Candidate Answers to JOLDC: Jenny Low for City Council District 1

Candidate Name: Jenny Low

Office Seeking Election for: City Council District 1

Campaign Website: https://www.jennylow.nyc

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

I’m the candidate who has demonstrated a track record and proven skills that are needed to help this district and the City recover from the devastation caused by COVID. While working for a bank, I made first time bank loans to minority- and women-owned businesses and small businesses and I have helped many startup businesses succeed. After the 9/11 tragedy, my team utilized programs provided by the Small Business Administration and NYC Economic Development Corp and helped many downtown small businesses get back on their feet. When I managed a multimillion dollar grant portfolio, I worked with nonprofits that focused on education, workforce development and affordable housing. In my 30 years as a board member of the East Coast’s largest Asian American social service organization with a $190 million annual budget - the Chinese-American Planning Council (CPC), we trained countless immigrants and low-income families for living wage, union jobs. As District Leader, I’ve been working to empower voices of marginalized communities and expand their political participation. I’ve also worked with other city, state and federal officials to deliver critical programs and resources to our community. And, I’ve gained valuable experience and insight into the workings of the City Council in my capacity as Director of Constituency Services and Director of Administration for Speaker Corey Johnson. I will bring all this experience, skills and passion to serve in my new position and will hit the ground running on day one when I get to the City Council.

Please identify any openly LGBTQ candidate for public office you have previously or presently endorsed?

Corey Johnson, Paul Fineman, Arlene Bluth, Richard Tsai, Lynn Kotler, Rolyn Richter, George Silver, Lynn Schulman, Tom Duane, Deborah Glick, Josh Hanshaft

If applicable, what legislation directly affecting the LGBTQ community have you introduced or co-sponsored? (indicate accordingly)

N/A

What LGBTQ organizations have you been involved with, either on a volunteer basis or professionally?

When I managed a multimillion grants portfolio in the private sector, I funded a number of LGBT organizations including GMHC, SAGE, and Hendrick Martin Institute. In the 1990s, I have also supported the AIDS Walk for many years. Most recently in October 2020, I volunteered with SAGE to conduct a voter education workshop.

Do you consider yourself a member of the LGBTQ community?

I am a vocal ally of the LGBTQ community.

Have you marched in Pride? Which marches and for approximately how many years?

Pride Parade in June 2018, June 2019; Disabilities Pride Parade in July 2019

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

Yes in my previous positions but have not had the opportunity to bring in additional staff in my current position.

What press conferences, demonstrations, rallies and protests in support of LGBT issues, pro-choicelegislation, criminal justice issues and the Resist Trump Movement have you attended?

As a member of NOW and Eleanor’s Legacy, I have attended press conferences in support of pro-choice and Resist Trump events. I’ve attended the Women’s March, several Black Lives Matter rallies, and events supporting marriage equality.

Have you ever been arrested? If so please explain why and outcome of arrest.

No

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

Racism is embedded throughout our economic and social policies from education, to housing, to policing and criminal justice. Eliminating current disparities among Americans will require intentional public policy efforts to dismantle systematic inequality, combat discrimination in the workplace, and expand access to opportunity for everyone, not just those in positions of privilege. When crafting a piece of legislation or setting a policy regardless of the subject, it is the responsibility of the sponsoring Councilmember to ensure that it is thoroughly reviewed for fairness, transparency, and accountability. As a Councilmember, I will put equity as my commitment and approach to my legislative work. It will be my responsibility to apply fair standards and transparent discussions, including seeking input from internal policy analysts and external subject matter expertise in racial, economic and social matters to achieve equity in the legislation or policy. My legislative and policy objectives will prioritize the significant negative impact in education, affordable housing, health care, policing and criminal justice and commit to funding programs that promote racial, social and economic justice.

Will you not seek, and refuse, the endorsement of Bill de Blasio?

I will not seek, and refuse the endorsement of Bill de Blasio.

