Candidate Answers to JOLDC: Briget Rein for City Council District 39
Candidate Name: Briget Rein
Office Seeking Election for: City Council District 39
Explain, based on life experiences and accomplishments, why you believe you are best qualified to represent your district
I have lived in Brooklyn my whole life and within this district for the last 18 years. I know the people who live here and the small businesses that make our community so special. My background is in education and union organizing, both of which are incredibly important right now. I know how the City Council works because I’ve fought for education funding and programs through my position with the UFT, so I’ll know how to get things done once I’m there. Our district needs a fighter for education and our small businesses, and I’m ready to get to work to be that fighter.
Please identify any openly LGBTQ candidate for public office you have previously or presently endorsed?
I have not come out with my endorsements officially. Yet, I am supporting the LID candidate - Jesse Pierce for District Leader. Personally, I have endorsed Richie Torres for Congress and Erik Bottcher for City Council. Soon, I would like to endorse Carlos Menchaca for City Council and Danny O’Donnell for Assembly.
If applicable, what legislation directly affecting the LGBTQ community have you introduced or co-sponsored? (indicate accordingly)
Not applicable, as I have not ever assumed public office.
What LGBTQ organizations have you been involved with, either on a volunteer basis or professionally?
For the past 2 years, I have worked alongside the LID with all their community events and political events. I have been appointed as Executive Board Member of the Jim Owles Club and supported Jim Owles with their events and political activity.
Do you consider yourself a member of the LGBTQ community?
I consider myself an ally.
Have you marched in Pride? Which marches and for approximately how many years?
I have been marching in Pride (NYC Pride, Brooklyn Pride) for 10 years alongside the Pride Committee of the UFT.
Have you employed openly LGBTQ individuals previously? Do you employ any currently?
I am not an employer so I have therefore not employed any members of the LGBTQ community previously. Yet, I work with many people who consider themselves to be a part of the LGBTQ community. As a Council Member, I guarantee diversified hiring of staff, including members of the LGBTQ community.
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?
In the last few years I have attended several demonstrations and events including the Women’s March and events fighting for labor rights and education funding. Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, I was unable to attend events in person due to the fact that I was taking care of family members who were at risk of exposure.
Have you ever been arrested? If so please explain why and outcome of arrest.
No, I have never been arrested.
Do you commit to visiting constituents who are incarcerated in state prisons and city jails?
I absolutely commit to visiting constituents who are incarcerated in state prisons and city jails.
Will you affirmatively seek to hire formerly incarcerated individuals?
I will certainly, affirmatively seek to hire formerly incarcerated individuals.
Describe your legislative and policy vision for combatting systemic racism
Will you not seek, and refuse, the endorsement of Bill de Blasio?
I will not seek, and refuse, the endorsement of Bill de Blasio.
In view of the fact that Ed Koch has been documented to have caused the deaths of hundreds of thousands of people with AIDS, and was blatantly racist, would you support and sponsor a bill to rename the former Queensboro Bridge?
I would certainly support and sponsor a bill to rename the former Queensboro Bridge.
What is your position on removing the Christopher Columbus statue in Columbus Circle and if so, what should replace it?
I believe that the contributions of Italian Americans to our country are important and should be recognized. But there are better figures that we can use to show our appreciation. One figure who I’ve always thought might be appropriate is Geraldine Ferraro, who was the first woman to run for Vice President on a major party ticket.
Will you refuse contributions from real estate developers and all law enforcement unions or associations?
I have accepted contributions from some real estate developers but am returning them.
Do you support reducing the budget of the NYPD and if so, by how much?
Yes, all of our agencies are going to have to take a cut as we deal with the fiscal impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. I do not agree with putting an arbitrary number on the amount, as we do not know what the future budget constraints will be and how we will have to deal with them.
How would you have voted on the FY21 City Budget?
No, with difficulty because it is important to ensure a functioning city through the budgetary process. However, the severe cuts to education at a time when our students are struggling was inappropriate.
