Candidate Answers to JOLDC: Brad Hoylman for NY Senate District 30
Candidate Name: Brad Hoylman
Office Seeking Election for: New York State Senate District 30
Website: https://www.bradhoylman.com/
1. Explain, based on life experiences and accomplishments, why you believe you are best qualified to represent your district. I have ten years of progressive accomplishments in the New York State Senate.
2. Please identify any openly LGBTQ candidates for public office you have previously or presently endorsed? Elisa Crespo, Erik Bottcher, Lynn Shulman,and more
3. If applicable what legislation directly affecting the LGBTQ community have you introduced or co-sponsored? Ending Ban of Walking While Trans, Gender Recognition Act, Hate Crimes Analysis & Review Act, Banning LGBTQ “Conversion Therapy,” Gender Expression Non-Discrimination Act, and more
4. What LGBTQ organizations have you been involved with, either on a volunteer or professional basis? JOLDC, Stonewall, GLID, ESPA
5. If applicable, what LGBTQ organizations have you allocated funds to? The above
6. Do you consider yourself a member of the LGBTQ community? Yes
7. Have you marched in any Pride parades? Which marches and for approximately how many years? Yes – most of them for 20+ years
8. Have you employed openly LGBTQ individuals previously? Do you employ any currently? Yes
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? Most of them when I’ve been available.
11. Have you ever been arrested in pursuit of legislation or for protesting an injustice? Please elaborate. Yes, twice. UN AIDS/HIV march in NYC and protesting lack of progress on rent law reform in Albany
12. If you are an incumbent, what have you accomplished in your most recent term? Authored legislation banning sale of ghost guns, Gender Recognition Act, Hate Crimes Analysis and Review Act, Tenant Safe Harbor Act, Police Statistics and Analysis Act, ban use of PFOAs in various products, permitted use of ballot drop boxes, legislation requiring racial disparity analysis of court system, and more
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. Co-sponsor
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. Sponsor
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 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? Yes. October visit to Rikers
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. October visit to Rikers
19. Do you believe sincere remorse and actions taken while incarcerated should be considered over the original crime in determinations of parole? Yes
20. What do you believe should be done to ensure more clemencies are granted every year? Reform parole laws would be best. Continue to pressure governor. Bring more attention to clemency efforts.
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? Yes to all
22. Have you participated in any demonstrations or protests concerning clemency and parole? Yes
23. Will you affirmatively seek to hire formerly incarcerated individuals? Good idea – I have not done so
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? Are you or will you co-sponsor the bill introduced by Julia Salazar (S.6419 / A. 8230), which fully decriminalizes sex work? Yes
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. Yes
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”? I co-sponsor legislation in Albany to this effect
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
31. Will you commit to ensuring diverse LGBTQ representation among your staff? Yes
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) None B) Clinton; None C) None and Tish James
33. Have you made an endorsement in the current bid for Governor? If so, who? Yes, Kathy Hochul
34. Do you support term limits for statewide office holders? For State Legislators? No and no
36. Describe any legislation and policy changes that you support in order to address the ongoing effects of slavery, racism, colonialism, and discrimination. Continued criminal justice, sentencing and parole reform; I co-sponsor reparations legislation in Albany; have introduced legislation to redraw school district lines taking into account racial disparities
37. 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? Co-sponsor student debt legislation in Albany; crack down on consumer fraud and usury abuses of student loan providers; support national cancel student debt efforts; continue to fight for tuition-free CUNY and SUNY; increase higher education funding 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. Yes, co-sponsor
38. Discuss your stance on reproductive rights, including access to contraceptives and abortion services. Strong support; co-sponsor of Reproductive Health Act in Albany
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)? Co-sponsor
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? Yes
43. What should happen to 421-a? Would you end it, mend it, continue it? Co-sponsor legislation to end it and audit what’s left of it
44. Do you support legalizing accessory dwelling units? Yes
45. Do you support more state funding for NYCHA? If so, how much? I support fully funding NYCHA
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? Yes, co-sponsor
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, co-sponsor
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, co-sponsor
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? Not familiar with any current effort to do this but support in principle
51. Do you support reducing the budget of law enforcement throughout the state, and if so, by how much? There’s no current effort in this regard, but support it in principle, especially to support using funds for SNUG programs and other efforts to improve public safety; healthcare; housing
53. 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. Should law enforcements "Vice Squads" be eliminated? Yes to all
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? Removed from duty; pay a fine
55. What reforms would you make to the Civilian Complaint Review Board? Would you support state legislation to make CCRB disciplinary determinations binding? Support greater independence from NYPD such as elected members; yes
56. What will you do to support nightlife in New York State? Take input from industry
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? (1) Supporting tenants (2) Supporting public education (3) Access to justice (including parole justice and the Adult Survivors Act) (4) Climate crisis
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 always look to the club leadership to help guide me on my positions on issues at the state and local level.