In view of the fact that Ed Koch has been documented to have caused the deaths of hundreds ofthousands of people with AIDS, and was blatantly racist, would you support and sponsor a bill to renamethe former Queensboro Bridge?

Yes

What is your position on removing the Christopher Columbus statue in Columbus Circle and if so, whatshould replace it?

We should remove the Christopher Columbus statue and replace it with a statue commemorating Wilma Pearl Mankiller, who was an American Cherokee activist, social worker, community developer and the first woman elected to serve as Principal Chief of the Cherokee Nation.

Will you refuse contributions from real estate developers and all law enforcement unions or associations?

I do not accept contributions from real estate developers, lobbyists and law enforcement unions or associations.

Do you support reducing the budget of the NYPD and if so, by how much?

I am in favor of a hiring freeze and eliminating the NYPD budget for overtime. I am committed to taking a scalpel to the NYPD budget and support headcount reduction and re-direct funds from the NYPD to social and economic programs that help to build community trust and establish relationships between residents and the police precincts, especially in the Black community, as well as continuing to invest in adding mental health professionals to teams responding to incidents involving individuals struggling with mental health issues. I also support immediate removal of officers who are reassigned for modified duty particularly if they exhibited blatant abuse as part of disciplinary action. We should achieve at least $1 billion in cuts from the NYPD budget and not merely shift police functions like school safety to the Department of Education.

The deaths of many people of color and specifically those in the Black community, due to police brutality have gone on for far too long. Aggressive policing is unacceptable and we must end it! We must hold officers accountable for abuse of power. I support changes in the NYPD training and policing guidelines starting with banning aggressive crowd control tactics like kettling where police would surround groups and use excessive force to make arrests. And I strongly support more oversight of the NYPD as it’s the only agency that polices themselves.

How would you have voted on the FY21 City Budget?

Before the FY21 budget was finalized, I would have fought hard to cut $1 billion from the NYPD budget that isn't merely shifting police functions. I would have wanted substantive, not symbolic, cuts that would make a difference in advancing racial justice and curbing the size and power of the NYPD. With cuts, we could re-allocate budget to fund comprehensive community social service programs including workforce development and youth programs. Only with real and meaningful transfer of funds out of the NYPD budget, I would have voted for an FY21 budget.

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.

I’m in favor of removing police from schools, mental health response calls and homeless outreach and social services and traffic enforcement.

Should the NYPD Vice Squad be eliminated?

Yes, and we need to overhaul the discriminatory policies and practices from top to bottom that have been rooted in the NYPD. There is decades of evidence of harm caused by the targeted enforcement of paternalistic and racist laws by the NYPD Vice Squad. Just recently, ProPublica published horrific details of corruption, sexual misconduct, and gross abuses of members of the Vice Squad. As Councilmember, I will support ending NYPD policies that discriminate against Black and Brown people, immigrants, Muslims and sex workers. We need to decriminalize sex work where many engage in this work is for survival and should not be criminalized. We must provide support for the sex workers by helping them find alternative work. The pilot program that Queens County has as part of Human Trafficking Intervention Courts needs to be expanded to all five boroughs.

Should Dermot Shea be fired immediately?

Commissioner Shea should have been fired months ago for his handling of peaceful protestors marching against the brutal killing of George Floyd at the hands of the police. Shea allowed aggressive and combative tactics used by NYPD in arresting peaceful demonstrators. Then came his stinging criticism of the Mayor’s policies. Mayor de Blasio took office committing himself to racial justice and overhauling the police. And his appointed NYPD commissioner should be a partner in implementing those policies. Instead Shea has called the new law banning the use of chokeholds and similar types of restraints by police officers, “insane.” Shea has to go.

Should the NYPD Commissioner require confirmation by the City Council?

Yes. The City Council should have the authority to advise and consent for key positions in the City such as the Commissioners for NYPD and the Chancellor for the Department of Education.

How would you recommend police officers be penalized for refusing to wear masks in public while onduty, in defiance of city and state rules?

