Candidate Answers to JOLDC: Jose M Serrano for NY Senate District 30
Candidate Name: Jose M Serrano
Office Seeking Election for: New York State Senate District 30
Website: n/a
1. Explain, based on life experiences and accomplishments, why you believe you are best qualified to represent your district. **Thank you for this opportunity. I have always been a coalition builder in the fight for equality and social justice for the underserved communities I represent. I have a been a consistent voice for immigrant communities, and those most marginalized in our society. I have a strong record of progressive legislation and activism over my 20 years in public office. Growing up in the South Bronx, I’ve seen firsthand how important strong community organizing and activism can be, and I’m grateful for the legacy of activism this club has brought to NYC.
2. Please identify any openly LGBTQ candidates for public office you have previously or presently endorsed? **I recently endorsed Brad Hoylman in the race for Manhattan BP.
3. If applicable what legislation directly affecting the LGBTQ community have you introduced or co-sponsored? **I have proudly supported all of the major LGBTQ bills that have come before the legislative during my time there.
4. What LGBTQ organizations have you been involved with, either on a volunteer or professional basis? **Throughout my years up public office I have worked with LGBTQ organizations, both large and small, local and statewide.
5. If applicable, what LGBTQ organizations have you allocated funds to? **I have been very supportive over the years to our local LGBTQ organizations and the great work they do. The legislature’s “member item” process has changed over the years but I would be more than happy to elaborate.
6. Do you consider yourself a member of the LGBTQ community? **I am a strong ally and friend.
7. Have you marched in any Pride parades? Which marches and for approximately how many years? **Yes, the Pride parade (I believe 2014)
8. Have you employed openly LGBTQ individuals previously? Do you employ any currently? **Yes I have employed openly LGBTQ individuals and maintain a very supportive work environment for all.
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? **Over the years - many. Of particular concern over the years has been violence against LGBTQ and transgender individuals in East Harlem and the South Bronx.
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? **More recently I have been focused on COVID relief for vulnerable communities, including help for renters. Supporting local arts community who have suffered tremendously during the pandemic. Expanding voting rights, and continuing our focus on criminal justice reform, among many other issues.
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 support this, and I am a cosponsor of 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 support this and I am a cosponsor of the bill.
14. If you will not co-sponsor any of the above legislation, why not? **N/A
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? **Yes
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.
19. Do you believe sincere remorse and actions taken while incarcerated should be considered over the original crime in determinations of parole? This question is redundant. I would eliminate it. **Not sure if you meant to eliminate this question?
20. What do you believe should be done to ensure more clemencies are granted every year? **More pressure and awareness of the need to end mass incarceration.
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? **I do support the concept of this and I would be more than happy to discuss during the interview
22. Have you participated in any demonstrations or protests concerning clemency and parole?
23. Will you affirmatively seek to hire formerly incarcerated individuals? **I believe that all individuals deserve the opportunity to succeed and do well.
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? ** I do support the decriminalization.
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. **I am unsure of this legislation and I’d like to learn more about all these issues and discuss further during the interview
27. Do you support ending qualified immunity for police officers? **Yes
28. What proposals will you advocate for to protect immigrants and further New York as a “Sanctuary State”? **I support all the measures. My bill S1357 addresses these very issues for immigrants in NYS, and I’m happy to work with all of my colleagues and advocates on this issue.
29. Do you support the establishment of supervised drug consumption spaces? **Yes, it will save lives.
30. Have you ever endorsed any member of the IDC or any candidates who challenged IDC members? Please identify all candidates **I haven’t endorsed the IDC.
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 B) President in 2016 and 2020 C) Governor and Attorney General in 2018?
33. Have you made an endorsement in the current bid for Governor? If so, who?
34. Do you support term limits for statewide office holders? For State Legislators? ** I am unsure about this and I would like to discuss further
35. Describe any legislation and policy changes that you support in order to address the ongoing effects of slavery, racism, colonialism, and discrimination. **The legacy of these issues are very harmful to so many. I believe that the discussion around these issues should be broad and take into account all ideas and suggestions. I would happy to discuss more.
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 believe we should make college free at CUNY and SUNY. College tuition and student loan debt has grown over the years and has only served to widen inequality in our city and state.
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. ** Yes I support and am a cosponsor
38. Discuss your stance on reproductive rights, including access to contraceptives and abortion services. **I have always believed and supported full access to reproductive services
39. Will you refuse money from individuals or Political Action Committees representing the real estate industry or law enforcement unions/associations? **There are several groups who I don’t accept donations from, including Real Estate and Pharmaceutical companies and I would be more than happy to elaborate on that in the interview.
40. Will you refuse and refund any contributions from executives at corporations complicit in the Trump agenda? What does this mean?
41. Will you cosponsor the legislation to prohibit evictions without good cause (S.3082 / A.5573)? **Yes and I am cosponsor of the bill
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 support the issue and I am a cosponsor of the bill
43. What should happen to 421-a? Would you end it, mend it, continue it? **421a has proven to be very problematic and overall the City’s affordability problem has only grown
44. Do you support legalizing accessory dwelling units? **I am unsure of this issue and would like to discuss and learn more.
45. Do you support more state funding for NYCHA? If so, how much? **Yes! NYCHA requires support from all levels of government and our state budget should reflect meaningful investment in our underserved developments
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 and I am a cosponsor
47. Do you support the New York Public Banking Act (S.1762A / A. 8290? If you are an incumbent and do not currently co-sponsor this bill, why not? **Yes I support and I am a cosponsor of the bill
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 support and I am a cosponsor of the bill.
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? **We’ve discussed this in the past and yes I do support this change
50. What is your position on removing the Christopher Columbus statue in Columbus Circle and if so, what should replace it?** Yes I am supportive of this concept but I would like to discuss more.
51. Do you support reducing the budget of law enforcement throughout the state, and if so, by how much? **State budgets don’t directly deal with local police departments. I do believe our state budget should be reimagined, with a focus on social justice and equality in every level of society. Economic justice to ensure better housing and educational opportunities for our youth. More money for the arts and culture, often overlooked but are proven ways to create social change, equality, and raise awareness for critical issues.
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. **So many of these issues should be dealt with by mental health professionals and social workers. This is a very big discussion and would love to discuss more.
53. Should law enforcements "Vice Squads" be eliminated?
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? **not sure what the penalty should be, but absolutely they should be required to wear their masks
55. What reforms would you make to the Civilian Complaint Review Board? Would you support state legislation to make CCRB disciplinary determinations binding? **Would like to discuss and learn more
56. What will you do to support nightlife in New York State? **As the chair of the committee that oversees Tourism, I believe that this industry can play a vital role in economic developments as well as the arts and cultural scene.
57. Do you commit to speak with restaurant and nightlife industry representatives before taking a position on any policies that affect their businesses? **Unsure of this question and would like to discuss further.
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? **same as above
59. What are the top 3 issues you aim to address locally and legislatively? **most committed to dealing with issues of inequality, and how that inequality affects issues like health disparities, inadequate housing and housing discrimination, and environmental concerns. Social justice can take many forms, and creating a more just society can be attained with a willing coalition of people dedicated to change. This philosophy guides my efforts on any numbers of issues that come before us both in the community and in the legislature.
60. 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 have always been committed to progressive policies that benefit our community, especially those most marginalized in our neighborhoods. Every day I try to become a better elected official, and I endeavor to do that by listening to all points of view and learning more about issues by hearing from the people most affected by these issues. I appreciate the opportunity to present my candidacy and ask for the support of your members. I take nothing for granted and I fully understand I must earn that support every day. Thanks again.