Candidate Answers to JOLDC: Corey Johnson for NYC Comptroller
Candidate Name: Corey Johnson
Office Seeking Election for: NYC Comptroller
Explain, based on life experiences and accomplishments, why you believe you are best qualified to represent your district
As a poor kid growing up in public housing, I never thought I would one day get to be of service to others. As a closeted teenager who felt like he just didn’t belong, I never imagined I would run for office in the greatest city in the world. And when I was diagnosed with HIV and lost my health insurance at 22 years old, I never dreamed I would get to serve as Speaker of the New York City Council. But I refused to let my most challenging moments define me. So I have dedicated my career to trying to right the wrongs of systemic inequality. Through community activism, my local community board, and the City Council, I have worked to protect the most vulnerable New Yorkers. They need a Comptroller who is looking out for them. And that’s exactly the sort of Comptroller I’m going to be. Whether they’ve lived in this city their entire life or just climbed off a bus with just 2 bags like I did 20 years ago. I love New York with all my heart and I’m going to dedicate my time in the Comptroller’s office to making sure her recovery is focused on equity, justice, and helping those who need it most. And I have a detailed plan to get it done: my “Do The Most Good” policy blueprint lays out seven different areas where the Comptroller can take meaningful action to improve the lives of New Yorkers. That includes serving as a watchdog for COVID relief, protecting public pensions, and holding every city agency accountable.
Please identify any openly LGBTQ candidate for public office you have previously or presently endorsed?
Erik Bottcher, Brad Hoylman, Deborah Glick, Ritchie Torres, Danny Dromm, and many more.
If applicable, what legislation directly affecting the LGBTQ community have you introduced or co-sponsored? (indicate accordingly)
Intro 954 (2018) - Introduced and passed legislation to amend the sex designation on birth records and the issuance of birth records. Intro 410 (2018): Introduced and passed legislation requiring the City to report annually on runaway and homeless youth shelter and develop a plan to provide them with shelter. Intro 490 (2018): Co-Sponsored legislation requiring that runaway and homeless youth would be permitted to remain in runaway and homeless youth shelters for the extended time limits. Intro 556 (2018): Co-Sponsored legislation requiring DYCD to offer transitional independent living support programs and runaway and homeless youth crisis services programs that offer shelter services to homeless young adults. Intro 1705 (2017): Co-sponsored Legislation to create and maintain a streamlined process for conducting intake and assessments for any runaway or homeless youth who is seeking to enter a DHS shelter. Intro 1619 (2017): Introduced legislation requiring the City to report on the number of runaway youth and homeless youth who were not able to access runaway and homeless youth shelters. Intro 160 (2017): Co-sponsored legislation to amend the New York city charter in relation to the collection of gender pronoun information. Intro 1225 (2016): Co-Sponsored legislation requiring the department of health and mental hygiene to submit a plan for serving the behavioral health needs of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and questioning persons. Intro 1186 (2016): Co-Sponsored legislation to amend the definitions of sexual orientation and gender in the New York city human rights law.
What LGBTQ organizations have you been involved with, either on a volunteer basis or professionally?
Jim Owles Liberal Democratic Club, Victory Fund, Hetrick-Martin Institute, Callen-Lorde Community Health Center, GMHC, St. Pats for All, Ali Forney Center, The LGBT Center, Gays Against Guns, GLAAD, The Trevor Project, Anti-Violence Project, PFLAG, Lambda Legal
Do you consider yourself a member of the LGBTQ community?
Yes
Have you marched in Pride? Which marches and for approximately how many years?
Yes. Heritage of Pride for 20 years, Queens Pride for 6 years, Bronx Pride for 6 years, Brooklyn Pride for 4 years, and Queer Liberation March for 1 year
Have you employed openly LGBTQ individuals previously? Do you employ any currently?
Yes, many.
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?
Too many to count
Have you ever been arrested? If so please explain why and outcome of arrest.
Yes, protesting in Albany for stronger rent laws and in DC against the GOP bill to repeal healthcare.
Do you commit to visiting constituents who are incarcerated in state prisons and city jails?
Yes
Will you affirmatively seek to hire formerly incarcerated individuals?
Yes
Describe your legislative and policy vision for combatting systemic racism
As Comptroller, I will fight to diversify corporate boards, by filing shareholder proposals to enact proxy access, adopt board matrix disclosure, and institute policies ensuring that women and people of color are considered for every vacancy. I will also use the Comptroller’s auditing functions to audit large City contract compliance with federal pay equity laws as well as City, State, and Federal anti-discrimination laws. The findings will be used swiftly to create reforms to the ways the City ensures pay equity standards are met on all levels of procurement and development. Finally, I will name a Deputy Comptroller for Equity and Inclusion and create an Office for Equity and Inclusion in City Government to bring diverse perspectives on handling the City’s finances and how to better involve MWBEs in contracting.
