Candidate Answers to JOLDC: Carmen De La Rosa for City Council District 10
Candidate Name: Carmen De La Rosa
Office Seeking Election for: City Council District 10
Explain, based on life experiences and accomplishments, why you believe you are best qualified to represent your district
As a child I immigrated from the Dominican Republic to the Inwood section of New York City. Who I am is deeply rooted in the experience of growing up in Washington Heights in the 90’s, at the height of poverty, the war on drugs and immigration from the Dominican Republic. It was during this time that I developed admiration and love for my community and a deep passion for advocacy. My experience growing up in Washington Heights is not much different than many of my constituents; Our community was a family and I was often called upon by neighbors to translate documents, tutor their children or help them fill out the census. My core values are rooted in these experiences where I learned to be of assistance to those in need, a voice for the vulnerable, and to center and the experiences of those around in my advocacy. It has been the honor of my life to serve as an Assembly Member in the 72nd District since 2017 and represent the community where I grew up. Throughout my career, I have been passionate about using government as a tool for social change and a vehicle to empower and support communities. I look forward to continuing to serve and bring about bold progressive changes to the New York City Council. During my tenure in the New York state Assembly, I fiercely advocated for criminal justice reform; demanded stronger rent stabilization laws that protect and prioritize low-income tenants; stood firmly for gender equity; and have been a leading voice in the development of policies that guarantee access to mental health services and suicide prevention programs, particularly in low-income, communities of color. As a member of the City Council, I hope to continue to use my voice to continue to center marginalized communities by demanding fair pay and protection for workers and their right to organize, the inclusion of undocumented families in relief programs and the dignified treatment of incarcerated individuals. I value my current role in the New York State legislature and promises to bring the same passion, commitment and indefatigable courage to the New York City Council.
Please identify any openly LGBTQ candidate for public office you have previously or presently endorsed?
- Daniel O’Donnell- NYS Assembly re-election - Ari Espinal- NYS Assembly - Justin Westbrook Lowrey- District Leader - Juan Rosa, District Leader
If applicable, what legislation directly affecting the LGBTQ community have you introduced or co-sponsored? (indicate accordingly)
Throughout my career, I have stood up for the civil rights of the LGBTQ community including the decriminalization of the trans community. I began my career helping in the fight to pass marriage equality in New York State. As an Assembly member, I have supported the expansion of workplace protections for LGBTQ+ community and fair compensation. The protection and decriminlization of of trans community supporting the walkin while trans ban and the repealing the gay panic defense and conversion therapy . I introduced and ushered the passage of the NYS Sucide prevention Council which specifically works to ensure the prevention of suicide in margalized communities like the LGBTQ+ youth.
What LGBTQ organizations have you been involved with, either on a volunteer basis or professionally?
Jim Owles Liberal Democratic Club, The Center, GMHC, La Sala (Dominican Women’s Development Center), Stonewall Democratic Club.
Do you consider yourself a member of the LGBTQ community?
consider myself an unapologetic ally of the LGBTQ community. In my mind we are one community united in the fight to ensure justice for all.
Have you marched in Pride? Which marches and for approximately how many years?
Yes, I have attended almost every pride march in manhattan since 2007.
Have you employed openly LGBTQ individuals previously? Do you employ any currently?
Yes
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 have attended hundreds over the years and can elaborate more at the interview. Some of the most meaningful rallies have been against Trump's horrific immigration agenda, the Women’s March NYC, Rallies in support of Elder Parole, Bail Reform and BLM.
Have you ever been arrested? If so please explain why and outcome of arrest.
No.
Do you commit to visiting constituents who are incarcerated in state prisons and city jails?
Yes, I have personally visited incarcerated friends and family members. As a member of the NYS Assembly Corrections Committee I have visited several jails and NYS Prisons each year.
Will you affirmatively seek to hire formerly incarcerated individuals?
Yes
Describe your legislative and policy vision for combatting systemic racism
Combatting racism is the work of rooting out systemic racism wherever it may be hiding. In this work I will center the experiences of my constituents in combating police brutality and demanding accountability. I will work to address inequities in education, housing, employment and the treatment of immigrants. Our most powerful tool in this fight is to never be silent in the face of injustice and be accountable to the people.
Will you not seek, and refuse, the endorsement of Bill de Blasio?
Yes
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?
Yes
What is your position on removing the Christopher Columbus statue in Columbus Circle and if so, what should replace it?
Yes, we should replace it with an indigenous land recognition.
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?
We need to completely reimagine the way budgeting is done and introduce a more equitable budget process that addresses the historic needs of our communities: quality education, dignified housing, living wage employment and investment in our youth. Not a budget that keeps law enforcement whole and contributes to violence against our community.
How would you have voted on the FY21 City Budget?
I would have voted No. The same way I voted No in the NYS budget that rolled back bail reform.
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! We need to do this ASAP.
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?
es and in addition the investigations committee should play a role in investigating NYPD use of force cases.
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 be penalized and taken away from work that involves interaction with the public.
