Candidate Answers to JOLDC: Hailie Kim for City Council District 26

Candidate Name: Hailie Kim

Office Seeking Election for: City Council District 26

Explain, based on life experiences and accomplishments, why you believe you are best qualified to represent your district

I've seen my neighborhood change a lot as I grew up. Rents have gone up, many working class people in my community have had to leave, and my own family already had a precarious place before the Pandemic that has devastated our city. My mother lost her job as a nail technician, and my father lost his small beauty supply store since I started running. I teach at a working class school and see every day how unequal the access to education is in our system. I'm running because I want to make things better for the children of my neighborhood who will grow up as I did, without the advantages wealth offers.

Please identify any openly LGBTQ candidate for public office you have previously or presently endorsed?

I have never endorsed a candidate for office

If applicable, what legislation directly affecting the LGBTQ community have you introduced or co-sponsored? (indicate accordingly)

What LGBTQ organizations have you been involved with, either on a volunteer basis or professionally?

Do you consider yourself a member of the LGBTQ community?

No

Have you marched in Pride? Which marches and for approximately how many years?

No, but I marched in the St. Patricks for All parade in Sunnyside

Have you employed openly LGBTQ individuals previously? Do you employ any currently?

No, I have never employed anyone before, but when I begin to hire campaign staff I plan to actively recruit a diverse staff, including LGBTQ individuals

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?

Other than the St. Patricks for All parade, I have attended Resist Trump rallies and Black Lives Matter rallies

Have you ever been arrested? If so please explain why and outcome of arrest.

No

Do you commit to visiting constituents who are incarcerated in state prisons and city jails?

Yes

Will you affirmatively seek to hire formerly incarcerated individuals?

Yes

Describe your legislative and policy vision for combatting systemic racism

1. Redistribute 3 billion dollars from NYPD into social services and other things that have been proven to reduce crime. 2. Ensure no rollbacks of the chokehold ban. 3. End the school-to-prison pipeline. We need to get police out of our schools, we need to make sure that any minor in police custody is granted the presence of a parent/guardian in order to reduce the trauma that leads to more arrests, and we need to raise the reading level of our students and ensure a higher graduation rate. When 7/10 inmates can’t read beyond a fourth grade level, the connection between education, early intervention, and incarceration seems clear. There is also the need to mimic restorative justice systems in the disciplining of our students. Suspensions do not effectively teach students anything, and only serve to feed into the school-to-prison pipeline. 4. Ensure that social workers trained in de-escalation become the first responders for all cases involving someone who is mentally ill or homeless. Police simply aren’t trained to deal with mental health crises, so it only makes sense to let social workers trained in de-escalation handle such situations. In the majority of cases sent to 911, neither an ambulance nor a police officer are the most appropriate responses. 5. Elect our Civilian Complaint Review Board, and put them in charge of the NYPD. Currently, our Civilian Complaint Review Board (CCRB) are, like our Community Boards, appointed and serve merely an advisory role. Turning the CCRB into elected positions, and having a stipend to support the campaigns of low income folks who want to run, will make the process more equitable and more democratic. Once we do this, turning the CCRB into a real check on the police unions would help ensure that their recommendations are given more weight. Once this is achieved, they, not the unions, will be in charge of the police. 6. Take power away from the police commissioner for enforcing punishment for officer misconduct. 7. Decriminalize: sex work, non-violent drug offenses, and crimes of poverty. More than ¾ of petit larceny cases in NYC are committed by older black and brown people, and the majority of cases end with a guilty plea. ¼ of petit larceny defendants are given jail time, according to an article in The City. The majority of these crimes (the theft of items worth less than 1000 dollars) are crimes of poverty borne of desperation. Decriminalizing such crimes lessens the target on black and brown communities that are often overpoliced. Criminalizing sex work only serves to make the worker more vulnerable, according to Human Rights Watch and exposes them to assault, as well as health risks (the mere presence of a condom on a sex worker can be used as evidence against them). In 2018, there were 1.6 million+ drug related arrests. 80% were for simple possession. While we’ve made headway with marijuana, it’s time to decriminalize all non-violent drug offenses. All these would be steps towards ending broken-windows policing. 8. No new jails. Legislators have tried to argue for the building of four new “community” based jails in exchange for closing Rikers, mainly in heavily black and brown neighborhoods. This is not a compromise we should have to make. These community-based jails, while they are a plus for families of the incarcerated who would have an easier commute for visits, should not be built just so that we can fill them with more people of color. 9. Ensure all police officers come from New York City. Re-imposing a residency requirement on police officers seems one of the most common sense solutions we can take. 10. End food deserts. Racial justice needs to also be discussed from the standpoint of food. Public housing areas, and predominantly black and brown areas throughout NYC, such as Harlem, tend to be food deserts without easy access to fresh food. In such areas, empty storefronts also tend to be an issue. Using those empty storefronts as sources of fresh produce is crucial in protecting the health and well being of our black and brown communities.

