Candidate Answers to JOLDC: Andrew Yang for NYC Mayor
Candidate Name: Andrew Yang
Office Seeking Election for: NYC Mayor
Explain, based on life experiences and accomplishments, why you believe you are best qualified to represent your district
I moved to NYC 25 years ago. It was here I met my wife, Evelyn, and raised our two amazing sons. Over these two and a half decades, I have started businesses, run one of the leading education companies, founded a non-profit, and launched a presidential campaign that grew into a full-fledged anti-poverty movement. All of this was possible because New York City gave me tremendous opportunity. I owe this City everything. I am running because now more than ever, New York City needs an anti-poverty mayor who will address the root causes that have led to severe economic inequality in New York City. During my presidential campaign, we built a movement of millions of Americans hoping to transform our economic system - a system with too many jobs that didn’t meet the changing needs of our 21st century economy. Throughout this mayoral campaign, I intend on fostering a broad-based movement across all five boroughs. New Yorkers want a robust and fair COVID-19 recovery and I believe our cash relief plan to help the most impacted New Yorkers, along with our commitment to growing small businesses, establishing a People’s Bank, building more affordable housing driven by community needs, and reforming our criminal justice system will lead to the rebuilding of a stronger New York City. I am also building a people-powered movement that is uplifting a diversity of voices and communities who have been left out of the political process for too long. This is evidenced by my coalition of endorsers, such as Congressman Ritchie Torres, Council Member Carlos Menchaca and Assembly Member Kenny Burgos, who are young rising starts and the future of our party.
Please identify any openly LGBTQ candidate for public office you have previously or presently endorsed?
Yes, my nonprofit Humanity Forward endorsed a number of LGBTQ candidates including Jon Hoadley (Congress), David Kim (Congress), Mondaire Jones (Congress), Carlos Cardona (NH Leg), C.J. Petersen (Iowa Leg), Evan Low (California Leg), Alex Lee (California Leg), and Alex Morse (Congress). I’m a proud supporter of Congressman Ritchie Torres, the first openly gay Afro-Latino member of Congress, in anything he chooses to do.
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?
N/A
Do you consider yourself a member of the LGBTQ community?
No
Have you marched in Pride? Which marches and for approximately how many years?
I have not marched in Pride but I look forward to doing so this summer and as mayor.
Have you employed openly LGBTQ individuals previously? Do you employ any currently?
I am proud that my campaign for mayor of New York is being run by Chris Coffey and Sasha Ahuja, who are both members of the LGBT community and advocates for LGBT equality. Chris serves on the board of the Trevor Project, the leading national organization providing crisis intervention and suicide prevention services to lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer & questioning youth. My finance director Anthony Mercurio is also part of the LGBT community, and my campaign has many members of the community throughout the organization. I’m proud of that.
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 spent years working to throw Donald Trump out of office. I moved to Georgia with my family to help flip the Senate. I attended dozens of events at the bequest of Biden/Harris to defeat Trump. Like millions of Americans, I also took to the streets last year to protest the unjust death of George Floyd at the hands of Derek Chauvin. I will continue to stand up for the rights of marginalized people in New York and across the nation.
Have you ever been arrested? If so please explain why and outcome of arrest.
I have not.
Do you commit to visiting constituents who are incarcerated in state prisons and city jails?
Yes, absolutely. I want to ensure that all my constituents’ voices--including those who are incarcerated--are heard.
Will you affirmatively seek to hire formerly incarcerated individuals?
Yes. First, I do not believe that individuals should be permanently marked by their time in prison. In addition, formerly incarcerated individuals have insight into a population whose voice is constantly marginalized--it only makes sense to hire individuals who have been justice-impacted in order to have an administration that truly represents New York City.
Describe your legislative and policy vision for combatting systemic racism
Combating systemic racism must be a multi-pronged effort. Reform of one policy or legislative area alone cannot overturn how deep-rooted racism is. My administration will consider how systemic inequity plays a role in healthcare, police reform, education, transportation, banking, and much more. For example, I already have dedicated a plan specifically to addressing racial equity in healthcare delivery that includes: - amending the NYC Charter to make ending racial health disparities the mandate of DOHMH; - building a diverse, culturally competent health workforce; - ensuring fair staffing ratios; expanding access to healthcare at trusted providers; - requiring racial equity competency for all healthcare providers; - expanding neighborhood action centers; - expanding NYC Care to make sure the important program is reaching the city’s most vulnerable where they are; - focusing on improving Black maternal mortality by expanding doula care and treating gun violence like the public health crisis it is.
Will you not seek, and refuse, the endorsement of Bill de Blasio?