Wearing a mask is a matter of public safety during a pandemic. Everyone must follow the rules set by the City and State. These officers should be marked for insubordination and demerit on their performance record.

What reforms would you make to the Civilian Complaint Review Board? Would you support statelegislation to make CCRB disciplinary determinations binding?

We need to enhance the ability of the existing independent CCRB for enforcement and prosecution. CCRB should be the oversight agency that determines disciplinary action upon conclusion of investigations. I would support state legislation that gives the disciplinary recommendations CCRB makes binding and cannot be superseded by the police commissioner. There’s been mistrust of the CCRB given the close relationship with the mayor and police commissioner. Giving CCRB powers to investigate and take disciplinary action is only way to make this agency truly independent.

What is your position on the plan to close Rikers and create four borough-based jails?

We need to close Rikers because it is an inhumane institution that is emblematic of the systemic racism of our criminal justice system. But we should not simply replace one big jail with four small ones; we must fundamentally change our approach to criminal justice and move away from the incarcerate-first mentality that has destroyed so many lives and harmed our communities. Instead, we need to look much more at root causes of crimes, whether it's poverty, lack of community support, lack of mental health care or addiction treatment, and give people the tools they need to become productive members of their communities. We do not need or want a jail built in Lower Manhattan; let's stop de Blasio's 4 borough jail plan and focus on helping communities rise rather than finding new ways to keep them down.

Will you advocate for the Governor to review sentences of incarcerated individuals over the age 55 whohave served in excess of 15 years to determine if they warrant release?

Yes, especially during COVID19 pandemic and with privileged white collar prisoners getting a pass to serve the rest of their sentence at home.

It’s common knowledge that New York City’s 311 system is not adequately responsive to the public’sconcerns. How would you alter the 311 system to combat these problems?

Accountability and transparency are key elements of ensuring high quality of services. Based on an analysis of data completed by the City Council, the 311 problems can be resolved. From my experience in operational efficiency improvement in the private sector, I would start with addressing the following issues:

• Clearly define operational terminologies used by 311 operators and agency staff

• Properly training operators and agency staff

• Incorporate quality assurance protocol with regular review by representatives of 311 operators and agencies

• Report on quality assurance review and publish on the City’s website

Do you support decriminalizing sex work? Will you pledge to oppose the Nordic model?

Yes

Do you oppose school screening, which exacerbates segregation? Which screens in your schooldistrict(s) will you advocate to abolish?

It is shameful that the largest public school system in the nation is one of the most segregated systems. There continues to be extensive debate about the lack of diversity in the City’s top schools, the specialized high schools and the admission process. As a product of NYC public schools that gave me the opportunity to learn and thrive, I want to expand opportunities for students, not limiting them to only certain communities.

I am pleased the Mayor apologized for his attempt to eliminate the SHSAT test without full consideration of all the students, parents and teachers. Since the announcement by the Chancellor, the debate to eliminate SHSAT has pitted ethnic groups against each other. One of the root causes of the lack of diversity in the City’s top schools is due to the dismantling of the gifted and talented problems in the school system by the Bloomberg administration. As a graduate of Brooklyn Technical High School and parent of a public school student, I know school enrichment programs work. I call for the restoration of the G&T program in every public school beginning in kindergarten. The G&T program provided opportunities to countless Black, Brown and immigrant students from schools across the City to thrive. I had more Black and Brown classmates than any other ethnic groups while I was at Brooklyn Tech. I want to continue to help increase admissions to “Ed-Opt” and elite high schools by helping students to pass their proficiency and admissions tests. We should be expanding DOE’s DREAM program that offers two free SHSAT prep programs open to New York City public school students who meet eligibility requirements. There’s a 22-month-long course open to 6th-graders and the Summer/Fall Intensive, a 38-session course open to rising 8th-graders. There are other outstanding intensive programs like Highway to High School, Breakthrough NY, School Plus and AdmissionSquad - formed by Brooklyn Tech grads - that help students prepare for exams. The DOE should be working to build on the best practices of these programs and offer free help to students get ahead to pass exams for Ed-Opt and specialized high schools.

