Dion's campaign is centered on addressing critical local issues through the following:

 

Enhanced Fair Share Plan: Adopted in the 1989 City Charter Revision, the “Fair Share” provisions mandate that the City ensures communities receive their fair share of amenities—such as parks and libraries—while also contributing their fair share to addressing citywide challenges like homelessness. However, an audit and report from New York City Comptroller Brad Lander revealed that the City continues to distribute facilities unevenly across neighborhoods. By withholding critical data on the concentration of services, the City has failed to conduct the required analysis of neighborhood impacts. As a member of the City Council, Dion will advocate for full transparency and accountability, ensuring that the report’s recommendations are implemented and that every community receives equitable resources and support. Read More >>

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Legislative Health Plan: New York City faces serious racial health disparities, with Black and Hispanic New Yorkers experiencing higher rates of illness and premature death than White New Yorkers, rooted in social and economic inequities. He proposes legislation to address these gaps, including Hospital Equity Reporting on disparities and plans to reduce them; Environmental Justice mandates to assess and mitigate health impacts on affected communities; Transportation Impact Mitigation to reduce emissions-related health issues in vulnerable areas; Vital Records Updates for better tracking of disparities; and Community Benefit Plans and Nonprofit Hospital Accountability to ensure healthcare institutions actively work to improve health equity. These measures will help build a healthier, more equitable city. Read More >>

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Housing Linkage Policy: As a Councilman, Dion is proposing legislation to establish a Housing Linkage Policy in New York City. This policy, also known as a linkage or impact fee program, will charge developers of new market-rate construction, with the funds directed toward creating and preserving affordable housing. The goal is to connect market-rate development with the needs of low- and moderate-income residents, promoting a fairer, more equitable city. Under this legislation, developers will pay a fee per square foot of new construction, which will fund affordable housing projects and support other critical public services, such as workforce training. This ensures that large-scale real estate developments benefit the broader community, not just the developers. 

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Community Benefits Agreements: As a City Council member, Dion will introduce legislation to establish a clear framework for Community Benefits Agreements (CBAs) in New York City. This will empower residents and community groups to negotiate directly with developers, ensuring projects deliver benefits like affordable housing, local hiring, and living wages—especially for low-income communities and communities of color. With eight U.S. municipalities and 41 states already enacting CBA legislation, it’s time for New York City to ensure that development benefits everyone, not just a select few. Read More >>

 

Equitable Procurement Legislation: As a City Council member, Dion will champion legislation to create an Equitable Procurement and Contracting Framework that guarantees fair access to government contracts for all businesses, with a focus on minority- and women-owned firms. This initiative will break down long-standing barriers and foster inclusive participation in our city’s economic opportunities. He will also advocate for bi-annual Disparity Studies to monitor contracting practices and uncover any exclusionary trends. Cities like Boston have successfully boosted minority participation through similar efforts—it's time for New York City to follow suit and build a fairer, more inclusive procurement process. Read More >>

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Fighting to Maintain Green Space: Dion is a strong advocate for the preservation of Green Spaces within the 35th District. These spaces are not just about nature; they are about our health. They significantly benefit health by reducing stress, improving mental and physical well-being, and promoting physical activity. They also contribute to a healthier environment by improving air quality. As our Councilman, he wants to reassure us that he will always oppose harmful developments to the natural greenery in the district. For instance, the potential construction of a skateboard complex in Mount Prospect Park would disrupt the area's tranquility, and urbanizing the 35th City Council would threaten our green spaces, like the trees in Fort Greene Park, and our way of life, leading to increased stress and decreased well-being. This is a situation we cannot afford to let happen, and our city council member Dion wants you to know that he is committed to fighting to make sure it does not occur.

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Closing the Childcare Gap: New York City is currently experiencing a childcare crisis that profoundly affects families and the city’s economy. As a City Council member, Dion will advocate for innovative solutions to this growing dilemma. Many New York families are struggling because of the scarcity of affordable, high-quality childcare. This persistent barrier threatens families’ ability to remain in the city and significantly affects their daily lives by forcing tough decisions about work and family. The 2024 “Child Care Availability Task Force Report” by the New York State Office of Children and Family Services revealed that in some neighborhoods, the supply of licensed childcare falls far short of demand, with more than three children under six years of age for every available slot. This crisis is forcing many parents—disproportionately mothers—to exit the workforce or seek unreliable care solutions, making it increasingly difficult for families to establish and maintain deep roots in the city. This exodus from the workforce not only affects families but also has a significant deleterious impact on the city’s economy.

According to the Center for Urban Future, New York City is home to 10,135 licensed, registered childcare providers. This figure represents a 7.8% increase over the last decade, reflecting a significant decline in the availability of childcare slots in the city. For instance, 14% of the city’s census tracts qualify as childcare “deserts” given the substantial child population and the lack of licensed providers. These deserts make up 15% of Brooklyn, 18% of Queens, 27% of Staten Island, several pockets of Manhattan (11%), and a few communities in the Bronx (3%).

To close the childcare gap, securing investments from state and city governments and fostering partnerships with the city’s private sector are imperative. Dion will fight within the city council for significant allocations from the city budget to help close the city’s childcare gap. Once elected to the city council, he will collaborate with his colleagues in the council and the current administration in City Hall to foster partnerships with the city’s private sector to help close the gap. Partnerships with the private sector are not just beneficial but essential in our mission to provide quality childcare for all families in New York City.

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Open Streets Modification: Dion appreciates the Open Streets concept but believes it's time for a community-driven change. As a City Council member, he will propose modifications to the current Open Streets scheme, taking into account the feedback and needs of our community. Dion will advocate for closing only one street each weekend in community districts where two or more open streets operate, a decision that directly aligns with our collective interests. Dion will advocate for limiting the closures to one day on a weekend, from 11 am to 6 pm, a timeframe similar to block parties. This decision, made in consultation with our community, will best serve our collective well-being.  He will not support streets closed on weekdays like Underhill and Willoughby Avenues. Dion is campaigning for the city council in this District to protect the well-being and enhance the quality of life for all District 35 residents, and I invite you to be part of this journey.

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Increasing Access to Skills Trade: As a member of the City Council, Dion will advocate for increased access to the Skills Trades for New Yorkers, an issue that demands our immediate attention. He will introduce resolutions supporting legislation currently pending in Albany, like -A2594 in the Assembly and S09376 in the Senate, which will enact the Good Jobs Guarantee Act. This vital initiative provides New York state residents with workforce training and employment opportunities. This act has the potential to significantly transform our workforce, offering not just jobs but high-paying jobs to those who acquire the necessary skills. These high-paying jobs will not only provide financial security but also inspire and motivate our workforce, empowering them to strive for excellence.​