Will you not seek, and refuse, the endorsement of Bill de Blasio?

Yes

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?

Yes

What is your position on removing the Christopher Columbus statue in Columbus Circle and if so, what should replace it?

I support its removal and replacement with a statue honoring the Native American lives that were lost during colonization

Will you refuse contributions from real estate developers and all law enforcement unions or associations?

Yes

Do you support reducing the budget of the NYPD and if so, by how much?

Yes, by 50% or $3 Billion

How would you have voted on the FY21 City Budget?

No

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.

Yes, Yes, Yes, and Yes

Should the NYPD Vice Squad be eliminated?

Yes

Should Dermot Shea be fired immediately?

Yes

Should the NYPD Commissioner require confirmation by the City Council?

Yes

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?

Twice as much as civilians, because we must be especially conscientious about rebuilding and upholding the trust in law enforcement, rather than encouraging them to break the law

What reforms would you make to the Civilian Complaint Review Board? Would you support state legislation to make CCRB disciplinary determinations binding?

I support the Elected Civilian Review Board campaign to elect and empower the CCRB, including the amendment to the NYC City Charter and NYC Administrative Code.

What is your position on the plan to close Rikers and create four borough-based jails?

No new jails. Legislators have tried to argue for the building of four new “community” based jails in exchange for closing Rikers, mainly in heavily black and brown neighborhoods. This is not a compromise we should have to make. These community-based jails, while they are a plus for families of the incarcerated who would have an easier commute for visits, should not be built just so that we can fill them with more people of color.

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

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?

We must publicize the role of 311 in reporting incidents of race-based discrimination, and make sure that these reports are taken seriously. Lack of clarity around the process of reporting and the possible outcomes discourages Black New Yorkers from reporting experiences to entities that are responsible for protecting them from discrimination and harassment, and there is an understandable mistrust of how the reports will be prosectued.

Do you support decriminalizing sex work? Will you pledge to oppose the Nordic model?

Yes and Yes

Do you oppose school screening, which exacerbates segregation? Which screens in your school district(s) will you advocate to abolish?

No Specialized High Schools Admissions Tests (SHSATs). The SHSATs prioritize students whose parents are able to afford expensive prep programs and tutors. Specialized high schools, with their limited number of seats, should not be the only pathway to an excellent public high school education for NYC students, and a single test should not determine who receives quality public school education and who does not. Furthermore, entrance to a specialized high school ought to be determined by achievement, not a single test. We need to ensure that grades and geographic diversity are the two criteria our Specialized High Schools look at for admissions.

Describe what reforms you would make to the control of the NYC public school system.

1. Fully fund Fair Student Funding (FSF). While New York currently spends an average of 28,000 dollars per student, as with housing, the median is what we should be looking at. Fair Student Funding was meant to ensure equitable distribution of funds to schools based on the student population (students with disabilities, ELLs, low income students) but the State has not provided full funding for this program, and in fact, the Mayor tried to slash 100 million dollars from the program. Furthermore, while the FSF formula is supposed to allocate money to hire all teachers, this is not the case. Currently, in District 26, for example, there is a great need at PS 150 for 27 more teachers to facilitate online learning. 2. Place limits on PTA fundraising. A disparity in fundraising between schools leads to a disparate level of support and services offered to students beyond what the City can provide. Placing firm limits on the amount that PTAs can raise would, in essence, allow students in different schools to be on more even ground. If there are limits on fundraising for City elections, similar restrictions should be in place for the PTA. 3. Prioritize Public Schools over Charter Schools. Charter Schools, privately run schools that are publicly funded, should not get as much priority as public schools. Subsidies for charter schools should ultimately be divested and then reinvested into public schools. 4. Fund Universal After School. If we want to integrate our schools, one of the things we need to be aware of is how to make this integration as seamless as possible. By funding Universal After School, we can ensure that students spend time with each other outside of school hours, engaged in and bonding over activities they enjoy.

Do you support public funding of abortion?

Yes

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

Do you smoke or otherwise consume weed?

No, but my brother was arrested for possession of weed

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?

No

What will you do to support nightlife in NYC?

