Legislature

“It is this approach - discovering what he doesn't know, and then relentlessly pursuing the knowledge he needs - that has already made Shinagawa, the youngest Tompkins County legislator anyone can remember, a contending county force.” The Ithaca Times, 3/06.

“Nathan is a brilliant and articulate agent of change. He will bring to a fresh perspective that he will use to make county government more accountable to the people and more effective with their money.” - Alderman Michael J. Taylor, City of Ithaca.

Shinagawa represents the 4th District in the City of Ithaca - the County’s most diverse and densely populated district. Elected in 2005 at age 22, Nathan Shinagawa is the youngest County Legislator in the history of Tompkins County.

While a student at Cornell University, Shinagawa was a well-known community activist in workers and labor rights, equal opportunity, and environmental and community sustainability. With the support of grassroots organizations both at Cornell and in the City of Ithaca, Shinagawa chose to run for the Legislature upon graduation. Over the course of the election he secured the endorsements of the Working Families Party of NY, the LGBT Democratic Club, the SEIU Local 1199, and dozens of local leaders.

Not originally a New York resident, Shinagawa grew up in the predominantly Mexican American neighborhood of Roseland, within the California city of Santa Rosa. He saw how the city, despite its growing wealth, continued to disenfranchise and neglect his neighborhood – the poorest, least represented part of the city. Rampant sprawl, gang violence, and crumbling city infrastructure were the norm for his side of town. The 2,000-student high school he attended had a dropout rate of more than 25 percent, and a college-going rate of less than 10 percent. While the social fabric of his community unraveled, Shinagawa witnessed first-hand the tragic results of a government that shies away from its responsibilities and looses touch with its people. Shinagawa will fight relentlessly to make sure the same doesn’t happen here in Tompkins County, and that the focus always remains on the health, well-being, and prosperity of the people first.

On the Legislature, Shinagawa is currently the Vice Chairman of the Air Service Board and the Health and Human Services Committee, and is a voting member on the Facilities and Infrastructure and Budget and Capital Committees. He also serves as board members for the Greater Ithaca Activities Center, the Village at Ithaca, and the Ithaca Asian American Association. In addition, he is the Legislature’s liaison to the Senior Citizens Council, Health Planning Council, and Mental Health Services Board.

Legislators are elected and serve for four years. Current terms run from 2006 through 2009.