Candidate Answers to JOLDC: John Ruiz Miranda for NY Assembly District 68
Candidate Name: John Ruiz Miranda
Office Seeking Election for: NY Assembly District 68
Website:
1. Explain, based on life experiences and accomplishments, why you believe you are best qualified to represent your district.
My name is John Ruiz Miranda, I am a District Leader, theatrical producer, philanthropist, and educator. I am running because as a lifelong resident of El Barrio I have invested 4 decades of my life in making my community a better place to live. I was born, raised and worked as a NYC Firefighter in East Harlem. My family migrated to New York before I was born. My mother worked as a chambermaid at a transient hotel during the day and at St. Cecilia’s convent in the evening and yet we were one paycheck away from being homeless. It was at a young age I received my first introduction to gun violence having lost my sister, an openly gay Columbia University student/worker who was shot to death by her partner’s former lover.
I decided to commit myself to public service. The year was 1983 and the South Bronx was still burning. While other civil servant organizations boosted high minority membership, the racial and ethnic diversity of the NYC Fire Department was pathetic, there were only 179 Hispanic, and 300 black firefighters out of
14,000 whites. At the behest of his mother Luz Miranda, John Ruiz- Miranda a young Black-Latino from Spanish Harlem joined the most racist civil servant organization in New York City, The Fire Department. Working for the FDNY in the early 80’s was like being a man of color living in the south during the 60’s. I suffered through much racial discrimination and realized that the injustice and inequality we experience is by design. That the people who designed them are determined to keep them that way. As a ten term District Leader, campaign strategist and consultant with a track record of winning campaigns for Mayor Eric Adams, Borough President Mark Levine, Congressman Adriano Espaillat, former NYC Speaker Melissa Mark Viverito, and Councilmember Diana Ayala. My strategy to win this race is to apply my 20 years of campaign experience and community activism. I have name recognition and I have immense knowledge of every Election District and poll site.
I’m running because the injustices we live with are systemic and the policies we enact must be centered on this reality. The bail reform laws are just one example of addressing these systemic injustices and I commit to keeping them in place. My campaign will be centered on acknowledging the systemic inequalities we face as marginalized communities and the role government must play in addressing them.
2. Please identify any openly LGBTQ candidates for public office you have previously or presently endorsed?
I endorsed and supported Phil Reed for city Council in 2001.
3. If applicable, what legislation directly affecting the LGBTQ community have you introduced or co-sponsored? When elected to the state legislature I will work with my fellow legislator’s to introduce, sponsor and pass legislation that protects and expands the rights of the LGBTQ community
4. What LGBTQ organizations have you been involved with, either on a volunteer or professional basis? I have not been directly involved with any but I do support and believe in gay rights.
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. I am not, I do consider myself a friend, supporter and ally!
7. Have you marched in any Pride parades? Which marches and for approximately how many years? I marched in a Gay Pride Parade with Phil Reed many years ago.
8. Have you employed openly LGBTQ individuals previously? Do you employ any currently? Over the past 35 years I directly employ and have employed openly LGBTQIA+ individuals.
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? I will proudly identify the club on all my campaign’s literature, electronic material, posters, and banners.
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’ve attended many pride events in support of LGBT issues, as well as local press conferences condemning hate crimes against the
queer community in Harlem and East Harlem. I have also attended many BLM protests advocating for criminal justice reform over the years.
11. Have you ever been arrested in pursuit of legislation or for protesting an injustice? Please elaborate. No I have not.
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.
When elected I would proudly co-sponsor or sponsor S.1415A The NYS parole board often ignores the educational, job, mental health and drug programs they have completed.
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! I would gladly sponsor or
co-sponsor legislative bill S.15A. We need to offer a course correction. It is proven that our criminal justice system destroys the lives of individuals and often tears families apart. It is proven that those incarcerated for over 15 years and are over the age of 55 seldom relapse when released. New York county spent more than $225 to incarcerate a single person for a single night, or more than $82,000 per year. It makes no sense keeping them in jail, when that money can be used to expand and invest in Mental health services, violence interrupter programs, and substance abuse services.
14. If you will not co-sponsor any of the above legislation, why not? I will!
15. Do you oppose the efforts to weaken bail reform as written ?
Cash bail disproportionately affects the poor. There is no evidence that bail reform is related to an increase in crime. For years, criminal justice advocates have been fighting for an end to cash bail. It is argued that the practice creates two tiers of the justice system: For one, wealthy people can bond out of jail and work out their cases upon release; in the other, poor people, often accused of low-level crimes, can’t afford bail and have their lives upended while awaiting trial and in most cases lose their jobs while they await justice from a Rikers Island jail cell. I will fight to keep the no bail law.
16. Do you commit to visiting constituents who are incarcerated in state prisons and city jails? If incumbent, when did you do so last? I do commit to visiting constituents incarcerated in state prisons. I have visited Edgecombe Residential Treatment Facility in 2020 and Eastern Correctional facility in 2016
17. Do you support legislation outlawing solitary confinement in all prisons statewide including city jails? Absolutely!
18. When was the last time you were inside a correctional facility? I have visited Edgecombe Residential Treatment Facility in 2020 and Eastern Correctional facility in 2016.