And, at the City Council, I will work with fellow members to create more specialized and elite high schools that will provide more seats for students who want to be challenged with a more rigorous curriculum. It’s beyond time we build more seats rather than demanding students fight over limited capacity.

Describe what reforms you would make to the control of the NYC public school system.

We have observed the effectiveness and ineffectiveness of Mayoral control of the NYC public schools in the last two decades. The current mayoral control framework lacks input from key stakeholders such as parents, teachers, and the City Council. I believe the governance of NYC public school system should be shared between the Mayor and the City Council with input from parents and teachers. DOE is the largest City department and the City Council should have more oversight and authority over a department whose budget is about one third of the City’s entire budget.

I support the City Council to have advise and consent power over the appointment of the chancellor. The appointments of members to the Panel for Educational Policy should be balanced with appointments giving the Mayor ability to choose five members of the, with the remaining picks going to each of the five borough presidents, the city comptroller, the City Council speaker and the public advocate. Their terms should be staggered, three-year terms with an option for renewal, rather than at the pleasure of the chancellor. This would be a true representation of stakeholders who are involved with the education of the future generations’ leaders in our great City.

Do you support public funding of abortion?

Yes I support public funding for abortion. I’m a strong proponent of women’s right to choose abortion. But anti-choice leaders have long used public funding as a vehicle to knock down Roe v Wade. I’m proud New York funds abortions for low income women.

Do you support the creation of safe consumption sites? Would you support the use of NYC DOHMHauthority to establish SCSs without NYSDOH authorization?

We need effective programs to help those addicted to drugs get off their dependency on drugs. I support more programs to treat and support individuals recover from their addiction. There are currently no safe consumption sites in the U.S. Given that only the State has authority over SCS, I will work with my State Senator and Assemblymember to develop safe and effective programs to get addicts the help they need.

Do you smoke or otherwise consume weed?

No

Have you ever supported any of the members of the IDC? If so, who? What did you do to help defeat theIDC in 2018?

No, I have not supported any members of the IDC. In 2018, I supported the election of John Liu for State Senate who defeated IDC member Tony Avella. As a board member of Eleanor’s Legacy, I enthusiastically supported and helped fund the Martha Baker project that fielded twelve women to run in State Senate races including Alessandra Biaggi who defeated Jeff Klein, Jessica Ramos who defeated Joss Peralta, and Rachel May who defeated David Valesky.

What will you do to support nightlife in NYC?

The nightlife scene is an essential part of NYC culture. For decades NYC nightlife has also been an incubator for new talent, performative ideas and cultural trends. It’s the NYC nightlife community that have inspired and influenced artists and musicians worldwide.

As a result of the COVID19 pandemic, all live shows, clubs, and other nightlife events have been cancelled for the foreseeable future, although I’m optimistic with the vaccine currently being distributed in NYC. The cancellation has effectively left an entire community of artists, musicians, DJs, and promoters out of work. And, sadly some artists also do not qualify for federal unemployment due to their immigration status or not meeting all of the criteria required by the government. While there are programs like Support Nightlife NYC to help the community survive through this crisis by organizing financial relief, City and State officials must do more. We must encourage another round of PPP loans in the current talks in Washington so nightlife businesses can keep their workers employed. I support creation of a state fund for undocumented immigrants and excluded workers who do not currently qualify for unemployment aid. We should ask ultra-wealthy New Yorkers to do their part to help create this safety net.

Do you commit to speak with restaurant and nightlife industry representatives before taking a position onany policies that affect their businesses?

Absolutely yes.

Will you work to place restaurant, bar and club owners on community boards? Will you commit to notappointing or reappointing community board members who are hostile to food and beverageestalishments?

Yes.

Now that the cabaret law was repealed do you support amending the zoning resolution to allow patronsto 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 IslandCity?

Yes.

What role do you believe the local member should play in the approval of development proposals beforethe Council?

