Candidate Answers to JOLDC: Ramdat Singh for DL Assembly District 81
Candidate Name: Ramdat Singh
Office Seeking Election for: District Leader Assembly District 81
Website: https://www.ramdatsingh.nyc/
1. Explain, based on life experiences and accomplishments, why you believe you are best qualified to represent your district.
As a lifelong resident of the 81st Assembly District, my lived experience and work in civic engagement makes me the most qualified to be the next District Leader. I grew up in the Norwood section of the Bronx, attended public schools in the district and now reside in the Kingsbridge section of the Bronx. For the past seven years, I have worked as a special education teacher in the district and teach my students self-advocacy skills and empowerment skills. Moreover, I run our schools Gender and Sexuality Alliance (GSA), providing a safe space for all students and empowering my students to advocate for initiatives that make our school more inclusive and safe environment.
Equality Project, where I led the organization’s civic engagement and legislative redistricting
The census campaign focused on getting LGBTQ+ people counted and for them to understand the impact of the census. The voter engagement campaign ushered in a targeted voter engagement campaign in Caribbean centric neighborhoods. Moreover, we advocated for the passage of Intro 1867 – Our City, Our Vote, because we recognized that a large population of LGBTQ+ Caribbean immigrants were not allowed to vote, due to having legal residence, but no citizenship. Throughout my time at the Caribbean Equality Project, I help work within coalitions to get our communities more civically minded. On Bronx Community Board 8, I serve as the Chair of the Parks and Recreation Committee and serve on the Education and Special Committee on Racial Equity. As Parks Chair, I work on brining equity throughout the community board and fight for increased funding for our parks department.
District Leader. I hope to use my experience to engage disenfranchised areas of the district and fight to make the Bronx Democratic Party more inclusive and transparent.
2.
Please identify any openly LGBTQ candidates for public office you have previously or presently endorsed?
Elvin Garcia for City Council-Deputy Field Director
3.
If applicable what legislation directly affecting the LGBTQ community have you introduced or co-sponsored? Not applicable
4.
What LGBTQ organizations have you been involved with, either on a volunteer or professional basis?
Previously, I served as the Director of Civic Engagement for the Caribbean Equality Project
5.
If applicable, what LGBTQ organizations have you allocated funds to? Not Applicable for the role of District Leader.
6.
Do you consider yourself a member of the LGBTQ community? Yes-Openly Queer person
7.
Have you marched in any Pride parades? Which marches and for approximately how many years?
NYC Pride Queens Pride-2019 Bronx Pride
8.
Have you employed openly LGBTQ individuals previously? Do you employ any currently? Not applicable for the role of District Leader
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? I fully intend on identifying the club on all literature and electronic materials.
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?
11.
Have you ever been arrested in pursuit of legislation or for protesting an injustice? Please elaborate. I have not been arrested for protesting.
12.
If you are an incumbent, what have you accomplished in your most recent term?
Not Applicable for the role of District Leader.
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):
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.
Even though my role is not a Legislator, I fully support this bill.
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.
Even though my role is not a Legislator, I fully support this bill.
A. Will you commit to oppose NY State bill S1922/A659, which makes trafficking 20 or more firearms within 1 year a Class A-1 felony punishable with a minimum of 15-25 years imprisonment or maximum of life imprisonment, and which would expand mass incarceration without promoting public safety?
Even though my role is not a Legislator, I fully support this bill.
14.
If you will not co-sponsor any of the above legislation, why not?
15.
Do you oppose the efforts to weaken bail reform as written
I am firmly against any efforts to weaken bail reform, but in favor of strengthening bail reform.
16.
Do you commit to visiting constituents who are incarcerated in state prisons and city jails? If incumbent, when did you do so last?
Not Applicable for the role of District Leader.
17.
Do you support legislation outlawing solitary confinement in all prisons statewide including city jails?
I firmly believe that we should outlaw solitary confinement.
18.
When was the last time you were inside a correctional facility.
I have never visited a correctional facility and won’t be able to since I am not a legislator.
19.
Do you believe sincere remorse and actions taken while incarcerated should be considered over the original crime in determinations of parole?
20.
What do you believe should be done to ensure more clemencies are granted every year? We need to hold the Governor accountable for their inaction.
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?
many incarcerated New Yorkers. I will release a public statement and tweet the Governor to continue to pressure her to use her clemency power. Governors should always be held accountable for the actions or inaction and I will continue to critical of the Governor for her inaction.
22.
Have you participated in any demonstrations or protests concerning clemency and parole?
