Candidate Answers to JOLDC: Lynn Schulman for City Council District 29

Candidate Name: Lynn Schulman

Office Seeking Election for: New York City Council District 29

Campaign Website: https://lynnschulman.com

Campaign Social Media Handles: @lynn4NYC for Twitter and Instagram Facebook is

https://www.facebook.com/lynnschulmannyc

1. Do you consider yourself a member of the LGBTQ community? Yes, I am an open Lesbian.

2. If you answered “yes” to the first question, do you believe members of hate groups should be permitted to join the City Council LGBTQIA+ caucus? Do you believe the Republican party is a hate group? If you answered yes to both questions, do you support ejecting Republicans from the caucus?

I don’t believe that members of hate groups should be permitted to join the LGBTQIA+ Caucus.

3. What work have you done on behalf of the LGBTQ community? This can include endorsing LGBTQ candidates, drafting or advocating for legislation directly benefiting the LGBTQ community, working with LGBTQ organizations, allocating funds to LGBTQ organizations, marching in Pride parades, attending rallies/protests/press conferences in support of LGBTQ issues, and/or employing openly LGBTQ individuals.

I have previously endorsed LGBTQ candidates, including Danny Dromm, Brad Hoylman, Rosie Mendez, and others. I was also a member of Campaign Board of the National LGBTQ Victory Fund, which endorsed LGBTQIA+ candidates nationwide. In my first year in the City Council, I was a co-prime sponsor on several pieces of legislation including a package on MPox, and making PrEP more easily accessible. In addition, as Chair of the Health Committee, I was in the forefront of the MPox epidemic, writing letters to the CDC demanding more vaccines, hosting Town Halls and forums, and organizing the very first “Night of Action'' by the City Council to provide information to New Yorkers at LGBTQIA+ nightlife establishments. Over the past 30+ years I have participated in Pride Marches, including Queens Pride, and participated in press conferences on issues facing the community. I also employ LGBTQIA+ staff members and interns.

4. Has Mayor Eric Adams met the needs of the LGBTQ community? Please include “yes” or “no” in your answer, and explain your answer.

The Mayor and his team were very much on top of MPox, even with glitches in the beginning. He has also assisted with funding of LGBTQIA+ programs and is a supporter of LGBTQIA+ curriculum in the public school system. I do believe the Mayor is a strong ally, but as with all Mayoral Administrations, more can be done.

5. Would you demand that the Mayor re-institute its office of LGBTQ affairs, with its leader being a member of the LGBTQ community chosen in consultation with the City Council LGBTQIA+ Caucus?

When the Mayor met with leaders of the LGBTQIA+ community early in his Administration, he said he would consider this request. We should ask the Mayor to re-institute the office, especially given the increase in LGBTQIA+ hate crimes.

6. Have you made requests to the Office of the Mayor to demand inclusion of LGBTQ community in city administration and on city boards? Can you give examples?

I have submitted names for Board appointments and will continue to do so.

7. Do you support reparations for slavery?

I think it is something that should be studied. There is legislation in Congress, which I support, to create a federal commission to study the lingering effects of the institution of slavery and to develop proposals for appropriate remedies.

8. Do you oppose all efforts to weaken bail reform?

A person’s economic status should not determine whether or not they should be sent to Rikers Island.

9. Do you support closing Rikers Island? Do you support the administration’s plan to open borough-based jails?

I support the closing of Rikers Island, but oppose the borough based jail in my district. I am not satisfied with the current plans and process which has excluded community members in my district. Also, I have yet to get assurances that the jail that is built will not be a smaller version of the chaos now existing on Rikers Island.

10. Do you support legislation outlawing solitary confinement in all jails and prisons, including city jails, and do you support Intro 549 (regarding solitary confinement)?

I am a co-sponsor of the legislation which is currently undergoing amendments. I have heard from constituents who are healthcare workers on Rikers Island and the union, 1199, about the abuse they have faced from detainees and am working to ensure they have a voice in any negotiations. While solitary confinement needs to end, there does need to be some accountability for those who hurt other detainees and staff.

11. 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 would be willing to publicly call on the Governor to use that power.

12. If elected, will you include in your office’s newsletter instructions for your constituents on how their loved ones can apply for clemency?

I would provide that information for constituents.

13. Do you commit to visiting constituents who are incarcerated in state prisons and city jails? When did you do so last?

Yes. As a member of the Criminal Justice Committee, I last visited Rikers in the summer of 2022.

14. Do you believe in the decriminalization of sex work? If so, do you support full decriminalization, including decriminalizing purchase and facilitation? Will you commit to opposing the Nordic model, which continues criminalizing purchase and facilitation while decriminalizing sale?

