Candidate Answers to JOLDC: Stu Sherman for City Council District 33
Candidate Name: Stu Sherman
Office Seeking Election for: City Council District 33
Explain, based on life experiences and accomplishments, why you believe you are best qualified to represent your district
I'm a legal aid attorney who works for NYLAG in their LegalHealth division. LegalHealh focuses on social determinants of health, and provides civil legal services at hospitals, community health centers, hospice, and home care settings. I assist with housing, immigration, public benefits, health care access, advance planning, and family law. I work at my local public hospital, Woodhull, and have also developed a new program for low-income seniors and their families who are suffering with Alzheimer's and dementia. It is the first of its kind in the city, and helps people get home care so they don't need to be placed in nursing homes. I was born in New York and was diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes when I was 6 years old. My family's struggle and my struggle with chronic illness, especially getting the care I need to survive, opened my eyes very early on to the inequities in the healthcare system in this country. That's why I have dedicated my life to helping others access better healthcare and addressing the social determinants of health. I worked for over a decade on health policy. Despite my policy experience, it is my experience helping in my own community over the past years which has driven me to run for city council. There are such great needs for things essential for survival in the community that are not being met. Some of this is insufficient funding for the social safety net. But also, when programs do exist in the city, they are so poorly administered that it seems their primary purpose is to deny people help as opposed to connect them to it. I'm running for city council to help people in my community, who I see in my hospital every week, whose homes I have been in while they are dying and their primary concern is that their family will be evicted, who have been fighting with NYCHA and HRA and DHS and countless other acronyms that make their lives hell while purporting to provide assistance. It's a moral failing that in the richest city in the world, people need a lawyer to represent them in hearings for food stamps and that people are getting deathly ill because NYCHA can't be bothered to properly repair their apartments. If elected to city council, my primary job will be to work with my community and build coalitions, to fix these moral failings.
Please identify any openly LGBTQ candidate for public office you have previously or presently endorsed?
I endorsed Cynthia Nixon early in her run for governor (I mean I supporter her. I wouldn't consider a private citizens support an "endorsement"). When I was in the NYS Senate as a health and health finance analyst I supported Tom Duane.
If applicable, what legislation directly affecting the LGBTQ community have you introduced or co-sponsored? (indicate accordingly)
I am not a legislator so I haven't introduced of sponsored legislation. But I did lead the NYS Task Force on Life and the Law in its research and report on gestational surrogacy and other reproductive issues effecting the LGBQT community. When I was in the state legislature working on budgeting issues I worked to properly fund LQBQT organizations and AIDS funding, like MOMS pharmacy.
What LGBTQ organizations have you been involved with, either on a volunteer basis or professionally?
When my wife and I launched our YA book series we did it at housing works and gave all our profits to the organization.
Do you consider yourself a member of the LGBTQ community?
No
Have you marched in Pride? Which marches and for approximately how many years?
No. Since I'm not a member of the LGBQT community, nor a public figure, it feels inapropriate for me to march. I have attended many and if elected would gladly march.
Have you employed openly LGBTQ individuals previously? Do you employ any currently?
I don't have employees.
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've marched (and biked) for Black Lives Matter protests. I protested to keep housing courts closed. I was at occupy city hall. I was also at the Women's March.
Have you ever been arrested? If so please explain why and outcome of arrest.
No. As a Type 1 diabetic I'm afraid of being arrested because we tend not to fare well in police custody.
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.
