Candidate Answers to JOLDC: Lynn Schulman for City Council District 29
Candidate Name: Lynn Schulman
Office Seeking Election for: City Council District 29
Campaign Website: https://www.schulman2021.com
Explain, based on life experiences and accomplishments, why you believe you are best qualified to represent your district
I am running for City Council because it is time for a change. The Coronavirus pandemic has exposed the glaring inequities that exist with our city. New York City has been devastated by the virus and it has laid bare the need for bold structural changes to how we approach health care, housing, public safety, and nearly every aspect of how city government interfaces with our lives.
Now more than ever, it is vitally important to have strong, progressive voices in the City Council. As an out lesbian, I understand how marginalized communities experience inequality and how it deprives individuals of opportunity and dignity. We need to shift the paradigm from top-down decision making that ignores, isolates, and undermines communities towards an approach that makes equity and justice the guiding principles in all decision-making. I am running for City Council to be an agent of this transformation in city government.
New York City stands at a crossroads. The death toll of the Coronavirus was shocking, but not surprising. For too long, decisions about land use, budgets, and legislation have been anchored around the desires of the ultra wealthy and the powerful; not centered around the needs of the people. I am running for City Council to change that.
I have dedicated my personal and professional life to health care advocacy. It was borne out of my experience in the LGBTQ community during the AIDS epidemic when I saw a generation of my friends and neighbors die because of the indifference of those in power to those in my community. I won’t let that happen again. I see so many parallels between that shattering experience and our current moment: with so many black and brown New Yorkers slaughtered by the Coronavirus.
Queens was the hardest hit borough by the outbreak. And it was no accident. For the past twenty years, greedy real estate developers and corporations rigged the land use process to close over 10 hospitals in the borough. When the pandemic hit, we were left with a fatal shortage of hospital capacity. I am running for City Council to change that.
The centerpiece of my campaign platform is to expand hospital capacity in Queens. It is the most urgent priority for Queens residents because we can’t afford to not have emergency care locally available when we need it most. I will introduce legislation to add a hospital capacity and health care impact assessment to every zoning and land use proposal. We need to understand how new development impacts health care access before something is built, not afterward when it is too late.
I will be a leader on creating a Hospital Capacity task force to rebuild hospital capacity throughout our city but especially in Central and Southeast Queens. As a priority, I will direct capital dollars towards building more hospital capacity, creating more hospital beds, and expediting the process so we are safer in the future with local access to world class emergency care within our communities. I will be a leader in building coalitions to make progressive change. For too many of us, it is a matter of life and death.
Please identify any openly LGBTQ candidate for public office you have previously or presently endorsed?
Danny Dromm, Corey Johnson, Anise Parker, Ritchie Torres, Brand Hoylman, Rosie Mendez, among others, and many other candidates through my role with the National LGBT Victory Fund.
If applicable, what legislation directly affecting the LGBTQ community have you introduced or co-sponsored? (indicate accordingly)
NA
What LGBTQ organizations have you been involved with, either on a volunteer basis or professionally?
Gay Men’s Health Crisis, Lambda Legal Defense Fund, Hetrick-Martin Institute, Born This Way Foundation, AIDS Center of Queens County, The LGBT Network, PFLAG, The LGBT Community Center, Generation Q (LGBT youth organization based in Forest HIlls), National LGBTQ Victory Fund among others
Do you consider yourself a member of the LGBTQ community?
Yes, I am an open Lesbian
Have you marched in Pride? Which marches and for approximately how many years?
Yes, for more than 40 years - Washington DC, Boston, and Pride marches in Brooklyn, and Manhattan
Have you employed openly LGBTQ individuals previously? Do you employ any currently?
NA - but have mentored several LGBTQ work colleagues
What press conferences, demonstrations, rallies and protests in support of LGBT issues, pro-choicelegislation, criminal justice issues and the Resist Trump Movement have you attended?
Some events include LGBT and Trans Day of Remembrance press conferences at City Hall, Black Lives Matter rallies in Queens, Stop and Frisk rallies - most notably assisted RWDSU in organizing LGBT community to march in Stop and Frisk rally in 2012. Also participated with Planned Parenthood and Eleanor's Legacy in supporting pro-choice legislation.
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, and in fact, I have formerly incarcerated volunteers working on my campaign
Describe your legislative and policy vision for combatting systemic racism
Combating systemic racism must be an all-of-the-above approach. I would start by endind school segregation. It is shameful that NYC is the most segregated school district in the nation. Our children only get one shot at a great education. We must ensure every child, regardless of race and zip code, gets an excellent public education. The future of our society depends on it. We must confront this crisis of racial injustice head-on and work to build integrated schools in every neighborhood.
