Candidate Answers to JOLDC: David Weprin for NY Assembly District 24
Candidate Name: David Weprin
Office Seeking Election for: NY Assembly District 24
Website: under construction
1. Explain, based on life experiences and accomplishments, why you believe you are best qualified to represent your district.
I grew up in the district and have spent nearly 20 years fighting for New York City residents in both the City Council and the State Assembly. I have one of the most progressive legislative records in the state, authored the Adoptee Bill of Rights, Religious Garb Bill, have been leading the fight for alternatives to incarceration and was a key vote on marriage equality.
2. Please identify any openly LGBTQ candidates for public office you have previously or presently endorsed?
Lynn Schulman, City Council; Christine Quinn, Mayor; Danny Dromm, City Council; Deborah Glick, Assembly; Harry Bronson, Assembly; Matt Titone, Assembly; Tom Duane, Senate; Danny O’Donnell, Assembly; Jane Trichter, City Council; Brad Hoyalman, Senate
3. If applicable what legislation directly affecting the LGBTQ community have you introduced or co-sponsored?
I have been a part of nearly every LGBTQ+ bill that came up in the City Council and Assembly. Chief among them are being a co-prime sponsor on Marriage Equality including giving a crucial speech on the floor and GENDA in the Assembly and in the City Council I voted for the first recognition of gay marriage in the state from other jurisdictions before it was legal in NY.
4. What LGBTQ organizations have you been involved with, either on a volunteer or professional basis?
Stonewall Dems, Lesbian & Gay Democratic Club of Queens
5. If applicable, what LGBTQ organizations have you allocated funds to?
When I was chair of the city council finance committee I provided more capital and expense funding for LGBT non-profits more than ever before.
6. Do you consider yourself a member of the LGBTQ community?
No
7. Have you marched in any Pride parades? Which marches and for approximately how many years?
Every Pride Parade in Queens and Manhattan in the last 20 years
8. Have you employed openly LGBTQ individuals previously? Do you employ any currently?
Yes, previously.
9. If you receive the Jim Owles 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 LGBTQ issues, pro choice legislation, criminal justice reform issues and the Resist Trump Movement have you attended and/or participated in?
Many over the years including a gay marriage ceremony ahead of a Pride Parade with Assemblymember Dick Gottfried before marriage equality passed the legislature. Also most recently I joined students at Citi Field for a "We Say Gay" rally to denounce Florida's "Don't Say Gay" bill.
11. Have you ever been arrested in pursuit of legislation or for protesting an injustice? Please elaborate.
No
12. If you are an incumbent, what have you accomplished in your most recent term?
I passed out of the corrections committee, which I chair, several parole reforms that I am very proud of.
13. For the following pieces of legislation, please answer if you are currently a sponsor or co-sponsor (if you are an incumbent), or if you will co-sponsor (if you are not an incumbent):
A. Fair and Timely Parole (S.1415A / A.4231A): A bill pending in Albany that would ensure access to the parole release process for incarcerated people in New York State. This bill insures that decisions on parole are not solely based on the nature of the original crimes but includes incarcerated peoples’ record of rehabilitation and assessment of current risk to public safety.
I sponsored this bill.
B. Elder Parole (S.15A / A.3475A): A bill pending in Albany that would allow elderly incarcerated people who have served at least 15 years in prison an opportunity to appear before the Parole Board for a chance at release.
I am a co-sponsor of this bill.
C. Will you commit to oppose NY State bill S1922/A659, which makes trafficking 20 or more firearms within 1 year a Class A-1 felony punishable with a minimum of 15-25 years imprisonment or maximum of life imprisonment, and which would expand mass incarceration without promoting public safety?
Yes.
14. If you will not co-sponsor any of the above legislation, why not?
15. Do you oppose the efforts to weaken bail reform as written
Yes.
16. Do you commit to visiting constituents who are incarcerated in state prisons and city jails? If incumbent, when did you do so last?
As chair of the corrections committee I visit on a regular basis. Last October was the last time I visited.
