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== Political career ==
== Political career ==


=== Nonprofit founder and president ===
Menin became active in New York City politics when she founded and became president of Wall Street Rising, a [[non-profit organization]] created in the aftermath of the [[September 11 attacks|September 11, 2001 attacks]] to return "vibrancy and vitality" in Lower Manhattan. It is now the fastest growing neighborhood in New York City with tourism up 40% since 2008, and a growing commercial makeup as well.<ref>{{cite web|last=research@downtownny.com|title=Lower Manhattan Market Year in Review 2011|url=http://www.downtownny.com/sites/default/files/LM%20Real%20Estate%20Market%20Q4_Final.pdf|publisher=The Downtown Alliance}}</ref>
Following 9/11, Menin founded and was the president of the nonprofit Wall Street Rising, a leading catalyst in the recovery of the downtown neighborhood.<ref>{{cite news|title=Mayor de Blasio Appoints Julie Menin as Commissioner of Department of Consumer Affairs|url=http://www1.nyc.gov/office-of-the-mayor/news/174-14/mayor-de-blasio-appoints-julie-menin-commissioner-department-consumer-affairs/#/0|work=The official website of the City of New York|date=24 April 2014}}</ref> She helped small businesses access grants, insurance, and other monetary aid; grew the organization to 30,000 members; and created a variety of programs, including the Retail Attraction Program, which helped more than 600 small businesses stay in lower Manhattan.<ref>{{cite news|title=Mayor de Blasio Appoints Julie Menin as Commissioner of Department of Consumer Affairs|url=http://www1.nyc.gov/office-of-the-mayor/news/174-14/mayor-de-blasio-appoints-julie-menin-commissioner-department-consumer-affairs/#/0|work=The official website of the City of New York|date=24 April 2014}}</ref>


=== Chairperson for Community Board 1 ===
In 2002, Menin was appointed as a Redistricting Commissioner to help in redrawing the new boundaries of the [[New York City Council]].
Beginning in 2005, Menin served as Chairperson for Community Board 1, where she was unanimously elected for three consecutive terms totaling seven years, and was widely recognized for her role in revitalizing lower Manhattan following the upheaval of 9/11.<ref>{{cite news|title=Mayor de Blasio Appoints Julie Menin as Commissioner of Department of Consumer Affairs|url=http://www1.nyc.gov/office-of-the-mayor/news/174-14/mayor-de-blasio-appoints-julie-menin-commissioner-department-consumer-affairs/#/0|work=The official website of the City of New York|date=24 April 2014}}</ref> Commissioner Menin has served on the boards of the Lower Manhattan Development Corporation, the NYC Redistricting Commission, the Municipal Art Society, Governor’s Island, the National September 11 Memorial & Museum, and the World Trade Center Performing Arts Center, among others.<ref>{{cite news|title=Mayor de Blasio Appoints Julie Menin as Commissioner of Department of Consumer Affairs|url=http://www1.nyc.gov/office-of-the-mayor/news/174-14/mayor-de-blasio-appoints-julie-menin-commissioner-department-consumer-affairs/#/0|work=The official website of the City of New York|date=24 April 2014}}</ref> She currently serves on the boards of Public Service at Harvard College, NYC & Company, and the Cities for Financial Empowerment Coalition.<ref>{{cite news|title=Mayor de Blasio Appoints Julie Menin as Commissioner of Department of Consumer Affairs|url=http://www1.nyc.gov/office-of-the-mayor/news/174-14/mayor-de-blasio-appoints-julie-menin-commissioner-department-consumer-affairs/#/0|work=The official website of the City of New York|date=24 April 2014}}</ref>


She has been the recipient of various awards, including the National Association of Women Business Owners Community Service Award, the Women’s City Club of New York “City Spirit Award,” the New York League of Conservation Voters public service award, the New York State Senate’s Women of Distinction award, and Citizen Union’s Civic Leadership award.<ref>{{cite news|title=Mayor de Blasio Appoints Julie Menin as Commissioner of Department of Consumer Affairs|url=http://www1.nyc.gov/office-of-the-mayor/news/174-14/mayor-de-blasio-appoints-julie-menin-commissioner-department-consumer-affairs/#/0|work=The official website of the City of New York|date=24 April 2014}}</ref>
In 2003, she was appointed to serve on the jury for the [[World Trade Center Site Memorial Competition]].


