Candidate Answers to JOLDC: Jenny Low for Democratic State Committee 65AD
Candidate Name: Jenny Low
Office Seeking Election for: Democratic State Committee 65AD
1. Explain, based on life experiences and accomplishments, why you believe you are best qualified to represent your district.
I’m the candidate who has demonstrated a track record and proven skills that are needed to work with elected officials at the city, state and federal levels to help the 65AD and City recover from the devastation caused by COVID. While working for a bank, I made first time bank loans to minority- and women-owned businesses and small businesses and I have helped many startup businesses succeed. After the 9/11 tragedy, my team utilized programs provided by the Small Business Administration and NYC Economic Development Corp and helped many downtown small businesses get back on their feet. When I managed a multimillion dollar grant portfolio, I worked with nonprofits that focused on education, workforce development and affordable housing. In my 30 years as a board member of the East Coast’s largest Asian American social service organization with a $190 million annual budget - the Chinese-American Planning Council (CPC), we trained countless immigrants and low-income families for living wage, union jobs. As District Leader, I’ve been working to empower voices of marginalized communities and expand their political participation. I’ve also worked with other city, state and federal officials to deliver critical programs and resources to our community. And, I’ve gained valuable experience and insight into the workings of the City Council in my capacity as Director of Constituency Services and Director of Administration for Speaker Corey Johnson. I will
bring all this experience, skills and passion to continue serving as a Democratic State Committee Member in the 65 AD.
2. Please identify any openly LGBTQ candidates for public office you have previously or presently endorsed?
Corey Johnson, Paul Fineman, Arlene Bluth, Richard Tsai, Lynn Kotler, Rolyn Richter, George Silver, Lynn Schulman, Tom Duane, Deborah Glick, Josh Hanshaft
3. If applicable what legislation directly affecting the LGBTQ community have you introduced or co-sponsored? N/A
4. What LGBTQ organizations have you been involved with, either on a volunteer or professional basis?
When I managed a multimillion grants portfolio in the private sector, I funded a number of LGBT organizations including GMHC, SAGE, and Hendrick Martin Institute. In the 1990s, I have also supported the AIDS Walk for many years. Most recently in October 2020, I volunteered with SAGE to conduct a voter education workshop.
5. If applicable, what LGBTQ organizations have you allocated funds to?
When I managed a multimillion grants portfolio in the private sector, I funded a number of LGBT organizations including GMHC, SAGE, and Hendrick Martin Institute. In the 1990s, I have also supported the AIDS Walk for many years.
6. Do you consider yourself a member of the LGBTQ community?
I am a vocal ally of the LGBTQ community.
7. Have you marched in any Pride parades? Which marches and for approximately how many years?
Pride Parade in June 2018, June 2019; Disabilities Pride Parade in July 2019
8. Have you employed openly LGBTQ individuals previously? Do you employ any currently?
Yes in my previous positions but have not had the opportunity to bring in additional staff in my current position.
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? Yes
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?
As a member of NOW and Eleanor’s Legacy, I have attended press conferences in support of pro-choice and Resist Trump events. I’ve attended the Women’s March, several Black Lives Matter rallies, and events supporting marriage equality.
11. Have you ever been arrested in pursuit of legislation or for protesting an injustice? Please elaborate. No
12. If you are an incumbent, what have you accomplished in your most recent term?
The most significant accomplishment that the NY Democratic State Committee has accomplished in the last term was passing the party rules that allow non-binary individuals to run for State Committee Member.
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):
A. 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.
B. 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. While a State Committee Member has not role in sponsoring bills in the State legislature, I support the concept and spirit of the bills mentioned above.
14. If you will not co-sponsor any of the above legislation, why not? N/A
15. Do you oppose the efforts to weaken bail reform as written? Yes
16. Do you commit to visiting constituents who are incarcerated in state prisons and city jails? If incumbent, when did you do so last?
If non-elected officials are allowed.
17. Do you support legislation outlawing solitary confinement in all prisons statewide including city jails? Yes
18. When was the last time you were inside a correctional facility.
I have not visited a correctional facility.
19. Do you believe sincere remorse and actions taken while incarcerated should be considered over the original crime in determinations of parole? This question is redundant. I would eliminate it.
20. What do you believe should be done to ensure more clemencies are granted every year?
Strengthen the effort on clemencies by working collaboratively with elected officials, criminal justice reform organizations, nonprofit organization supporting formerly incarcerated individuals, and private sector companies that have “second chance programs” employing formerly incarcerated people.