Describe your legislative and policy vision for combatting systemic racism
In order to address systemic racism I think we must address inequity in economic opportunities and public safety. Implicit bias often leads to discrimination in hiring which it makes it harder for women and minorities to gain employment. The city can require employers to use hiring process which blind demographically identifiable characteristics of prospective employees. In addition, certain fields rely on unpaid interns and when it comes time to hire for jobs, hire from this pool of interns. Often this makes it difficult for people without the means to work for free in their youth from breaking into fields. Also, familial or scholastic connections play a role in these internships, so the hires tend to be homogeneous. Requiring all internships to be paid minimum wage, and blinding of the applicant pool for internships can help level the playing field. Housing discrimination has a long insidious history, from restrictive covenants to discrimination in home loans. After I was once illegally denied an apartment because I worked as a public interest attorney, I was told by the real estate agent that I was lucky, because “people regularly refuse apartments to black applicants and it’s just the way it is. You're lucky you're white and will be able to find an apartment.” I was so appalled by this statement that I reported him to the New York City Commission on Human Rights and he was fined and forced to take classes on housing discrimination. The commission on human rights needs to have an expanded role that doesn’t rely on people just reporting discrimination, but also auditing suspected housing discrimination and investigating it. A system of enforcement that relies on people reporting wrongdoing will leave a situation rife with abuse. Regarding policing First, there needs to be actual accountability and enforcement when officers cross the line and injure or kill the people they’re supposed to protect. Second, we need to stop relying on the police as the primary source of public safety, by increasing the number of non-police crisis response services that can be dispatched, like mental health first responders and homeless crisis responders. By investing in these programs we can reduce the number of situations where police are involved in where they don’t have the expertise to deescalate, and usually make the situation worse. There are a number of changes that can be made that improve accountability. First, qualified immunity should end. Second, cops, and prosecutors who work closely with cops and the police department, should not be responsible for oversight. Independent prosecutors need to be appointed when cops are the defendants, and the Civilian Complaint Review Board should be able to directly punish cops, not merely provide guidance that the police department is free to ignore. Further, we need to reduce the incentive that police unions and departments have to shield bad cops from accountability. Lawsuits against police that result in a settlement should be paid out of the NYPD budget, not out of the city’s budget. End the school-to-prison pipeline starts by getting cops out of schools, not merely shifting the budget for school cops from the NYPD to the DOE. Schools don’t need cops, they need guidance counselors and social workers. Police should also not be first responders to mental health calls. A pilot program is not enough when there is evidence from other cities that mental health professionals are routinely able to de-escalate in a way that police can not or are not trained to do.
Will you not seek, and refuse, the endorsement of Bill de Blasio?
Hell no.
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?
Yup. I bike across it regularly and there are so many people it could be named after. I would love to bike across the Keith Haring bridge, adorned with artistic reproductions of his work. Or Marsha P. Johnson.
What is your position on removing the Christopher Columbus statue in Columbus Circle and if so, what should replace it?
Yes. A statue commemorating the Lenape inhabitants of New York.
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. But there needs to be equivalent investment in policing alternatives and public safety programs. Many of these programs will take time to start and develop, which is why I support an initial $1 billion cut to the police to invest in programs. For example, if we don’t want police responding to mental health crises, we need sufficient numbers of trained social workers and counselors that can act as mental health first responders. The city currently does not have enough. Once hired, they will need training. That will take time. In order to get us on a pathway to reduce police response to mental health crises, we need to invest that money now in training and hiring for those programs, so that in a year, we can cut funding to the NYPD and remove their role in responding to mental health crises. Subsequent budget cuts of up to 50% will be possible when these programs like mental health first responders exist.
How would you have voted on the FY21 City Budget?
No. The city council should have drafter and passed its own budget. I think the budget as passed was unacceptable. I also think the reasons given by those that voted for it, including the current city council member in district 33, were factually inaccurate.
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 4.
Should the NYPD Vice Squad be eliminated?
Yes. Sex work should be legalized and the vice squad should be disbanded. The vice unit is corrupt and rife with abuse. But in the larger scheme of things, the criminalization of sex work and the enforcement fo that criminalization inevitably leads to abuse and corruption. Banning sex work actually makes it more difficult to stop sex trafficking.
Should Dermot Shea be fired immediately?
Yes. Of the 65 largest US police forces, 46 ban the use of chockeholds. And yet when this proposal was made in NY, Shea called it "insane". It's not insane to value human life and anyone who thinks so has no business leading the NY police
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 should get “in school suspension.” If they can’t keep the public safe from COVID outside, they should stay in the precinct and do administrative work. I believe black lives matter and black New Yorkers have been disproportionately impacted by COVID. Actively refusing to follow safe COVID protocols is a form of violence against black bodies.
What reforms would you make to the Civilian Complaint Review Board? Would you support state legislation to make CCRB disciplinary determinations binding?