19. Do you believe sincere remorse and actions taken while incarcerated should be considered over the original crime in determinations of parole? This question is redundant. I would eliminate it. Yes, I believe that sincere remorse and actions taken while incarcerated should be considered over the original crime in determinations of parole.
21. What do you believe should be done to ensure more clemencies are granted every year? When elected I will work with criminal justice reform groups and legislators to pressure the governor to grant more clemencies every single year.
22. 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?
I would proudly make such a call publicly and will never hesitate to be critical of an executive branch that stands in the way of criminal justice reform.
22. Have you participated in any demonstrations or protests concerning clemency and parole? I have participated in rallies on criminal justice reform issues such as clemency and parole.
23. Will you affirmatively seek to hire formerly incarcerated individuals? Yes. We presently have someone on our staff that was incarcerated for 16 years
24. Do you support legislation to prohibit discrimination against formerly incarcerated people in housing and employment? Yes. We must provide support services to men and women who are in transition from incarceration to full-integration into their communities. Formerly incarcerated persons upon returning to their community find it difficult to access housing, employment, education and healthcare.
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? Yes, I believe in the decriminalization of sex work. I would proudly co-sponsor legislative bill S.6419, and any other bills seeking to support, protect and legalize sex workers.
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, I would oppose legislative bill S.6040, I would support a full decriminalization of sex work. The Nordic Model is a step in the right direction, but falls short of the main goal of decriminalization. It protects sex workers from abuse and exploitation but it criminalizes buying sex. Though it makes their work legal, it drives it underground, leaving them still vulnerable to abuse by pimps and customers and harms sex workers’ ability to earn a living.
27. Do you support ending qualified immunity for police and other law enforcement individuals? Yes, I believe we must end qualified immunity for police officers. We must hold officers who commit crimes accountable.
28. What proposals will you advocate for to protect immigrants and further New York as a “Sanctuary State”?
Yes! New York State is built by immigrants. I would sponsor/support any bill that would prohibit New York authorities from detaining immigrants due to their immigration status by Immigration and Customs Enforcement agency or any other federal agency. Immigration advocates have railed against ICE holding individuals after they become eligible for release because of their immigration status, not because of reasonable cause. We must do everything possible to protect our immigrant communities and their families from federal immigration authorities.
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? I am not a sponsor but once in office I will. I do support this bill. Freedom to die is a human right! Giving people choices when approaching the end of their life is also the compassionate thing to do.
30. Do you support the establishment of supervised drug consumption spaces? Yes, I support supervised drug consumption spaces being established. I’ve have had the opportunity to tour an injection site in my neighborhood. These spaces offer those suffering from the disease of addiction a chance at recovery and an opportunity to reduce the risk of infections, overdoses, and offer addicts assistance and services.
31. Have you ever endorsed any member of the IDC or any candidates who challenged IDC members? Please identify all candidates. No I have not.
32. Will you commit to ensuring diverse LGBTQ representation among your staff? Yes, as a theatrical producer we have a diverse LGBTQ representation amongst my staff.
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: I supported Eric Adams. B: Hilary Clinton, in 2016 and 2020 Joe Biden C: Cynthia Nixon, and Tish James as AG candidate in 2018.
34. Have you made an endorsement in the current bid for Governor? If so, who? I have not made a formal endorsement.
35. Do you support term limits for statewide office holders? For State Legislators? Yes, I support term limits.
36. Describe any legislation and policy changes that you support in order to address the ongoing effects of slavery, racism, colonialism, and discrimination. Prisoners are forced to provide labor for little to no wages. Formerly incarcerated persons, disproportionately those of color, face discrimination when seeking employment and housing when they reenter society. We must pass legislation that prohibit prison labor, ban the discrimination of formerly incarcerated individuals when accessing employment, housing or any other essential service.
37. 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 all legislation aiming to make public universities tuition-free, such as the New Deal for CUNY. I support free, well-funded high quality public higher education for the public college students of New York City. We must raise the taxes on the wealthy to fund vital services like CUNY.
38. 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 support a single-payer universal health care system. Many New Yorkers have to make a choice between eating or paying for their medications. For too long, the hopes and dreams of working class people have been crushed by medical debt and bills. Healthcare to all, not just a fortunate few.
39. Discuss your stance on reproductive rights, including access to contraceptives and abortion services. I am in support of all reproductive rights, including access to abortion and contraceptives. I also support reproductive justice measures that would give women of color equal access to high quality obstetric care, so that women of color
would no longer suffer from higher rates of complications and death in pregnancy and childbirth.
40. Will you refuse money from individuals or Political Action Committees representing the real estate industry or law enforcement unions/associations? Absolutely, I refuse to take any money from any individual, firm or PAC representing real estate and/or law enforcement.