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?
22. Have you participated in any demonstrations or protests concerning clemency and parole?
Not yet.
23. Will you affirmatively seek to hire formerly incarcerated individuals? N/A (State Committee Member is a volunteer party position and does not have staff.)
24. Do you support legislation to prohibit discrimination against formerly incarcerated people in housing and employment? Yes
25. Do you believe in the decriminalization of sex work? Yes Are you or will you co-sponsor the bill introduced by Julia Salazar (S.6419 / A. 8230), which fully decriminalizes sex work? N/A
26. Will you actively oppose legislation (S.6040 / A.7069) that would implement the dangerous Nordic model instead of the decriminalization of prostitution? Yes 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 officers? Yes
28. What proposals will you advocate for to protect immigrants and further New York as a “Sanctuary State”?
As an immigrant, I am committed to ensuring that all New Yorkers are protected, regardless of citizenship status or other identity. Mass deportation has pulled apart immigrant families and undermined our public safety when immigrants are afraid to engage law enforcement because they fear deportation.
It is vital for NYC to continue its Sanctuary status to limit city law enforcement officers in assisting in federal immigration enforcement, end cooperation with federal ‘detainer requests’ for all residents, except those who have been convicted of violent or serious felonies, and oppose proposals in Congress that would withhold funding from Sanctuary Cities. The legislation introduced in Congress to eliminate funding for NYC would needlessly endanger all of New Yorkers by subverting programs that provide protection against terrorist attacks and street violence. These proposals don’t provide more public safety but would only serve to place us all at risk.
We also need to prevent ICE agents from disguising themselves as NYPD officers in attempts to enter homes. I would call for immediate dismissal of any NYPD officers found working with ICE and allowing ICE to impersonate NYPD officers in pursuit of arrests. We cannot allow the crime of impersonating a NYPD officer to happen without penalty. There must be trust within the community that law enforcement officials who knock on their doors are who they are supposed to be.
29. Do you support the establishment of supervised drug consumption spaces? Yes
30. Have you ever endorsed any member of the IDC or any candidates who challenged IDC members? Please identify all candidates
No, I have not supported any members of the IDC. In 2018, I supported the election of John Liu for State Senate who defeated IDC member Tony Avella. As a board member of Eleanor’s Legacy, I enthusiastically supported and helped fund the Martha Baker project that fielded twelve women to run in State Senate races including Alessandra Biaggi who defeated Jeff Klein, Jessica Ramos who defeated Joss Peralta, and Rachel May who defeated David Valesky.
31. Will you commit to ensuring diverse LGBTQ representation among your staff? N/A (State Committee Member is a volunteer party position and does not have 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?
A: I was focused on my own campaign for City Council and didn’t support any candidates for Mayor in 2021.
B: In 2016, I supported Hilary Clinton. In 2020, I supported Joe Biden.
C: In 2018, I supported Andrew Cuomo for Governor and Letitia James for Attorney General
33. Have you made an endorsement in the current bid for Governor? If so, who?
As a Commissioner at the NYC Board of Elections, I am not endorsing any candidate during the primary to avoid any potential conflicts.
34. Do you support term limits for statewide office holders? Yes (Max 12 years) For State Legislators? Yes (Max 12 years)
35. Describe any legislation and policy changes that you support in order to address the ongoing effects of slavery, racism, colonialism, and discrimination.
Racism is embedded throughout our economic and social policies from education, to housing, to policing and criminal justice. Eliminating current disparities among Americans will require intentional public policy efforts to dismantle systematic inequality, combat discrimination in the workplace, and expand access to opportunity for everyone, not just those in positions of privilege. When crafting a piece of legislation or setting a policy regardless of the subject, it is the responsibility of the sponsoring legislator to ensure that it is thoroughly reviewed for fairness, transparency, and accountability. I call on legislators in the city, state and federal levels to put equity as a commitment and approach to their legislative work. It is their responsibility to apply fair standards and transparent discussions, including seeking input from internal policy analysts and external subject matter expertise in racial, economic and social matters to achieve equity in the legislation or policy. Elected officials need to prioritize the significant negative impact in education, affordable housing, health care, policing and criminal justice and commit to funding programs that promote racial, social and economic justice.
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?
My family was poor when I went to college. I was only able to attend Yale University because of financial aid, student loan and scholarship. In order for students from low and moderate-income families to be able to attend college, we should have the options of tuition free public colleges and universities.
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.
