New York State Legislative Election 2018 Political Courage Test

Abortion & Reproductive

1. Do you generally support pro-choice or pro-life legislation?
- Pro-choice

2. Should abortion be legal when the pregnancy resulted from incest or rape?
- Yes

3. Do you support the prohibition of public funds for organizations that perform abortions?
- No

4. Other or expanded principles
- New York State should be on the forefront of women's issues, especially as women's access to reproductive health care is under attack nationally. That's why I will fight to pass the Reproductive Health Act to codify Roe v. Wade in New York State, and pass the Comprehensive Contraceptive Coverage Act to ensure that women have access to all forms of contraception.

Budget, Spending, & Tax

1. Reducing state employee salaries AND/OR pensions?
- No

2. Instituting mandatory furloughs AND/OR layoffs for state employees?
- No

3. Reducing benefits for Medicaid recipients?
- No

4. An income tax increase on any tax bracket?
- Yes

5. Other or expanded principles
- In order to fund the vital repairs our subway system and transportation system need, fully fund our public schools, ensure that everyone has access to affordable housing, etc. we need to look for additional sources of revenue for the State. I believe we can ask the wealthiest among us to pay a little more in taxes to support these efforts. We also should look to congestion pricing to support both long- and short-term investment in our transportation system.

Campaign Finance & Government Reform

1. Do you support any limits on campaign contributions to state candidates?
- Yes

2. Do you support the regulation of indirect campaign contributions from corporations and unions?
- Yes

3. Do you support the use of an independent AND/OR bipartisan commission for redistricting?
- Yes

4. Do you support requiring a government-issued photo identification in order to vote at the polls?
- No

5. Other or expanded principles
- It is mission critical to achieving progressive change and ensuring that our government truly represents the people to remove the corrosive influence of money in politics. In New York State, that means closing the LLC loophole that allows individuals to skirt individual contribution limits. I also support the Fair Elections Act to create a robust, state-wide public financing system for our elections.

Crime & Public Safety

1. Do you support capital punishment for certain crimes?
- No

2. Do you support the legalization of marijuana for recreational purposes?
- Yes

3. Should a minor accused of a violent crime be prosecuted as an adult?
- No

4. Do you support the enforcement of federal immigration laws by state and local police?
- No

5. Do you support replacing the cash bail system with a supervised release system for misdemeanor charges?
- Yes

6. Other or expanded principles
- Running to represent a district that includes Riker's Island, meaningful criminal justice reform is at the top of my agenda. It is critical that we make our system fairer, especially for low-income people and people of color. I believe we need to reform our pre-trial system, including ending cash bail and passing Kalief's Law to ensure access to speedy trial. We also must legalize marijuana. I also support programs to create meaningful opportunities for education and rehabilitation in prison to reduce recidivism rates.

Economic

1. Do you support state government spending as a means of promoting economic growth?
- Yes

2. Do you support lowering state taxes as a means of promoting economic growth?
- Yes

3. Do you support reducing state government regulations on the private sector?
- No

4. Do you support expanding access to unemployment benefits?
- Yes

5. Do you support requiring welfare applicants to pass a drug test in order to receive benefits?
- No

6. Do you support an increase of the minimum wage of New York ?
- Yes

7. Other or expanded principles
- New York State must continue to invest in economic growth, however, it is key that we improve transparency and accountability with this investment. That's why I support creating a database of all state contracts designed to create jobs to make sure that contractors follow through on their promises. In certain circumstances, specific and well-designed tax cuts can make sense as way to encourage economic growth, to provide relief, or may be appropriate for other reasons. Anytime tax cuts are being proposed, the plan should be supported with sound reasoning and economic data to support the proposal.

Education

1. Do you support adopting federal education standards in New York ?
- No Answer

2. Do you support state funding for charter schools?
- No

3. Should immigrants unlawfully present in the United States who graduate from New York high schools be eligible for in-state tuition at public universities?
- Yes

4. Should students' standardized test scores be used to evaluate teacher performance?
- No

5. Other or expanded principles
- The most crucial step we can take to improve education in New York State is to ensure that our schools are fully funded. District 34 is owed $88 million alone in school funding. I do believe that we should comply with the federal standards set forth in the Every Child Succeeds Act. However, I worry about the misaligned priorities of the current federal Department of Education.

Environment & Energy

1. Do you support state funding for the development of renewable energy (e.g. solar, wind, thermal)?
- Yes

2. Do you support state government regulations of greenhouse gas emissions?
- Yes

3. Do you support increasing state funding for clean drinking water initiatives?
- Yes

4. Other or expanded principles
- New York State has a responsibility -- and the opportunity -- to be a leader on climate issues and sustainability. We must pass the Climate and Community Protection Act to transition the State to 100% renewable energy by 2050 and invest in green jobs. I also support banning plastic bags to reduce our State's waste and creating a tax on corporate polluters.

Gun

1. Do you generally support gun-control legislation?
- Yes

2. Should background checks be required on gun sales between private citizens at gun shows?
- Yes

3. Should teachers be allowed to bring guns into the classroom?
- No

4. Should a license be required for gun ownership?
- Yes

5. Other or expanded principles
- New York families deserve to be free from the epidemic of gun violence that threatens our schools, homes, and communities every day. I strongly support the SAFE Act and will fight to ensure that it is fully funded, including its ammunition database. We also must create Extreme Risk Protection Orders to create a legal mechanism for removing firearms from individuals who may be a danger to themselves or their community and fund gun violence prevention research.

Health

1. Should the state government increase funding for treatment facilities to combat opioid abuse?
- Yes

2. Do you support Medicaid expansion through New York 's health care programs?
- Yes

3. Do you support requiring individuals to purchase health care insurance?
- Yes

4. Do you support legislation that grants citizens the right to choose to die through euthanasia?
- Yes

5. Do you support eliminating religious exemptions for vaccinations?
- No Answer

6. Other or expanded principles
- I believe that health care is a human right. No New Yorker should ever be denied care because they cannot afford to pay. That's why I support the New York Health Act which would create a single-payer healthcare system for New York State, eliminating co-pays and deductibles. According to the Campaign for New York Health, the bill will lower costs for 98% of New Yorkers. I support New York State's current exemption system for vaccinations. While I respect different religious beliefs, it is critical to public health for as many people as possible to be vaccinated.

Social

1. Do you support the inclusion of sexual orientation in New York 's anti-discrimination laws?
- Yes

2. Do you support the inclusion of gender identity in New York 's anti-discrimination laws?
- Yes

3. Do you support greater efforts by New York state government in closing the pay gap between men and women?
- Yes

4. Should New York permit localities to adopt "Sanctuary City" immigration policies?
- Yes

5. Other or expanded principles
- At a time when the LGBTQ community, immigrants, and many others are under direct attack by the Trump administration, we have a responsibility to stand up for their rights and the inclusive and equitable future we are fighting for. We must pass GENDA to ban discrimination on the basis of gender identity or expression, and ban conversion therapy in New York State. I also support the Liberty Act to make New York a Sanctuary State, and the Driver's Licenses for All bill.

Legislative Priorities

In the following area, please explain in a total of 100 words or less, your top two or three priorities if elected. If they require additional funding for implementation, please explain how you would obtain this funding.
- As State Senator, I will fight to advance women?s rights, including passing the Reproductive Health Act and expanding access to childcare. I will also fight for full funding for our public schools -- District 34 is owed $88 million alone -- and ensure that all New Yorkers have access to affordable housing through closing loopholes that allow landlords to raise the rent. However, these three issues do not begin to scratch the surface of what I would like to see passed in Albany. I will work hard to ensure that all of our progressive priorities are addressed.