=== Host of cable news show ===
She currently serves on several government and civic boards including the [[World Trade Center Memorial|The World Trade Center Memorial Foundation]], The Downtown Alliance, [[New York Downtown Hospital]], The Eleanor Roosevelt Legacy Foundation, The [[Municipal Art Society]], and The Women's Campaign Forum. She is a former board member of the [[Lower Manhattan Development Corporation]], [[Citizens Union]], and [[Governors Island]].
Commissioner Menin previously served as a host and co-producer of an NBC national cable news show, “Give & Take,” and was a frequent commentator on numerous national and local news networks.


=== 2013 Candidate for Borough President ===
In November 2007, Menin announced the Community Board's decision to build the first "green" school in New York City.<ref>{{cite web|last=Medina |first=Jennifer |url=http://cityroom.blogs.nytimes.com/2007/11/13/a-new-green-school-for-lower-manhattan/ |title=A New ‘Green’ School for Lower Manhattan - City Room Blog - NYTimes.com |publisher=New York Times |date=November 13, 2007 |accessdate=August 17, 2010}}</ref> CB 1 successfully advocated for a total of 3 new schools in Lower Manhattan during Menin's time as Chairperson.<ref>{{cite web|last=Reynolds|first=Aline|
In 2013, she ran for Manhattan Borough President.<ref>{{cite news|title=Mayor de Blasio Appoints Julie Menin as Commissioner of Department of Consumer Affairs|url=http://www1.nyc.gov/office-of-the-mayor/news/174-14/mayor-de-blasio-appoints-julie-menin-commissioner-department-consumer-affairs/#/0|work=The official website of the City of New York|date=24 April 2014}}</ref>
title=After seven packed years, Julie Menin to step down from chair of C.B. 1|url=http://www.downtownexpress.com/after-seven-packed-years-julie-menin-steps-down-from-chair-of-c-b-1/|publisher=Downtown Express}}</ref>