17. Do you support legislation outlawing solitary confinement in all prisons statewide including city jails?
Yes.
18. When was the last time you were inside a correctional facility.
October ‘21 - I have visited more than half of the correctional facilities in the state.
19. Do you believe sincere remorse and actions taken while incarcerated should be considered over the original crime in determinations of parole?
Yes.
20. What do you believe should be done to ensure more clemencies are granted every year?
Criminal justice reforms and parole reforms must support clemency for those who are rehabilitated.
21. Will you publicly call on the governor to use her clemency power for the many incarcerated New Yorkers who can safely return home? Will you tweet out your support for this or issue a public statement? Would you be willing to be critical of a governor who does not exercise their power to grant clemencies and commutations to those worthy of release? Have you ever spoken out in such a way?
Yes.
22. Have you participated in any demonstrations or protests concerning clemency and parole?
As chair of the Corrections Committee in the State Assembly, I am a strong advocate for clemency. I personally fought for Judith Clark’s clemency - including offering testimony to support her being granted clemency.
23. Will you affirmatively seek to hire formerly incarcerated individuals?
Yes.
24. Do you support legislation to prohibit discrimination against formerly incarcerated people in housing and employment?
Yes.
25. Do you believe in the decriminalization of sex work? Are you or will you co-sponsor the bill introduced by Julia Salazar (S.6419 / A. 8230), which fully decriminalizes sex work?
Yes.
26. Will you actively oppose legislation (S.6040 / A.7069) that would implement the dangerous Nordic model instead of the decriminalization of prostitution? Explain in detail your views on full decriminalization, the Nordic model, legalization, and the existing criminalization approach.
Decriminalization of sex work, if done, must be done in a uniform fashion that keeps the wellfare of all invovled.
27. Do you support ending qualified immunity for police and other law enforcement individuals?
After the murder of George Floyd, I supported the entire police reform package in Albany, including repealing 50a. I have yet to take a position on this particular bill.
28. What proposals will you advocate for to protect immigrants and further New York as a “Sanctuary State”?
During the Trump administration I was a strong supporter of keeping New York a sanctuary state and city and continue to be an advocate.
29. Are you a sponsor of New York's Medical Aid in Dying Act (A.4321a/S.6471)? If not will you add your name and sponsor?
No. The disability community would be disproportionately affected.
29. Do you support the establishment of supervised drug consumption spaces?
Yes.
30. Have you ever endorsed any member of the IDC or any candidates who challenged IDC members? Please identify all candidates
I have endorsed IDC challengers.
31. Will you commit to ensuring diverse LGBTQ representation among your staff?
Yes.
32. Who did you support for office in the following primaries or special elections: A) Mayor in 2021
I did not endorse.
B) President in 2016 and 2020
In 2016 I was a Hillary Clinton delegate and in 2020 I was a Joe Biden delegate.
C) Governor and Attorney General in 2018?
In 2018 I supported Tish James and Andrew Cuomo.
33. Have you made an endorsement in the current bid for Governor? If so, who?
No.
34. Do you support term limits for statewide office holders? For State Legislators?
I am against term limits as it disenfranchises the voters.
35. Describe any legislation and policy changes that you support in order to address the ongoing effects of slavery, racism, colonialism, and discrimination.
I support any effort to combat the effects of these.
36. 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 support increased funding and tuition aid for SUNY & CUNY schools.
37. Do you support a single-payer universal health care system? Do you or will you co-sponsor the New York Health Act? Please elaborate.
Single payer healthcare for all should be a reality in New York, however it should coexist with existing quality health insurance plans. For example, labor unions offer their members very high quality health insurance, and I do not believe they should be forced to lose their plans in the name of single payer healthcare. If you like your plan, you should get to keep it.
38. Discuss your stance on reproductive rights, including access to contraceptives and abortion services.
I am pro choice - I believe contraceptives should be readily available and covered by insurance.
39. Will you refuse money from individuals or Political Action Committees representing the real estate industry or law enforcement unions/associations?
