Candidate Answers to JOLDC: Emily Gallagher for NY Assembly District 50

Candidate Name: Emily Gallagher

Office Seeking Election for: NY Assembly District 50

Website: https://www.emilyforassembly.com

1. Explain, based on life experiences and accomplishments, why you believe you are best qualified to represent your district.

For the last 16 years I have been a community organizer and leader in District 50 and have worked on successful campaigns for transportation equity, street safety, preservation of rent stabilized housing, the creation of truly affordable housing, good government reform and the delivery of long stalled promised community benefits from our district's 2005 rezoning. I am a tenant and have spent my life using public transportation and as a cyclist and pedestrian. I was previously employed in education with a special focus on New York City and State History, so I learned about the campaigns in our community's history and the tactics and personalities that were able to deliver progressive change. I learned from this research and I've been able to put the lessons to use in office. It was a great achievement this year, in office, that I was able to deliver for

aigns I have worked on locally for a decade, the redesign of McGuinness Blvd, which I successfully secured a 40 million dollar investment from the city for, and the completion of Bushwick Inlet Park, which i worked closely with our United States Senator, US Congresswoman, City Councilman, and dedicated grassroots to deliver from the Mayor.

In 2020 I ran a grassroots campaign against a 48 year incumbent and won with an overwhelming majority in almost every district, 2-1 or 3-1. The area I did not win was the exception of the Hasidic community. Since this time, I have built a fantastic relationship with Hasidic community leaders and am pleased to carry their strong support. I have only been in office for one year, and i have already delivered material improvements to the district, been vocal in the state house for progressive change, and have supported and fought both inside and outside to deliver increased taxes on the rich, the long delayed delivery of foundation aid for our education system, the walking while trans bill, the excluded workers fund, and many more of the champion wins of 2020. I continue to be vocal and fight for good cause eviction, the new york health act, the adult survivors act, and decarceration. My expose of Rikers Island's humanitarian crisis brought national attention to the issue. I am proud to say that I am delivering both the progressive vision of our state as well as my district, and am an active and recognizable progressive voice in statewide conversation of the issues.

2. Please identify any openly LGBTQQ candidate for public office you have previously or presently endorsed? Samy Nemir Olivares, Jesse Pierce, Marti Cummings, Jabari Brisport, Tiffany Caban

3. If applicable, what legislation directly affecting the LGBTQ community have you introduced or co-sponsored? (indicate accordingly) Co-Sponsored: Walking While Trans, all of Jessica Gonzalez Rojas bills about name changes on public documents, a bill to include non-binary district leaders,

4. What LGBTQ organizations have you been involved with, either on a volunteer basis or professionally? I was the co-founder of a GSA in my high school in 1999, I also worked for a food pantry that served specifically people living with AIDS and participated in AIDS walk every year through my youth. I would say I am friendly with and support all LGBTQ organizations in NYC though I am not currently volunteering with them.

5. If applicable, what LGBTQ organizations have you allocated funds to? | haven't yet, but I would be happy to.

6. Do you consider yourself a member of the LGBTQ community? no

7. Have you marched in Pride? Which marches and for approximately how many years? Yes, I have walked in drag march 2 years.

8. Have you employed openly LGBTQ individuals previously? Do you employ any currently? Yes

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 LGBTQ issues, pro choice legislation, criminal justice issues and the Resist Trump Movement have you attended? In my first year of office I typically attend at least one press conference, rally or protest for a variety of issues. I am a vocal and active public champion of Fair and Timely Parole, Elder Parole, Adult Survivors Act, HALT Solitary, before being in office I was extremely active in the campaign to stop trump. T hosted a monthly group called Solidarity Sundays in Williamsburg to call elected officials in all states and at all levels of government to stop Trump's policies, and I attended every protest against the Muslim Ban including the one at JFK and in front of the Supreme Courthouse. I was arrested for civil disobedience at the US Capitol against Brett Cavanaugh. I was one of the only elected officials to publicly and immediately stand with the victims of Andrew Cuomo and I was one of the first electeds to call for his resignation.

11. Have you ever been arrested fighting in pursuit of legislation or for the purpose of protesting? Please elaborate.

I was arrested for civil disobedience at the US Capitol against Brett Cavanaugh.

