Candidate Answers to JOLDC: Amanda Septimo for NY Assembly District 84

Candidate Name:  Amanda Septimo

Office Seeking Election for:  New York State Assembly District 84

Campaign Address: 2120 Wallace Avenu, Unit #1B Bronx, NY 10462

Campaign Website: amandaseptimo.com

Campaign Telephone: 6465461756

Campaign Social Media Handles (Facebook/Twitter): @AmandaSeptimo 

Campaign Contact (name/phone/email): Tara Gitter - 973-557-0167

1. Explain, based on life experiences and accomplishments, why you believe you are best qualified to represent your district. 
I have spent my career working in politics and government, while also living in the South Bronx, my home. Year after year, debate after debate, crisis after crisis, I watch The Bronx suffer the worst of the worst. We lead in every negative statistic you can name, and excel at all the worst. But, behind statistics and failing policies is a group of incredibly powerful, resilient people. I know because these are my family, friends, and neighbors. I know that these people deserve better representation than they are getting right now, and I know that this will only happen if we step up to challenge to powers that have kept us entrenched in poverty and hopelessness for so long. I have worked in what is considered to be "establishment" politics, but am choosing to take on a longstanding incumbent because I know the urgency of the moment demands that we take on the big fights in the name of justice, and I am stepping up to do just that. 

2. Do you now support or have you ever supported an openly LGBTQ candidate for public office? 
Yes, currently supporting Genesis Aquino who is running for State Assembly in Brooklyn. 

3. If applicable, what legislation directly affecting the LGBT community have you introduced or co-sponsored? (indicate accordingly) N/A

4. What LGBT organizations have you been involved with, either on a volunteer basis or professionally? 
Destination Tomorrow in The Bronx 

5. If applicable, what LGBT organizations have you allocated funds to? N/A

6. Do you consider yourself a member of the LGBT community? Not a member, but an ally!

7. Have you marched in Pride? Which marches and for approximately how many years? 
Yes - the last three years in NYC pride, and have attended the Bronx pride festival since its founding!

8. Have you employed openly LGBT individuals previously? Do you employ any currently? N/A

9. If you receive the endorsement, do you agree to identify the club on all literature and electronic materials where you list endorsements? Yes

10. What press conferences, demonstrations, rallies and protests in support of LGBT issues, pro choice legislation, criminal justice issues  and the Resist Trump Movement have you attended? I've supported the Pride flag raising in The Bronx, a rally for justice for Layleen Polanco, rallies in support of the trans community, along with countless pro-choice and criminal justice events. 

11. Have you ever been arrested? If so please explain why and outcome of arrest. No I Have not. 

12. Will you advocate and sponsor legislation to mandate the review of sentences of incarcerated individuals over the age of 55 who have served in excess of 15 years to determine if they warrant release? Yes

13. Do you commit to visit constituents who are incarcerated in state prisons such as Bedford Correctional Facility? Yes

14. Do you believe sincere remorse, risk of reoffending and actions taken while incarcerated should be considered over the original crime in determinations of parole? Yes

15. Have you participated in any demonstrations or protests in relation to the issues of clemency and parole? Not yet!

16. Will you affirmatively seek to hire formerly incarcerated individuals? Yes!

17. Do you believe in the decriminalization of sex work? Are you sponsoring the bill introduced by Jessica Ramos? I do believe in the decriminalization of sex work, because sex work is work.

18. Will you actively oppose legislation that would  implement the dangerous Nordic model instead of decriminalization of prostitution? Yes

19. What proposals will you advocate for to protect immigrants and the further New York as a Sanctuary City? The biggest one would be access to voting in municipal elections. We need to continue to recognize that our undocumented immigrant neighbors are just that: neighbors. Neighbors who are entitled to the same level of protection, representation, and say in the people who represent them. 

20. Will you advocate, including introducing legislation, to remove public funding from religious schools? Yes

21. Do you support the establishment of supervised drug consumption spaces? Yes

22. Have you ever endorsed any member of the IDC or any candidates who challenged IDC members? Please identify all candidates No

23. Will you commit to hiring a member of the LGBT community to serve as a liaison to the community? Yes

24. Will you commit to ensuring diverse LGBT representation among your staff? Yes

25. Who did you support for office in the following races A) mayor and Public Advocate in 2014 B) President in 2016 C) Governor and Attorney General 2018 Mayor - Thompson then de Blasio. PA - James, President - Clinton, Governor - didn't support publicly, AG Tish. 

26. Describe any legislation and policy changes that you support in order to address the ongoing effects of slavery, racism, colonialism, and discrimination. If we are going to begin addressing these major issues, we need to begin with ending the prison industrial complex in New York. That begins with ending all sub-wage prison labor, closing/converting all for-profit private prisons, and ensuring that we meaningfully invest in reality-based, culturally sensitive re-entry programs that offer support for at least two years to every released formerly incarcerated individual. 

27. What legislation or other policy changes do you support in order to make college and graduate school affordable for poor, working-class, and middle-class Americans and to alleviate the crushing loan debt that many students and alumni are facing? I have long been an advocate of free CUNY and free SUNY, and believe that we need to move away from the scarcity mindset in budgets that keeps us from making these life- changing policies a reality. 

28. Do you support a single-payer universal health care system? Please elaborate. Yes - healthcare is a human right. Any system that does not ensure that every single person, regardless of immigration status or ability to pay, can see a doctor when they need one is an incomplete system that we must not accept. 

29. Discuss your stance on reproductive rights, including access to contraceptives and abortion services. Reproductive rights are part of healthcare justice, and women's decisions as it relates to reproductive care, across the scale, are a sacred space between her and her doctor that leave no room for government presence or interference. 

30. Will you refuse money from individuals or Political Action Committees representing the real estate industry? Yes 

31. Will you refuse and refund any contributions from executives at corporations complicit in the Trump agenda? Yes

32. Are you against the opening of casinos in New York owned and controlled by Trump mega-donor Sheldon Adelson? Yes

33. Will you cosponsor the legislation to prohibit evictions without good cause (previously S2892A)? Yes

34. Will you push for the passage of Home Stability Support (HSS) to bridge the difference between the public assistance shelter allowance and fair market rents for NY's 95,000 homeless? Yes

35. What additional information would you like Jim Owles to consider when we are making our endorsements decisions? I would like you all to consider the years of stagnation that the South Bronx has suffered due to immoral, incompetent, neglectful leadership....and considering joining me in the urgent fight to save our community before it is lost forever.