Overdevelopment is an issue in many parts of NYC but it is plaguing District 1. I support smart development where there is complete transparency from proposal, to planning, to implementation. Each step must have real input from impacted stakeholders, especially the residents of the neighborhood of the proposed project site. In order for the community to have full participation, we need to reform the ULURP process, providing more time for the residents and local the community board to review and weigh in. Any new development should include at least 30% affordable units. It is the local Councilmember’s responsibility to (1) ensure that the entire process is transparent from proposal, to planning, review, and final recommendation; (2) seek and facilitate real input for stakeholders, especially residents of the proposed project site; and (3) ensure that the final plan reflects the collective objectives of community and the sponsor.

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 topressure from some local residents?

I oppose the removal of the homeless from the Lucerne hotel. The only time the City should spend resources and lawyers in moving people out of shelters is when they are moving the homeless people into a permanent home.

What proposals will you advocate for to protect immigrants and further New York as a Sanctuary City?

As an immigrant, I am committed to ensuring that all New Yorkers are protected, regardless of citizenship status or other identity. Mass deportation has pulled apart immigrant families and undermined our public safety when immigrants are afraid to engage law enforcement because they fear deportation.

It is vital for NYC to continue its Sanctuary status to limit city law enforcement officers in assisting in federal immigration enforcement, end cooperation with federal ‘detainer requests’ for all residents, except those who have been convicted of violent or serious felonies, and oppose proposals in Congress that would withhold funding from Sanctuary Cities. The legislation introduced in Congress to eliminate funding for NYC would needlessly endanger all of New Yorkers by subverting programs that provide protection against terrorist attacks and street violence. These proposals don’t provide more public safety but would only serve to place us all at risk.

We also need to prevent ICE agents from disguising themselves as NYPD officers in attempts to enter homes. I would call for immediate dismissal of any NYPD officers found working with ICE and allowing ICE to impersonate NYPD officers in pursuit of arrests. We cannot allow the crime of impersonating a NYPD officer to happen without penalty. There must be trust within the community that law enforcement officials who knock on their doors are who they are supposed to be.

Do you support a single-payer universal health care system? Please elaborate on what policy andlegislative steps the City can take to expand access and affordability.

Healthcare is a right and not a privilege. I support the idea of universal health insurance, and also believe that the New York Health Act needs to be significantly modified in order to incorporate the important advances labor unions have achieved as part of successive waves of collective bargaining and contracts.

Who did you support for office in the following primaries or special elections: A) Mayor in 2013 B) PublicAdvocate in 2013 and 2019, C) President in 2016 and 2020 C) Governor and Attorney General in 2018?

2013 Mayor-John Liu; Public Advocate-Daniel Squadron (2013), Jumaane Williams (2019); President: Hillary Clinton (2016), Joe Biden (2020); Governor- Andrew Cuomo (2018); Attorney General-Letitia James

Top 3 issues you aim to address locally and legislatively

1. I want to help working families recover by addressing unemployment, food insecurity, and healthcare access. The COVID pandemic caused a dramatic increase in unemployment among New York workers whose job cannot be done from home. A majority of these workers are Black, Brown and Asian Americans. According to a recent study by the Fiscal Policy Institute (FPI), the employment rates for New Yorkers who are Black was 13%, for Asians - 16% and for Latinx - 19%, compared to 10% for white workers. Workers in leisure and hospitality industries such as accommodation and food services, arts, entertainment and recreation have significant job loss. Many of these workers are immigrants who do not have unemployment insurance and health care coverage. For workers who retained their job during the COVID pandemic, they are essential workers in grocery stores, pharmacies or healthcare facilities where they encounter much higher health risk.
   According to the same FPI report, about 20% of undocumented immigrants work in the leisure and hospitality industry. These workers did not have unemployment insurance or health care coverage when they lost their jobs due to the COVID pandemic. Among its recommendations, the FPI supports a New York State Excluded Workers Fund to provide weekly unemployment payments to workers who are excluded from the NYS unemployment insurance system. I join other advocates in support of creating a $3.5 Billion New York State fund to reach excluded workers and families. As Council Member, my priority will be to champion collaboration among the private, public and nonprofit sectors along with labor unions to train unemployed workers with skills for the 21st century work paradigm.
   The COVID pandemic revealed that food insecurity among New Yorkers is pervasive. Since early April, I have been volunteering with the nonprofit, ReThinkFood NYC, delivering free culturally sensitive meals to seniors and families in Chinatown and the Lower East Side. I am really proud of being part of the volunteer crew who have delivered over 2 million meals in the city and specifically 750,000 meals to the Chinatown/LES community. More importantly, ReThink partners with local restaurants to provide these meals so these struggling restaurants can remain open and keep workers employed. It will be a priority for me to elevate these programs citywide to help sustain local restaurants and grocers so workers continue to be employed. We need to also put more resources into the city’s Restaurant Revitalization program to subsidize unemployed and underemployed restaurant workers.
   We must also improve access to affordable healthcare particularly during the pandemic. It is important to retain Medicaid expansion in NYS.