I will not seek the endorsement of Bill de Blasio, but I will work with anyone who is seeking to help New York City. Mayor Bill de Blasio has experience doing a job I hope to have, and I am open to hearing his guidance even if I disagree with him on other matters.
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?
No. I am committed to focusing my limited time in the administration on improving the lives of New Yorkers, and I do not think renaming the Ed Koch Bridge is necessarily a part of that strategy. While Ed Koch had important accomplishments like building 188,000 units of affordable housing, his mishandling of the AIDS epidemic is a clear stain on his legacy. I’d make sure to learn from the mistakes of his administration.
What is your position on removing the Christopher Columbus statue in Columbus Circle and if so, what should replace it?
Columbus Circle has a long and storied place in New York City’s history, but my administration is open to all kinds of ideas and suggestions on how to improve our City.
Will you refuse contributions from real estate developers and all law enforcement unions or associations?
I will refuse contributions from all law enforcement unions and associations, and any donations I receive from any individual or industry will have zero bearing on decisions I make, which will be focused solely on helping New Yorkers.
Do you support reducing the budget of the NYPD and if so, by how much?
The City faces a severe budget crisis and the NYPD will have to share in the burden that other agencies and departments also face. There are meaningful ways to reduce the NYPD’s budget without taking away their ability to combat crime or improve their neighborhood policing practices. Real overtime reform is one example. And while New Yorkers and their families who bear the brunt of police misconduct deserve justice, we must ensure that there is more robust external oversight of the NYPD to reduce the hundreds of millions of dollars we spend on civil settlements, which are ultimately paid for by City taxpayers. I would advocate reallocating NYPD funds for non-police functions that evidence shows could be better performed by other non-law enforcement agencies and professionals. Mental health responders and violence interrupters are two examples. Not every problem requires an armed police officer.
How would you have voted on the FY21 City Budget?
Although it certainly wasn’t perfect, I would have voted in favor of the budget.
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.
As mayor, I plan on changing the culture of the NYPD. We know there is a consistent problem with the police’s treatment of people of color. The hundreds of millions of dollars the city pays in civil settlements for police misconduct makes this clear. Part of that culture change also means recognizing that not every public safety intervention requires an armed police officer. I would also advocate for reallocating NYPD funds for non-police functions that evidence shows could be better performed by other non-law enforcement agencies and professionals, such as mental health crisis responders as well as violence interrupter programs.
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?
No, but he or she should be a civilian ideally.
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?
No one is above the law. Police officers who do not wear masks on duty and put civilians at risk should be reprimanded and face penalties, especially if they do so repeatedly.
What reforms would you make to the Civilian Complaint Review Board? Would you support state legislation to make CCRB disciplinary determinations binding?
The CCRB should be empowered to have real oversight power over the NYPD. I also propose that those who sit on the CCRB should be full-time employees. Unfortunately, the CCRB’s caseloads are high, and it is impossible for part-time workers to appropriately scrutinize dense, complex cases on nights and weekends. While I support the current appointments system, not only should these members be wholly committed to a legal process that is among the most fraught and consequential in the City, but our government must be willing and eager to invest in paying people to ensure better results.
What is your position on the plan to close Rikers and create four borough-based jails?
We must continue the work advocates and families of loved ones who fared the worst at Rikers to shut down the island. I will work with the City, advocates, families and people who have been held at Rikers to put forth a timeline that we can stick to without delay.
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?
Like with many aspects of city government, we are not leveraging technology to meet people where they are. I will invest in the 311 app and market it so that more New Yorkers utilize this resource. I also believe in better utilizing existing agencies to deal with various community problems. For example, when there is a noise complaint that goes through 311 (and in some cases 911), the NYPD should not be deployed, instead members from the Office of Nightlife, can be deployed to peacefully resolve the situation. Ensuring better coordination between 311 and existing city agencies is one way to improve the system.
Do you support decriminalizing sex work? Will you pledge to oppose the Nordic model?
Yes, I support decriminalizing sex work. I pledge to oppose the Nordic model.
Do you oppose school screening, which exacerbates segregation? Which screens in your school district(s) will you advocate to abolish?
I will make the public school system more holistic, and am committed to expanding the number of seats at selective high schools. I will create at least one new specialized school in each borough that draws from the top students in that borough. At these new schools and all existing specialized high schools, I’m committed to introducing a more holistic admissions process that considers SHSAT scores in addition to students’ grades, interviews, essays, backgrounds and more. For middle schools, I’m similarly committed to introducing a more holistic admissions process so that all schools who want to use a competitive screen will consider a combination of students’ residence area, scores, grades, and more. Above all, we must invest in making sure all of our schools offer high-quality education so that we move away from a system of haves and have-nots.
Describe what reforms you would make to the control of the NYC public school system.
