Candidate Answers to JOLDC: Julie Menin for City Council District 5
Candidate Name: Julie Menin
Office Seeking Election for: City Council District 5
Explain, based on life experiences and accomplishments, why you believe you are best qualified to represent your district
I’m looking to bring my decades of experience as a three time Commissioner of three different city agencies, a 7 year Community Board chair and as the city’s Director of the New York Census to work for the people of District 5. I am running for City Council for District 5 because the city is in a dire crisis and I believe I am the candidate with the strongest experience to deliver results for the district and for the city as a whole. I have spent the last two decades of my life in public service and have years of experience to bring to the table. I started my career over 20 years ago, as a consumer protection lawyer. After practicing law for 7 years, I left to open a small business called Vine restaurant. My business was located near ground zero and was devastated on 9/11. In the weeks following 9/11, I created the leading not for profit focused on rebuilding downtown and helped hundreds of businesses and thousands of residents get back on their feet. I was unanimously elected three times to Chair Community Board 1 where I built 3 new public schools including the city’s first green school (working with the UFT whose endorsement I am proud to have in this race), new parks, and affordable housing. I stood up as CB 1 chair and led the charge in favor of the Islamic cultural center and mosque and stood up for the rights of Occupy Wall Street's right to peacefully protest. As Commissioner of Consumer Affairs, I increased consumer restitution by 70%, launched the paid sick leave law which meant workers were no longer forced to choose between coming to work or caring for themselves (or a sick child), implemented the living wage law, and led groundbreaking investigations into predatory banks, for profit colleges, auto lenders and grocery stores scamming New Yorkers. I also served as Commissioner of Media and Entertainment, where I launched over a dozen initiatives to diversify the creative sectors to increase economic opportunities for women and people of color. Most recently I served as the city’s Census Director where we achieved a historic result on the census, beating almost every other comparable city across the country and delivering billions for our schools, affordable housing, healthcare and more. In addition, I served in the City law department in a senior role where we beat the Trump Administration at the Supreme Court in the historic citizenship case. I also serve as an adjunct professor at Columbia where I teach a course called When Cities Take The Lead which addresses ways in which the New York City Council can take the lead when the federal government is deregulating.
Please identify any openly LGBTQ candidate for public office you have previously or presently endorsed?
Assemblymember Deborah Glick, State Senator Brad Hoylman and Speaker Corey Johnson.
If applicable, what legislation directly affecting the LGBTQ community have you introduced or co-sponsored? (indicate accordingly)
I was a longtime advocate for Marriage Equality. When I chaired Community Board 1, we were one of the first boards in the city to go on record in support. I have fought for and championed the surrogacy bill. I have also fought in my time as Commissioner to include LGBT as aM/WBE category. As Census Director, I worked with DSS and the US Census Bureau on a historic agreement to ensure no homeless youth were not counted in the Census. I have been an outspoken opponent to the Walking While Trans bill.
What LGBTQ organizations have you been involved with, either on a volunteer basis or professionally?
I was a pro bono attorney for Art against AIDS. I am proud to have won the endorsement in 2013 of this club as well as Stonewall when I ran for BP.
Do you consider yourself a member of the LGBTQ community?
I consider myself a stalwart ally of the LGBTQ community.
Have you marched in Pride? Which marches and for approximately how many years?
Yes! I have marched every year since 2001.
Have you employed openly LGBTQ individuals previously? Do you employ any currently?
In the past I have employed many openly LGBTQ individuals. Katharine Gilman serves as one of my campaign’s policy advisor volunteers who is a queer small business owner and community board member in Brooklyn. In addition, my number Deputy Director at the Census, Amit Bagga, who also served as my Deputy Commissioner at DCA and many of the staff I hired at the Census Office, MOME, DCA and my District Manager at CB 1, Noah Pfefferblit.
What press conferences, demonstrations, rallies and protests in support of LGBT issues, pro-choice legislation, criminal justice issues and the Resist Trump Movement have you attended?
