Candidate Answers to JOLDC: Mike Scala for City Council District 32
Candidate Name: Mike Scala
Office Seeking Election for: City Council District 32
Explain, based on life experiences and accomplishments, why you believe you are best qualified to represent your district
I'm an attorney with private and public sector experience, and a product of Queens public schools. On the private side, I've run my own business and represented families throughout the district, winning high profile cases against some of the nation's most prestigious lawyers. In the public sector, I've served as counsel and legislative director in the New York State Senate, drafting legislation such as the state's missing adults law. This is especially significant because it was found when it was a matter of discretion, police were less likely to look for people of color who went missing. In 2017, I won the Democratic primary in this district and have built on that momentum, making me the most viable candidate for election. I've always been a fighter for equal rights for all.
Please identify any openly LGBTQ candidate for public office you have previously or presently endorsed?
Corey Johnson, Jimmy Van Bramer, Danny Dromm
If applicable, what legislation directly affecting the LGBTQ community have you introduced or co-sponsored? (indicate accordingly)
N/A
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?
I consider myself a supporter.
Have you marched in Pride? Which marches and for approximately how many years?
I have marched in some.
Have you employed openly LGBTQ individuals previously? Do you employ any currently?
Yes.
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 not only attended such events, I organized them during my tenure in Albany and beyond. Last year, I helped put together a rally for immigrants who were being targeted for robberies in my community. Speaking at the rally, I informed attendees of their rights and built a bridge with police so that everyone understood a victim's immigration status could not be questioned.
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. I have visited Rikers Island as an attorney and offered legal advice.
Will you affirmatively seek to hire formerly incarcerated individuals?
I will certainly not rule it out if they are qualified for the position.
Describe your legislative and policy vision for combatting systemic racism
Strengthening MWBE legislation, setting more ambitious goals for the city than the state; police reform, including expanding the scope of services a 911 call can provide and getting police out of the traffic stop business; robust local hiring goals to combat gentrification; making public schools more integrated; initiatives such as municipal broadband, ensuring under served communities can thrive; housing as a human right; promoting language justice; hiring staff from every community in district.
Will you not seek, and refuse, the endorsement of Bill de Blasio?
That is an endorsement I will not seek or accept.
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 - I disagreed with the renaming in the first place.
What is your position on removing the Christopher Columbus statue in Columbus Circle and if so, what should replace it?
I would be open to a suitable replacement that celebrates Italian American heritage without the controversy.
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?
I support enacting police reform through meaningful legislation, which naturally affects the budget. I do not think the measures taken this year were effective - reducing overtime, canceling an academy class - and would caution against symbolic cuts.
How would you have voted on the FY21 City Budget?
I would have voted 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 to all.
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. More officials, including the NYPD commissioner, should be subject to Council confirmation as a check on the mayor's power.
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 should be subject to the same repercussions as private citizens.
What reforms would you make to the Civilian Complaint Review Board? Would you support state legislation to make CCRB disciplinary determinations binding?
I support giving the CCRB more oversight authority and believe its determinations should be binding.
What is your position on the plan to close Rikers and create four borough-based jails?
I believe Rikers should be reformed, but if it is to close entirely, existing facilities should be used where possible.
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. We should also remove the underlying crime from parole decisions and consider the fitness of the incarcerated for release.
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?
Reports should not be allowed to be marked 'closed' until they are actually handled. Those making 311 complaints should be guaranteed to receive real time updates. Legitimate concerns should not take several months to a year to address. This will require more oversight and accountability.
Do you support decriminalizing sex work? Will you pledge to oppose the Nordic model?
Yes.
Do you oppose school screening, which exacerbates segregation? Which screens in your school district(s) will you advocate to abolish?
I will do everything in my power to stop segregation and promote a more integrated school system.
Describe what reforms you would make to the control of the NYC public school system.
I would end the current system of mayoral control and shift decision making towards parents and teachers. We should be catering to the needs of our individual classes instead of adopting a "one size fits all" approach.
Do you support public funding of abortion?
Yes, I believe it should be regarded as any other health care decision.
