Biography

Jeffrey Dinowitz, born on December 3, 1954, in New York City, is a Democratic politician representing the 81st Assembly District in the Bronx, New York. This district encompasses neighborhoods such as Riverdale, Kingsbridge, Van Cortlandt Village, Kingsbridge Heights, Marble Hill, Norwood, Woodlawn, and Wakefield.

Raised in the Bronx, Dinowitz has dedicated his career to public service and community advocacy. Before his election to the Assembly, he served as an Administrative Law Judge for the State of New York.

Education and Political Experience

• Education:

  • Graduated from the Bronx High School of Science.
  • Earned a Bachelor of Arts from Herbert H. Lehman College of the City University of New York in 1975.
  • Obtained a Juris Doctor from Brooklyn Law School in 1979.

• Political Experience:

  • Elected as a State Committeeman in 1978.
  • Served as a District Leader from 1986 to 1994.
  • Delegate to the Democratic National Convention in 1980, 1996, 2000, 2004, 2008, 2012, 2016, and 2020.
  • Chair of the Bronx Democratic County Committee from 2008 to 2016.
  • Secretary of the Bronx Democratic County Committee from 2018 to present.

Political Experience

• New York State Assembly:

  • Elected to the New York State Assembly in a special election on February 15, 1994, succeeding Oliver Koppell.
  • Currently serves as Chair of the Assembly Committee on Codes.
  • Member of the Rules, Ways and Means, Health, and Election Law committees.
  • Previously chaired the Committees on Judiciary, Corporations, Authorities and Commissions, Consumer Affairs and Protection, Aging, and Alcoholism and Drug Abuse.

• Legislative Achievements:

  • Authored the Anti-Human Trafficking Act .
  • Sponsored the National Popular Vote Interstate Compact .
  • Introduced the MTA Lockbox legislation .
  • Led the repeal of non-medical vaccine exemptions .
  • Enacted the COVID-19 Emergency Eviction and Foreclosure Prevention Act .

• Community Advocacy:

  • Advocated for increased funding to New York City schools to address historic inequities.
  • Championed tenants' rights and supported homeowners.
  • Supported mass transit improvements and substantial climate action initiatives.
  • Opposed the construction of a multi-billion dollar water filtration plant in Van Cortlandt Park.
  • Spearheaded the creation of a business improvement district in Kingsbridge.
  • Played a key role in establishing two new middle/high schools in Riverdale and Kingsbridge.

Throughout his tenure, Assemblyman Dinowitz has been a steadfast advocate for his constituents, focusing on education reform, housing rights, public transportation, and environmental sustainability.