=== Commissioner of New York City Department of Consumer Affairs ===
On January 16, 2010, She wrote an op-ed for the ''New York Times'' arguing that the trial of 9-11 mastermind Khalid Sheik Mohammed should be moved out of Lower Manhattan.<ref>{{cite news|last=Menin |first=Julie |url=http://www.nytimes.com/2010/01/17/opinion/17menin.html/ |title=Trial by Ferry|publisher=New York Times |date=January 16, 2010 |accessdate=January 17, 2010}}</ref>
Under Commissioner Menin’s leadership, DCA has increased its consumer restitution by 72 percent over the prior year, returning money to consumers who have been victims of fraud, scams and predatory conduct.<ref>{{cite news|title=City Says Small Business Fines Have Been Cut in Half|url=https://www.dnainfo.com/new-york/20150731/east-harlem/city-says-small-business-fines-have-been-cut-half|work=DNAinfo New York}}</ref> By leveraging subpoena and enforcement authority, DCA has launched a number of trailblazing investigations into deceptive practices by for-profit colleges, financial institutions, debt collectors, used car dealers, and employment agencies.<ref>{{cite news|last1=Palmeri|first1=Tara|title=City cracking down on shady employment agencies|url=http://nypost.com/2014/07/14/city-cracking-down-on-shady-employment-agencies/|work=New York Post}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|last1=Abrams|first1=Rachel|title=New York City Agency Subpoenas 2 Santander Auto Lenders|url=http://dealbook.nytimes.com/2014/11/14/new-york-agency-investigates-auto-loans/|work=DealBook}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|last1=Harris|first1=Elizabeth A.|title=New York City Consumer Agency Investigating Four For-Profit Colleges|url=http://www.nytimes.com/2015/04/03/nyregion/new-york-city-consumer-agency-investigating-four-for-profit-colleges.html|work=The New York Times|date=2 April 2015}}</ref> In 2015, DCA entered into the largest settlement in its history, securing relief for more than 4,500 victims of illegal payday loans.<ref>{{cite news|title=New York City Announces $1.3 million Settlement with Debt Collection Agency|url=http://www.insidearm.com/daily/collection-laws-regulations/collection-laws-and-regulations/new-york-city-announces-1-3-million-settlement-with-debt-collection-agency/|work=insideARM|language=en-US}}</ref> Under its authority to enforce weights and measures regulations, DCA exposed systematic overcharging of prepackaged foods in the supermarket industry.<ref>{{cite news|title=Whole Foods Overcharging Patrons in "Worst Case of Mislabeling": NYC|url=http://www.nbcnewyork.com/news/local/NYC-DCA-Inspects-Whole-Foods-Overcharging-Weight-Prepackaged-Foods-309593751.html|work=NBC New York}}</ref> The Commissioner also initiated a DCA-backed auto loan program, an innovative initiative that protects New Yorkers from predatory auto loans.<ref>{{cite news|last1=Silver-greenberg|first1=Jessica|title=New York City Starts Car Loan Program to Curb Abusive Practices|url=http://www.nytimes.com/2015/03/21/business/dealbook/new-york-city-starts-car-loan-program-to-curb-abusive-practices.html|work=The New York Times|date=20 March 2015}}</ref>
She led the charge to move the trial out of New York City,<ref>{{cite web|last=CLEHANE |first=DIANE |url=http://www.mediabistro.com/fishbowlny/lunch-heroine-julie-menin-takes-on-washington-move-the-911-trial_b13704/ |title=Lunch: ‘Heroine’ Julie Menin Takes On Washington: "Move the 9/11 Trial!"|publisher=Mediabistro |date=February 3, 2010 |accessdate=December 21, 2010}}</ref> resulting in the Obama Administration backing out of New York City <ref>{{cite news|last=Shane |first=Scott |url=http://www.nytimes.com/2010/01/30/nyregion/30trial.html/ |title=U.S. Drops Plan for a 9/11 Trial in New York City |publisher=NY Times |date=January 29, 2010 |accessdate=December 21, 2010}}</ref>


During Commissioner Menin's tenure, DCA has implemented the Living Wage Executive Order and also the Paid Sick Leave Law, which enables more than a million New York City workers to take time off for illness or to care for a family member.<ref>{{cite news|last1=Bragg|first1=Chris|title=Consumer Affairs chief oversees mayor's mandates|url=http://www.crainsnewyork.com/article/20141003/POLITICS/141009933/consumer-affairs-chief-oversees-mayors-mandates|work=Crain's New York Business}}</ref> She has spearheaded the Agency’s implementation of a Small Business Relief Package and has substantively reduced fines that do not cause immediate consumer harm.<ref>{{cite news|last1=Saul|first1=Michael Howard|title=New York City Mitigates Rules, Fines For Businesses|url=http://www.wsj.com/articles/new-york-city-mitigates-rules-fines-for-businesses-1404869910|work=Wall Street Journal}}</ref> Under Commissioner Menin’s leadership, the Agency has increased the transparency and fairness of its operations and broadened its outreach to small businesses.<ref>{{cite news|title=Dept of Consumer Affairs Overhauls Small Business Regulation, Ramps up Business Outreach|url=http://amsterdamnews.com/news/2014/jul/09/dept-consumer-affairs-overhauls-small-business-reg/|work=amsterdamnews.com}}</ref>
On May 25, 2010, Menin presided over the Community Board's historic 29-1 vote in favor of a proposed Islamic cultural center and mosque, preserving the fundamental principle of freedom of religion and used a solution driven approach to urge the interfaith center (where all different religions can worship) be part of the plans.<ref>{{cite web|last=Dunning|first=Matt|title=CB1 Backs Imam's Community Center, Silent on Mosque Near WTC|url=http://www.tribecatrib.com/news/2010/may/617_cb1-backs-imams-community-center-but-stays-silent-on-mosque-near-wtc.html|publisher=The Tribeca Trib}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|last=CBS News|title=NYC Panel Head: Add Interfaith Center to Mosque|url=http://www.cbsnews.com/2100-201_162-6819211.html|publisher=CBSNews.com}}</ref>


