Jabari Brisport: Policy Positions

Children and Families

As Chair of the Senate Committee on Children and Families, Brisport has made universal child care a central legislative priority . He introduced the Universal Child Care Act, which would establish a task force to develop a phased rollout of free child care for all New York families at an estimated cost of $5 billion, create a permanent workforce pay equity fund for child care workers, and launch a public option pilot program . The bill has been introduced in successive sessions, most recently as S3415A in the 2025-2026 session . Brisport has expressed public skepticism toward Governor Hochul's child care proposals, questioning whether they would result in truly universal coverage .

Brisport has also advocated for foster care system reforms, including legislation to increase monthly rent subsidies for foster youth living independently from $300 to $725 and to index those subsidies to inflation (S5419B) . He has sponsored a bill to establish a universal basic income program for youth aging out of foster care (S7291) and legislation to reserve a proportion of affordable housing lottery units for former foster youth .

Housing

Brisport has described housing as a human right and has opposed policies that treat it primarily as a market commodity . During his first term, he supported legislation to restrict foreclosures and evictions for two years (S50001), to designate certain Brooklyn zip codes as Cease and Desist Zones to prevent aggressive real estate solicitation (S2929B), and to provide additional protections against unjust foreclosures (S5473D) . He has advocated for Good Cause Eviction legislation and the Tenant Opportunity to Purchase Act, which would give tenants the right of first refusal when their buildings are put up for sale .

Brisport introduced a Fight Deed Theft Package consisting of four bills aimed at reducing the frequency and success of deed theft schemes . He has also called for full federal funding for the New York City Housing Authority and worked with the congressional delegation to include $40 billion for NYCHA in the Build Back Better legislation .

Taxation and Economic Policy

Brisport is a vocal advocate for raising taxes on wealthy individuals and corporations . He has supported proposals for a wealth tax and revisions to the state income tax structure to increase rates on high earners . His campaign does not accept corporate donations, relying instead on grassroots fundraising .

Healthcare

Brisport supports the New York Health Act, which would establish a single-payer healthcare system in New York State . He has framed access to healthcare as a basic need that the state has an obligation to provide .

Climate and Energy

Brisport co-sponsored the Build Public Renewables Act (S4134), which was signed into law and enables the New York Power Authority to build and own renewable energy generation, storage, and transmission infrastructure . He has also introduced legislation to prohibit teacher pension funds from investing in fossil fuel companies . He supports a Green New Deal framework for the state .

Criminal Justice and Policing

Brisport has advocated for reducing interactions between New Yorkers and the police, primarily through the decriminalization of nonviolent offenses such as sex work and simple drug possession . He has supported the HALT Solitary Confinement Act and proposed a sentencing reform commission to reduce the state incarceration rate to pre-War on Drugs levels . He was among DSA-aligned legislators who called for defunding the New York City police budget in 2020 .

Education

As a former public school teacher, Brisport has prioritized increasing state funding for public schools and helped secure $1.4 billion in additional education funding . He has opposed the diversion of public funds to private or charter school alternatives and has advocated for green school infrastructure through the Build Public Renewables Act .

Foreign Policy and International Issues

Brisport supports the Boycott, Divestment, and Sanctions movement targeting Israel . He was arrested in October 2023 while participating in a demonstration related to the Israel-Palestine conflict . He co-signed a letter condemning Columbia University's suspension of pro-Palestinian student organizations in November 2023 and signed a joint statement with 13 socialist elected officials supporting student encampments in April 2024 .