Are you in favor of removing police from any of the following? a) Schools; b) Mental health response calls; c) Homeless outreach and social services; or d) Traffic enforcement.
a) Yes b) Yes c) Yes d) No
Should the NYPD Vice Squad be eliminated?
We must reevaluate the way we police our city, and I believe that looking at all departments, including the Vice Squad should be considered in that process.
Should Dermot Shea be fired immediately?
I believe that Dermot Shea’s response to the protests over the summer was inappropriate. I support new leadership for the NYPD and believe that person should be a woman and/or person of color.
Should the NYPD Commissioner require confirmation by the City Council?
Yes, the NYPD should absolutely require confirmation by the City Council.
How would you recommend police officers be penalized for refusing to wear masks in public while on duty, in defiance of city and state rules?
Police officers who refuse to wear masks in public while on duty, in defiance of city and state rules, should be docked pay.
What reforms would you make to the Civilian Complaint Review Board? Would you support state legislation to make CCRB disciplinary determinations binding?
We need real discipline for police officers who break the rules, and right now the CCRB just isn’t effective in doing that. I would support legislation to make those decisions binding and also advocate for more criminal penalties for police officers who use excessive force or otherwise violate the laws they are meant to enforce.
What is your position on the plan to close Rikers and create four borough-based jails?
I believe that closing Rikers was the right decision given the years of abuse that inmates have endured there. While I believe that borough-based jails is a step forward, I am concerned that the issues seen at Rikers will simply move to these facilities as well. We should be looking towards rehabilitation and other alternatives to incarceration that can better help inmates.
Will you advocate for the Governor to review sentences of incarcerated individuals over the age 55 who have served in excess of 15 years to determine if they warrant release?
Yes, I believe that our older incarcerated individuals should be reevaluated but that we should ensure they are able to find employment and support services upon release.
It’s common knowledge that New York City’s 311 system is not adequately responsive to the public’s concerns. How would you alter the 311 system to combat these problems?
First and foremost, NYC’s 311 system should not be manned by computers only. It should be manned by people and there should be an ability to connect to different offices within the city’s agencies. Also, the 311 operators should be able to provide appropriate solutions to constituents’ problems in real-time.
Do you support decriminalizing sex work? Will you pledge to oppose the Nordic model?
I do support decriminalizing sex work. I pledge to oppose the Nordic model.
Do you oppose school screening, which exacerbates segregation? Which screens in your school district(s) will you advocate to abolish?
Testing for some of our schools is important, however we need a more holistic approach that looks at the whole student. Rather than just testing, we should include grades, extracurricular activities, and other areas of student’s lives.
Describe what reforms you would make to the control of the NYC public school system.
Mayoral control has led to a lot of positives for our city schools and greatly improved on the former Board of Education system that existed. However, I am open to the idea of ensuring greater oversight within our education system that benefits our students.
Do you support public funding of abortion?
I support public funding of abortion.
Do you support the creation of safe consumption sites? Would you support the use of NYC DOHMH authority to establish SCSs without NYSDOH authorization?
Yes, I believe safe consumption sites should be created in our city and would support their use without NYSDOH authorization.
Do you smoke or otherwise consume weed?
I have smoked marijuana in the past.
Have you ever supported any of the members of the IDC? If so, who? What did you do to help defeat the IDC in 2018?
I have never supported any members of the IDC, however I have been a long time friend of Senator Diane Savino. In 2018, I worked with my union to ensure a Democratic majority in the State Senate.
What will you do to support nightlife in NYC?
Firstly, I will support the Nightlife Commission. I will speak to my Community Board regularly for licenses for nightlife and protections for businesses that provide nightlife services.
Do you commit to speak with restaurant and nightlife industry representatives before taking a position on any policies that affect their businesses?
I do commit to speak with restaurant and nightlife industry representatives before taking a position on any policies that affect their businesses.