Commissioner Menin has expanded DCA’s Office of Financial Empowerment (OFE), a pioneering program dedicated to helping New Yorkers with low incomes achieve greater financial stability.<ref>{{cite news|title=City's Expanded Tax Credit Campaign Pays off Big for New Yorkers|url=http://www1.nyc.gov/office-of-the-mayor/news/242-15/city-s-expanded-tax-credit-campaign-pays-off-big-new-yorkers|work=The official website of the City of New York|date=15 April 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|last1=Cardwell|first1=Diane|title=Bloomberg Plans New Office to Help New York’s Poor|url=http://www.nytimes.com/2006/12/19/nyregion/19poverty.html?_r=0|work=The New York Times|date=19 December 2006}}</ref> OFE administers nearly 30 Financial Empowerment Centers that provide free financial counseling and also offers safe banking products, such as NYC SafeStart and SaveUSA accounts, for the 825,000 New Yorkers who are unbanked.<ref>{{cite news|title=Bank Tool Is Expanding Unbanked Households, Regulators Say|url=http://dealbook.nytimes.com/2014/06/15/bank-account-screening-tool-is-scrutinized-as-excessive/|work=DealBook}}</ref> In 2015, DCA launched an expanded awareness campaign about the Earned Income Tax Credit, which resulted in a resounding 50 percent increase in New Yorkers (totaling 150,000 individuals) who used the City’s free tax preparation services.<ref>{{cite news|title=City's Expanded Tax Credit Campaign Pays off Big for New Yorkers|url=http://www1.nyc.gov/office-of-the-mayor/news/242-15/city-s-expanded-tax-credit-campaign-pays-off-big-new-yorkers|work=The official website of the City of New York|date=15 April 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|last1=Khurshid|first1=Samar|title=Dialing for Dollars: City to Phonebank Tax Refund Awareness|url=http://www.gothamgazette.com/index.php/government/5545-dialing-for-dollars-city-to-phonebank-tax-refund-awareness|work=Gotham Gazette: The Place for New York Policy and Politics}}</ref> The campaign successfully returned more than $250 million in fees and refunds to New Yorkers with low incomes.
On August 30, 2010, she wrote an op-ed for the ''New York Daily News'' suggesting that an interfaith, nondenominational center be built on two floors of the project. This would be modeled after the Pentagon Interfaith Chapel in order to bridge the divide.<ref>{{cite web|last=Menin |first=Julie |url=http://www.nydailynews.com/opinions/2010/08/30/2010-08-30_better_mosque_compromise_chair_of_community_board_wants_interfaith_center_inside.html/ |title=Better mosque compromise: Chair of community board wants interfaith center inside Park51 project |publisher=NY Daily News |date=August 30, 2010 |accessdate=December 21, 2010}}</ref>

