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
- Abortion should be fully available like any other medical procedure and not subject to any restrictions that would not apply to other medical procedures. I have worked for this since well before Roe v Wade, and support expanding NY's 1970 law to do this -- the Reproductive Health Act, which I helped draft as Assembly Health Committee chair.

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
- Over 80% of the state budget is health care and elementary and secondary education. These and other public services are vital to our whole society and should be strengthened, not cut. This means taxes, and they should, as much as possible, be based on ability to pay. The dollar that puts bread on the table should be taxed at a much lower rate than the dollar that puts caviar on toast. And I say that representing some of the wealthiest New Yorkers.

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
- I also support public campaign financing.

Crime & Public Safety

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

2. Do you support the legalization of marijuana for recreational purposes?
- No

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?
- No

6. Other or expanded principles
- On marijuana, I prefer the term "adult use." "Recreational" makes it sound like this issue is about having a better time at parties. Actually, it is mainly about stopping the wrongful use of the criminal justice system to ruin the lives of tens of thousands of New Yorkers, primarily people of color.

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?
- No

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
- I support lowering taxes on low- and middle-income earners to improve their standard of living and reduce income inequality. Giving them more money to spend will also promote economic growth.

Education

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

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
- I would only support limited state funding for charter schools if it is accompanied by significant reforms in their relationship to public schools and other changes.

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
- Promoting renewable energy is very important. State funding should be carefully used to make sure it is not funding things that don't need a subsidy.

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
- No Answer

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

6. Other or expanded principles
- I strongly object to your use of the term "euthanasia" for medical aid in dying. The common use of the term "euthanasia" has nothing to do with a competent terminally-ill patient choosing to use medication to end life.I support an insurance mandate only in the context of the current broken insurance-based system. It's like asking if I support clinging to floating wreckage if my lifeboat sinks. I am the chief sponsor of the NY Health Act to create a single-payer system.

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
- No Answer

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.
- Passing and implementing the NY Health Act, to single-payer health coverage in NY.Strengthening the rent laws and tenants rights, and creating more affordable housing.Increased funding for mass transit, including full funding of the MTA capital plan.