Healthcare is a right and not a privilege. I support the idea of universal health insurance, and also believe that the New York Health Act needs to be significantly modified in order to incorporate the important advances labor unions have achieved as part of successive waves of collective bargaining and contracts.
38. Discuss your stance on reproductive rights, including access to contraceptives and abortion services.
I believe reproductive rights solely belong to a woman. I strong support a woman’s right to have access to contraceptives and abortion services.
39. Will you refuse money from individuals or Political Action Committees representing the real estate industry or law enforcement unions/associations? Yes
40. Will you refuse and refund any contributions from executives at corporations complicit in the Trump agenda? What does this mean? Yes
41. Will you cosponsor the legislation to prohibit evictions without good cause (S.3082 / A.5573)?
I support legislation to prohibit evictions without 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?
I support legislation that provide a path for the unhoused individuals to move towards permanent housing, including supportive housing help homeless individuals transitions to permanent homes.
43. What should happen to 421-a? Would you end it, mend it, continue it?
New York City’s housing crisis is deepening and we need to find ways to build more affordable housing. I would mend the 421-a program to require minimum of 30% affordable housing in the same development that is receiving the tax abatement.
44. Do you support legalizing accessory dwelling units? Yes and it must include proper inspection and enforcement.
45. Do you support more state funding for NYCHA? If so, how much?
It has been widely known that the condition of NYCHA housing has suffered years of disrepair and its conditions has negative impacted the residents for years. While cost of repairs was said to be $40 billion in 2021, we need to get as much funding as possible from the city, state and the federal governments. We need to hold elected officials accountable for putting the NYCHA repair cost in the budgets of all levels of government.
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?
Climate change is real. Every day that we don’t take action to slow down the change is putting New Yorkers in danger. I support bills that will require our government, private entities and residents to act responsibly to protect our environment, including the Climate and Community Investment Act.
47. 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? Yes
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? Yes
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? Yes
50. What is your position on removing the Christopher Columbus statue in Columbus Circle and if so, what should replace it?
We should remove the Christopher Columbus statue and replace it with a statue commemorating Wilma Pearl Mankiller, who was an American Cherokee activist, social worker, community developer and the first woman elected to serve as Principal Chief of the Cherokee Nation.
51. Do you support reducing the budget of law enforcement throughout the state, and if so, by how much?
I am in favor of a hiring freeze and eliminating the budget for overtime of law enforcement agencies in NY State. I support headcount reduction and re-direct funds from these budgets to social and economic programs that help to build community trust and establish relationships between residents and the police precincts, especially in the Black community, as well as continuing to invest in adding mental health professionals to teams responding to incidents involving individuals struggling with mental health issues. I also support immediate removal of officers who are reassigned for modified duty particularly if they exhibited blatant abuse as part of disciplinary action.
The deaths of many people of color and specifically those in the Black community, due to police brutality have gone on for far too long. Aggressive policing is unacceptable and we must end it! We must hold officers accountable for abuse of power. I support changes in the police department training and policing guidelines starting with banning aggressive crowd control tactics like kettling where police would surround groups and use excessive force to make arrests.
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 am in favor of removing the police from all of the above.
53. Should law enforcements "Vice Squads" be eliminated? Yes
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?
Law enforcement officers must follow the law and public health safety protocols such as warning a mask during the COVID pandemic. If they refuse to wear a mask while on duty, a warning should be issued. The penalty for any subsequent violation should be suspension without pay.
55. What reforms would you make to the Civilian Complaint Review Board? Would you support state legislation to make CCRB disciplinary determinations binding?
We need to enhance the ability of the existing independent CCRB for enforcement and prosecution. CCRB should be the oversight agency that determines disciplinary action upon conclusion of investigations. I would support state legislation that gives the disciplinary recommendations CCRB makes binding and cannot be superseded by the police commissioner. There’s been mistrust of the CCRB given the close relationship with the mayor and police commissioner. Giving CCRB powers to investigate and take disciplinary action is only way to make this agency truly independent.
56. What will you do to support nightlife in New York State?
The nightlife scene is an essential part of NYC culture and this is true for many parts of New York State. For decades NYC nightlife has also been an incubator for new talent, performative ideas and cultural trends. It’s the NYC nightlife community that have inspired and influenced artists and musicians worldwide.
