Articles

NY State Assembly Member Jenifer Rajkumar says it's time for a woman to crunch the numbers in city government and is running for New York City comptroller.

“Rajkumar...filed the paperwork for the committee with the city's Campaign Finance Board on Friday, which allows her to raise funds for a potential bid. “Government inefficiency is costing lives,” she said. “I believe I can fix it.” She said local residents spoke to her about the “need for an engaged and effective comptroller, who could make positive change across the city.” Rajkumar added that New Yorkers “pay some of the highest taxes in the country, and yet they are still not able to get life-saving health care, quality education or enough return on their investment."

"She's shown up at places like Fresh Kills, Staten Island, for a composting event, in Bedford-Stuyvesant, Brooklyn, for public lockers, at City Hall to celebrate a new affordable housing project and most recently in the Bronx to celebrate the National Puerto Rican Day Parade... Though the race is more than a year out, shoring up support now could be beneficial for Rajkumar, who would have to appeal to a wide swath of voters..."

“I authorized this commonsense legislative package to address the reckless use of e-bikes, one of the biggest issues at the top of New Yorker’s minds,” said [Assemblywoman Jenifer Rajkumar], “Last year we witnessed a record number of deaths from e-bike riders disregarding traffic laws and using dangerous, reconditioned batteries. My package honors the memory of Priscilla Loke and all the victims of e-bike collisions and fires by providing the same requirements for e-bikes as other motorized vehicles: license plates, insurance and inspection.”

“Jenifer Rajkumar was honored as a 2024 "Above & Beyond" Honoree as a trailblazing woman leading a group of history makers in New York.”

“State Assemblywoman Jenifer Rajkumar speaks with Rosanna Scotto about her groundbreaking SMOKEOUT Act bill to close all illegal weed shops and her new legislative package to regulate e-bikes and e-scooters by requiring they are licensed with registration and insurance:”

“FOX 5 NY speaks with New York State Assemblywoman Jenifer Rajkumar of Queens about her new bill, the 'Smokeout Act' bill, which would aim to shutter the 35,000 unlicensed weed shops across the state by giving power to cities and municipalities to close the shops.”

"Assemblywoman Jenifer Rajkumar (D-Queens) has hit the ground running with a bill to let the NYPD and others shutter illegal pot shops across the Empire State.

Gov. Hochul and the Legislature, make this the law now."

"Rajkumar organized the press conference after two recent hate crimes against the Sikh-American community in October.

She said hate crimes against Sikhs increased by 140 percent in 2021 alone.

With a packed room of Sikh leaders, Rajkumar and Adams charted a path forward with the Sikh community.

They announced their plan for a citywide campaign to educate the public on the generosity, inclusivity and bravery of the Sikh people, including how Sikhs are tasked to be the protectors of the vulnerable."

“I am proud to bring the people of New York state this monumental achievement for our environment and health. By simply covering rail cars transporting waste, we will prevent noxious fumes and hazardous waste from endangering people. All we have to do is put a lid on it,” Rajkumar said. “It is time to put a lid on the garbage, to put a lid on the noxious fumes, to put a lid on the hazardous waste. It’s time to put a lid on the destruction of our health and to put a lid on the destruction of our environment Just put a lid on it. It is common sense.”

"54 Democratic lawmakers sent a letter to Biden. The letter was drafted by state assemblywoman Jenifer Rajkumar who told Good Day NY the city is at a 'breaking point.'“

"Fifty-four Democratic lawmakers from across New York City signed a letter on Wednesday demanding President Biden provide immediate assistance with the migrant crisis gripping their metropolis. Drafted by State Assemblywoman Jenifer Rajkumar (D-Queens), the letter begs Biden to provide assistance to “one of the most significant humanitarian crises New York City has ever faced” and is at 'a breaking point.' Rajkumar, during an interview, said the goal of the publicly released letter to Biden wasn’t aimed at embarrassing or showing up the president but to communicate the need to more aggressively address the migrant crisis that is quickly straining New York City’s resources. 'We need President Biden’s leadership, and we are willing to work with the president,' added the Queens state representative.’”

“State Assemblywoman Jenifer Rajkumar made history by leading and winning the epic 30 year fight to make Diwali a School Holiday in NYC Schools. This gives recognition to over 600,000 Hindu, Sikh, Buddhist and Jain New Yorkers in the largest school system in the country. This is the City Hall press conference celebrating this historic win..”

"Rajkumar had previously worked at a domestic violence organization. Her experience helping women there led her to becoming a lawyer. During her career in law, she secured housing and employment rights for domestic violence survivors so they can become economically empowered, and litigated one of the top 10 cases in the world advancing women’s equality. Upon taking office in 2021, Rajkumar became the first South Asian women to ever be elected to office in the state of New York.

"'I witnessed inspiring survivors who emerged from abusive situations to become powerful and joyous,' Rajkumar said. 'Witnessing my clients who broke free from violence standing gloriously in their new power is something that has stayed with me and that will always animate me.'"

"Indian-American New York Assembly woman Jenifer Rajkumar is being credited with successfully pursuing two incidents of hate crime directed at the Gandhi statue outside the Tulsi Mandir.

Maintaining that anti-Hindu hate crime has been on the rise in the US, Jenifer, the first Indian-American elected official in New York state, had been persistently seeking that the perpetrators be 'apprehended swiftly'."

Rajkumar passed and got signed into law a historic bill creating the first ever Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) Commission in State Government. Hear her talk about it on Capitol Pressroom.

“New York state will now empower crime victims, giving them the support they need to get back on their feet after crimes of gross reckless endangerment that leave emotional and mental scars," Rajkumar said. "With the signing of my bill, we are recognizing that all victims of serious crimes need our help.”

“With a new year comes a new era of dignity and respect for our domestic workers,” Rajkumar said, "They are a cornerstone of our economy and our society. By caring for our children, our aging parents and our loved ones with disabilities, they allow so many of us the flexibility to pursue careers.”