12. If you are an incumbent, what have you accomplished in your most recent term? t was a great achievement this year, in office, that I was able to deliver for campaigns I have worked on locally for a decade, the redesign of McGuinness Blvd, which I successfully secured a 40 million dollar investment from the city for, and the completion of Bushwick Inlet Park, which i worked closely with our United States Senator, US Congresswoman, City Councilman, and dedicated grassroots to deliver from the Mayor. I also participated in the backlash against the design for Marsha P. Johnson park, lead by the family of Marsha and LGBTQ activists who felt the design was exclusive of the reality of Marsha's life and accomplishments and was “rainbow washing” for Governor Cuomo. Working with State Parks, we delivered a revised plan that was more appropriate commemorative space for her.

I am a vocal and active public champion of Fair and Timely Parole, Elder Parole, Adult Survivors Act, HALT Solitary, and have fought for the eviction moratorium and Good Cause Eviction and the Excluded Workers Fund. I've struggled with the DOL to deliver unemployment to thousands of constituents who were initially denied. I opened additional vaccine locations in my district and was able to increase testing access for my constituents and fought for the Save Our Stages Program and other arts & small business supports.

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):

1. Fair and Timely Parole (S. 1415A/A.4231A): A bill pending in Albany that would ensure the parole release process for incarcerated people in New York State is based on incarcerated peoples' rehabilitation and current risk to public safety.

Yes

2. Elder Parole (S. 15A / A.3475A): A bill pending in Albany that would allow incarcerated people defined by the state prison as older adults, and who have served at least 15 years, an opportunity to appear before the Parole Board for an individualized review of their case and chance at release.

Yes

14. If you will not co-sponsor any of the above legislation, why not?

15. Do you oppose the efforts of law and order conservatives to weaken bail reform

as written? YES

16. Do you commit to visiting constituents who are incarcerated in state prisons and city jails? I actively visit and speak on the phone to detained individuals and staff at Rikers Island, and I am planning visits to state facilities.

17. When was the last time you were inside a correctional facility? September

18. Do you believe sincere remorse and actions taken while incarcerated should be considered over the original crime in determinations of parole?

Yes

19. What do you believe should be done to ensure more clemencies are granted every year? I believe we need to pass all of the reforms mentioned as well a Treatment Not Jails. We need to keep chipping away at the prison industrial complex and the school to prison pipeline. I believe a major part of keeping people out of jail is offering more employment and education opportunities and making CUNY more accessible so that people have options and opportunities they are excited about. I also support all programs to educate incarcerated people and offer really secure programs for when they return to the outside community. I am working hard towards decarceration in every form, closely with advocates. Having met many wonderful people caught in the system it has become a passion,

20. Will you publicly call on the governor to use her clemency power to 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

ns to those worthy of release? Have you ever spoken out in such a way? Yes i have. My work was the crux of a New York Times op-ed about

Rikers Island and I regularly speak out on the issue.

21. Have you participated in any demonstrations or protests in relation to the issues of clemency and parole? yes regularly

22. Will you affirmatively seek to hire formerly incarcerated individuals? yes | would love to

23. Do you support legislation to prohibit discrimination against formerly

incarcerated people in housing and employment? yes

24. 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 and decarcerates sex work? yes i do

25. 26. Will you actively oppose legislation (S.6040 I A.7069) that would implement the dangerous Nordic model instead of decriminalization of prostitution?

yes

27. Explain in detail your views on full decriminalization, the Nordic model, legalization, and the existing criminalization approach. Sex work is work and sex workers deserve protections and opportunities just like any other independent contractor or employee. The criminalization of sex work is anti-feminist, homophobic and dangerous since it pushes sex workers into the shadows where they are in more danger. I am proud to also support legislation that offers sex workers protections as witnesses against criminal reprocussions for their line of work. The Nordic Model is still too stigmatizing and there is still too much involvement with the criminal system. When i was a child I asked my mother what a prostitute was, and she said, “it is someone who gives comfort to lonely people." I still see this as the best definition of sex work and I think it is a legitimate occupation worthy of worker protections. 28. Do you support ending qualified immunity for police officers? yes i was vocal against 50-A during my last campaign. 29. What proposals will you advocate for to protect immigrants and the further New York as a "Sanctuary State"? I am very involved with excluded workers and the campaign for undocumented people to vote in local and state elections, and the abolition of ice

30. Do you support the establishment of supervised drug consumption spaces? Yes this is one of my key issues and I work very closely with VOCAL on

31. Have you ever endorsed any member of the IDC or any candidates who challenged IDC members? Please identify all candidates Yes I support all of the challengers and am quite close with Robert Jackson and Alessandra Biaggi.