41. Will you refuse and refund any contributions from executives at corporations complicit in the Trump agenda? What does this mean? Yes I will!
42. Will you cosponsor the legislation to prohibit evictions without good cause (S.3082 / A.5573)?
Yes, I would proudly cosponsor the Good Cause bill (S.3082) in the state legislature that would protect tenants from unjust and unexplained evictions, and from exaggerated rent hikes. These protections would also make it safe for tenants to organize for repairs and services.
43. 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, I support this legislation!
44. What should happen to 421-a? Would you end it, mend it, continue it?
I support the end of 421-a. 421a is tax abatement that lowers your property tax bill by applying credits against the total amount you owe. It is most commonly granted to property developers in exchange for including affordable housing and the benefit lasts for 10 to 25 years. It does not provide the affordable housing that New York City needs.
45. Do you support legalizing accessory dwelling units?
Yes, I support legalizing accessory dwelling units. Legalizing these units would increase the housing supply across the state. Legalization would bring much needed safety standards. These apartments generally rented by poor low income families of color need to be up to code so that these families don’t die trapped in a basement like in Hurricane Ida.
46. Do you support more state funding for NYCHA? If so, how much?
Yes! NYCHA needs $33 billion of repairs. Our community has the highest concentration of NYCHA housing in the city. I know what it is to live in public housing, I lived in Taft Houses for 55 years. No heat or hot water for days, sometimes for weeks, elevators out of service for days and tickets for maintenance repairs in apartments can go without response for months. We must monitor the transparency and accountability for any and all government funds allocated to the repair and capital projects allotted to NYCHA housing. The state needs to invest consistently and more greatly into the capital needs of NYCHA without privatizing it . I am committed to making NYCHA a priority in the state budget process.
47. 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 will support the Climate and community Investment Act.
48. 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, I would support Public Banking. It would allow local governments to invest in our communities. allow us to fund projects that make New York better.
49. 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! I enthusiastically support a New Deal for CUNY. I support paying faculty and staff a living wage. I support making both systems accessible to students of all incomes.
50. .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. I would support a city bill to rename the bridge. I believe the bridge should be named after a leader in the fight for gay rights. I would also authorize the use of my name.
51. What is your position on removing the Christopher Columbus statue in Columbus Circle and if so, what should replace it?‘ As a Latino I support removing the Christopher Columbus statue. The indigenous people ancestors were murdered and taken advantage by Columbus. I would support replacing it with a statue of an indigenous hero.
52. Do you support reducing the budget of law enforcement throughout the state, and if so, by how much?
We must reconfigure our priorities.I believe that a much greater percentage of our state budget must be invested in social services, mental health services, and economic development. Throwing more dollars
into police budgets is neither productive nor does it address the systemic injustices that have only criminalized communities of color.
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.
From schools, mental health response calls, and homeless outreach. Police officers are asked to do too much and are not able to concentrate on fighting and preventing crime. We don’t need someone with a gun at a school. Police officers are not trained to be social workers.
54. Should law enforcements "Vice Squads" be eliminated?
Gambling, pornography, and prostitution are the big three of vice crimes in most states and communities. I believe that the officers allocated to Vice Squads would be better placed elsewhere.
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?
In the interest of public health, and law enforcement officers, everyone was asked to wear masks will not and should not be exempted from this obligation. They should be required to follow the laws like everyone else. State and local police departments have discipline procedures. in public and while on duty.
56. What reforms would you make to the Civilian Complaint Review Board? Would you support state legislation to make CCRB disciplinary determinations binding?
The Civilian Complaint Review Board should be reformed. Right now police union contracts often block what information can be shared about officer conduct and they lack the independence they need to be effective. I would support state legislation to make CCRB disciplinary determinations binding.
57. What will you do to support nightlife in New York State?
As a theater producer I’ve personally have witness the devastating effect’s Covid has had on
the nightlife of New York State. Businesses have been pummeled throughout the last two years. The pandemic has been a terminator for some nightlife. We need to invest in education, mentorship, access to investors and capital to incubators and start-up businesses. We need to streamline regulations and facilitate access to capital. As your NYS Assembly member I would work hard to help guide businesses through the often complex and tedious process of obtaining no interest loans and grants with the intention to help them find some relief that can assist in keeping them afloat and particularly interest placed on protecting those small businesses close to bankruptcy.
58. Do you commit to speak with restaurant and nightlife industry representatives before taking a position on any policies that affect their businesses?
Yes. It’s important to support the needs of the people these policies would affect.
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. It’s important to support the needs of the people these policies would affect. These licenses bring in much needed tax revenue that can help fund violence interruption programs and mental health programs.
Yes. Having a liquor license brings in a lot of money in taxes as well as to restaurants, clubs, and lounge.
60. What are the top 3 issues you aim to address locally and legislatively?
My top 3 issues are public safety, housing, and small business.
61. How much money do you presently have in your campaign account?
$37,000
62. 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?
As a man of color I would use my office to fight discrimination on the basis of race, gender identity, religion, national origin, sexual orientation, and disability status.