03-01.
| Political offices | ||
|---|---|---|
| Preceded by Alan Hevesi |
New York State Assembly, 28th District 1994–1999 |
Succeeded by Michael Cohen |
| Preceded by Karen Koslowitz |
New York City Council, 29th District 2002–2009 |
Succeeded by Karen Koslowitz |
| Preceded by Helen Marshall |
Borough President of Queens 2014–present |
Incumbent |
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