Candidate Answers to JOLDC: Harrison Marks for NY Assembly District 75
Candidate Name: Harrison Marks
Office Seeking Election for: NY Assembly District 75
Website: https://www.harrisonmarksforny.com/
1. Explain, based on life experiences and accomplishments, why you believe you are best qualified to represent your district.
I certainly don’t have all the answers, but I have a lot of energy, innovative ideas, and a love for this city that my ancestors came to over a century ago.
I started my career working in the Obama administration, where I saw what it was like to be part of a team looking for new ways to make government work for people. I then came back home to New York, where I met my wife, started my family, and got an inside view on economic growth as I advised business leaders.
After COVID hit, I stepped up to run the Reimagine New York Commission’s efforts to support our state’s workforce and small businesses in the wake of the pandemic. We worked to rethink how New York can create more opportunities through better jobs, improved regulations, support for small businesses, and enhanced skill-building.
I’ve spent countless hours focused on COVID’s impact and how we can best move forward. Even still, I felt differently when I began walking around Chelsea with my baby in a stroller. After my son Henry was born this past summer, the vacant storefronts seemed to multiply, the trash seemed to collect, and the streets seemed to empty out. And
I saw how the urgent calls from my neighbors for help and change often went unanswered.
In the midst of these challenges and opportunities, I realized I needed to do more to help solve problems in this community – and that's why I'm running to represent the 75th District in the NYS Assembly.
2. Please identify any openly LGBTQ candidates for public office you have previously or presently endorsed?
N/A
3. If applicable what legislation directly affecting the LGBTQ community have you introduced or co-sponsored?
I look forward to being a staunch advocate for the LGBTQ community through progressive legislation as your Assembly Member.
4. What LGBTQ organizations have you been involved with, either on a volunteer or professional basis?
My Campaign Manager was Senator Hoylman’s Chief of Staff and been a part of Stonewall Democrats for the last five years. He is introducing me to his colleagues and contacts in these networks.
5. If applicable, what LGBTQ organizations have you allocated funds to? N/A
6. Do you consider yourself a member of the LGBTQ community? No
7. Have you marched in any Pride parades? Which marches and for approximately how many years?
No
8. Have you employed openly LGBTQ individuals previously? Do you employ any currently? Yes. My Campaign Manager, Jacob Priley, is LGBTQ.
9. If you receive the Jim Owles endorsement, do you agree to identify the club on all literature and electronic materials where you list endorsements?
Absolutely.
10. What press conferences, demonstrations, rallies and protests in support of LGBTQ issues, pro choice legislation, criminal justice reform issues and the Resist Trump Movement have you attended and/or participated in?
I answered the call for emergency response lawyers to JFK Airport when Trump started deporting refugees and attended several anti-Trump rallies.
11. Have you ever been arrested in pursuit of legislation or for protesting an injustice? Please elaborate.
No
12. If you are an incumbent, what have you accomplished in your most recent term? N/A
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):
A. Fair and Timely Parole (S.1415A / A.4231A): A bill pending in Albany that would ensure access to the parole release process for incarcerated people in New York State. This bill insures that decisions on parole are not solely based on the nature of the original crimes but includes incarcerated peoples’ record of rehabilitation and assessment of current risk to public safety.
Yes.
B. Elder Parole (S.15A / A.3475A): A bill pending in Albany that would allow elderly incarcerated people who have served at least 15 years in prison an opportunity to appear before the Parole Board for a chance at release.
Yes.
14. If you will not co-sponsor any of the above legislation, why not? N/A
15. Do you oppose the efforts to weaken bail reform as written.
I don’t believe we should weaken current bail reform laws, but rather should consider strengthening judicial discretion.
16. Do you commit to visiting constituents who are incarcerated in state prisons and city jails? If incumbent, when did you do so last?
Yes.
17. Do you support legislation outlawing solitary confinement in all prisons statewide including city jails?
Yes.
18. When was the last time you were inside a correctional facility?
I was inside the Metropolitan Detention Center in Brooklyn within the last decade.
19. Do you believe sincere remorse and actions taken while incarcerated should be considered over the original crime in determinations of parole?
Yes, I believe that all of these factors are relevant in parole determinations.
20. What do you believe should be done to ensure more clemencies are granted every year? Greater pressure on the Governor and legislation, if necessary, to create a sustainable path for timely parole.
21. Will you publicly call on the governor to use her clemency power for 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 commutations to those worthy of release? Have you ever spoken out in such a way?
Yes.
22. Have you participated in any demonstrations or protests concerning clemency and parole? No.
23. Will you affirmatively seek to hire formerly incarcerated individuals? Yes.
24. Do you support legislation to prohibit discrimination against formerly incarcerated people in housing and employment?
Yes.
25. 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 sex work?
I am supportive of decrminalizing sex work in order to protect sex workers.
