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# Here’s What’s Happening In Brooklyn’s Political Scene
- URL: https://bklyner.com/heres-whats-happening-in-brooklyns-political-scene/
- Published: 2019-01-31T15:28:33.000Z
- Updated: 2019-02-01T01:17:10.000Z
- Author: Kadia Goba
- Tags: News, Nonsponsored, Politics, #wp

BROOKLYN — There’s a lot going on in Brooklyn today and some important things happened this week.

U.S. Rep Hakeem Jeffries of Congressional District 8 is delivering his annual State of the District at [Brooklyn Technical High School](https://www.bths.edu/?ref=bklyner.com) in the Clinton Hill/Ft. Greene area at 6:00 p.m. today, Thursday, January 31\. Last year, [No. 5](/brooklyn-congressman-hakeem-jeffries-is-the-new-democratic-caucus-chair/) committed to keeping Starrett City (Spring Creek) affordable after the May 2018 sale of the development of which President Donald Trump had a 4 percent stake.

![](/content/images/bklyner/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/Public-Advocate-Debate-January-31-2019.jpg)

Vanguard Independent Democratic Association (VIDA) hosts a public advocate’s debate.

[Vanguard Independent Democratic Association (VIDA)](http://www.vidabk.com/?ref=bklyner.com) is holding a Public Advocate’s debate at Boys & Girls High School today. Doors open at 6:00 pm. The debate will begin at 7:00 p.m. VIDA reps said more than a thousand people RSVP’d. Esmeralda Simmons will moderate along with Brian Vines of BRIC Media. Confused about who’s on the ballot, read [this](/alas-the-final-count-for-the-upcoming-public-advocates-race-is-17/).

[Soliday Space](/public-advocate-series/) is also hosting a group forum today. The ongoing series brings Public Advocate candidates to Southern Brooklyn. The intimate setting gives audience members a chance to ask those detailed questions. Nomiki Konst, Dawn Smalls and Benjamin Yee will field questions tonight. The event starts at 6:30 p.m with Ross Barkan hosting.

![](/content/images/bklyner/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/Screen-Shot-2019-01-31-at-9.59.12-AM.png)

Solidarity Apsce and Bklyner collaborate on public advocate forums in Southern Brooklyn

Borough President Eric Adams is hosting a birthday party to celebrate famed baseball player Jackie Robinson’s 100th Birthday. The Ebbets Field icon is getting a posthumous key to the borough at 10:00 a.m at [Borough Hall,](https://www.brooklyn-usa.org/?ref=bklyner.com) in Downtown Brooklyn.

Julia Salzar made good on her [word](/weve-got-the-scoop-on-state-senator-salazar/) when she introduced her first housing bill Wednesday. The “good cause” legislation would prevent tenants in market-rate apartments from being evicted should their rent increase a certain amount. The Real Deal has the story [here](https://therealdeal.com/2019/01/30/sen-julia-salazars-new-eviction-bill-is-the-first-step-toward-universal-rent-control/?ref=bklyner.com). Albany Dems are expected to introduce a ton of housing reform bills.

U.S. Congresswoman Yvette Clarke was also in the news this week but not for desirable reasons. In an opinion piece, [The Post](https://nypost.com/2019/01/26/how-rep-yvette-clarke-dodged-scrutiny-for-120k-disappearing-act/?ref=bklyner.com) recommended Speaker Nancy Pelosi forgo any thoughts of appointing the lawmaker back onto the Ethics Committee because Clarke thwarted questions about $120,000 of her congressional funding that vanished in 2016.

Former Brooklyn District Attorney Charles Hynes [died](https://nypost.com/2019/01/30/longtime-brooklyn-da-charles-hynes-dead-at-83/?ref=bklyner.com). He was 83\. Mixed feelings on Twitter but current Brooklyn DA Eric Gonzales issued a statement via social.

> Statement From Brooklyn District Attorney Eric Gonzalez Regarding the Passing of Charles "Joe" Hynes: [pic.twitter.com/2QqwiAs8p7](https://t.co/2QqwiAs8p7?ref=bklyner.com)
> 
> — Eric Gonzalez (@BrooklynDA) [January 30, 2019](https://twitter.com/BrooklynDA/status/1090668581766004736?ref%5Fsrc=twsrc%5Etfw&ref=bklyner.com)

Assemblymember Rodneyse Bichotte will also hold her State of the District tonight. The event will take place between 6:00 p.m and 8:00 p.m. inside the [Student Center at Brooklyn College.](http://www.brooklyn.cuny.edu/web/home.php?ref=bklyner.com)