Candidate Answers to JOLDC: Harvey Epstein for NY Assembly District 74
Candidate Name: Harvey Epstein
Office Seeking Election for: NY Assembly District 74
Website: http://harveyfornewyork.com/
1. Explain, based on life experiences and accomplishments, why you believe you are best qualified to represent your district.
I have been an active legislator and community activist and have used my public interest legal experience to advance my communities legislative goals
2. Please identify any openly LGBTQ candidates for public office you have previously or presently endorsed?
Rosie Mendez
Margarita Lopez
Brad Hoylman
Cynthia Nixon
3. If applicable what legislation directly affecting the LGBTQ community have you introduced or co-sponsored?
Numerous bills like ending walking while trans, decrim sex work and New York Health Act
4. What LGBTQ organizations have you been involved with, either on a volunteer or professional basis?
Act Up
WHAM
5. If applicable, what LGBTQ organizations have you allocated funds to?
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?
Yes, many times on and off over the yesrs.
8. Have you employed openly LGBTQ individuals previously? Do you employ any currently?
Yes
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?
Yes
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?
Yes, lots of these over the decades
11. Have you ever been arrested in pursuit of legislation or for protesting an injustice? Please elaborate.
Yes, just recently arrested for taxi workers
12. If you are an incumbent, what have you accomplished in your most recent term?
I passed 10 bills last year and 8 were signed into law. They help low income tenants, incarcerated individuals and students with disabilities
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.
Co sponsor
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.
14. If you will not co-sponsor any of the above legislation, why not?
Co sponsor
15. Do you oppose the efforts to weaken bail reform as written
Yes
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, I was in rikers at the end of last year and will continue to visit jails and prisons
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.
In the fall, 2021
19. Do you believe sincere remorse and actions taken while incarcerated should be considered over the original crime in determinations of parole?
Yes
20. What do you believe should be done to ensure more clemencies are granted every year?
Force the Governor to review a number of applications every year and have her say if she is or is not granting clemency
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, I have numerous Times over the years at protests and on social media.
22. Have you participated in any demonstrations or protests concerning clemency and parole?
Yes
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?
Co sponsor
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
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”?
Right to counsel and take additional efforts to keep ICE out of our state. Immigrants bond changes are necessary as well.
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
29. Do you support the establishment of supervised drug consumption spaces?
Yes
30. Have you ever endorsed any member of the IDC or any candidates who challenged IDC members? Please identify all candidates
Yes, candidates who challenged IDC in 2018
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?
2021 - mayor - Diane Morales then Maya Wiley
2016 -president Bernie Sander
2020- President Elizabeth Warren
2018 - Governor Cynthia Nixon
AG Tish James
33. Have you made an endorsement in the current bid for Governor? If so, who?
Not yet.
34. Do you support term limits for statewide office holders? For State Legislators?
Yes 8 years for exec.
35. Describe any legislation and policy changes that you support in order to address the ongoing effects of slavery, racism, colonialism, and discrimination.
Numerous bills. One example is giving the right to vote for incarcerated people
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 believe in Free higher. I also believe the Federal Government should forgive 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 am a co sponsor
38. Discuss your stance on reproductive rights, including access to contraceptives and abortion services.
I am pro choice and believe people should have access to free reproductive and contraceptive healthcare service.
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)?
I am a co sponsor
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?
I am a co sponsor
43. What should happen to 421-a? Would you end it, mend it, continue it?
End it
44. Do you support legalizing accessory dwelling units?
Yes
45. Do you support more state funding for NYCHA? If so, how much?
Yes 3.4 billion capital and 2.8 billion in operating money
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?
Co sponsor
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?
Co sponsor
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, co sponsor
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?‘
Remove it
51. Do you support reducing the budget of law enforcement throughout the state, and if so, by how much?
Yes, city or state budget? State budget should be cut by 25%
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
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?
Probation then terminated
55. What reforms would you make to the Civilian Complaint Review Board? Would you support state legislation to make CCRB disciplinary determinations binding?
Independence and allowing them not the police commissioner make the termination decisions.
56. What will you do to support nightlife in New York State?
I advocated for 1 billion dollars in state aid last year budget for small businesses and night life.
57. Do you commit to speak with restaurant and nightlife industry representatives before taking a position on any policies that affect their businesses?
I will do my best to keep open lines of communication
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?
Yes
59. What are the top 3 issues you aim to address locally and legislatively?
1. ADU - passing a statewide policy
2. Ending 24 work rule in home health care workers - people work for 24 hours and get paid for 13 hours. That must change
3. Climate justice- mandatory statewide composting and creating a statewide plugging infrastructure
60. How much money do you presently have in your campaign account?
$97,000
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?
I believe I have earned your endorsement.