I have been involved in criminal justice reform for more than a decade and look forward to bringing my experience to the Council. The Council must work toward creating a more just and equitable criminal justice system that eliminates systemic racism. My vision is to address the before, during and after aspects of the system – the before is to ensure there are adequate social service programs/services to keep people out of the criminal justice system; the during is to ensure that those who are incarcerated receive adequate, appropriate services, and be treated humanely. We also need to finally put an end to solitary confinement and substantially increase comprehensive mental health services to incarcerated individuals. The after is to provide adequate services to formerly incarcerated individuals so they can successfully re-enter society and resume productive lives as New Yorkers.
Will you not seek, and refuse, the endorsement of Bill de Blasio?
I will not seek de Blasio’s endorsement. I will refuse it in the unlikely event it is offered.
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, whatshould replace it?
I think the city needs a balanced approach to cultural symbols including but not limited to statues like Christopher Columbus, including adding some context to existing statues as an education tool. I will also push to diversify what historical figures are celebrated and honored.
Will you refuse contributions from real estate developers and all law enforcement unions or associations?
I have and will continue to refuse contributions from large real estate developers and law enforcement unions
Do you support reducing the budget of the NYPD and if so, by how much?
Yes, The current NYPD needs to be reimagined in a way that focuses on public safety and fosters true community partnerships. I would shift mental health and homeless services out of the NYPD (school safety has already been moved as of the last budget). As for budget implications, I would use the resources of the Council’s Finance staff to determine how best to shift allocations to meet public needs. As someone who has experience working in the City Council, I would be able to ask the appropriate questions and quickly make these assessments.
How would you have voted on the FY21 City Budget?
I would have voted in favor because of the community groups and organizations that would have suffered losses by voting 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.
NYPD should focus its efforts on public safety and we need to take a deep dive on how best to ensure that school safety, mental health issues, homeless outreach and traffic enforcement are best achieved.
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. I believe the City Council should have advise and consent over all city agency heads.
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?
I think that they should be disciplined for refusing to wear masks. Their job is public safety and the greatest threat to public safety in our lifetime is COVID. I have already spoken out about this issue publicly.
What reforms would you make to the Civilian Complaint Review Board? Would you support state legislation to make CCRB disciplinary determinations binding?
The CCRB needs more resources to investigate cases and I will push to provide the CCRB with the authority to impose discipline on officers when its investigations have resulted in findings of misconduct.
What is your position on the plan to close Rikers and create four borough-based jails?
The effort to close Rikers and build 4 borough based community centers was a first step to decarceration. We now have to make sure the promises made regarding supportive services for those who are incarcerated are kept. I worked very closely with the Fortune Society on this issue.
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?
I would restructure the 311 system to allow for greater transparency and accountability. The City Council must exercise greater oversight over this important tool for municipal government.
Do you support decriminalizing sex work? Will you pledge to oppose the Nordic model?
Yes, I believe in allowing paid sex between consenting adults — decriminalizing both the buying and the selling of sex, as well as promotion of prostitution — while maintaining prohibitions on trafficking, coercion and sexual abuse of minors.
Do you oppose school screening, which exacerbates segregation? Which screens in your schooldistrict(s) will you advocate to abolish?
Yes. We must end school segregation. It is shameful that NYC is the most segregated school district in the nation. Our children only get one shot at a great education. We must ensure every child, regardless of race and zip code, gets an excellent public education. The future of our society depends on it. We must confront this crisis of racial injustice head-on and work to ensure integrated schools in every neighborhood. I would remove the screens that take children out of neighborhood schools for gifted and talented programs. Those programs should be in every elementary school.
Describe what reforms you would make to the control of the NYC public school system.
I believe that there should be municipal control of the New York City public schools. That means, it isn’t mayoral control with one person making all the decisions. I believe it should be a partnership between the Mayor, the City Council, parents, and educators.
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
Have you ever supported any of the members of the IDC? If so, who? What did you do to help defeat theIDC in 2018?
No
What will you do to support nightlife in NYC?
Nightlife is essential to both the culture and the economy of New York City. I will support nightlife by removing barriers to success for the many wonderful and critically vital institutions in our communities. With COVID shutting down so many nightlife operations, it is existentially important to rethink what how New York City will save this important industry.
Do you commit to speak with restaurant and nightlife industry representatives before taking a position onany policies that affect their businesses?
Yes, absolutely. I will always center my decision-making on feedback from conversations with impacted parties.
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 and Yes
Now that the cabaret law was repealed do you support amending the zoning resolution to allow patronsto 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 IslandCity?
Yes
What role do you believe the local member should play in the approval of development proposals beforethe Council?
As the most local representative in an elected government, I believe the City Council Member should be in the lead role for approving development proposals impacting their district and the communities they are represented to elect. That said, I believe other members should have the opportunity to weigh in on proposals that will have a citywide impact.
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?
Undocumented immigrants contribute greatly to our economy and our communities. And our nation was built around the notion of ‘no taxation without representation’. I agree , if you are a New Yorker, you should have the right to vote. Additionally, we need to expand and simplify the pathway for immigrants to become citizens so they can fully participate in all elections – municipal, state and federal. As a member of the Council, I am committed to working closely with the NY Congressional delegation on immigration reform.
