Candidate Answers to JOLDC: Dion Powell for NY Assembly District 79

Candidate Name: Dion Powell

Office Seeking Election for: 79th Assembly District

Campaign Address: 1413 Fulton Ave Apt #1F Bronx, NY 10456

Campaign Website: www.dionpowell.wordpress.com

Campaign Telephone: 646-345-4263

Campaign Social Media Handles (Facebook/Twitter):
https://www.facebook.com/dion.powell.54943
https://twitter.com/DION_POWELL00

Campaign Contact (name/phone/email): Dion Powell / 646-345-4263 / dionjpowell@aol.com

1. Explain, based on life experiences and accomplishments, why you believe you are best qualified to represent your district.
I worked for the incumbent for three years.

2. Do you now support or have you ever supported an openly LGBTQ candidate for public office?
No

3. If applicable, what legislation directly affecting the LGBT community have you introduced or co-sponsored? (indicate accordingly)
N/A

4. What LGBT organizations have you been involved with, either on a volunteer basis or professionally?
None

5. If applicable, what LGBT organizations have you allocated funds to?
N/A

6. Do you consider yourself a member of the LGBT community?
NO

7. Have you marched in Pride? Which marches and for approximately how many years?
YES. 2017

8. Have you employed openly LGBT individuals previously? Do you employ any currently?
N / A

9. If you receive the 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 LGBT issues, pro choice legislation, criminal justice issues and the Resist Trump Movement have you attended?
BLACK TRANS LIVES MATTER

11. Have you ever been arrested? If so please explain why and outcome of arrest.
YES. Riding in a car with a friend that had drugs on him. Dismissed

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

13. Do you commit to visit constituents who are incarcerated in state prisons such as Bedford Correctional Facility?
NO

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

16. Will you affirmatively seek to hire formerly incarcerated individuals?
YES

17. Do you believe in the decriminalization of sex work? Are you sponsoring the bill introduced by Jessica Ramos?
YES N/A

18. Will you actively oppose legislation that would implement the dangerous Nordic model instead of decriminalization of prostitution?
YES

19. What proposals will you advocate for to protect immigrants and the further New York as a Sanctuary City?
N/A

20. Will you advocate, including introducing legislation, to remove public funding from religious schools?
NO

21. Do you support the establishment of supervised drug consumption spaces?
NO

22. Have you ever endorsed any member of the IDC or any candidates who challenged IDC members? Please identify all candidates
N/A

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
A. BILL THOMPSON B. HILLARY CLINTON C. LARRY SHARPE AND TISH JAMES

26. Describe any legislation and policy changes that you support in order to address the ongoing effects of slavery, racism, colonialism, and discrimination.
N/A

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 WOULD PROPOSE LEGILATION THAT ANY COMPANY WOULD PAY INTO HIGHER EDUCATION AND A TAX WRITE OFF AS INSCENTIVE

28. Do you support a single-payer universal health care system? Please elaborate.
YES. But it has to focus on changing Big Pharma

29. Discuss your stance on reproductive rights, including access to contraceptives and abortion services.
The Pro-Life stance must be included to make it a true bipartisan effort in order to receive government funding. In addition, psychological and faith based support should be included pre and post abortion to help with traumatic side effects. Anyone under the age of 18 will need a parent / guardian to sign off on an abortion.

30. Will you refuse money from individuals or Political Action Committees representing the real estate industry?
NO

31. Will you refuse and refund any contributions from executives at corporations complicit in the Trump agenda?
NO

32. Are you against the opening of casinos in New York owned and controlled by anti-union and Trump mega-donor Sheldon Adelson?
NO

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 AM THE ONLY CANDIDATE THAT HAS GOVERNMENT EXPERIENCE FOR 3 YEARS THAT HASN’T BEEN TO JAIL.