I have not participated in ay demonstrations or protests concerning clemency; however, I have
collected petition post cards to send to my Assembly Member to pressure them to support. I
drop the charges against Prakash Churaman.
23.
Will you affirmatively seek to hire formerly incarcerated individuals? Not Applicable for the role of District Leader.
24.
Do you support legislation to prohibit discrimination against formerly incarcerated people in housing and employment?
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?
Legislator.
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.
27.
Do you support ending qualified immunity for police and other law enforcement individuals?
Even though my role is not a Legislator, I fully support ending qualified immunity for police and law enforcement.
What proposals will you advocate for to protect immigrants and further New York as a “Sanctuary State”?
Director of Civic Engagement, I led the organization’s advocacy on Intro 1867-our city, our vote.
28.
Are you a sponsor of New York's Medical Aid in Dying Act (A.4321a/S.6471)? If not will you add your name and sponsor?
Even though my role is not a Legislator, I fully support this bill.
29.
Do you support the establishment of supervised drug consumption spaces?
30.
Have you ever endorsed any member of the IDC or any candidates who challenged IDC members? Please identify all candidates
I have not endorsed or support any member of the IDC.
31.
Will you commit to ensuring diverse LGBTQ representation among your staff?
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?
c) Cynthia Nixon for Governor and Zephyr Teachout for Attorney General
33.
Have you made an endorsement in the current bid for Governor? If so, who? Not applicable
34.
Do you support term limits for statewide office holders? For State Legislators?
I fully support term limits for statewide office holders and state Legislators.
35.
Describe any legislation and policy changes that you support in order to address the ongoing effects of slavery, racism, colonialism, and discrimination.
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 fully support the New Deal for CUNY and SUNY.
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.
I fully support single payer universal health care system. I am unable to co-sponsor the New York Health Act, but I have advocated for its passage by participating in the twitter campaign and writing my legislators to support.
38.
Discuss your stance on reproductive rights, including access to contraceptives and abortion services.
As a cisgendered male, I believe that cisgendered males should not make decisions over a women’s body. I fully support a women’s right to choose and have access to contraception and reproductive services.
39.
Will you refuse money from individuals or Political Action Committees representing the real estate industry or law enforcement unions/associations?
Our campaign is grassroots funded and I will not accept any donations from Political Action Committees, real estate or law enforcement unions/ associations.
40.
Will you refuse and refund any contributions from executives at corporations complicit in the Trump agenda?
contributions made by them.
41.
Will you cosponsor the legislation to prohibit evictions without good cause (S.3082 / A.5573)?
I am unable to co-sponsor the legislation, but I fully support good cause.
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?
43.
What should happen to 421-a? Would you end it, mend it, continue it? Not applicable
44.
Do you support legalizing accessory dwelling units?
45.
Do you support more state funding for NYCHA? If so, how much?
I support more state funding for NYCHA and investing in green infrastructure, so that we are leading a more sustainable city.
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?
state more sustainable.
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?
Even though my role is not a Legislator, I fully support this 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?
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?
advocate for a community engagement input process for the renaming.
50.
What is your position on removing the Christopher Columbus statue in Columbus Circle and if so, what should replace it?‘
I am in favor of replacing the statue and in favor of a public engagement commission to decide what should replace it.
51.
Do you support reducing the budget of law enforcement throughout the state, and if so, by how much?
I firmly believe that budgets are a living document and the budget should reflect investment and needs of the community. As a public school teacher, I firmly believe that we need to allocate more funding to our schools and invest in our students.
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.
I believe that police should not be the first line of defense when dealing with homeless outreach and social services.
53.
Should law enforcements "Vice Squads" be eliminated?
enforcement.
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 applicable for the role of District Leader.
55.
What reforms would you make to the Civilian Complaint Review Board? Would you support state legislation to make CCRB disciplinary determinations binding?
Not applicable for the role of District Leader.
56.
What will you do to support nightlife in New York State? Not applicable for the role of District Leader.
57.
Do you commit to speak with restaurant and nightlife industry representatives before taking a position on any policies that affect their businesses?
Not applicable for the role of District Leader
57. 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?
Not applicable for the role of District Leader
59.
What are the top 3 issues you aim to address locally and legislatively?
Our Democracy is only as strong, as long people are engaged and participating. As the role of District Leader, I hope to engage more voters in the electoral process, by leading educational townhalls for more voter education, voter registration drives to register new voters and young people into the electoral process.
60.
How much money do you presently have in your campaign account?
I have raised $7,000 for the role of District Leader.
61.
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?