Do you support the creation of safe consumption sites? Would you support the use of NYC DOHMH authority to establish SCSs without NYSDOH authorization?
I would like to see more study on this issue and weigh the pros and cons within our legal framework.
Do you smoke or otherwise consume weed?
I have smoked weed, but not habitually.
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. When I worked in the State Senate, the IDC hurt our chances of having the majority, which impeded our legislative progress. I supported the defeat of IDC members, and a partner of the political firm I use was involved in at least one of those successful races.
What will you do to support nightlife in NYC?
I will work with business owners in my district and beyond to ensure their needs are met. I believe coming out of the pandemic, we need to do everything we can to get small businesses back on their feet. This includes cutting red tape and creating greater tax incentives. Nightlife in particular goes a long way towards making New York thrive and be the "city that never sleeps" (an expression that unfortunately seems quaint this year) again.
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. Community boards need to be more representative of the communities, and achieving this includes appointing more local business owners.
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, fun should not be outlawed.
Did you oppose the de Blasio/Cuomo proposal (and giveaways) for bringing Amazon’s HQ2 to Long Island City?
Yes, the plan was not acceptable and more work should have been done to secure those jobs for local residents without the corporate handouts.
What role do you believe the local member should play in the approval of development proposals before the Council?
I believe the local member should make decisions that are guided by the community board, and the Council should defer to that member.
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?
Long term, the city should not be in the business of dangerously warehousing individuals in shelters and hotels, but should be focused on real housing.
What proposals will you advocate for to protect immigrants and further New York as a Sanctuary City?
Being from an incredibly diverse district that represents the best New York City has to offer, I will work to empower our immigrant community. Part of this work happens at the legislative level, ensuring immigrants are not unfairly targeted by the law and enjoy the same rights and benefits as non-immigrants. Part of it is in outreach - for example, making sure the community and police know immigration status cannot be questioned during interactions. I have been working with the precincts in my district on having information about immigrants' rights distributed in local languages. I will also make it a point to hire staffers from immigrant communities so that constituent services can be delivered optimally.
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. The city should support efforts to expand coverage at the federal and state levels (including through advocacy and Council resolutions), filling in gaps at the municipal level where needed. I am an advocate for more access to health care, not only in terms of coverage but in terms of availability and accessibility. For instance, there is only one hospital serving the entire Rockaway peninsula and it is not equipped to handle the need. We need more local clinics, as well as better access to existing facilities. One idea being floated is a heliport in district, which ensures those without cars can get medical attention in a timely fashion.
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) Anthony Weiner (pre-scandal), B) Letitia James and Jumaane Williams, C) Hillary Clinton and Joe Biden, D) Andrew Cuomo and Letitia James.
Top 3 issues you aim to address locally and legislatively
Municipal broadband, public transportation (QueensRail), environmental protection.
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 would seek to introduce participatory budgeting citywide, subject more projects to ULURP (e.g., private developments funded mostly with city funds) and give the City Council the duty to confirm certain mayoral appointees. Community boards should additionally be given more authority, such as the ability to object to proposals and request a formal hearing before a commissioner (I've drafted legislation at the state level to facilitate this).
Please explain your vision for the present powers of the office you are seeking and how you intend to exercise them?
I want to be known as a legislator, not merely an activist or a sloganeer. My legacy will be helping accomplish a major infrastructure upgrade to New York City. I also intend to continue bringing people together and usher in a new era of inclusion in a district that has been under Republican control since 2009.
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 - constant contact and communication. I seek to maintain an open dialogue about priorities and how I can be useful in meeting them.
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 come into the race with experience and vision, and a record of getting results. My campaign has been endorsed by Senator James Sanders Jr., with more endorsements scheduled to be rolled out in the coming weeks. We have not yet formally announced our campaign, but are already one of only two campaigns that have qualified for matching funds in the district. During the pandemic, I helped organize a food pantry that serves 1,000 local families a week. Most powerfully, we've brought people from all backgrounds together for the greater good of serving the people. This is the spirit I bring to my calling of public service. More information is available at www.scala.vision.