Candidate Answers to JOLDC: Jose M Serrano for NY Senate District 29
Candidate Name: Jose M Serrano
Office Seeking Election for: New York State Senate District 29
With the possibility of Donald J. Trump winning (stealing) the next Presidential election and ending democracy and civil rights in the United States, it is more important than ever that we elect progressive, dynamic leaders to the New York State Senate and New York State Assembly.
1. Based upon your life experiences and accomplishments why should we believe you would be a dynamic, progressive leader who would stand up for Civil Rights and Democracy? **Over the years, I have been a consistent progressive on the local issues that I have fought for. While working with colleagues and activists, I have fought for immigrants, for the LGBTQ community, and many others who have needed a voice in our society. I have fought for environmental justice in the South Bronx and East Harlem - communities who for years have been the victims of bad environmental planning, and the health disparities it has caused.
2. What is your involvement in the LGBTQ Civil Rights movement? What candidates have you or are you supporting who are openly LGBTQ? What legislation have you/do you support to further LGBTQ rights? Do you /will you have an LGBTQ liaison in your office? What LGBTQ organizations have you been involved with, either on a volunteer or professional basis? **Throughout my years in public office I have been an ally, fighting for the rights of the LGBTQ community. Standing with the leaders and advocates, I have been a vocal supporter of LGBTQ rights in places like the South Bronx and East Harlem. I supported and endorsed Brad Hoylman-Sigal over the years, and he’s been a true champion for LGBTQ rights.
3. What demonstrations, rallies, and protests have you participated in support of LGBTQ issues, African-American, Hispanic, Asian-American Civil Rights, pro-choice legislation, criminal justice issues, and Resist Trump? **Over the years, I have been a vocal supporter of all the important issues listed above.
4. Do you support reparations to compensate African Americans for the history of slavery, Jim Crow, and systemic racism in this country? **Yes, I do support reparations. Long overdue.
5. What are your concrete proposals to address current systemic racism in terms of employment, housing, voting rights, and the criminal justice system in the U.S.? **Supporting election reform, and access to the ballot box is so important to ensure the rights and representation for communities that have long been marginalized. I support the full package of legislation that is geared toward this. I support criminal justice reform, and alternatives to incarceration. Mass incarceration is done nothing to make our communities safer, and has served to upend the lives of generations in our community.
6. Will you advocate for elder parole where incarcerated individuals aged 55 and older who have serviced in excess of 15 years obtain parole hearings? Are you a sponsor of the Elder Parole Bill, Senate 2423? **Yes, I do support Elder Parole, and I am a co-sponsor of this legislation.
7. Do you sponsor the Earned Time Act, Senate S774, which strengthens and expands “good time” and “earned time” to support rehabilitation efforts? **Yes, I do support this legislation, and I am a co-sponsor.
8. Do you sponsor Eliminate Mandatory Minimum Bill Act, S6471 which reduces excessive sentences and enables judges to look at individual factors and mitigating circumstances? **Yes, I do support this legislation, and I am a co-sponsor.
9. Do you sponsor the Second Look Act, S7872, which allows for reconsideration of prison sentences based on changes in law and circumstances? **I think this bill number has changed to S321. Yes, I do support this legislation, and I am a co-sponsor.
10. Have you participated, and will you participate in demonstrations and protests in relation to the issues of clemency and parole? **I have not yet, but I would be more than happy to, depending on the circumstances.
11. Will you affirmatively seek to hire formerly incarcerated individuals? **I will hire anyone who is qualified, caring, and empathic, including anyone who is formally incarcerated.
12. Have you and will you visit incarcerated constituents to learn of their conditions? **I have not yet, but would be more than happy to.
13. What are your proposals to have prisons focus more on rehabilitation and less on punishment? **I think the arts can play an important role toward the rehabilitation of incarcerated individuals.
14. Do you support ending the cruel punishment of solitary confinement, such as was recently mandated by the New York City Council? **Yes I support ending solitary confinement.
15. What are your proposals to facilitate individuals who have recently entered the U.S. to be able to live decently with employment and housing? **Better support for migrants and immigrants. A clearer path to citizenship and work visas. Building new affordable housing in all communities.
16. What proposals do you advocate to combat the cruel and inhumane immigration policies that the Trump Administration commenced and which, to some degree, are still in effect?
17. Do you believe in the decriminalization of sex work? **Yes.
18. Do you oppose legislation that promotes the Nordic model? **yes
19. What concrete proposals do you support to lift up women after four years of Trump being President?
20. Do you support a single-payer universal health care system? Please elaborate. **Yes, I support universal healthcare, as a way to increase access and combat health disparities in our communities.
21. What have you done to facilitate reproductive rights, including access to contraceptives and abortion services? **Throughout my career I have been a vocal supporter of reproductive rights.
22. Will you refuse contributions from individuals or Political Action Committees representing the Real Estate industry, from police or correction communities? **Yes
23. Will you refuse and refund any contributions from executives or corporations complicit in the Trump anti-American agenda?
24. How do you propose that we address the current surge of Islamophobia and anti-Semitism?
25. Did you or would you have voted for the censure of U.S. Representative Rashida Tlaib?
26. Do you support an immediate ceasefire in the Middle East?
27. Should we condition further aid to Israel? What conditions should we stress that Israel abides by?
28. Will you refuse funds from Trump-supporting AIPAC? **Yes
29. What are your concrete proposals to prevent Trump and his cult from taking over this country and ending democracy? **Supporting Biden and explaining the ramifications of supporting individuals who promote division and racism.
30. How can we combat the movement in this country to ban books, prevent colleges from discussing issues and demonizing intelligence as “woke”? **Education is the key to helping enlighten people as to the dangers of banning books.
31. As Christopher Columbus caused the death/slavery of thousands, should we replace the Christopher Columbus statue in Columbus Circle, and if so, what should replace it? Do you authorize the use of your name for such a purpose?
32. As Edward I Koch caused the deaths of hundreds of thousands of people with AIDS and was blatantly racist, should we rename the former Queensboro Bridge? Do you authorize the use of your name for such a purpose? **Yes
33. What will you do to support nightlife in New York State? Do you commit to speaking with liquor license applicants and restaurant/nightlife industry representatives before taking a position on policies affecting their businesses?
34. What is your opinion of Eric Adams as New York City Mayor? Are you involved in finding someone to run for Mayor of New York City?
35. How can we mandate that every community do its share to have affordable housing and care for the recently arrived people? **All communities should have and support, as it will add to the social end economic diversity of that community.
36. Are you a sponsor of Good Cause Eviction S305 legislation? **Yes, and I am a proud and vocal supporter.
37. Do you support allowing legal Immigrants to vote in local elections? **Yes