January 16, 2026 New York, NY The honeymoon phase for New York City’s new leadership is over, and the knives are officially out.
In a move that sent shockwaves through the 115th Precinct to the steps of the Capitol, City Council Speaker Julie Menin unveiled her new leadership team on Thursday. The headline? A ruthless reshuffling of the council’s most powerful committees that has left some veterans sidelined and elevated a new circle of "loyalists" to oversee the city’s 18,000 miles of roads and sidewalks.
The Ouster of Selvena Brooks-Powers
In what many insiders are calling a political "eviction," Council Member Selvena Brooks-Powers has been stripped of her title as Chair of the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure.
Brooks-Powers, who unsuccessfully challenged Menin for the Speakership, fought hard to keep the role, even lobbying Governor Kathy Hochul for transit funding in her final weeks. Instead, she has been moved to the Criminal Justice Committee—a clear signal that the Menin era is prioritizing "fresh, bold leadership" over the old guard.
Enter the New Power Broker: Shaun Abreu
Taking the throne is Manhattan’s Shaun Abreu, a fierce ally of Speaker Menin and a key supporter of the city’s new Mayor, Zohran Mamdani.
Abreu isn't just a political favorite; he’s the man who waged war on NYC’s "trash mountains." As the former Sanitation Chair, he spearheaded the "Empire Bins" initiative, successfully forcing 100% trash containerization in West Harlem. Now, he’s taking that same "people-first" aggression to the city's transit crisis.
What to expect under Abreu’s reign:
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The "Fast and Free" Bus Revolution: Aligning with Mayor Mamdani’s campaign promises to overhaul city bus speeds.
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Safety First: A focus on making every mile of the city’s 6,300 miles of roadway "safe and well-maintained."
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Aggressive Oversight: A tightening of the leash on the Department of Transportation (DOT).
The "Mamdani Connection"
This isn't just a committee change; it’s a strategic alignment. Abreu was an early endorser of Mayor Mamdani, and his appointment ensures the Mayor has a "ride-or-die" ally in the Council to push through controversial transit reforms.
