Candidate Answers to JOLDC: Julia Forman for City Council District 26

Candidate Name: Julia Forman

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

My name is Julia Forman and I’m a candidate running to represent District 26 in the New York City Council. I moved to Western Queens in 2014, and I didn’t just find a place to live, I found a neighborhood that became my home and a community that welcomed me and included me as an active member. I was born in the Bronx to two NYC public school educators. When I first became an attorney I followed in my parent’s footsteps to a career in public service, and began practicing at the Bronx DA’s Office. While there I experienced cases that changed my perspective on criminal justice and I saw how strongly the deck is stacked against certain communities, and how inequitable the allocation of public resources really is. I am no longer a Bronx ADA but by combining what I learned during my years practicing law, with my dedication to my community, as council member I will be able to change this city from the inside by writing laws that actually help people instead of catering to outside interests. I’m running to be the next councilmember of District 26, and the first woman to represent this district. I’m running because whether acting as a board member of my local civic association, a founding member of the Western Queens Community Land Trust or just as a person chatting with the neighbor next to me at a local bar, no matter who I speak to, the same issues come up. They are afraid of being priced out of their homes and of being separated from our community. And time after time, we’ve been shown how real that threat is. Real estate developers have set their sights on making millions off of District 26, with no regard for the schools we send our children to, the seniors struggling to get by, or for the negative environmental impact their development will have on all of us. And now Covid-19 has brought more uncertainty to our district. I am ready to step up and be the fierce fighter the community that welcomed me back in 2014 needs. As council member I will push for all recovery efforts to be centered around the needs of our schools, our small businesses, and first and foremost, our neighbors. I’m running to be the effective leader my district deserves and will bring us into a future designed for us.

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

A lot of my New Reformers slate mates that I ran with in 2020 to bring true small d democracy to the Queens Democratic Party are openly LGBTQIA+. I am proud to have served as a Judicial Delegate with such a diverse and passionate group of people.

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

I have not introduced legislation as I have not yet been elected to City Council, but my platform is intersectional and comprehensive and seeks to uplift all marginalized populations in this district and city.

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

I am a member of the Stonewall Democratic Club, am proud to have marched in St. Pat’s For All, and strive to help create an inclusive place for everyone in any setting I am in.

Do you consider yourself a member of the LGBTQ community?

No, but I am an ally.

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

I have marched in all St. Pat’s for All parades since 2018 and luckily was able to march in the 2020 parade before the City shut down for Covid. I also proudly often wear my St. Pat’s for All sweatshirt to spread the word about this event. I also marched in the 2019 NYC Pride Parade with Irish Pride, and was a celebratory spectator at NYC Pride from 2010-2018. Even when studying for the bar exam in 2012 I was lucky to be able to take a break from hitting the books as the parade route passes right in front of my law school (Cardozo Law School, which is on 5th Ave and 12th Street).

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

I purposefully seek to create a diverse team including LGBTQ. I do not seek to make anyone uncomfortable if they are not openly LGBTQ, and welcome anyone on my staff to share their pronouns, sexual orientations, etc. as they feel comfortable. With that said, about 25% of my campaign staff is openly LGBTQIA+.

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 have been to dozens of rallies/protests/meetings in support of equality since 2016, including the first Women’s March in Washington DC in 2017. You can count me as a strong ally who you can rely on to show up.

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

I support “Ban the Box” legislation and do not feel as though arrest records should be used to color a candidate’s history as positive or negative. You can count on me to show up to protests/rallies and wherever I am needed, whether that means I get arrested or use my body to protect communities of color from police abuse.

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?

Again, “Ban the Box” prevents us from using their incarceration history in hiring processes. It would be illegal for me to seek this information.

Describe your legislative and policy vision for combatting systemic racism

My platform seeks to strengthen our economy and job market, fight climate change, abolish homelessness, make education more equitable, and reform our criminal justice system. It is a comprehensive platform that seeks to uplift our most marginalized communities and prevent the targeted violence against them.

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

Correct. I will not seek, and if offered will refuse Bill de Blasio's endorsement.

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 removing this statue and replacing it with a statue of an indigenous leader. I never forget that we live and work on stolen Lenape land, and this should serve to be a reminder to all who walk by.

