Candidate Answers to JOLDC: Catalina Cruz for NY Assembly District 39
Candidate Name: Catalina Cruz
Office Seeking Election for: New York State Assembly, 39th District (Queens)
Campaign Address: PO Box 353 Jackson Heights, NY 11372
Campaign Website: TBD
Campaign Telephone: 917-435-8799
Campaign Social Media Handles (Facebook/Twitter):
FB, Instagram, & Twitter: @CatalinaCruzNY
Campaign Contact (name/phone/email):
1. Explain, based on life experiences and accomplishments, why you believe you are best qualified to represent your district.
I grew up as a DREAMer, raised by a single mother who struggled to make ends meet to give me a chance at the American Dream. I am a product of New York City public schools, from grade school all the way through law school. I believe that our children deserve every opportunity to obtain a quality education, and that becoming a lawyer, an artist, or a doctor should not be a matter of luck, but a viable opportunity for everyone.
Since being elected into office, I have fought for our community and stood up to special interests, including the Mayor and the Governor, to ensure policies like Driver’s Licenses for All and the strongest rent laws in recent history pass into law. I’ve hosted dozens of community events, including legal clinics and Pride Prom, in order to ensure that we are serving the needs of all of the members of our community. I am qualified to represent my district because I began serving my community even before I was elected into office. Additionally, my time as the Assembly Member has not only allowed me to fight for my community, but more importantly has shown me that there is so much more work that still needs to be done to ensure we are creating a more just and equal society. We must ensure that we pass Health Care for All, put in place a public financing system that truly protects democracy, and pass a budget that meets the needs of our community. We must also fight to ensure that none of the protections around criminal justice are rolled back. I will also focus on passing legislation that criminalizes wage theft, secures the right to counsel for all New Yorkers facing deportations, and enhances rights for nail salon workers. In our district, I will continue to host events including citizenship drives, in-house legal services, and community workshops on immigration, healthcare, and worker’s rights, and the return of our successful small business outreach walks.
One term is simply not enough to get so much work done, and I would be honored to once again have the support of Jim Owles Liberal Democratic Club to secure an additional term to allow me to fight for and protect the rights of my community.
2. Do you now support or have you ever supported an openly LGBTQ candidate for public office?
I am honored and thankful to have received the mentorship and support from progressive LGBTQI electeds like Council Member Danny Dromm and Council Member Carlos Menchaca, as well as many members in our community. During my first run, they helped me develop a comprehensive plan to advance the rights of LGBTQI communities in Albany. They have made me a better ally and I will continue to support and work closely with them to ensure the needs of the LGBTQI community are met. I have also endorsed Lynn Schulman for City Council for the 2021 race. She is a close friend and incredible ally. I am thankful for my LGBTQI supporters because they’ve made me a better ally.
3. If applicable, what legislation directly affecting the LGBT community have you introduced or co-sponsored? (indicate accordingly)
I proudly co-sponsored and voted in favor of bills that are now laws: ban on conversion therapy and GENDA.
I also worked closely with the sponsor of the surrogacy bill. Unfortunately it did not pass last session but I plan to continue fighting to support it.
4. What LGBT organizations have you been involved with, either on a volunteer basis or professionally?
• Queens Center for Gay Seniors
• Lesbian and Gay Democratic Club of Queens
• Jim Owles Liberal Democratic Club
• Stonewall Democrats of NYC
• DecrimNY
• Queens Pride
• New York Transgender Advocacy Group
• Make the Road
5. If applicable, what LGBT organizations have you allocated funds to?
I have supported the allocation of funds to groups like GMHC, ACQC, and Make the Road - all of which serve the needs of our LGBTQI community.
6. Do you consider yourself a member of the LGBT community?
No, but I am a proud ally.
7. Have you marched in Pride? Which marches and for approximately how many years?
Queens Pride Parade for the last 3 years. My dear friend, Adelaide Connaughton, was the first person to take me and I have attended every year since. NYC Pride Parade for the last 2 years. Last year I marched with the Stonewall Democratic Club.
8. Have you employed openly LGBT individuals previously? Do you employ any currently?
Yes, during the campaign and have had several interns who identify as such.
9. If you receive the endorsement, do you agree to identify the club on all literature and electronic materials where you list endorsements?
I would be proud to display the Jim Owles Liberal Democratic Club logo on all materials and literature where endorsements are listed
10.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 the Women’s March; a rally in memory of the lives lost in Puerto Rico after Maria, which culminated in front of Trump Tower; I marched in the LGBTQI-friendly St. Pat’s for All; and I spoke against the President’s treatment of the people of Puerto Rico. I have attended several rallies against the NYPD’s response to people with mental health issues, in favor of 50A and other transparency measures. I’ve also attended and spoke at several rallies advocating for the protection of women’s reproductive rights.
11. Have you ever been arrested? If so please explain why and outcome of arrest.
No
12.Will you advocate and sponsor legislation to mandate the review of sentences of incarcerated individuals over the age of 55 who have served in excess of 15 years to determine if they warrant release?
Yes, I am currently a sponsor of bills A9040 (consideration of parole release for those 50 and over who have served at least 15 consecutive years) and A4346A (mitigating factors at parole)
13.Do you commit to visit constituents who are incarcerated in state prisons such as Bedford Correctional Facility? Yes
14.Do you believe sincere remorse, risk of reoffending and actions taken while incarcerated should be considered over the original crime in determinations of parole?