She has been a frequent critic of the Lower Manhattan Development Corporation (on whose board she sits) and exposed that the agency was sitting on over $200 million.<ref>{{cite web|last=Menin |first=Julie |url=http://www.crainsnewyork.com/article/20100613/SUB/306139983/ |title=Opinion: Taxpayer dollars are not at work |publisher=Crain's New York Business |date=June 13, 2010 |accessdate=December 21, 2010}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|last=Menin |first=Julie |url=http://www.nydailynews.com/opinions/2010/04/14/2010-04-14_150m_in_wtc_found_money_use_it_now_to_build_a_performing_arts_center_on_the_deut.html |title=$150M in WTC found money: Use it now to build a performing arts center on the Deutsche Bank site|publisher=New York Daily News |date=April 14, 2010 |accessdate=December 21, 2010}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|last=Kaysen |first=Ronda |url=http://www.downtownexpress.com/de_129/lmdcpummeledatpublic.html |title=L.M.D.C. pummeled at public meeting|publisher=Downtown Express |date=October 8, 2005 |accessdate=December 21, 2010}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|last=Karni |first=Annie |url=http://www.nypost.com/p/news/local/gov_to_slash_lmdc_mr87awTi8m4JE2bMS2HbnM |title=Gov to slash LMDC |publisher=New York Post |date=June 20, 2010 |accessdate=December 21, 2010}}</ref>
She battled Con Edison in 2010, who tried to lay claim to the $200 million of LMDC funding when Con Ed threatened to raise all New Yorkers rates by $50 if she did not back down.<ref>{{cite web|last=Shapiro |first=Julie |url=http://www.dnainfo.com/20100622/manhattan/con-edison-community-board-1-wrangle-over-911-recovery-money |title=Con Edison and Community Board 1 Wrangle Over 9/11 Recovery Money|publisher=DNA Info |date=June 22, 2010 |accessdate=December 21, 2010}}</ref> Menin then wrote the Public Service Commission demanding that they investigate Con Ed for illegally threatening to raise rates.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.nytimes.com/2010/08/12/opinion/12thu4.html |title=Unneeded Bureaucracy at Ground Zero |publisher=New York Times |date=August 11, 2010 |accessdate=December 21, 2010}}</ref> She prevailed and the $200 million was allocated to Lower Manhattan as she had advocated.<ref>{{cite web|last=Reynolds |first=Aline |url=http://www.downtownexpress.com/de_386/lmdc.html |title=L.M.D.C. set to release $200 million in grants|publisher=Downtown Express |date=September 15, 2010 |accessdate=December 21, 2010}}</ref>

In September 2011, Menin worked to negotiate what ''The New York Times'' dubbed "The Great Sukkah Controversy" where she worked to find an alternate private lot, instead of the public Duane Park for a sukkah to be built.<ref>{{cite web|last=Berger|first=Joseph|title=Larger, Private Spot Is Found for TriBeCa Sukkah|url=http://cityroom.blogs.nytimes.com/2011/09/27/larger-private-park-is-found-for-tribeca-sukkah/|publisher=The New York Times}}</ref> The new space Menin searched and found to host the sukkah ensured that the separation of church and state was maintained. ''The Downtown Express'' praised this “as a solution [that] was well thought-out.”<ref>{{cite web|last=Editorial|title=Making the right decisions|url=http://www.downtownexpress.com/making-the-right-decisions/|publisher=Downtown Express}}</ref>

On October 26, 2011, Menin led Community Board 1 to a 33-3 vote in favor of Occupy Wall Street's First Amendment right to protest, and opposed the use of force by the city of New York, and at the same time urged the city to address some of the quality of life issues for restaurants and small businesses adjacent to the site, saying "the two were not mutually exclusive." This approach was praised in a ''New York Times'' editorial as a "good approach."<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.nytimes.com/2011/10/25/opinion/a-good-approach-on-wall-street.html?_r=3 |title=A Good Approach on Wall Street |publisher=New York Times |date=October 24, 2011 |accessdate=November 4, 2011}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=http://articles.nydailynews.com/2011-10-23/news/30329927_1_zero-tolerance-protest-sanitation |title=Making peace with Occupy Wall Street: Community board president says violence is no answer |publisher=New York Daily News |date=October 23, 2011 |accessdate=November 4, 2011}}</ref>