2. Defending and Investing in Affordable Housing by opposing overdevelopment, reforming NYCHA, investing in truly affordable units, and supporting homeownership for low- and middle-income families with Community Land Trusts. Overdevelopment is an issue in many parts of NYC but it is plaguing District 1. I support smart development where there is complete transparency from proposal, to planning, to implementation. Each step must have real input from impacted stakeholders, especially the residents of the neighborhood of the proposed project site. In order for the community to have full participation, we need to modify the ULURP process, providing more time for the residents and local the community board to review and weigh in. Any new development should include at least 40% affordable units. NYCHA housing accounts for over 6,300 affordable units in District 1, but they have to be safe, with working plumbing and elevators, free of lead paint, mold, and water leaks. We must reform NYCHA and prioritize making much needed repairs, ensuring that every apartment is in livable condition. I support the Public Housing Preservation Trust, a bold idea to leverage federal government subsidized vouchers to finance and manage NYCHA’s extensive repair work. It would be an opportunity to clean up the current NYCHA contractors system that has a backlog of repairs and maintenance with union labor that can fix up the dilapidated units.
   One other proposal that I’m in favor of to address the lack of affordable housing is to expand the City’s Community Land Trust (CLT) programs, nonprofit entities that become stewards of land or properties for public and community benefit in perpetuity. Instead of allowing distressed properties to be gobbled up by speculators who want to build condos, the City should step in and help CLTs acquire the properties and allow current tenants to purchase their units for an affordable price. CLTs create homes that remain permanently affordable, providing successful homeownership opportunities for generations of lower income families.
   We should also turn empty hotels into permanently affordable rentals or cooperative housing so families who remain in New York can have a chance at owning their homes. The affordable housing crisis is deepening during the pandemic. Expanding affordable housing will be a priority for me at the City Council.

3. Investing in Education by restoring gifted and talented programs, eliminating the digital divide, and expanding STEM opportunities.
   The Bloomberg administration destroyed the Gifted and Talented (G&T) program in the NYC public school system. We must restore the G&T program in every school across the system. For generations, the G&T program had enabled countless students of all socioeconomic and ethnic backgrounds to take on vigorous curricula and excel in NYC’s top high schools. With the restoration of the G&T program, the natural progression is to expand the STEM curriculum throughout the school system, providing opportunities for students to pursue the sciences, technology, engineering and mathematics like it did for me when I attended Brooklyn Technical High School. As a proud product of NYC public schools and recipient of scholarships and financial aid to attend college, improving the public education system and fighting for free tuition for CUNY students will be my priorities as a Council Member.
   The COVID pandemic lifted up a veil that may have covered the education disparity in District 1. Many students in low-income families and in homeless shelters had difficulty accessing remote learning due to lack of devices, access to the internet or inability of parents to help due to language barriers. Sadly, the digital divide is not unique in this district as we heard so many similar issues across the city. As an immigrant who didn’t even know the alphabet when I arrived in this country at age 12, I understand the importance and value of education. NYC’s public school education opened opportunities for me. I vow to work hard with fellow Council Members to fight for equitable access to broadband for all public school students regardless of the neighborhoods they live in.
   One other area I want to focus is to increase STEM education beginning in elementary school, particularly for young Black and Brown students. STEM continues to be in high demand and STEM employment is growing at a much faster rate than non-STEM employment. We must prepare more students for these higher wages positions. I want to establish more STEM internship, mentoring and leadership programs for Black and Brown students interested in science, technology, engineering and math.

