Biography

Rhoda S. Jacobs is a native of Brooklyn and has been a lifelong resident of the Borough. She was first elected to the Assembly in 1978 and represents parts of Flatbush and Midwood.

Assemblywoman Jacobs currently serves as part of Speaker Sheldon Silver’s leadership team as Assistant Speaker. Prior to this, Ms. Jacobs served as Assistant Speaker Pro Tempore and Chairperson of the Majority Program Committee for two years and the Social Services Committee for twelve years. In the past, she also chaired the Committee on Oversight, Analysis, and Investigation and the Task Force on Food, Farm, and Nutrition policy. Ms. Jacobs is currently a member of the Assembly Committees on Banks, Health, Insurance, and Corporations, Authorities and Commissions.

In 1997, Assemblywoman Jacobs was appointed Chair of the Budget Conference Committee on Health and Human Services, one of the first committees of its kind. As Chair of this committee, Ms. Jacobs helped formulate policies aimed at directly helping communities in their efforts to fund and operate a variety of service programs. She also led the effort to establish the parameters of the Community Services Block Grant that funds community food and nutrition programs, immigrant services, employment training programs, and community action agencies.

Ms. Jacobs has been at the forefront of significant issues in health care, Medicaid, job development, immigrant issues, consumer education and protection in banking, insurance and public utilities. Her cutting edge legislation has served as a national model for preventive measures in women's and children's health care.

Assemblymember Jacobs operates a full-time Community Services Office that provides information and assistance to residents on a variety of matters including housing, social services, crime prevention, municipal services, youth services and quality of life. In addition to holding regular meetings to foster communication between constituents, community activists, neighborhood organizations, businesses and government officials, Ms. Jacobs has promoted and secured funding for the development of many community programs. Assemblymember Jacobs has served in an advisory capacity on the boards of several Brooklyn community development corporations and hospitals. A former officer of the National Association of State Legislators and elected delegate to national legislative bodies, Ms. Jacobs served as the treasurer of the National Association of Jewish Legislators and is currently still a member.