What reforms would you make to the Civilian Complaint Review Board? Would you support state legislation to make CCRB disciplinary determinations binding?
I would like to ensure the independence of the CCRB by ensuring the police commissioner and Mayor are not able to reverse or supersede their decisions. Yes, I would support legislation making their determinations binding.
What is your position on the plan to close Rikers and create four borough-based jails?
I support the expedited closure of Rikers Island without the creation of new borough jails. We must take bold and immediate steps to decarcerate our city and not shift people in jails from one building to the next. The building of the new borough based jails will waste resources that can otherwise be used for re-entry and support services for formerly incarcerated people.
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, I am proud to have worked with advocates to introduce a clean Elder Parole bill in NYS it is one of my top legislative priorities for 2021.
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?
There are two major problems with the current 311 system. 1st- too much priority is given to nuisance calls that perpetuate targeted policing in communities of color. 2nd- not enough attention is placed on calls about housing violations, unsafe living and working conditions. We must reprioritize the objective of 311 as a tool for resolving the basic needs of new yorkers and not criminalization of black and brown people.
Do you support decriminalizing sex work? Will you pledge to oppose the Nordic model?
Yes, I oppose the Nordic model.
Do you oppose school screening, which exacerbates segregation? Which screens in your school district(s) will you advocate to abolish?
Yes, I oppose the screenings for gifted and talented programs and specialized high schools.
Describe what reforms you would make to the control of the NYC public school system.
I am in favor of reforming Mayoral Control in order to give parents and students a prominent role in our education system. I support a reconstituted Board of education with independence from the Mayor. The City Council should also have a larger oversight and policy over the DOE.
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
Do you smoke or otherwise consume weed?
No
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?
While I do not support the IDC and recognize the harms they played while obstructing Democratic control. I did personally support the re-election of Marisol Alcantara as someone I have known to be a staunch progressive as a trade unionist her entire career.
What will you do to support nightlife in NYC?
The nightlife industry is the second largest employer in my district. I am committed to advocating for just COVID-19 relief that centers the nightlife and live entertainment industries. I am committed to standing with them to ensure over regulation policies do not harm the industry and to safeguard workers.
Do you commit to speak with restaurant and nightlife industry representatives before taking a position on any policies that affect their businesses?
Yes, I already have strong relationships with the industry that I hope to continue to expand.
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
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, this is much needed. Anti-dancing restrictions are often based on racist history.
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?
After witnessing Inwood NYC rezoning. I do not believe Council Members should be responding to the Mayor’s/ EDC proposal. I believe they should be leading the conversations with their communities and presenting the desire of the community for the administration's comments. I would also like to see council members facilitate community land trusts and outlining needed investments outside of the rezonings.
Do you support legislation to prohibit discrimination against formerly incarcerated people in housing?
es, I wholeheartedly support anti-discrimination legislation against formerly incarcerated people. This is an important tool in ending homelessness amongst formerly incarcerated people.
Do you oppose the removal of the nearly 300 homeless individuals from the Lucerne hotel due to pressure from some local residents?
Yes
What proposals will you advocate for to protect immigrants and further New York as a Sanctuary City?
Yes, I hope to introduce a full Immigrants Bill of Rights legislative package to further protect immigrants in NYC.
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 co-sponsored the NY Health Act in the Assembly. In New York, we must continue to expand public options for health care coverage and invest in our safety net hospitals and not shut them down.
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?
2013 Mayor- Bill Thompson President: 2016 Hillary Clinton/ Elizabeth Warren in 2020/ Biden / Harris in 20202
Top 3 issues you aim to address locally and legislatively
Housing: The creation of truly affordable Housing as a way to combat housing instability, displacement and the homelessness crisis in New York City. Criminal Justice & Protection of Immigrants: Expanded accountability of NYPD and re-entry services. The creation of an Immigrant Bill of Rights to protect immigrant communities, families, individuals and workers. Job Creation & Guarantee: The expansion of job creation initiatives and the expansion of pipelines programs for long term employment guarantee.
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 like to see a more equitable budget process that takes into account the deep inequalities and widening wealth gap. Budget cuts should not be happening across the board without taking into consideration the historic underfunding that has happened in poor communities of color. On landuse I would like to eliminate member deference and allow for more full participation of the community at land use meetings. Lastly, I would like the City Council to use subpoena power as a tool of oversight hearings instead of only legislating reporting mechanisms.
Please explain your vision for the present powers of the office you are seeking and how you intend to exercise them?
I envision a co-governing with my community. I genuinely believe in government as a tool for social change and in the pursuit of justice. The next 10 years will be transformative for my community and will mean the difference between giving in to the pressures of displacement and fighting for preservation and empowerment of the most vulnerable. I am ready to fight!
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, meeting bimonthly and planning together is an important part of holding me (elected officials) accountable. I look forward to building with Jim Owles Democratic Club.
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?
Thank you for your consideration and your work to uplift the civil rights of New Yorkers for decades. I look forward to continuing working with you.