Inna Vernikov: Legislative Record
Overview
Inna Vernikov serves as a Republican member of the New York City Council representing District 48 in southern Brooklyn. As one of six Republicans in the 51-member Democratic-majority body, Vernikov's legislative influence operates primarily through sponsorship, co-sponsorship, and the use of the Council minority's procedural tools rather than through committee chairmanships . As of the 2026-2029 legislative session, she has co-sponsored 61 bills originally introduced by other Council members 3.
Leadership Role
Vernikov holds the position of Minority Whip of the New York City Council, a role she first assumed in January 2022 . She briefly relinquished the position to Council Member Vickie Paladino in February 2025 before being reappointed in January 2026 . In this capacity, she coordinates the Republican minority's legislative strategy and messaging within the Democratic-dominated body.
Antisemitism and Religious Security
Vernikov co-sponsored Intro 0001-2026, which was enacted into law, establishing a plan for security perimeters adjacent to places of religious worship 3. She also co-sponsored Intro 0952-2026, requiring reporting on First Amendment events occurring at places of religious worship 3. She co-sponsored the Council's legislative package associated with the Bipartisan Task Force to Combat Antisemitism, which included new legislation and funding measures aimed at addressing hate crimes and antisemitic incidents in the city .
Education
Vernikov co-sponsored Intro 0327-2026, which was enacted, requiring the city to reimburse nonpublic schools for the cost of video surveillance cameras 3. She withdrew $50,000 in Council discretionary funding from CUNY Law School in 2022 following a faculty vote endorsing a BDS resolution, redirecting the funds to Legal Services NYC .
Public Safety
Vernikov co-sponsored Intro 0119-2026, establishing a reward program for individuals who provide information leading to the apprehension, prosecution, or conviction of perpetrators of fatal or injurious hit-and-run accidents 3. She introduced a City Council resolution in 2025 supporting state legislation to ease restrictions on pepper spray purchases in New York .
Quality of Life and Infrastructure
Vernikov co-sponsored Intro 0018-2026, which was enacted, establishing a pilot program for power-washing machines to clean sidewalk surfaces in commercial corridors 3. She co-sponsored Intro 0045-2026, requiring the director of long-term planning and sustainability to conduct an infrastructure risk study in flood-risk areas 3. She co-sponsored legislation prohibiting vending on certain streets in Queens (Intro 0370-2026) and legislation giving Council members the power to make appointments to community boards (Intro 0322-2026) 3.
Workforce and Employee Benefits
Vernikov co-sponsored Intro 0323-2026, providing paid leave for city employees who serve as bone marrow or living organ donors and establishing a city honor roll for such donors 3.
Committee Assignments
Vernikov's specific committee assignments during the 2026-2029 session are part of the Council's overall committee structure. She is not a committee chair, consistent with the minority party's limited role in the Democratic-majority Council .
Hearing Activity
Vernikov has been particularly active in pressing for oversight hearings on antisemitism within the CUNY system. She helped organize the first City Council hearing on CUNY antisemitism in June 2022, working with the Higher Education Committee . She participated in a follow-up oversight hearing in November 2024 examining CUNY's response to the findings of the Lippman Report, an independent third-party review of antisemitism within the CUNY system commissioned by Governor Kathy Hochul .
Congressional Testimony
In January 2024, Vernikov testified before the U.S. House Committee on Energy and Commerce, Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations, on the effects of federal border policies on New York City's schools, hospitals, public safety infrastructure, and city budget .
Land Use
Vernikov exercised member deference in the Council's land-use process to reshape a private rezoning application at 2501 Coney Island Avenue in 2025. She pressured the developer to reduce the project from an 11-story, 60-unit building with 24 parking spaces to a 4-story, 27-unit building with 35 parking spaces, citing concerns about neighborhood character and parking availability . The modified application was approved by the Council in May 2025 . Housing advocates criticized the outcome as prioritizing car storage over new housing in a district with limited affordable housing stock .
Voting Record
As a member of the Republican minority, Vernikov frequently votes in opposition to the Democratic majority on fiscal and social policy matters. She voted against expanding the city's speed camera program in school zones in 2022, one of seven Council members to oppose the measure . She voted against Intro 246-A, a bill related to banning landlord criminal background checks on prospective tenants . Her voting record aligns most closely with the other Republican Council members, including Vickie Paladino, Joann Ariola, David Carr, and Joseph Borelli 3.