Will you work to place restaurant, bar and club owners on community boards? Will you commit to not appointing or reappointing community board members who are hostile to food and beverage estalishments?
I will certainly work to place restaurant, bar, and club owners on community boards. I will also commit to not appointed or reappointing community board members who are hostile to food and beverage establishments.
Now that the cabaret law was repealed do you support amending the zoning resolution to allow patrons to dance at more venues and eliminate the restrictions against dancing?
I support amending the zoning resolution to allow patrons to dance at more venues and eliminate the restrictions against dancing.
Did you oppose the de Blasio/Cuomo proposal (and giveaways) for bringing Amazon’s HQ2 to Long Island City?
I supported bringing HQ2 to Long Island City because of the number of jobs it would bring to our city as well as the inclusion of union construction jobs for the project. However, I was concerned about the non-union workers who would ultimately work there and did not believe that the giveaways and incentives were appropriate for a company with the vast wealth of Amazon.
What role do you believe the local member should play in the approval of development proposals before the Council?
I believe that local members should play an important role in development proposals before the Council but that we must reconsider member deference for projects that will have an impact on the entirety of the city.
Do you support legislation to prohibit discrimination against formerly incarcerated people in housing?
I do support legislation to prohibit discrimination against formerly incarcerated people in housing.
Do you oppose the removal of the nearly 300 homeless individuals from the Lucerne hotel due to pressure from some local residents?
Yes, I oppose the removal of the nearly 300 homeless individuals from the Lucerne hotel due to pressure from some local residents. We do not provide enough social services for homeless individuals to assist them with getting a job, getting a home, and getting other assistance.
What proposals will you advocate for to protect immigrants and further New York as a Sanctuary City?
I would fight to deliver more funding for the immigrant legal services program to ensure any immigrant facing deportation or criminal charges has adequate legal services available to them. I would also work to ensure that the NYPD and our court system are truly not cooperating with ICE.
Do you support a single-payer universal health care system? Please elaborate on what policy and legislative steps the City can take to expand access and affordability.
No, I do not. I am a firm believer that labor organizations/unions should negotiate their own health care policies.
Who did you support for office in the following primaries or special elections: A) Mayor in 2013 B) Public Advocate in 2013 and 2019, C) President in 2016 and 2020 C) Governor and Attorney General in 2018?
a) Bill DeBlasio b) Jumaane Williams c) Hillary Clinton, Joe Biden d) Andrew Cuomo, Letitia James
Top 3 issues you aim to address locally and legislatively
1) Covid-19 Relief 2) Public Education 3) Small Business Stimulus
Mayor de Blasio has indicated his intent to call a third Charter Revision Commission, what additional reforms would you support to 1) the budget process, 2) the land use process, and 3) the powers and duties of municipal offices?
1) The budget process should include more community participation. While individual members have participatory budgeting, there should be a way to include more public input within the overall budget. 2) The land use process also needs more input from community members, especially throughout this pandemic that prevents us from meeting in person. 3) I believe that the Public Advocate should be given more power within the budgetary process and land use process.
Please explain your vision for the present powers of the office you are seeking and how you intend to exercise them?
I believe in the power of “we”. I would make sure to facilitate communication between myself and the community prior to any decision making. I believe that there needs to be more transparency in the office.
Do you commit to working with Jim Owles during your campaign and while in office? What role can the club and the progressive LGBT community play in holding you accountable?
I do commit to working with Jim Owles during my campaign and while in office. The club and the progressive LGBT community may be a part of my cabinet and advisory council.
If you receive the endorsement, do you agree to identify the club on all literature and electronic materials where you list endorsements?
If I receive the endorsement, I do agree to identity the club on all literature and electronic materials where I list endorsements.
What additional information would you like Jim Owles to consider when we are making our endorsement decisions?
I have supported the Jim Owles Club since I was in the political department of the UFT. I would be honored to be granted this endorsement because of the progressive nature of this club that I believe, will change NYC politics for the better.