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 at least $1 billion additional dollars.

How would you have voted on the FY21 City Budget?

I would have voted no due to the drastic cuts to vital social services and the almost complete lack of cut of the overinflated NYPD budget.

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 to all of the above.

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?

They are unable to do their job, which is to protect New Yorkers. This behavior is actively putting New Yorkers at risk, and thus they must be brought up on disciplinary procedures and at a minimum suspended without 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 to ensure the CCRB has more power and funding. Right now they only have jurisdiction over charges of FADO (force, abuse of authority, discourtesy, or offensive language). Expanding that to cover any non-criminal allegation of misconduct will give more teeth to the agency, and create a central location for complaints to be made. We also absolutely need to ensure their disciplinary determinations are binding, and I would support state legislation to that effect. Moreover, within the City Council we must repeal RCNY Chapter 38 Section 15-08, which gives the Police Commissioner final say about any disciplinary order in the Department.

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

I support closing Rikers, but I do not support building any new jails. Especially during a pandemic and economic crisis, devoting billions of public dollars to caging our neighbors instead of keeping people housed and fed would be a huge, and devastating misuse of taxpayer money.

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?

More funding for training. We also need to drastically increase fines on landlords that ignore 311 complaints, continuing to endanger their tenants.

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

We should decriminalize sex work, but I do not support the Nordic model due to my discussion with sex workers and advocates. The nordic model decriminalizes their work but makes it illegal for anyone to patronize them, which still prevents them from earning wages. I encourage everyone to listen to sex workers regarding the legislation they advocate for, because they know their industry better than anyone else.

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

Yes because it perpetuates segregation. I want to abolish all current screens used by the DOE and instead work with educators and advocates to develop a system that works equitably for all students.

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

I will work to take control over the funding and curriculum of the NYC public school system out of complete mayoral control, which was instituted under Bloomberg and create a model where the educators in the districts will have more of a say about what goes on in their schools. I will work with advocates, educators, and community members to formulate the system that best serves teachers, students, and parents.

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 and yes.

Do you smoke or otherwise consume weed?

I have seen a woman of color attacked by the New York Times for having to answer this question at a forum, and the media has since colored her campaign as one of drug use. I appreciate the purpose of this question, but until it is fully legal, which I support, we should not encourage candidates to allow their campaigns to be derailed with this question.

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. I advocated for challengers including Allesandra Biaggi.

What will you do to support nightlife in NYC?

There is so much art in nightlife, whether it's standup comedy, live music, drag, etc. I have a comprehensive arts platform which will help ensure performers and artists have a livable wage and steady income. I will: Update zoning and tax codes that currently make live-work spaces harder to construct and arts spaces harder to maintain Support initiatives to open public spaces for artist rehearsals and performances Empower the Department of Consumer Affairs and Worker Protection to enforce regulations that allow artists to work in productive, professional environments, and to be compensated appropriately for their work Increase arts education funding to ensure that every school in our district has at least one full-time, certified arts teacher and connect our schools to the resources necessary to augment that education.

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

Yes, and I will always speak with the most affected before proposing legislation.

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

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

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

Yes, in fact I was very active in advocating for and with my community against Amazon HQ2.

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

Though I believe that each council member should know what sort of development is best for their own district, and I would like to trust that the voters elected the person that will represent the needs of their community. However, real estate developers have used their extensive financial resources to gain undue influence over land use decisions made in City Council. Because of that reality it’s incumbent that the incoming City Council focus less on member deference and more on doing what’s right for affordability, resiliency, and local infrastructure.

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

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

As the wife of a non-citizen, I know how hard it is for our immigrant communities to feel as though their voices matter to their representatives. I commit to fighting against any ICE presence in our city, and especially in our municipal buildings. I also am dismayed at how our immigrant neighbors have been left behind with any Covid-19 recovery or relief efforts so far. Working with the mutual aid groups across Western Queens has shown me how severe the need for assistance is, especially for individuals and families who don't qualify for public assistance. In order to truly be a Sanctuary City, we must create a framework that provides food, healthcare, and housing assistance to every New Yorker regardless of citizenship or status. Furthermore, the voices of all New Yorkers need to be heard and valued, especially as the federal government has slowly been making the path to citizenship harder and much more expensive. Thus I support passing Intro 1867 to give voting rights to nearly 1 million immigrants in New York.