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, with a woman of color.
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?
I’m proud to have led the City Council in passing major legislation to crack down on police brutality and systemic racism, including severely limiting qualified immunity and closing Rikers. We absolutely have to look for opportunities to reinvest money out of the NYPD and into social services. The Comptroller, who has the power to audit every city agency, plays a crucial role in determining the best way forward with that process. I would audit the NYPD every single year, far more often than has been done before, to identify smart ways to cut down on ridiculous and unnecessary expenses. I’d also conduct a risk assessment of officer behavior in the NYPD, modeled on practices that have long been used in the private sector, in order to recommend changes that would not only reduce costs, but misconduct itself.
How would you have voted on the FY21 City Budget?
Yes
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
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?
Yes
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?
Everyone should follow guidelines from CDC and DOHMH, which states that New Yorkers must wear masks at work, unless they are certain they can maintain proper distance from others at all times. Our police officers must show their fellow New Yorkers the utmost respect and professionalism, and that includes wearing masks in public. Agencies have floated the idea of civil penalties for not wearing masks, and I think it would be appropriate to consider this for officers who blatantly do not wear their masks while in close contact with civilians in the public domain.
What reforms would you make to the Civilian Complaint Review Board? Would you support state legislation to make CCRB disciplinary determinations binding?
As Speaker, I have supported efforts to give greater power to the CCRB as an important counterbalance and independent watchdog over the NYPD. We just recently passed a resolution calling on the State legislature to pass a bill that would remove the Police Commissioner’s final authority over police discipline, allowing the CCRB to impose discipline in cases of abuse of force, discourtesy, offensive language, and abuse of authority. As Comptroller, I will create a new database called ACES: Audits, Claims, Efficacy and Settlements. The ACES database will include records of audits, corrective actions, and steps taken, as well as all claims made against City agencies like the NYPD and settlements paid out, using the Comptroller office’s internal data.
What is your position on the plan to close Rikers and create four borough-based jails?
Support
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?
We need to update the technological limitations of the system. Right now, workers at the Department of Sanitation aren't able to see all the options they have when responding to a complaint on the 311 system. They have to memorize the various commands that create responses. That is insane and easily explains why complaints are often closed with inappropriate responses. We need a modern and transparent system that allows citizens to easily report complaints, City workers to easily respond to those complaints, and citizens to receive a detailed report on the actions taken and follow up with the appropriate agency.
Do you support decriminalizing sex work? Will you pledge to oppose the Nordic model?
Yes and Yes
Do you oppose school screening, which exacerbates segregation? Which screens in your school district(s) will you advocate to abolish?
I support the Mayor’s recent decision to end selective admissions screening for hundreds of public middle and high schools. This was a bold action to pilot this idea and I look forward to seeing the results and acting swiftly on that new data. We need to desegregate our school system and bring much greater equity to our school children and families, but without taking away opportunities or seats from other children. I have in the past called for the creation of additional city-designated elite high schools, which would mean no reduction in current slots, while expanding opportunities for more students to enter elite schools as we reconfigure our process to be more equitable and fair for students of all backgrounds.
Describe what reforms you would make to the control of the NYC public school system.
As Comptroller, I will take my duties of oversight very seriously. I will make it a priority to audit the NYC DOE every year. Audits into the NYC public school system must reach past agency finances and attempt to truly assess performance and investigate, identify and ameliorate disparities and inefficiencies. By digging deep and following up on corrective action plans coupled with new transparency measures, these audits will ensure that City dollars and resources are being effectively used and allocated to those most in need of services. Through conducting this important oversight, the City Council and Mayor will have the opportunity to take important actions to increase the quality and fairness of our public school system.
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 and yes.
Do you smoke or otherwise consume weed?
No, I'm sober from drugs and alcohol
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. In 2018, I endorsed anti-IDC candidates at a press conference and campaigned for these candidates throughout the summer. .
What will you do to support nightlife in NYC?
We need to cut red tape for small businesses to be able to open and operate with less difficulty. We must also implement a system in which businesses are given a window of opportunity to change or repair issues that would result in a fine before the fine is actually given.
Do you commit to speak with restaurant and nightlife industry representatives before taking a position on any policies that affect their businesses?
Yes
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
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?
We should have a comprehensive zoning plan that is developed in consultation with local members and community boards.
Do you support legislation to prohibit discrimination against formerly incarcerated people in housing?
Yes
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?