Decriminalization must be coupled with strong regulation of this industry to make certain that sex workers are participating voluntarily and are provided with resources needed to find other work if they so desire
26. Will you actively oppose legislation (S.6040 / A.7069) that would implement the dangerous Nordic model instead of the decriminalization of prostitution? Explain in detail your views on full decriminalization, the Nordic model, legalization, and the existing criminalization approach.
Yes. Full decriminalization is the only real path forward–please read my more detailed response above.
27. Do you support ending qualified immunity for police and other law enforcement individuals? Yes.
28. What proposals will you advocate for to protect immigrants and further New York as a “Sanctuary State”?
Regardless of who is in the White House, New York State should do all it can to protect immigrants from any unjust national policies. Local governments should not be cooperating with ICE or other federal enforcement agencies and New York should strike any laws that criminalize immigrant families from doing what they need to survive.
29. Are you a sponsor of New York's Medical Aid in Dying Act (A.4321a/S.6471)? If not will you add your name and sponsor?
Yes, I will add my name.
29. Do you support the establishment of supervised drug consumption spaces? Yes, as long as the community has a seat at the table on their placement.
30. Have you ever endorsed any member of the IDC or any candidates who challenged IDC members? Please identify all candidates
No.
31. Will you commit to ensuring diverse LGBTQ representation among your staff? Yes.
32. 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. Kathryn Garcia
B. Hillary Clinton and Joe Biden
C. Andrew Cuomo and Letitia James
33. Have you made an endorsement in the current bid for Governor? If so, who? I haven’t.
34. Do you support term limits for statewide office holders? For State Legislators? I do.
35. Describe any legislation and policy changes that you support in order to address the ongoing effects of slavery, racism, colonialism, and discrimination.
Ensuring access to housing and economic opportunities, and empowering our government to combat systemic racism and discrimination will be top priorities as an Assembly Member.
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?
First, I believe the Biden Administration must cancel the massive student loan debt that is holding back our children and economy. Second, I am supportive of making college and universities more affordable in our state through additional funding and support.
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. It would be an honor to continue Assembly Member Gottfried’s legacy on NYHA.
38. Discuss your stance on reproductive rights, including access to contraceptives and abortion services.
Access to contraceptives and abortion services are fundamental rights. I’m supportive of all policies and legislation that enshrine that right and expand access.
39. Will you refuse money from individuals or Political Action Committees representing the real estate industry or law enforcement unions/associations?
Yes.
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.
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 amends 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?
We should end the 421-a program. The program has not created enough affordable housing for its cost to the state, and a new funding incentive for affordable housing should be created.
44. Do you support legalizing accessory dwelling units? Yes.
45. Do you support more state funding for NYCHA? If so, how much?
Frankly, as much as we can possibly get. The billions of dollars in the capital project backlog is unacceptable.
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.
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.
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.
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? Do you authorize the use of your name for such a purpose?
Yes.
50. What is your position on removing the Christopher Columbus statue in Columbus Circle and if so, what should replace it?
Yes. I believe the statue should commemorate the citizens of Seneca Village, an African American settlement that was destroyed by the creation of Central Park.
51. Do you support reducing the budget of law enforcement throughout the state, and if so, by how much?
The law enforcement budget at the state level is small relative to the city’s appropriation to the NYPD. I would be supportive of working with my city colleagues to find ways to think innovatively about how those resources are actually making our streets safer.
52. 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, all of the above if there are adequate outreach workers, social workers and others to serve in these crucial areas. These are not core safety competency areas that our police should be focused on.
53. Should law enforcements "Vice Squads" be eliminated? Yes.
54. 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?
Citizens should be able to report noncompliance through 311 and those complaints should be directed to supervisors of the local precinct, not to peers.
55. What reforms would you make to the Civilian Complaint Review Board? Would you support state legislation to make CCRB disciplinary determinations binding?
Yes. We must hold corrupt civil servants to account.
56. What will you do to support nightlife in New York State?
Nightlife is an important economic engine for our city, and, importantly, a critical part of our neighborhood’s fabric. My office would be supportive of policies that promote small businesses, local nightlife entertainment and owners, and bars that are good neighbors.
We wouldn’t be New York City without our nightlife.
57. Do you commit to speak with restaurant and nightlife industry representatives before taking a position on any policies that affect their businesses?
Yes.
58. 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?
Absolutely.
59. What are the top 3 issues you aim to address locally and legislatively?
I have a plan to bring equitable innovation to our community – to ensure we all have access to resources, opportunity and joy in our neighborhood. I hope you’ll read the details on my website, but the basic plan involves three steps: (1) We must navigate the ongoing public health crisis; (2) We must restore our neighborhood’s quality of life; and
(3) We can then push forward innovative solutions to bring our community into the future.
60. How much money do you presently have in your campaign account? Over $100,000
61. What additional information would you like members The Jim Owles Liberal Democratic Club to consider when we are making our endorsement decision concerning your candidacy?
Thank you, Allen, for the opportunity to work with you.