John Liu stands as a prominent figure in New York politics, currently serving as a New York State Senator representing a diverse constituency in northeast Queens. As chairperson of the Senate Committee on New York City Education, his influence extends significantly into shaping the educational landscape of the city. His commitment to public service is further demonstrated through his membership on several key committees, including Education, Finance, Higher Education, Judiciary, Rules, and Transportation, showcasing a broad engagement with critical policy areas.
Prior to his role as State Senator, John Liu served as the 43rd Comptroller of the City of New York from 2010 to 2013, acting as the chief financial officer for the city’s 8.4 million residents. In this significant position, he oversaw a massive annual municipal budget of $70 billion, demonstrating a profound capacity for fiscal management at a large scale. Liu’s tenure as Comptroller was marked by substantial financial achievements, including saving taxpayers $5 billion through rigorous audits of city agencies and careful contract scrutiny. He also strategically refinanced $20 billion of city bond debt, further optimizing the city’s financial standing. His effective investment strategies led to an increase in the City’s pension asset portfolio to an impressive $150 billion, highlighting his expertise in financial growth and stability.
Alt Text: New York State Senator John Liu interacting with constituents at a community gathering, emphasizing his commitment to public engagement.
One of John Liu’s landmark achievements as Comptroller was the creation of “CheckbookNYC.com,” a nationally recognized online platform. This innovative tool brought unprecedented transparency to government spending, allowing citizens to easily access and review how public funds were being utilized. Furthermore, Liu actively fostered economic development and job creation by accelerating City capital projects, strategically leveraging low interest rates in bond markets to benefit the city’s infrastructure and economic growth.
Throughout his career, John Liu has consistently emphasized a people-centric approach to governance, famously stating, “it’s not just about numbers, it’s about people.” This philosophy is evident in his staunch opposition to discriminatory stop-and-frisk tactics, where he effectively highlighted the detrimental impact on community relations and the financial risks associated with damaged police-community trust. Liu also championed minority and women-owned business enterprises (M/WBEs) by introducing daily-updated M/WBE Report Cards for City agencies. This initiative aimed to monitor and promote greater contracting opportunities for minority entrepreneurs, fostering economic inclusivity and equity.
Alt Text: Comptroller John Liu addressing the media at a press conference, passionately advocating for policy reforms and government accountability.
John Liu’s commitment to economic fairness extends to his proposals for sound economic policies designed to stimulate real economic growth and address the widening wealth gap. He has been a strong advocate for protecting wage standards and recovering back wages for workers cheated by unscrupulous contractors. His scrutiny of publicly-subsidized corporate welfare exposed billions of dollars in city spending that failed to deliver promised job creation and affordable housing, demonstrating his dedication to holding corporations accountable for their commitments to the public good. Liu also authored numerous insightful reports and recommendations addressing critical public issues, including enhancing education beyond high school, expanding affordable housing, ensuring retirement security, and examining the fiscal and social benefits of legalizing marijuana, reflecting his comprehensive approach to public policy.
Before his citywide role as Comptroller, John Liu served as a New York City Councilmember representing his home district of Flushing and northeast Queens. In this capacity, he directed millions of dollars in additional funding to vital community institutions such as schools, libraries, parks, senior centers, and youth programs, directly enhancing the quality of life for his constituents. As chairperson of the Council’s Transportation Committee, Liu oversaw the complex operations of the Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA), Department of Transportation, and Taxi and Limousine Commission. He enacted key legislation to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of these crucial city agencies, impacting the daily lives of millions of New Yorkers. Additionally, he served on various influential council committees, including Education, Consumer Affairs, Contracts, Oversight & Investigation, Land Use, Lower Manhattan Redevelopment, and Health, showcasing his broad engagement across diverse areas of city governance.
Alt Text: Councilmember John Liu in a meeting with community leaders in Queens, engaging in discussions about local concerns and collaborative problem-solving.
John Liu’s legislative achievements as a Councilmember include uncovering financial irregularities within the MTA, leading to greater accountability and transparency in the agency’s operations. He championed and enacted impactful legislation such as the Equal Access Bill, mandating on-demand language services in health and human services agencies to better serve New York City’s diverse population. Other significant legislative successes include the School Zone Engine Idling Bill, aimed at reducing air pollution near schools, and the Dignity for All Schools Act, requiring the Department of Education to track and address bullying and harassment in schools, demonstrating his commitment to creating a safer and more inclusive environment for students. Furthermore, Liu effectively used his public platform to combat hate and bigotry, consistently denouncing violence against vulnerable immigrant workers. His determined efforts to challenge extreme racist and misogynist broadcasts ultimately led to the removal of such content from the New York radio market, marking a significant victory against hate speech.
Recognized as a “Trailblazer” and “Pioneer,” John Liu’s historic election victories, first as the first Asian American to win legislative office in New York and subsequently as the first to win citywide office, represent landmark moments for Asian Americans in New York and across the United States. While acknowledging the historical underrepresentation of Asian Americans in elected office, Liu embraces his role as a first, committed to expanding representation and public service opportunities for all.
Prior to his distinguished career in public service, John Liu spent 14 years in the private sector as a professional actuary, culminating in a manager position at PricewaterhouseCoopers. His practical fiscal expertise gained in the private sector has been instrumental in his approach to rooting out waste and mismanagement in government, ensuring responsible and effective use of taxpayer funds.
John Liu’s journey to public service began when he immigrated from Taiwan at the age of five. He is a product of New York public schools, having attended Hunter College High School, Bronx High School of Science, and Binghamton University, where he earned a degree in Mathematical Physics. John Liu currently resides in Flushing with his wife Jenny and their son Joey, deeply rooted in the community he serves.