I support the decriminalization of sex work, but want to ensure that thos who engage in sex trafficking and sexual abuse of minors are held accountable. I have witnessed the devastation of too many victims of sex trafficking to let that go by the wayside.

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

As a member of the Council’s Budget and Negotiating team, I have advocated for increased funding for programs and services to protect immigrants. I have also been collaborating with the New York Immigration Coalition on asylum seeker issues. 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.

16. Did you support legislation, which passed, to allow non-citizen New Yorkers to vote? Do you support the appeal of the case in which the law was held unconstitutional?

The legislation was passed in the previous Council.

17. Do you support the establishment of supervised drug consumption spaces in your district?

Currently, the City Council is working to study the results of the pilot program that launched safe injection sites to determine how to best support those who suffer from drug and opioid addiction, and need additional services. Addiction is a complicated issue and the results of this study will help determine next steps.

18. Do you support ending qualified immunity for police and other law enforcement individuals?

New York City already eliminated qualified immunity for the NYPD in 2021.

19. 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.

It is important for the NYPD to focus its e?orts on public safety and we need to examine how best to ensure that school safety, mental health issues, homeless outreach and tra?c enforcement are best achieved.

20. Should law enforcement "Vice Squads" be eliminated?

It depends on how they are made up and what their role is. If the Vice Squad is constituted to harass sex workers and the most vulnerable New Yorkers, then they should be eliminated.

21. Should the Gangs Database be abolished and do you / will you co-sponsor Intro 360 on the subject?

The Department of Investigation is in the process of preparing a report on the gang database. Once the investigation is completed and the report is released, we will have comprehensive data that will help drive the direction on this issue.

22. Do you support the Progressive Caucus’s requirement that members support cutting funding to NYPD in favor of alternative safety infrastructure?

Public safety is a very complex issue and the NYPD needs to be part of any public safety solution, along with investment in social services, violence interrupters, alternatives to incarceration programs and investments in mental health services.

23. What concretely have you done to improve access to reproductive healthcare? If elected, what more will you do? Be specific.

I am proud to have been a part of the city’s historic NYC Abortion Rights Act bill package to advance reproductive healthcare in the city, which was passed in the last session. We also provided a first of its kind $1 million Abortion Access Fund. Further, I sponsored a package of legislation to create a Maternal Health Package to help address racial inequalities among black and brown pregnant people.

24. Do you approve of Mayor Adams’ approach to sweeping homeless encampments?

Homeless individuals need to be treated with respect and dignity.

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

Yes. I will always center my decision making on feedback from conversations with impacted parties.

26. Do you commit to speaking personally with liquor license applicants and license holders before opposing any bid for a liquor license? Likewise for an applicant seeking your support?

Yes.

27. 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?

I would support a city bill.

28. Do you commit to removing the Christopher Columbus statue in Columbus Circle?

No. I believe the city needs a balanced approach to cultural symbols, including adding some context to existing statutes as an education tool.

29. Who did you support for Mayor in the 2021 Democratic primary? Did you make an endorsement in the general election?

I did not endorse a candidate in the 2021 Primary. I supported Eric Adams in the General Election.

30. Are you currently a member of the Progressive Caucus? If you are not currently an incumbent, will you join if elected?

I am not a member of the Caucus.

31. Do you believe the Progressive Caucus should have qualifications to ensure that its members are actually progressive? Please explain.

Each Caucus is entitled to have its own qualification for membership.

32. If you are a sitting Councilmember, name three votes you took in the City Council that differed from the position of the Speaker.

I have supported Speaker Adams on all legislation.

33. The rules of the City Council often make it difficult to get a hearing and/or vote on bills of which the Speaker does not approve. Would you support, and introduce if necessary, legislation that could force the City Council to print, introduce, hold hearings on, and hold votes on legislation.

Adrienne Adams is one of the most transparent Speakers the Council has had and, as a Committee Chair, it has not been my experience that hearings are difficult to get. Also, under the current rules of the City Council a Member can make a motion to discharge a bill.

34. Will you refuse money from individuals or Political Action Committees representing the real estate industry or law enforcement unions/associations?

I have and will continue to refuse contributions from large real estate developers and law enforcement organizations.

35. Will you refuse and refund any contributions from executives at corporations who donated funds to any of Donald Trump’s campaigns?

I will refuse corporate checks from these individuals.

36. With the continued boycott of Equinox fitness on the basis of owner Steve Ross’ support of Donald Trump and institution of “Don’t Say Gay” policies in his residential buildings, do you commit to opposing his application for a casino?

Only the local Council Member of a proposed casino gets an appointment on the local Community Advisory Committee to offer input, under the State Rules for the Casino permit.

37. 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.