I believe that the core of intersectionality means that economic issues are also LGBTQ issues. I will support small LGBTQ businesses such as bars and theaters that are suffering, by supporting the Small Business Jobs Survival Act, and the Commercial Rent Stabilization Act to preserve the cultural institutions that define much of queer culture in our city.

Do you commit to speak with restaurant and nightlife industry representatives before taking a position on any policies that affect their businesses?

Yes

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?

Yes, with the stipulation that I ultimately support elected Community Boards. Currently, our community boards are appointed, which makes a weak democratic process in our land use process. Electing our Community Boards, providing stipends for the campaigns of low income folks who decide to run, as well as a stipend for attending the monthly meetings, would ensure equitable elections that are truly representative of our communities. Then, we need to ensure that Community Boards no longer merely serve an advisory role, and rewrite the City Charter to ensure that Community Boards serve as active checks to the Councilmembers.

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?

Yes, I oppose all homophobic legislation

Did you oppose the de Blasio/Cuomo proposal (and giveaways) for bringing Amazon’s HQ2 to Long Island City?

Yes

What role do you believe the local member should play in the approval of development proposals before the Council?

I oppose all rezonings, and will vote against them if elected, but ultimately I would replace member deference with a comprehensive land use plan. The current land use process, ULURP, is inequitable: the community has no voice, and the Councilmember of a district is the one who determines what is built in their district. The current land use process is incredibly reactive, and we as City Council need to be proactive in determining what our city as a whole needs. We need to work together, and we need to determine NOW what NYC will look like in ten years.

Do you support legislation to prohibit discrimination against formerly incarcerated people in housing?

Yes

Do you oppose the removal of the nearly 300 homeless individuals from the Lucerne hotel due to pressure from some local residents?

Yes. We must work to provide all New Yorkers in need with Permanent Supportive Housing before with think about removing them. I have seen the same reaction to homeless shelters in my own district, and it comes from a lack of familiarity with the homeless. They are people like us, and I have come to know the homeless women in my district through my mutual aid work.

What proposals will you advocate for to protect immigrants and further New York as a Sanctuary City?

As an immigrant to this country myself, this question is very important to me. We must: a. Prevent the NYPD from working with ICE b. Organize. My district office will have constituent services provide contact information for free legal services for immigrants, and actively work with coalition partners such as community groups and local churches to help organize immigrant communities with information in Bengali, Spanish, Korean, Polish and Chinese to know their rights

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.

Yes. 1. Expand NYC Health+Hospitals. Expanding the number of community health centers under NYC Health+Hospitals is crucial. Such an act would allow for barriers such as cost and lack of insurance to be removed for those who need urgent, primary care. 2. Support Medicare for All at the federal level, and the NY Health Act at the State level. While neither of these policies are under municipal jurisdiction, it is crucial to enact these single-payer healthcare systems-supporting them, and organizing constituent support for them is crucial.

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?

I was not a citizen until late last year, and could not vote in 2013, but I supported B) Jumaane Williams, C) Bernie Sanders and D) Cynthia and Jumaane

Top 3 issues you aim to address locally and legislatively

My main issue in this election is how do we finance the city budget without balancing it off the backs of the poorest people in our city, right when they need us the most? If elected I will fight to charter New York City’s first public bank, tax the rich, and impose a fee on corporate landlords for empty units, and turn long-term empty units into affordable units. Secondly, Healthcare: While I support Medicare for All at the federal level, and the NY Health Act at the state level, I will work to expand the current public option offered in NYC so we can make sure all New Yorkers are insured, because healthcare is a human right. Finally, Housing: I’m running to make housing more affordable and integrated by flipping the land use process that allows corporate developers to bully our communities and make rent unaffordable for every day New Yorkers. We need to fully fund and expand our public housing, and support the fight for Universal Rent Control.

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?

I support a People's Budget, where the city council members would have a greater say in the budget process. I support a comprehensive land use plan to replace ULURP that would include community voices through an elected community board.

Please explain your vision for the present powers of the office you are seeking and how you intend to exercise them?

Until New York City achieves full self governance, I see the office of City Councilor primarily as an organizing position. I intend to use my position to convince my constituents to support campaigns like the current Tax the Rich campaign, support what legislation I can at the city level, and fight side by side with movement partners.

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?

Yes. I will stay in constant communication with the club and the progressive LGBT movement. I will seek your input for legislation as a full partner in my plan to make New York City a welcoming place for *all* New Yorkers.

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

Yes

What additional information would you like Jim Owles to consider when we are making our endorsement decisions?

I am a Democratic Socialist, I believe that there should be a minimum level of living standards in society and the state should intervene to make sure everyone is taken care of and has their basic needs met, and that justice and equality are upheld