== 2013 election ==
Menin ran in the Democratic primary for Manhattan Borough President in September 2013 but finished fourth behind New York City Council Members [[Gale Brewer]], [[Jessica Lappin]] and [[Robert Jackson (politician)|Robert Jackson]].<ref>[[CBS]] new York (11 September 2013). [http://newyork.cbslocal.com/2013/09/11/councilwoman-brewer-wins-nomination-for-manhattan-borough-president/ "Councilwoman Brewer Wins Nomination For Manhattan Borough President"]. Retrieved 25 September 2013.</ref>

She announced her candidacy in December 2012, with a list of more than 200 community endorsements, including activists, district leaders, state committee members, community board chairs and prominent New Yorkers.<ref>{{cite web|last=Pehme|first=Morgan|title=Declaring for Manhattan BP, Menin Announces 216 Endorsements|url=http://www.cityandstateny.com/declaring-for-manhattan-bp-menin-announces-216-endorsements/|publisher=Manhattan Media}}</ref>

== Awards ==
* Named as a "Rising Star 40 Under 40" by City Hall newspaper-2008<ref>{{cite web|last=Editor|title=Rising Stars: 40 Under 40|url=http://www.cityandstateny.com/rising-stars-40-under-40-4/|publisher=City & State}}</ref>
* Named one of the "Top 100 New Yorkers." by the New York Resident {{fact|date=May 2015}}
* The Women's Campaign Forum's "Rising Star" Award {{fact|date=May 2015}}
* The [[National Association of Women Business Owners]] Community Service Award {{fact|date=May 2015}}
* The ACE Civic award {{fact|date=May 2015}}
* The Women's Club of NY "City Spirit Award" {{fact|date=May 2015}}
* Manhattan Youth's Community Service award {{fact|date=May 2015}}
* The 2010 NY League of Conservation Voters award<ref>{{cite web|last=New York League of Conservation Voters|title=Galaxy of Luminaries Expected at New York League of Conservation|url=http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=newsarchive&sid=a66Qc7ljB744|publisher=Bloomberg.com}}</ref>
* The 2011 Citizen Union’s 2011 Civic Leadership award<ref>{{cite web|last=Editor|title=Highlights from Citizens Union's 2011 Awards Dinner|url=http://www.citizensunion.org/resources/events/annual-dinner|publisher=Citizens Union}}</ref>


== References ==
== References ==

Revision as of 23:47, 24 January 2016

Julie Menin
File:Julie Menin, Portrait.jpg
Menin in 2012
Commissioner of New York City Department of Consumer Affairs
Incumbent
Assumed office
May 2014
Appointed byBill de Blasio
Preceded byJonathan Mintz
Personal details
Born (1967-11-06) November 6, 1967 (age 56)
NationalityAmerican
Political partyDemocratic
SpouseBruce Menin
Residence(s)New York City, New York, USA
Alma materColumbia University
Northwestern University School of Law
ProfessionFormer Small Business Owner, Regulatory Attorney, Non-Profit Executive Director
Websitejuliemenin.com

Julie Menin was appointed Commissioner of the New York City Department of Consumer Affairs (DCA) in 2014 by Mayor Bill de Blasio after nearly 20 years as an advocate for consumers and small businesses.[1] Commissioner Menin has dedicated her career to protecting consumers and promoting entrepreneurship in New York City.[2] Under her stewardship, DCA has launched groundbreaking initiatives to protect consumers from fraud, scams, and predatory conduct, and expanded the Agency’s role in key areas such as financial empowerment and investigative legal enforcement.[3][4][5]

As Commissioner of the first municipal consumer protection agency in the United States with a staff of nearly 450 and a budget of more than $40 million,[6] Commissioner Menin administers a department that licenses 55 different industries and regulates more than 80,000 businesses.[7] DCA empowers consumers and businesses to ensure a fair and vibrant marketplace through its enforcement of the Consumer Protection Law and other related business laws in New York City.[8]