They should be publicly elected and their decisions should be binding.
What is your position on the plan to close Rikers and create four borough-based jails?
I support it.
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 work with a lot of clients with major housing issues who call 311 and get no help. I believe 311 should help people find legal aid assistance and direct advocates to assist them.
Do you support decriminalizing sex work? Will you pledge to oppose the Nordic model?
Yes. And I also oppose the Nordic model. However, I support the labor rights of sex workers and believe legalization needs to be done carefully so as not to subject sex workers capitalist forces that exploit them as workers. In my opinion, legalizing sex work but permitting various individuals or corporations to promote prostition (i.e. pimping) illegal may be the best option. In essence, I don’t support the Nordic model, but I don’t want an exploitative company that operates like Uber to monopolize the sex workers and suppress their wages.
Do you oppose school screening, which exacerbates segregation? Which screens in your school district(s) will you advocate to abolish?
I think schools need to consider more than just standardized tests. Teachers will just teach for tests, and it makes it harder for black and latino children to get into specialized schools. I think the ShSAT should be dropped for taking the top kids at schools across the city.
Describe what reforms you would make to the control of the NYC public school system.
A directly elected Board of Education, a reconstituted Board of Education with a majority not appointed by the Mayor, term limits for BOE members, city council oversight of BOE, expanding the power of CEC, restoring the budgeting authority of School Leadership Teams (SLTs) to develop school based budgets
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. Yes.
Do you smoke or otherwise consume weed?
I have smoked and consumed weed in states where it is legal.
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’ve opposed the IDC since it’s foundation, and worked in 2018 with the organization TrueBlue to primary IDC members. I was early in bringing attention to the problems the IDC created.
What will you do to support nightlife in NYC?
Right now my nightlife is caring for a newborn infant and watching shitty movies on streaming networks. So I'm probably not the best person to ask about supporting nightlife on a personal level. I did really love House of Yes and am worried it will close for good. Even though I probably wouldn't be able to go for years, that place added so much to the area. We need to support places like that through COVID. Give them rent relief and cover rental arrears so they don't close for good. Also, legalizing marijuana may give them more revenue streams, so facilitating ways to permit the sale of that.
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. 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, as long as noise is controlled as to not disturb local residents and families
Did you oppose the de Blasio/Cuomo proposal (and giveaways) for bringing Amazon’s HQ2 to Long Island City?
Yes.
What role do you believe the local member should play in the approval of development proposals before the Council?
I believe there should be a citywide plan to create enough affordable housing to serve the needs to the homeless and housing insecure in the city. I do not believe local deference should be given if it makes such a plan impossible.
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?
No. But if they can be served better at another location I would support that. I think all communities should bear the burden of housing the homeless.
What proposals will you advocate for to protect immigrants and further New York as a Sanctuary City?
Banning ICE not only from hospitals, schools and courthouses, but also public sidewalks and spaces outside such facilities. Also, making sure no city data, including public health data, is shared in identifiable ways with the federal government.
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 have supported it since I held a pro-single payer forum in law school in 2005. The city can encourage the state to adopt the NY Health Act. It can also expand Health and Hospitals health plan to provide more extensive coverage for low income new yorkers.
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) Bill de Blasio B) Letitia James, and Jumaane Williams C) Hillary Clinton 2016. Elizabeth Warren 2020 (then Biden) C) Cynthia Nixon - https://www.instagram.com/p/Bja94ECnSkUGup25tDOghXPYH7B7JMWlLjRouY0/ and Letitia James
Top 3 issues you aim to address locally and legislatively
Housing insecurity Equitable solutions to climate change COVID response/recovery, including educational recovery for children
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) More city council control of the budget process, 2) ULURP should require the rezoning serve the needs of the community and address infrastructure and educational impact and 3) Municipal offices should be given a greater role or eliminated
Please explain your vision for the present powers of the office you are seeking and how you intend to exercise them?
I think the office should take a greater role in making sure all housing development serves the needs of the community. I also plan to hold municipal agencies to account for their efforts to deny people benefits as opposed to provide them with services.
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. I expect you to challenge me on all decisions if they do not comport with your progressive 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?