I’ve stood with the families of detained immigrants to call for their loved one to be released. I’ve also met with high-ranking officials from the Department of Homeland Security to personally advocate for the release of detained immigrants. I will continue to do so as Comptroller, whenever necessary. I will also prioritize privacy and security protections for our undocumented neighbors. Government relies on the trust and participation of its citizens and, once lost, that trust can be almost impossible to win back. So much of recent national politics has created a culture of fear amongst both documented and undocumented immigrants in order to prevent them from accessing services they deserve. I will provide rigorous oversight to ensure that all City agencies are handling the privacy of all New Yorkers, and particularly undocumented residents, with the respect and care required.
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. The cost of healthcare is a major problem. Hospital visits are expensive. But as the saying goes, an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure. We need to provide New Yorkers with greater and better options for preventative medical services. We should be investing in community-based and culturally-competent preventative medical providers to avoid expensive visits to the hospital altogether. This will provide New Yorkers, particularly those in underserved communities, with greater levels of care without waiting until they need an expensive trip to the emergency room. It’s especially important at this moment in our city’s history. The pandemic has ravaged communities of color and highlighted the financial instability of many low-income New Yorkers. That’s why the expansion of NYC Care to community-based providers and Federally Qualified Health Centers is more important than ever, since it provides culturally responsive care in the many of our communities that need it most. Finally, the City should leverage the purchasing power of MetroPlus, which is an entirely city-owned insurance plan, to lower the overall host of healthcare and hospitalizations. This will benefit not only enrollees in MetroPlus, both city employees and private citizens, but will lower the costs for all New Yorkers.
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?
In 2013, I did not endorse a candidate in the Mayoral race. I supported Tish James for Public Advocate in 2013. I endorsed and campaigned for Hillary Clinton in 2016, but did not get behind a candidate in the 2020 Presidential Primary. In 2018, I supported Andrew Cuomo for Governor and was an early endorser of Tish James for Attorney General.
Top 3 issues you aim to address locally and legislatively
COVID Recovery, the Housing Crisis, and Systemic Racism
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?
There are many reforms that New Yorkers would like to see, and while I am not opposed to a third Charter Revision Commission, I would like to see a transparent, thoughtful process carried out by a commission appointed by all levels of government including the Public Advocate and City Council, and inspired by engagement with New Yorkers from all over the city. In 2019, I and the council released a report making recommendations to the 2019 Charter Revision Commission for changes to the City’s Charter. While the Mayor’s Charter Commission prior was more limited in scope, the 2019 Commission was tasked with examining all of City Government. Because of that, after watching and listening to thoughtful testimony from NYC residents at hearings, we were able to come up with a broad range of recommendations to help make our government serve New Yorkers better. Some of those recommendations included independent budgeting for the Comptroller and Public Advocate, non-negotiable budgets for the Borough Presidents and Community Boards, requiring a strengthened and integrated comprehensive land use planning process, as well as requiring Council advice and consent for the appointment of the Police Commissioner, Chair of City Planning Commission Chair, and the head of the Conflicts of Interest Board. By design, the 2019 Commission was an independent Charter Revision Commission, so the Council did not control this process and, as such, not all of our recommendations made it onto the ballot for public vote. We have been able to still make progress on some of these fronts via legislation outside of the charter revision commission, and continue to work on advancing the ideas that came out of this historic process. If Mayor De Blasio would like to set up a similar comprehensive, independent look into our City government, and continue some of those discussions, then I look forward to participating along with fellow New Yorkers.
Please explain your vision for the present powers of the office you are seeking and how you intend to exercise them?
My work as a public servant is guided by the motto I learned from my mom growing up: Do the most good for the people who need it most. As the next Comptroller, that’s exactly what I’ll do. I’m going to make sure that every dollar we get for COVID relief is targeted directly to our recovery and the New Yorkers who need it most. I will lead aggressive and impactful oversight and audits over all 145 city agencies and our city’s 92.3 billion dollar budget. I’m going to protect our five city pension funds, so that the 700,000 current and former city employees who rely on those 250.96 billion dollars can feel confident that their hard-earned benefits will always be there. Through Economically Targeted Investments, I will support the creation of affordable housing, good jobs, small businesses, and green infrastructure. And I’ll create new ETI initiatives like the CLIMB Fund, a partnership I’m proposing between the City and private investors to provide low-cost financing for small, minority-owned businesses. I will prioritize racial and gender equity through increased support for Minority and Women-Owned Business Enterprises and ensuring city-wide pay equity. Finally, I will support the working people of New York by strictly enforcing our wage laws and developing our workforce for the economy of tomorrow. To put it simply, I will use the powers and duties of the Comptroller’s office to improve the lives of New Yorkers.
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
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?
In this time of great uncertainty, it is clear that New York City needs strong and proven leadership. Leaders with experience, who know the budget inside and out, and who have spent years making tough decisions and getting things done. As the next Comptroller of the City of New York, that’s exactly what I will bring to the table. I’m grateful for this opportunity to share my vision, policies, and positions with you and hope to receive your endorsement.