I have attended countless rallies and events on these issues. I served in a senior role at the NYC Law Department and went to the Supreme Court on the citizenship case at the Supreme Court, fighting the Trump Administration’s illegal attempts to add a citizenship question. I chaired CB 1 during Occupy, and led our board in support of Occupy’s right to peacefully protest. I was the first Commissioner in the de Blasio Administration to speak out against the NYPD curfew during BLM protest. On choice, I have a two decade record of fighting for choice and helped launch an initiative called She Should Run which has trained thousands of pro choice women across the country to run for office. I fought for Paid Sick Leave alongside the LGBT community, and then as DCA Commissioner was in charge of launching and implementing this historic law. I serve on the Reform Board of the Vera Institute, which played a leading role in the Close Rikers campaign. Justice reform is an integral part of a safer City for all New Yorkers. We must pursue and root out police brutality and address the systemic racism and inequity that pervades our institutions. I have stood up against the Trump Administration at the highest levels, fighting their attempts to undermine the census at the Supreme Court. We won that fight and ensured a fair, equitable Census for all New Yorkers.
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
Our law enforcement strategy should be adaptive and modern, fit to the communities and populations served, not a one size fits all policy. This work requires prioritizing alternatives to the system as we have built it. It demands reimagining the way we pursue criminal justice in this City. We must rebuild trust in our local communities, especially communities of color. We must do this not just in word but in action. This starts with making good on the limitation of use of force with consistent oversight and significant and just repercussions for violations and the tracking of police misconduct in an accountable, transparent way. In a much larger sense, this continues with reimagining our justice system at large. It means appropriate attention on and investment in mental health and social services and data driven solutions to the economic drivers of crime. We must match the pain that communities of color have held for far too long at the hands of policing with the commitment to a restorative justice system that works in an interdisciplinary dynamic way to keep all New Yorkers safe.
Will you not seek, and refuse, the endorsement of Bill de Blasio?
I am not seeking the endorsement of Bill de Blasio.
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 and sponsor a bill to rename the former Queensboro Bridge?
Yes
What is your position on removing the Christopher Columbus statue in Columbus Circle and if so, what should replace it?
Support removal.
Will you refuse contributions from real estate developers and all law enforcement unions or associations?
Yes
Do you support reducing the budget of the NYPD and if so, by how much?
I support reduction in the NYPD budget in a substantial, not a superficial way. This means instead of moving things around, we get to the heart of what we need here, which is a restorative justice system.
How would you have voted on the FY21 City Budget?
No
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.
We do not want to militarize our schools but instead ensure that school safety agents are protecting our students.
Should the NYPD Vice Squad be eliminated?
Yes
Should Dermot Shea be fired immediately?
Yes
Should the NYPD Commissioner require confirmation by the City Council?
Yes
How would you recommend police officers be penalized for refusing to wear masks in public while on duty, in defiance of city and state rules?
The CDC’s guidelines for members of the public should be reflected in the safety guidance for our essential workers, including law enforcement officers. The only exception to this kind of essential worker mask rule is in situations where ‘wearing a face covering seriously interferes in the performance of their public safety responsibilities.’ Police officers should be warned and then fined for refusing to wear masks in public on duty in defiance of these rules and of the official warning they received.
What reforms would you make to the Civilian Complaint Review Board? Would you support state legislation to make CCRB disciplinary determinations binding?
Yes, I would support legislation to make CCRB disciplinary determinations binding.
What is your position on the plan to close Rikers and create four borough-based jails?
I serve on the Reform Board of the Vera Institute where we played a leading role in the Close Rikers campaign and the movement to enact true criminal justice reform.
Will you advocate for the Governor to review sentences of incarcerated individuals over the age 55 who have served in excess of 15 years to determine if they warrant release?
Yes
It’s common knowledge that New York City’s 311 system is not adequately responsive to the public’s concerns. How would you alter the 311 system to combat these problems?
Yes. We must modernize our on-emergency 311 call center to create more language access, decreased wait times, increased transparency, accountable tracking of dropped calls, inquiries and complaints and an overall better experience for our citizens.
Do you support decriminalizing sex work? Will you pledge to oppose the Nordic model?
Yes I support decriminalizing sex work and opposing the Nordic model.
Do you oppose school screening, which exacerbates segregation? Which screens in your school district(s) will you advocate to abolish?
I support increasing integration and increasing opportunities and access for all students-across all the city’s schools. Local school options are important aspects of a successful public school system that works for all students and families. I am proud to have the UFT endorsement in my race.
Describe what reforms you would make to the control of the NYC public school system.
The NYC public school system has always had a communication problem, but it was exacerbated by the Covid-19 crisis. The schools left many parents in the dark and desperate for a concrete plan of action which was never communicated to them. The NYC public school system needs to start prioritizing consistent communication and accept input from parents who are looking out for the well-being of their children.