Early life and family

An accomplished lawyer and community leader, Commissioner Menin began her career in 1992 as a regulatory attorney at Wiley, Rein & Fielding in Washington D.C., and worked as Senior Regulatory Attorney at Colgate-Palmolive in New York City beginning in 1995.[9] As an attorney, she specialized in consumer protection issues, including matters before the Federal Trade Commission and Department of Justice and other aspects of regulatory law. In 1999, she opened and operated Vine, a restaurant, market, and catering operation in lower Manhattan, which had more than 75 employees.[10]

Julie Menin earned her B.A. Magna Cum Laude at Columbia University and her J.D. at Northwestern University School of Law. She resides in Manhattan with her husband and three children.[11]

Political career

Nonprofit founder and president

Following 9/11, Menin founded and was the president of the nonprofit Wall Street Rising, a leading catalyst in the recovery of the downtown neighborhood.[12] She helped small businesses access grants, insurance, and other monetary aid; grew the organization to 30,000 members; and created a variety of programs, including the Retail Attraction Program, which helped more than 600 small businesses stay in lower Manhattan.[13]

Chairperson for Community Board 1

Beginning in 2005, Menin served as Chairperson for Community Board 1, where she was unanimously elected for three consecutive terms totaling seven years, and was widely recognized for her role in revitalizing lower Manhattan following the upheaval of 9/11.[14] Commissioner Menin has served on the boards of the Lower Manhattan Development Corporation, the NYC Redistricting Commission, the Municipal Art Society, Governor’s Island, the National September 11 Memorial & Museum, and the World Trade Center Performing Arts Center, among others.[15] She currently serves on the boards of Public Service at Harvard College, NYC & Company, and the Cities for Financial Empowerment Coalition.[16]

She has been the recipient of various awards, including the National Association of Women Business Owners Community Service Award, the Women’s City Club of New York “City Spirit Award,” the New York League of Conservation Voters public service award, the New York State Senate’s Women of Distinction award, and Citizen Union’s Civic Leadership award.[17]

Host of cable news show

Commissioner Menin previously served as a host and co-producer of an NBC national cable news show, “Give & Take,” and was a frequent commentator on numerous national and local news networks.

2013 Candidate for Borough President

In 2013, she ran for Manhattan Borough President.[18]

Commissioner of New York City Department of Consumer Affairs

Under Commissioner Menin’s leadership, DCA has increased its consumer restitution by 72 percent over the prior year, returning money to consumers who have been victims of fraud, scams and predatory conduct.[19] By leveraging subpoena and enforcement authority, DCA has launched a number of trailblazing investigations into deceptive practices by for-profit colleges, financial institutions, debt collectors, used car dealers, and employment agencies.[20][21][22] In 2015, DCA entered into the largest settlement in its history, securing relief for more than 4,500 victims of illegal payday loans.[23] Under its authority to enforce weights and measures regulations, DCA exposed systematic overcharging of prepackaged foods in the supermarket industry.[24] The Commissioner also initiated a DCA-backed auto loan program, an innovative initiative that protects New Yorkers from predatory auto loans.[25]

During Commissioner Menin's tenure, DCA has implemented the Living Wage Executive Order and also the Paid Sick Leave Law, which enables more than a million New York City workers to take time off for illness or to care for a family member.[26] She has spearheaded the Agency’s implementation of a Small Business Relief Package and has substantively reduced fines that do not cause immediate consumer harm.[27] Under Commissioner Menin’s leadership, the Agency has increased the transparency and fairness of its operations and broadened its outreach to small businesses.[28]

Commissioner Menin has expanded DCA’s Office of Financial Empowerment (OFE), a pioneering program dedicated to helping New Yorkers with low incomes achieve greater financial stability.[29][30] OFE administers nearly 30 Financial Empowerment Centers that provide free financial counseling and also offers safe banking products, such as NYC SafeStart and SaveUSA accounts, for the 825,000 New Yorkers who are unbanked.[31] In 2015, DCA launched an expanded awareness campaign about the Earned Income Tax Credit, which resulted in a resounding 50 percent increase in New Yorkers (totaling 150,000 individuals) who used the City’s free tax preparation services.[32][33] The campaign successfully returned more than $250 million in fees and refunds to New Yorkers with low incomes.