32. Will you commit to ensuring diverse LGBTQQ representation among your staff? Yes

33.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. Maya Wiley B. Bernie Sanders C. Cynthia Nixon and Zephyr Teachout

34. Have you made an endorsement in the current bid for Governor? If so, who? | was going to endorse Tish James, now I am recalculating 35. Describe any legislation and policy changes that you support in order to address the ongoing effects of slavery, racism, colonialism, and discrimination. I am working on some policies that include an amendment in the state constitution for a right to strike for all workers, i support reparations, support & fought for foundation aid and equitable funding for schools, I support all decarceration bills, and I have authored a bill that would change the make up of the State Committee of Corrections to include appointments at large including formerly incarcerated people as well as legislature appointed individuals and limit the number of ppl from the corrections industry that could decide on the status of prisons in the state. I also support a Green New Deal including green jobs program and climate justice that centers environmental justice communities. I support the NY Health Act so everyone in the state can have preventative and accessible health care. I am supportive of indigeoneous rights and recognition of their sovereign nation and acknowledge that we are on stolen land.

36. 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 support a New Deal for CUNY and dismissing student debt

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 I cosponsor and am considered a champion.

38. Discuss your stance on reproductive rights, including access to contraceptives and abortion services. I believe abortion is health care and that universal access to OBGYN, especially expanding access in the prison system, is central to the health of people with uteruses. I support free birth control access.

39. Will you refuse money from individuals or Political Action Committees representing the real estate industry or law enforcement unions/associations? no

40. Will you refuse and refund any contributions from executives at corporations complicit in the Trump agenda? yes

41. Will you cosponsor the legislation to prohibit evictions without good cause (S.3082 / A.5573)? yes i am a champion of this legislation

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 amend 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? It should be eliminated and NYC should only incentivize permanently affordable housing at the AMI of the local district. I sponsor a bill that would audit every 421A buildings affordable units since there is widespread fraud. 44. Do you support legalizing accessory dwelling units? yes

45. Do you support more state funding for NYCHA? If so, how much? yes, i believe the state should contribute billions to 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 I do and I am the main assembly sponsor of the All Electric Buildings Act and I am creating a water quality package focused on stormwater

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 and yes

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 and yes

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? yes

50. Do you authorize the use of your name for such a purpose? yes

51. What is your position on removing the Christopher Columbus statue in Columbus Circle and if so, what should replace it? yes, we should have a sculpture commemorating the many indigeous leaders of the Lenape and a recognition of our role in the extermination of Lenape ppl and culture

52. Do you support reducing the budget of the law enforcement throughout the state, and if so, by how much? Yes, I think we should create an entirely new system of public safety, but we can start by redistributing half of the state law enforcement budget to jobs programs, free education and mental health and social service programs and support.

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. Remove them all

54. Should law enforcements "Vice Squads" be eliminated? Yes

55. 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? leave without pay

56. What reforms would you make to the Civilian Complaint Review Board? Would you support state legislation to make CCRB disciplinary determinations binding? I would give the CCRB teeth!

57. What will you do to support nightlife in New York State? I think we need to bail out of much needed social spaces especially smaller places that were destroyed by covid closures. I would like to make test strips and “Nalox boxes" widely available so people can test their drugs for fetanyl and prevent overdoses easily on site. I would also like to have every bartender trained to respond to overdose.

58. Do you commit to speak with restaurant and nightlife industry representatives before taking a position on any policies that affect their businesses? Definitely, I already do! I am very supportive of drinks to go and other opportunities for businesses to profit in the ways they can during pandemic.

59. 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 i already do

60. What are the top 3 issues you aim to address locally and legislatively?

-Climate crisis through an environmental justice lens
-harm reduction for people who use drugs
-safe streets -housing justice
-criminal justice reform & decarceration

(sorry i couldn't pick three!)

61. What additional information would you like Jim Owles to consider when we are making our endorsements decisions? I have had incredible success working with all levels of government and grassroots activists and aim to be an empowering force who focuses on Co-governance, local participation and transparency. I like to legislate from a humanistic approach and accept people as they are and want to make every life in this state safe, healthy and happy. I believe it's achievable! Also, I'm an Aires Sun, Scorpio Rising and Capricorn moon for anyone who is interested.