On top of the last answer’s suggested reforms, I am also committed to retaining mayoral control of the public school system.I will focus on year-round education because students do not stop learning at 3:30 PM on weekdays or in July and August. This means we will invest in after-school and summer programs, dramatically expand SYEP, bring 10,000 Americorps fellows to New York to tutor our students who struggled the most, and more. I will also work with school communities to implement a vision for investing the nearly $5 billion in federal funding NYC public schools are expected to receive.
Do you support public funding of abortion?
Yes. I will expand funding for abortion care. Thanks to the advocacy of reproductive health providers and patients, New York City is the first municipality to directly fund abortion services, setting an example for cities across the country who are fighting back against the rollback of abortion services. My administration will baseline and expand this funding to ensure that reproductive health providers and safety net providers in particular, can continue to serve all New Yorkers. In order to ensure that more healthcare professionals can serve New Yorkers seeking abortion care, I will expand aborition training for healthcare professionals at H+H. I will also require a comprehensive, medically accurate, age appropriate, LGTBQ+ affirming secual health education in all NYC schools, at every year. Currently, sex education is only taught for one semester in junior high school and one semester in high school. In 2017, Mayor Bill de Blasio established the Sexual Health Education Task Force, which later recommended that the New York City Department of Education “prioritize a culture of sexual wellness and inclusivity in all NYC schools, implement additional professional development opportunities for health education instructors, improve the content, substance, and methods of sexual health education, and strengthen accountability and reporting of sexual health education implementation.” These recommendations have yet to be implemented. My administration will fully adopt the recommendations of the Sexual Health Education Task Force and be sure to include the state-mandated HIV/AIDS curriculum, and implement the newly-passed Erin’s Law, to prevent, educate and encourage reporting on child sexual abuse. I will take many more steps including creating a diverse and culturally competent workforce, expanding oversight over crisis pregnancy centers, strengthening and enforcing NYC’s Clinic Access Law and fighting to repeal the Hyde Amendment which you can read below. See my full plan to support sexual health and reproductive justice here.
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 I support the creation of safe consumption sites as part of a larger strategy that includes primary prevention, supportive and counseling services, and harm reduction strategies. You can read my policy to address the opioid epidemic like the public health crisis it is here – https://www.yangforny.com/policies/treating-opioid-addiction-like-the-public-health-crisis-it-is
Do you smoke or otherwise consume weed?
Not personally, but I fully support legalization and will work to implement a regulatory environment that rights the historic wrongs of the war on drugs.
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.
What will you do to support nightlife in NYC?
New York City is known for its nightlife, live music and performance experiences, drawing in tourists from all over the globe and supporting tens of thousands of jobs. For nearly a year, these venues have been ordered to shut their doors with little to no guidance or support on how to stay afloat. I will invest in these cultural establishments and forge a collaborative working relationship in City Hall to ensure that, not only, they are able to thrive, but also that these cultural purveyors are leveraged as part of our city’s revival. I will do this by - securing CARES Act funding for local venues - supporting operators, workers, performers, DJs and building jobs in the industry - advocating to reduce SLA red tape and direct the community boards to stop asking burdensome questions, such as whether venues will host live performance, which often is arbitrarily used to prevent liquor licenses - immediately renewing all licenses and permits - halting the commercial rent tax - finding solutions to help build relationships with local communities to sustain a thriving nightlife, arts, entertainment and culture ecosystem - creating a Deputy Mayor for Nightlife, Entertainment and Culture to oversee the various agencies that touch nightlife but do not communicate with one another
Do you commit to speak with restaurant and nightlife industry representatives before taking a position on any policies that affect their businesses?
Absolutely. I meet restaurant and nightlife owners and workers practically every day on the trail, and have hosted several roundtable discussions on how to best support and reopen the industry. I value their input and will continue to work closely with them. See my plan for restaurants and bars recovery here. I have already met with owners of LGBTQ bars and restaurants like Julius’ and Cubbyhole.
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. Our neighborhoods’ restaurant, bar, and club owners are a vital piece of the landscape and their voices need to be heard, especially given the years of tension between community boards and local venues. It’s important that they have a place on our local community boards.
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, I also believe that we should implement the “Agent of Change” principle in city planning. I will work with the City Council, labor unions, community members and nightlife operators in seeing this legislation through to completion to ensure that both residential buildings and performance spaces can thrive in coexistence.
Did you oppose the de Blasio/Cuomo proposal (and giveaways) for bringing Amazon’s HQ2 to Long Island City?
While the Amazon deal certainly wasn’t perfect, New York should never be driving away companies offering to bring jobs, much less 25,000 jobs. After the devastation of the pandemic and the loss of over 600,000 jobs, it is even more important to signal to companies that we are open for business. I want to make it easier for businesses to come here, and will be a willing partner to the private sector to keep New York at the center of global industry.