Mayor de Blasio has indicated his intent to call a third Charter Revision Commission, what additionalreforms would you support to 1) the budget process, 2) the land use process, and 3) the powers andduties of municipal offices?

In the next Charter Revision Commission, I would support the following additional reforms.
Budget Process - more balanced power between the Mayor and the City Council.
Land Use - incorporate comprehensive planning that includes more time and participation for budgeting, infrastructure investment and land use.
Powers and duties of municipal offices - City Council given “advise and consent” on the Mayor’s appointment of key commissioners including NYPD and Department of Education

Please explain your vision for the present powers of the office you are seeking and how you intend toexercise them?

As a legislative body, the City Council plays a critical role in moving towards a progressive city. The Council’s charter mandated primary responsibilities are oversight on the city’s budget and pass legislation to protect everyday New Yorkers. As a Council Member, I will bring my progressive values, along with my proven skills, experience and knowledge as well a deep passion to effectively work with fellow Council Members. Having had a successful career in financial services making first time bank loans to entrepreneurs, small businesses, and women- and minority businesses, I will be able to go through the City’s budget with a fine tooth comb to ensure that funding is equitable and protected, especially services for the most vulnerable. As an immigrant who struggled with her family to gain financial security, my commitment to lift up working families by ensuring racial, social and economic justice will guide me through the legislative process. Being a member of a marginalized group who are often deemed invisible and whose voices were not heard, I carry my empathy and insight for those who have struggled to make their presence known and heard with me to the City Council.

Do you commit to working with Jim Owles during your campaign and while in office? What role can theclub and the progressive LGBT community play in holding you accountable?

I don’t want to be just a cheerleader for the LGBTQ+ community. I want to be a strong ally. As Councilmember, I will consult with you prior to any proposal that affects the LGBTQ+ community and work together to find inclusive solutions. I also know we may not agree 100 percent of the time on proposals, but members of Jim Owles will always have a partner who will actively listen and work through issues of concern. And if these commitments are not satisfactory, I expect and respect your direct callouts of me on the missteps.

If you receive the endorsement, do you agree to identify the club on all literature and electronic materialswhere you list endorsements?

Yes. The endorsement would be a tremendous honor.

What additional information would you like Jim Owles to consider when we are making our endorsementdecisions?

I am running for City Council to fight for equity for working class New Yorkers, particularly those in District 1, who need a Councilmember to deliver fair recovery aid to the District. People have been asking me to run for years because I’ve been a District Leader for 25 years, served for 30 years on the board of the East Coast’s largest Asian American multi-social service organization, and for 10 years, I serve on the board of the Eleanor’s Legacy. I am currently the Director of Administrative Services at the City Council in the Office of Speaker Corey Johnson.

It has been heart warming for me to receive a strong outpouring of support in contribution as well pledges to support. As an elected District Leader since 1995, I have been working with leaders in the community to expand political participation of immigrants and working families and raise their voices on issues of concern to our community. In working with Democrats across the City and in Lower Manhattan, I have helped elect numerous progressive candidates to offices at local, state and federal levels. As such, I have built a network of leaders and colleagues who share my progressive values and will be part of my team of volunteers to reach voters about my bold and inclusive vision for the District. Since the pandemic, I've met countless devoted volunteers helping distribute PPEs and free meals. They recognize the same passion and enthusiasm in me to help our most vulnerable and have signed on to my team of volunteers to help with voter outreach.

I’m eager to share my progressive plans with the voters in District 1.