No
40. Will you refuse and refund any contributions from executives at corporations complicit in the Trump agenda?
I would be interested in which companies are being referenced, then I could better answer.
41. Will you cosponsor the legislation to prohibit evictions without good cause (S.3082 / A.5573)?
I was a cosponsor at one point, but I am no longer a cosponsor because I am concerned that this bill would ultimately benefit wealthy landlords at the expense of low income New Yorkers by obstructing the building of affordable housing. Good Cause caps potential tax revenue in high income areas like Greenwich village and reduces resources/tax revenue for education, public safety, housing security, mental health and other social programs in middle/lower income areas.
42. 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? Will you co-sponsor S.856 / A.6032, which amends the Social Services Law to create a statewide rent supplement for families and individuals who are eligible for public assistance benefits and who face eviction, homelessness, or loss of housing due to domestic violence or hazardous living conditions?
Yes, I am a co-sponsor of A6032.
43. What should happen to 421-a? Would you end it, mend it, continue it?
I support ensuring there is sufficient affordable housing.
44. Do you support legalizing accessory dwelling units?
No.
45. Do you support more state funding for NYCHA? If so, how much?
Yes, I would need to examine the specific need to determine the amount.
46. Do you, or will you, co-sponsor the Climate and Community Investment Act? (S.4264A / A.6967) If you are an incumbent and do not currently co-sponsor this bill, why not?
Yes.
47. Do you support the New York Public Banking Act (S.1762A / ? If you are an incumbent and do not currently co-sponsor this bill, why not?
As a member of the Assembly Committee on Banks - I am committed to ensuring our banks provide the best service and an equitable benefit to all of our communities.
48. Do you support the New Deal for CUNY (S.4461 / A.5843)? If you are an incumbent and do not currently co-sponsor this bill, why not?
Yes, I am a co-sponsor.
49. 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 a city bill to rename the former Queensboro Bridge? Do you authorize the use of your name for such a purpose?
Yes. I support the change in the name. I supported legislation in the past to change the name and would vocally support it in the future.
50. What is your position on removing the Christopher Columbus statue in Columbus Circle and if so, what should replace it?‘
No.
51. Do you support reducing the budget of law enforcement throughout the state, and if so, by how much?
I would support reallocating funding and making sure there is an increase in community policing, social workers, and people trained in dealing with mental health.
52. 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.
I would like to see more trained social work professionals in some of these areas.
53. Should law enforcements "Vice Squads" be eliminated?
Yes.
54. How would you recommend law enforcement officers be penalized for refusing to wear masks in public while on duty, in defiance of city and state rules?
Everyone must face penalties for refusing to wear a mask in public during the pandemic.
55. What reforms would you make to the Civilian Complaint Review Board? Would you support state legislation to make CCRB disciplinary determinations binding?
I support making CCRB determinations public.
56. What will you do to support nightlife in New York State?
I have been fighting for nightlife and restaurants to open up safely during the Pandemic. I called for the partial reopening of restaurants and support initiatives that will revitalize these businesses.
57. Do you commit to speak with restaurant and nightlife industry representatives before taking a position on any policies that affect their businesses?
Yes.
58. Do you commit to speak personally with liquor license applicants and license holders before opposing any bid for a liquor license? Likewise for an applicant seeking your support?
Yes.
59. What are the top 3 issues you aim to address locally and legislatively?
1. Continue to protect secure retirements for all New Yorkers so our seniors can enjoy retirement without financial stress.
2. Implement common sense criminal justice reforms to support first responders, reduce recidivism, and reverse racial inequity in our justice system.
3. Take decisive action to stop hate crimes and protect the rights of every New Yorker.
60. How much money do you presently have in your campaign account?
$188,000 as of January filing.
61. What additional information would you like members The Jim Owles Liberal Democratic Club to consider when we are making our endorsement decision concerning your candidacy?
I am proud to represent a diverse district and look forward to continuing my great working relationship with the Jim Owles club.