Do you support public funding of abortion?
Yes
Do you support the creation of safe consumption sites? Would you support the use of NYC DOHMH authority to establish SCSs without NYSDOH authorization?
The city needs to do a far better job providing funding and resources for those struggling with addiction.
Do you smoke or otherwise consume weed?
I have not since I was younger.
Have you ever supported any of the members of the IDC? If so, who? What did you do to help defeat the IDC in 2018?
No. Happy to support the IDC challengers. As Commissioner during the time, we were restricted from direct political involvement but I fully supported the IDC challengers.
What will you do to support nightlife in NYC?
The City Council plays an important role in sustaining our City’s entertainment industry. It is vital that we work hard to maintain the culture of New York and the industries that support it as we open the economy. I know the importance of performing arts and venues firsthand from my time as Commissioner of Media and Entertainment. As MOME Commissioner, we launched the Office of Nightlife creating the city’s first Nightlife Mayor and office which was housed at MOME. In addition, NYC Media (which was housed at MOME) was responsible for managing and programming the media assets for the City of New York. In my time as Commissioner, the Office was expanded to include the full industry - music, publishing, advertising, digital media and real estate creative content. An example of my leadership was the negotiation of the deal to bring the Grammy Awards back to New York after a 15 year absence, which created a $200 million benefit to New York City. Other groundbreaking endeavors within our entertainment economy were the 2016 launch of a five-part initiative to support women both behind and in-front of the camera in film, television and theatre and the launch of Made in NY Writers Room, a diversity initiative that awarded fellowships and mentorship opportunities to under-represented television writers. I also created NYC Film Green, an environmental initiative that promoted and recognized sustainable practices on the sets of productions. I have a proven track record of dynamic, creative, robust leadership within our entertainment and nightlife economies. If elected to the Council, I would continue my longtime advocacy of the arts. We need to be better supporting cultural institutions at this critical time. I would commit to continue the Office of Nightlife but reform it to have more impact.
Do you commit to speak with restaurant and nightlife industry representatives before taking a position on any policies that affect their businesses?
Yes. As a former restaurant owner myself (Vine), I understand the value of elected officials who understand what it takes to run a restaurant / nightlight industry business in New York City and would consult with those industry representatives with policies that might affect their businesses.
Will you work to place restaurant, bar and club owners on community boards? Will you commit to not appointing or reappointing community board members who are hostile to food and beverage estalishments?
Yes, I’d work to diversify our community boards so that restaurant, bar and club owners are reflected as well. Food and beverage establishments are an important part of our economy and must be represented and advocated for on our relevant community boards.
Now that the cabaret law was repealed do you support amending the zoning resolution to allow patrons to 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 Island City?
We should not be giving significant tax incentives to companies that showed they would locate in the City no matter what
What role do you believe the local member should play in the approval of development proposals before the Council?
Council members need to be an active part in the ULURP process and I have been a longtime proponent of reforming ULURP to do comprehensive zoning
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 to pressure from some local residents?
Yes
What proposals will you advocate for to protect immigrants and further New York as a Sanctuary City?
If you live here, you’re a New Yorker - regardless of your country of birth or immigration status. As councilmember, I will fight to safeguard the human and civil rights of all New Yorkers. New York must protect immigrants and make real it’s status as a Sanctuary City. There is no question here. As our City faces a COVID-19 resurgence, we need to ensure that no New Yorker lives in the shadows. That means access to quality healthcare, unemployment assistance, and other forms of support for immigrants workers who have been shut out of federal pandemic relief. When immigrants thrive, we ALL thrive. As Census Director, I was party to the legal fight against the Trump administration's repeated attempts to undermine trust in the Census among immigrant communities. We won that fight and were able to get a fair and accurate count, which will result in billions in funding for education, affordable housing, public safety, and more. During my time as Commissioner of the Department of Consumer Affairs, I oversaw the implementation of the Paid Sick Leave Law, which covers all New Yorkers, regardless of their immigration status; worked to ensure that New York City banks accepted IDNYC as a valid form of photo identification, empowering undocumented and underbanked immigrants to open bank accounts for the first time; and launched the Joint Task Force to Combat Immigration Legal Services Fraud with the Office of the New York State Attorney General and the Mayor’s Office of Immigrant Affairs, which dedicated enforcement and outreach resources to fighting against, and raising awareness of, predatorial legal providers that target vulnerable immigrant New Yorkers. It is also important to advocate for LGBT Americans in the conversation on immigration reform, pushing for comprehensive reform that offers the same rights and protections to LGBT families as it does to opposite sex couples. Federal law does not currently allow Americans with foreign-born same-sex spouses or partners to petition for green cards, even though Americans with a foreign-born spouse of the opposite sex are able to get them resident visas, or green cards, with relative ease. Due to this discriminatory policy, some same-sex couples are forced to potentially live apart or leave the country. It is unacceptable.