As a result of the COVID19 pandemic, all live shows, clubs, and other nightlife events have been cancelled for the foreseeable future, although I’m optimistic with the vaccine currently being distributed in NYC. The cancellation has effectively left an entire community of artists, musicians, DJs, and promoters out of work. And, sadly some artists also do not qualify for federal unemployment due to their immigration status or not meeting all of the criteria required by the government. While there are programs like Support Nightlife NYC to help the community survive through this crisis by organizing financial relief, City and State officials must do more. We must encourage another round of PPP loans in the current talks in Washington so nightlife businesses can keep their workers employed. I supported creation of a state fund for undocumented immigrants and excluded workers who do not currently qualify for unemployment aid. We should ask ultra-wealthy New Yorkers to do their part to help create this safety net.
57. Do you commit to speak with restaurant and nightlife industry representatives before taking a position on any policies that affect their businesses? Yes
58. 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? Yes
59. What are the top 3 issues you aim to address locally and legislatively?
While a State Committee Member does not have direct responsibility to legislate, I have been working as an advocate in Lower Manhattan for over 30 years.
1. I want to help working families recover by addressing unemployment, food insecurity, and healthcare access. The COVID pandemic caused a dramatic increase in unemployment among New York workers whose job cannot be done from home. A majority of these workers are Black, Brown and Asian Americans. According to a recent study by the Fiscal
Policy Institute (FPI), the employment rates for New Yorkers who are Black was 13%, for Asians - 16% and for Latinx - 19%, compared to 10% for white workers. Workers in leisure and hospitality industries such as accommodation and food services, arts, entertainment and recreation have significant job loss. Many of these workers are immigrants who do not have unemployment insurance and health care coverage. For workers who retained their job during the COVID pandemic, they are essential workers in grocery stores, pharmacies or healthcare facilities where they encounter much higher health risk.
2. Defending and Investing in Affordable Housing by opposing overdevelopment, reforming NYCHA, investing in truly affordable units, and supporting homeownership for low- and middle-income families with Community Land Trusts.
Overdevelopment is an issue in many parts of NYC but it is plaguing Lower Manhattan. I support smart development where there is complete transparency from proposal, to planning, to implementation. Each step must have real input from impacted stakeholders, especially the residents of the neighborhood of the proposed project site. In order for the community to have full participation, we need to modify the ULURP process, providing more time for the residents and local the community board to review and weigh in. Any new development should include at least 30% affordable units.
One other proposal that I’m in favor of to address the lack of affordable housing is to expand the City’s Community Land Trust (CLT) programs, nonprofit entities that become stewards of land or properties for public and community benefit in perpetuity. Instead of allowing distressed properties to be gobbled up by speculators who want to build condos, the City should step in and help CLTs acquire the properties and allow current tenants to purchase their units for an affordable price. CLTs create homes that remain permanently affordable, providing successful homeownership opportunities for generations of lower income families.
We should also turn empty hotels into permanently affordable rentals or cooperative housing so families who remain in New York can have a chance at owning their homes. The affordable housing crisis is deepening during the pandemic.
3. Investing in Education by restoring gifted and talented programs, eliminating the digital divide, and expanding STEM opportunities.
The Bloomberg administration destroyed the Gifted and Talented (G&T) program in the NYC public school system. We must restore the G&T program in every school across the system. For generations, the G&T program had enabled countless students of all socioeconomic and ethnic backgrounds to take on vigorous curricula and excel in NYC’s top high schools. With the restoration of the G&T program, the natural progression is to expand the STEM curriculum throughout the school system, providing opportunities for students to pursue the sciences, technology, engineering and mathematics like it did for me when I attended Brooklyn Technical High School. As a proud product of NYC public schools and recipient of scholarships and financial aid to attend college, I will always advocate to improve the public education system and fight for free tuition for CUNY & SUNY students.
60. 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?
I am running for re-election as State Committee Member to continue fighting for equity for working class New Yorkers, particularly those in Lower Manhattan, who need an advocate to help hold elected officials accountable for delivering fair recovery aid to our community. I’ve been a District Leader for 25 years, served for 30 years on the board of the East Coast’s largest Asian American multi-social service organization, and for 10 years, I served on the board of the Eleanor’s Legacy. I served as the Director of Administrative Services and Community Engagement Divisions at the City Council in the Office of Speaker Corey Johnson.
As an elected District Leader since 1995, I have been working with leaders in the community to expand political participation of immigrants and working families and raise their voices on issues of concern to our community. In working with Democrats across the City and in Lower Manhattan, I have helped elect numerous progressive candidates to offices at local, state and federal levels. As such, I have built a network of leaders, colleagues and elected officials who share my progressive values. I will continue to work with them to help our community recover for this devasting pandemic.