By Stephen Stirling
Newly seated Assemblywoman Grace Meng (D−Flushing) knows she is entering the state Legislature at a challenging time for the city, state and country, which is why she said it was important for her to hit the ground running.
Hours after delivering her oath of office to become the assemblywoman for the 22nd District on New Year’s Day, Meng held a news conference outside of Queens Crossing with colleague and Assembly Small Business Committee Chairman Mark Weprin (D−Little Neck) to launch her first initiative.
Meng and Weprin said they have started circulating a survey to small businesses in downtown Flushing in order to assess their needs and financial situations.
“I always believed the small businesses in Flushing are one of the most important things to insuring the health of our community,” Meng said. “Flushing as a community employs more than 30 percent of Queens employees. We have more banks than anyone in the borough and I believe we are No. 2 in the city. I always believed that Flushing really doesn’t get its fair share.
“Our town, we’re taking care of our people. I don’t think that the government gives us enough back. So one of the major things we want to find out is what these small businesses need from the government.”
Meng took office after defeating incumbent Ellen Young in the Democratic primary in September for the district, which primarily covers Flushing. Meng said she knows the challenges facing the state in an economic recession are substantial, but she is ready for the challenge.
“It’s funny: I’ve had people coming up to me saying how they feel sorry for me that I’m taking office at such a tough time,” Meng said. “It’s definitely tough, but I’m optimistic. Obviously I think that things can only get better. It’s the perfect time to be creative and innovative on ways we can provide better services for our community.”
Meng said maintaining or improving funding and services to education, senior centers and small business services are her priorities as she heads to Albany for her first year.
“I’d at least like to see funding levels for these groups maintained in light of the budgetary crisis,” she said. “But this is a good time to force all legislators from both parties to come to the table to see how we can make this work.”
Meng also said building the fabric of communities not only in her district but statewide will be key to getting through times of economic crisis in the near future.
“It sounds a little cheesy, but if we come together and get people involved in their community, get people to take ownership of their community, then that’s really what’s going to be able to get us through this.”
Reach reporter Stephen Stirling by e−mail at sstirling@timesledger.com or by phone at 718−229−0300, Ext. 138.