Do you support a single-payer universal health care system? Please elaborate on what policy and legislative steps the City can take to expand access and affordability.
Yes. The city council can use the power of the bully pulpit to push Albany for universal health care legislation.
Who did you support for office in the following primaries or special elections: A) Mayor in 2013 B) Public Advocate in 2013 and 2019, C) President in 2016 and 2020 C) Governor and Attorney General in 2018?
2013-Bill de Blasio. Public Advocate 2013- Tish James and Jumaane Williams 2019. President Hillary Clinton 2016. 2020-Joe Biden. AG 2018-Tish James
Top 3 issues you aim to address locally and legislatively
The three issues at the top of my agenda are education, housing and job opportunity, approached with an equity and sustainability lens
Mayor de Blasio has indicated his intent to call a third Charter Revision Commission, what additional reforms would you support to 1) the budget process, 2) the land use process, and 3) the powers and duties of municipal offices?
We are in the midst of a budgetary crisis and it will take thoughtful targeted cuts and long term thinking to move forward responsibly while funding the core of what we need to make New York a place of access and opportunity for all New Yorkers. One of our most effective tools at gatekeeping in the fight for a more equitable city lies in our land use zoning laws. Our ULURP process leads to inequitable results with some communities negotiating more school seats, affordable housing, parks and other critical needs, while other communities are left wanting. For New York City to protect it’s communities and inspire development, land use policy needs to ensure it enhances the neighborhood. We need ULURP reform that creates a more equitable city and that also reduces the need for community benefit agreements that oftentimes are negotiated with groups that do not represent the needs of neighborhoods and are done in a non transparent way. As a seven year chair of Community Board 1, I have years of experience with ULURP. We need to reform ULURP so that more affordable housing, school seats and other priorities are built. New York City needs increased transparency and thoughtful, bold solutions to build and to maintain affordable housing and to create good jobs with green development projects. We need a better balance between market rate and affordable housing. And we need to embrace a green new economy with sustainable building practices that will create new jobs for a more sustainable New York.
Please explain your vision for the present powers of the office you are seeking and how you intend to exercise them?
I would bring wins for the District in this role as City Council member by leveraging my decades of public service and strong relationships at the local and state level to bring the kind of dollars and backing required to reimagine our neighborhoods and our City. With 35 new seats on the Council, a new Mayor, a pandemic and a budget crisis, we are going to need someone with experience representing our interests and fighting for our causes. As someone who has served as a Commissioner in the past two Mayoral administrations, I have deep level strong relationships at both the state level that I can bring to bear. I am ready on day one.
Do you commit to working with Jim Owles during your campaign and while in office? What role can the club and the progressive LGBT community play in holding you accountable?
Yes. I commit wholeheartedly to working with Jim Owles to form and promote policy that supports the LGBT community. I will be accountable to this commitment and to working in a collaborative, inclusive way, within the government, in the legislation we propose and ratify and in the way we act as an amplifier of equity.
If you receive the endorsement, do you agree to identify the club on all literature and electronic materials where you list endorsements?
Yes
What additional information would you like Jim Owles to consider when we are making our endorsement decisions?
New York City has always led and should continue to lead the charge of progress towards LGBT equality. From the Stonewall Riots of 1969 to the passage of non-discrimination legislation and the creation of safer schools, New York City has been a strong leader at the epicenter of the LGBT equality movement since its inception, and this June will mark two years since same-sex marriage was signed into law in New York State. Although we have taken decisive steps towards LGBT equality, there are many important issues that are still not being addressed. As a result, the LGBT community is still being systematically disconnected from their fellow New Yorkers. In order to reach our goal of complete LGBT equality, we need to take a holistic approach to addressing numerous economic and social justice issues affecting the LGBT community in New York City. This means a total commitment to LGBT economic and social justice, health and representation.