I support the New York Immigrant Family Unity Project. For the vast majority of immigrants facing deportation, including children, federal law provides no clear path to a right to appointed counsel, so it is important for the City, via the Council, to ensure they are able to retain legal counsel.
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. Health care is a human right. Life and death decisions should never be decided by someone’s balance sheet. The COVID-19 pandemic is the biggest healthcare crisis of our lifetimes. Tragically, the Coronavirus has exposed the deep vulnerability of our community. Over the past two decades, Queens has lost an alarming number of hospitals and other healthcare resources. The consequences have been devastating. We have lost loved ones, friends, and neighbors. The lives lost underscore that there is nothing more important than access to healthcare – which is why I will fight to ensure that Queens is adequately served.
As a City Council Member, I will push legislation that will require all development projects under land use review to include a hospital impact assessment in addition to the required environmental assessment. This will ensure that communities like Forest Hills, Kew Gardens, Rego Park, and Richmond Hill have enough hospital beds for emergency care when it is more critical. Not only are we in desperate need of additional hospital capacity, but we need a healthcare system that can provide affordable preventive and primary care, and also have the ability to react to acute issues such as the current pandemic.
As someone who has had first-hand experience working in the healthcare field, and who has worked on health issues in the City Council, I will move these issues to the forefront to ensure our lives aren’t put in jeopardy because of the government’s inability to make smart decisions about our public health.
Save lives by building essential hospital capacity in Queens
Force all land use decisions to have a health care impact assessment
Invest in preventive and primary care by building more community health centers for seniors and low income residents Increase the funding, and expand the mandate of, the Department of Health and NYC H+H to better prevent disease outbreaks and improve public health
Who did you support for office in the following primaries or special elections: A) Mayor in 2013 B) PublicAdvocate in 2013 and 2019, C) President in 2016 and 2020 C) Governor and Attorney General in 2018?
Bill Thompson for Mayor in 2013, Tish James for PA in 2013; stayed neutral in 2019; Hillary Clinton for President in 2016; Elizabeth Warren for President in 2020 Governor Cuomo for Governor and Tish James for Attorney General in 2018
Top 3 issues you aim to address locally and legislatively
1: Expand Hospital Capacity in Queens 2: Prevent Layoffs and Cuts in City Services 3: Revitalize Small Business (Mom and Pop shops)
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 City’s budget should include more input from the City Council. It is too much the Mayor’s budget with some City Council tinkering at the margins. I would elevate the City Council’s ability to both raise revenues and control spending down to the line item. 2: I would restructure the land use process to provide more community input and more transparency. So many developments are approved without the community properly educated and informed about the impact of the proposal. I would have an urban planner, with expertise in land use, hired to serve every Community Board. Additionally, I would look into a more democratic way to select Community Board Members including redistricting. 3: I believe the City Council should have advice and consent over all Mayoral appointees to run city agencies. This will provide the Council with greater input into decision-making and allow for improved oversight.
Please explain your vision for the present powers of the office you are seeking and how you intend to exercise them?
I am running for City Council because it is time for a change. The Coronavirus pandemic has exposed the glaring inequities that exist with our city. New York City has been devastated by the virus and it has laid bare the need for bold structural changes to how we approach health care, housing, public safety, and nearly every aspect of how city government interfaces with our lives. Now more than ever, it is vitally important to have strong, progressive voices in the City Council representing Forest Hills, Kew Gardens, Rego Park and Richmond Hill. As an out lesbian, I understand how marginalized communities experience inequality and how it deprives individuals of opportunity and dignity. We need to shift the paradigm from top-down decision making that ignores, isolates, and undermines communities towards an approach that makes equity and justice the guiding principles in all decision-making. I am running for City Council to be an agent of this transformation in city government.
Do you commit to working with Jim Owles during your campaign and while in office? What role can theclub and the progressive LGBT community play in holding you accountable?
Yes, I will work with the Jim Owles club during the campaign and while in office. The club can hold me accountable by keeping an open line of dialogue throughout my tenure in office. I believe in that it is the duty of a representative to be in constant contact with leaders and community members. We may not always agree but you will also be able to discuss the issues and get a fair hearing from me.
If you receive the endorsement, do you agree to identify the club on all literature and electronic materials where you list endorsements?
Absolutely
What additional information would you like Jim Owles to consider when we are making our endorsement decisions?
I have been a member of the Jim Owles Democratic Club, and served on the Board of Governors since its inception, and, in fact, knew Jim Owles personally. My late partner and I have consistently supported the club, its activities and its events. In fact, my partner was an active Vice President of the Club. In addition, I was proud of having the club’s endorsement when I ran for this seat in 2009 and would be doubly proud to have its endorsement in this race.