Yes
15.Have you participated in any demonstrations or protests in relation to the issues of clemency and parole?
No, but I am supportive of ensuring our community is offered a second chance and would love to join the club at future events.
16.Will you affirmatively seek to hire formerly incarcerated individuals?
Absolutely.
17.Do you believe in the decriminalization of sex work? Are you sponsoring the bill introduced by Jessica Ramos?
I am a proud co-sponsor of bill A8230 which fights to end the criminalization of sex workers. In the Governor’s Office, I investigated labor & sex trafficking for NYS and understand the impact of criminalizing the worker and not the “John.”
We must protect the rights and health of sex workers by ending the criminalization of prostitution, which overwhelmingly penalizes poor women of color.
18.Will you actively oppose legislation that would implement the dangerous Nordic model instead of decriminalization of prostitution?
Absolutely. I spent many years working with labor and sex trafficking vitims and I am very familiar with this model. I’ve met with other experts and affected individuals and I am opposed to this model.
19.What proposals will you advocate for to protect immigrants and the further New York as a Sanctuary City?
During my first year in office, I helped lead the fight for drivers licenses for all and the NYS DREAM Act. I am committed to ensuring immigrant communities feel safe and protected. As Counsel to the New York City Council’s Immigration Committee, I helped write and implement legislation that led to New York City becoming a Sanctuary City and will continue to do so.
This session I have introduced the Access to Representation Act, along with Senator Brad Hoylman, which ensures that anyone faced with removal proceedings is guaranteed an attorney. I also sponsor the ICE out of courts bill and increased funding for social services geared toward immigrants.
20.Will you advocate, including introducing legislation, to remove public funding from religious schools?
Yes
21.Do you support the establishment of supervised drug consumption spaces?
Yes
22.Have you ever endorsed any member of the IDC or any candidates who challenged IDC members? Please identify all candidates
No
23.Will you commit to hiring a member of the LGBT community to serve as a liaison to the community?
Yes
24.Will you commit to ensuring diverse LGBT representation among your staff?
Yes
25.Who did you support for office in the following races A) mayor and Public Advocate in 2014 B) President in 2016 C) Governor and Attorney General 2018
Mayor 2014: I was not an elected official then
Public Advocate 2014: I was not an elected official then
President 2016: I was not an elected official, but voted for the democratic candidate
Governor 2018: I did not endorse in this race
Attorney General 2018: I did not endorse in this race
26.Describe any legislation and policy changes that you support in order to address the ongoing effects of slavery, racism, colonialism, and discrimination.
We live in an era where income inequality between the rich and poor is drastically increasing each year, creating a modern-day slavery for low-income New Yorkers. I am a proud co-sponsor of legislation mandating a statewide minimum wage for tipped service workers. I also support the legalization of marijuana for personal use and expunging the records of those arrested on marijuana charges, charges historically used to decimate communities of color.
27.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?
I was proud to support the state DREAM Act and will support efforts to ensure students graduate with zero debt.
28.Do you support a single-payer universal health care system? Please elaborate.
Yes, I support the establishment of a true Single Payer healthcare in New York State. I am the co-sponsor of A05248 - the New York Health Plan. Under this system a single government entity, and not private insurance companies, would pay medical bills. This system would be funded by taxes and not payroll deductions or disposable income.
29.Discuss your stance on reproductive rights, including access to contraceptives and abortion services.
• Decriminalize abortion : While abortion is legal in NYS, a pregnant woman who becomes ill after 20 weeks of pregnancy and cannot carry the pregnancy to term can face criminal charges for obtaining an abortion in New York State. I am a proud co-sponsor of the Reproductive Health Act which fights to repeal this loophole, allowing women to legally obtain safe abortion services in cases where the health and life of the mother would be in jeopardy if carried to full term.
• Secure contraception coverage: 33% of the wage gains women have made since the 1960s are the result of access to oral contraceptives. The Comprehensive Contraception Coverage Act should pass in the senate and should be included in every budget.
• Require comprehensive sex education : New York does not have standards to teach comprehensive sex education. Comprehensive sex-ed should be required for all students in our state and New York should be the leader in the creation of a plan to teach comprehensive sex education.
30.Will you refuse money from individuals or Political Action Committees representing the real estate industry?
Yes
31.Will you refuse and refund any contributions from executives at corporations complicit in the Trump agenda?
Yes
32.Are you against the opening of casinos in New York owned and controlled by Trump mega-donor Sheldon Adelson?
Yes
33.Do you support the surrogacy bill introduced by Senator Brad Hoylman allowing women to decide control of her body in regard to surrogacy?
Yes
34.Will you cosponsor the legislation to prohibit evictions without good cause (previously S2892A)?
Yes
35.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?
Yes
36.What additional information would you like Jim Owles to consider when we are making our endorsements decisions?
I look forward to the support of the Jim Owles Liberal Democratic Club. During my first election I built strong coalitions that included Jim Owles members and leaders. Many of them became my allies as an elected and helped me obtain major wins for the people of NY during this first year, including the strongest rent laws in recent history, the DREAM Act, and criminal justice reform. There’s so much more work to be done for poor and working class New Yorkers and I am eager to continue my partnership with the Jim Owles Liberal Democratic Club.