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. I support expanding NYC Care, but also partnering with state and federal representatives to advocate for the NY Health Act and Medicare For All.

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) De Blasio B) Leticia James and Jumaane Williams C) Hillary Clinton and Elizabeth Warren D) Cynthia Nixon and Zephyr Teachout

Top 3 issues you aim to address locally and legislatively

1. Addressing the fiscal crisis by cutting government waste to prevent layoffs 2. Building more safe and stable housing for all New Yorkers with a focus on responsible and sustainable development 3. Rebuilding our City’s economy and social safety net during the post-Covid recovery.

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?

If elected I would hold town hall events across District 26 to hear feedback from each of our communities. I think that the importance of input from residents when it comes to such strong policy/legal changes cannot be understated. The only specific reform I would advocate for on top of what my neighbors want to see is to repeal NYC Charter Chapter 18 Section 434, which gives the Police Commissioner final say in all NYPD disciplinary decisions. Like any other agency, police misconduct that doesn’t rise to the level of being heard in criminal court should be heard by the Office of Administrative Trials and Hearings and the judges determinations should not be reviewed by the commissioner or any other NYPD personnel.

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

I understand that council members must partner with organizations like Jim Owles to stay connected to the grassroots work that needs to be done in the district. We need to work together to pass a People’s Budget, to tax the rich, and prioritize uplifting the working families of this district. We need to fully fund public housing as a step toward guaranteeing dignified housing for all, and expand services like NYC Care to ensure everyone can receive the medical care they need without the worry of a lifetime of medical debt. I am also deeply committed to using the City Council's considerable land use oversight powers to make decisions that create a city focused on the needs of our communities, not real estate developers. For all this to be done, we need buy-in and support from the grassroots and from the people. I look forward to partnering with your club to prioritize the working families of my district and to make our shared vision a reality for New York City.

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?

Absolutely, I view each endorsement as a partnership through which we can work together to amplify our common vision. For me, this endorsement would just be the start of a relationship. I would expect to stay in close contact while I am in office, and I will look forward to advocating together for our common values.

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 want to thank your membership for considering our campaign to represent District 26 in the New York City Council for an endorsement. I have been a member of the Dutch Kills Civic Association since 2018 and was sworn in as a board member in December 2019. As a newer board member of an over 40 year old organization, I have taken strides to bring in a younger generation of members and to increase outreach and engagement in our community so that the working families of this district unite for our best interests. I am a founder member of the Western Queens Community Land Trust which was started in 2019. When the land trust incorporated earlier this year, I expanded my steering committee role to become the first Treasurer. As an organization not just dedicated to bringing a land trust to our area, but in promoting community-focused, sustainable land use decisions in general, we were proud to have been an integral part of defeating the YourLIC proposal for numerous new luxury towers on the Long Island City waterfront. Earlier this summer, after months of meeting with our elected officials, speaking out at Community Board meetings, and doing community outreach, our message got through to the city, and it was announced that they are no longer partnering with developers for public land. I am also an active member of the Astoria Mutual Aid Network since it was formed in March 2020 and signed up to be one of the earliest dispatchers, which are the team members who field requests from neighbors in need, and reach out to volunteers who provide the appropriate assistance. Upon learning about my background in public service and knowledge of local political and governmental agencies and programs, the founder of AMAN contacted me to discuss taking on the role of intergovernmental communications liaison. In that role, I’ve focused on reaching out to our local elected officials and acquiring both information and resources for AMAN including PPE and boxes of groceries that have helped us feed over 1,000 Queens households. Through my community relationships, I was also able to connect AMAN to non-profit entities that brought full trucks of free, fresh, and nutritious food to Western Queens. I’m proud that my connections have been able to serve my community not just by keeping them fed, but doing so in a healthy and dignified way. I was honored to have been elected as a Judicial Delegate this past June after running with the support of New Reformers and have utilized my experience in this position to educate voters and community members about the lack of transparency in our government. I am now focusing on recruiting others to run for these volunteer positions within the Queens Democratic Party, so that we can have a truly open and inclusive party in our borough.