References

  1. ^ "Julie Menin is new city Consumer Affairs head". NY Daily News.
  2. ^ "Mayor Taps Attorney, Former Restaurant Owner to Head Department of Consumer Affairs". TWC News.
  3. ^ Silver-greenberg, Jessica (20 March 2015). "New York City Starts Car Loan Program to Curb Abusive Practices". The New York Times.
  4. ^ "Here are the top 10 scams in NYC and how to avoid them". New York's PIX11 / WPIX-TV.
  5. ^ Abrams, Rachel. "New York City Agency Subpoenas 2 Santander Auto Lenders". DealBook.
  6. ^ "Report on the Fiscal 2016 Preliminary Budget and the Fiscal 2015 Preliminary Mayor's Management Report" (PDF). THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF NEW YORK.
  7. ^ "Report on the Fiscal 2016 Preliminary Budget and the Fiscal 2015 Preliminary Mayor's Management Report" (PDF). THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF NEW YORK.
  8. ^ "Report on the Fiscal 2016 Preliminary Budget and the Fiscal 2015 Preliminary Mayor's Management Report" (PDF). THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF NEW YORK.
  9. ^ "Mayor de Blasio Appoints Julie Menin as Commissioner of Department of Consumer Affairs". The official website of the City of New York. 24 April 2014.
  10. ^ "Mayor de Blasio Appoints Julie Menin as Commissioner of Department of Consumer Affairs". The official website of the City of New York. 24 April 2014.
  11. ^ "Mayor de Blasio Appoints Julie Menin as Commissioner of Department of Consumer Affairs". The official website of the City of New York. 24 April 2014.
  12. ^ "Mayor de Blasio Appoints Julie Menin as Commissioner of Department of Consumer Affairs". The official website of the City of New York. 24 April 2014.
  13. ^ "Mayor de Blasio Appoints Julie Menin as Commissioner of Department of Consumer Affairs". The official website of the City of New York. 24 April 2014.
  14. ^ "Mayor de Blasio Appoints Julie Menin as Commissioner of Department of Consumer Affairs". The official website of the City of New York. 24 April 2014.
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  19. ^ "City Says Small Business Fines Have Been Cut in Half". DNAinfo New York.
  20. ^ Palmeri, Tara. "City cracking down on shady employment agencies". New York Post.
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  22. ^ Harris, Elizabeth A. (2 April 2015). "New York City Consumer Agency Investigating Four For-Profit Colleges". The New York Times.
  23. ^ "New York City Announces $1.3 million Settlement with Debt Collection Agency". insideARM.
  24. ^ "Whole Foods Overcharging Patrons in "Worst Case of Mislabeling": NYC". NBC New York.
  25. ^ Silver-greenberg, Jessica (20 March 2015). "New York City Starts Car Loan Program to Curb Abusive Practices". The New York Times.
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  27. ^ Saul, Michael Howard. "New York City Mitigates Rules, Fines For Businesses". Wall Street Journal.
  28. ^ "Dept of Consumer Affairs Overhauls Small Business Regulation, Ramps up Business Outreach". amsterdamnews.com.
  29. ^ "City's Expanded Tax Credit Campaign Pays off Big for New Yorkers". The official website of the City of New York. 15 April 2015.
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  33. ^ Khurshid, Samar. "Dialing for Dollars: City to Phonebank Tax Refund Awareness". Gotham Gazette: The Place for New York Policy and Politics.

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