What role do you believe the local member should play in the approval of development proposals before the Council?
I believe Council Members should be voices for their community, but I take issue with the long standing practice of Council Member deference and will focus on a community driven process to achieve the affordable housing our city desperately needs.
Do you support legislation to prohibit discrimination against formerly incarcerated people in housing?
Yes. Our criminal justice system is broken and we must provide opportunity for returning citizens to succeed when reentering society. This means working to eradicate barriers, especially to employment and housing.
Do you oppose the removal of the nearly 300 homeless individuals from the Lucerne hotel due to pressure from some local residents?
The debate around the Lucerne is another example of how NYC’s current system is failing. As mayor, one of my key priorities will be to ensure housing stability and create pathways to affordable, permanent housing, and I will ensure that there is always clear communication between City Hall and communities. Please find my full plan here – https://www.yangforny.com/policies/healing-the-homelessness-crisis
What proposals will you advocate for to protect immigrants and further New York as a Sanctuary City?
New York City is home to 3.1 million immigrants who make up approximately 37% of the city’s population and 45% of our workforce. Now more than ever, we must continue to ensure that all New Yorkers feel safe and welcome in our City - whether they arrived in New York yesterday or if they have been here most of their lives. New York will always be a sanctuary city for all people who see the five boroughs as their home. As mayor, I will require all banks to accept IDNYC and ensure that every New Yorker, regardless of their immigration status, will have access to needed financial services. Likewise, undocumented New Yorkers will have access to my basic income program and I just recently announced a plan to make it much cheaper and easier for immigrant communities to send bank remittances abroad. My administration will also baseline and expand the Immigrant Family Unity Project to reach even more New Yorkers seeking services.
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, we must ensure that health care is accessible and affordable to all New Yorkers. I will expand NYC Care to all New York City providers, including and beyond H+H, and engage in an aggressive outreach campaign with advocacy organizations to connect those who would currently lack access to healthcare access to this program. Expanding NYC Care will encourage New Yorkers to seek primary care and preventative care at community-based health providers rather than going to emergency rooms.nWe must also increase the quality of care provided; we know that low-income and uninsured patients are more likely to experience harsh or abusive language when seeking health care. My administration will expand NYC Health + Hospitals’ Pride Centers and continue to support related training and education across our City health care system. My goal is to make New York City Health + Hospitals the most trusted hospital system in the country.
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?
I supported Hilary Clinton for president in 2016 and Joe Biden for president in 2020. After ending my own campaign, I endorsed Joe Biden and joined him and Kamala Harris on the campaign trail, working to rally as many Americans as possible to vote for Joe Biden and oust Donald Trump from the White House. In 2018, I supported Cynthia Nixon for governor. In 2013, I did not support anyone in NYC’s election. I am part of the 76% of New Yorkers who did not participate in our local election and I have run my campaign to speak to exactly this majority who has become disenchanted with our political process
Top 3 issues you aim to address locally and legislatively
A Basic income for NYC: My administration will launch the largest basic income program in the country. Through this program, 500,000 New Yorkers with the greatest need will receive a basic income that will help give them a path forward. Our goal is to end extreme poverty in New York City by putting cash relief directly into the hands of those who desperately need help right now, ensuring that every household has an annual income that is at least above extreme poverty, taking into account the true cost of living in New York City. A People’s Bank of New York: I will launch the newly created People’s Bank of New York City to ensure every New Yorker can access basic financial products and services, like checking accounts, and has the opportunity to save money affordably, build credit, and secure small business loans; and support small business lending in underserved communities by guaranteeing loans and loan portfolios. Create Real Pathways for Long Term, Permanently Affordable Housing: my affordable housing plan combines both short and long-term solutions to address New York City’s need for permanently affordable housing for New Yorkers, particularly those at 0 - 60% AMI.
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 support reforms to make New York City’s government as efficient and accessible to the people as possible, but have not yet endorsed any specific reforms to the City Charter.
Please explain your vision for the present powers of the office you are seeking and how you intend to exercise them?
New York is in need of a fresh and hopeful vision to pull itself out of the current crisis and propel it into its next chapter. I believe the combination of my management skills and tendency toward innovative approaches can help thrust NYC into the future, once again being a leading city on all fronts: culturally, socially and economically. I have started several companies in New York and know how to build and grow a talented team. I will create the best, brightest and most diverse administration New York has seen to ensure every community has a seat at the table and benefits from our policies.
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 want your voices at the table holding us accountable to our promises.
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 am a political newcomer, but I am a fierce advocate and I believe the diverse coalition I am building, the hopeful vision and progressive policies I’ve put forward and the momentum my candidacy has garnered speak to how I will run our City .