Candidate Answers to JOLDC: Julie Menin for City Council District 5
Candidate Name: Julie Menin
Office Seeking Election for: New York City Council District 5
Campaign Website: https://juliefornyc.com
Campaign Social Media Handles: @juliemenin (Twitter) @julmenin (Ig)
1. Do you consider yourself a member of the LGBTQ community?
I consider myself a stalwart ally of the LGBTQ community.
2. If you answered “yes” to the first question, do you believe members of hate groups should be permitted to join the City Council LGBTQIA+ caucus? Do you believe the Republican party is a hate group? If you answered yes to both questions, do you support ejecting Republicans from the caucus?
I don’t believe that members of hate groups should be permitted to join the LGBTQIA+ Caucus.
3. What work have you done on behalf of the LGBTQ community? This can include endorsing LGBTQ candidates, drafting or advocating for legislation directly benefiting the LGBTQ community, working with LGBTQ organizations, allocating funds to LGBTQ organizations, marching in Pride parades, attending rallies/protests/press conferences in support of LGBTQ issues, and/or employing openly LGBTQ individuals.
I am a longtime ally of the LGBTQ community. I have marched in the Pride parade every year for two decades. I have supported many LGBTQ organizations with discretionary funding including Draq Queen Story Hour. I have supported and endorsed various LGBTQ elected officials including Assemblymember Deborah Glick, Senator Brad Hoylman, and former Council Speaker Corey Johnson. I have employed many LGBTQ individuals including a current member of my Council staff.
4. Has Mayor Eric Adams met the needs of the LGBTQ community? Please include “yes” or “no” in your answer, and explain your answer.
One of the most critical issues the LGBTQ community has faced in the past couple years is the MPox Epidemic. Despite some early technical issues, the Administration’s vaccination efforts helped to eventually contain the outbreak. Lastly, I believe the Administration did effective outreach and education efforts regarding MPox and partnered with the City Council (who pushed hard for more outreach) on these initiatives, particularly when the Federal Government was not stepping up to handle the crisis. There is obviously much more work that needs to be done to support the needs of the LGBTQ community.
5. Would you demand that the Mayor re-institute its office of LGBTQ affairs, with its leader being a member of the LGBTQ community chosen in consultation with the City Council LGBTQIA+ Caucus?
We should definitely request that the Mayor reinstitute the office of LGBTQ Affairs.
6. Have you made requests to the Office of the Mayor to demand inclusion of LGBTQ community in city administration and on city boards? Can you give examples?
I have been a stalwart ally of the LGBTQ+ community and have continuously pushed for strong representation on city boards and city agencies.
7. Do you support reparations for slavery?
Slavery has fostered significant institutional racism that still exists in America today. I believe that the New York State Legislature should move forward with the creation of the Community Commission on Reparations Remedies to study this issue.
8. Do you oppose all efforts to weaken bail reform?
Socioeconomic status should not determine whether or not an individual sits on Rikers Island.
9. Do you support closing Rikers Island? Do you support the administration’s plan to open borough-based jails?
Yes. I served 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.
10. Do you support legislation outlawing solitary confinement in all jails and prisons, including city jails, and do you support Intro 549 (regarding solitary confinement)?
Yes, I am a co-sponsor of Intro 0549. Solitary confinement needs to end, however, there does need to be some accountability for individuals who harm staff and other detainees.
11. Will you publicly call on the governor to use her clemency power for the many incarcerated New Yorkers who can safely return home? Will you tweet out your support for this or issue a public statement? Would you be willing to be critical of a governor who does not exercise their power to grant clemencies and commutations to those worthy of release? Have you ever spoken out in such a way?
Yes I would be willing to publicly call on the Governor to use that power.
12. If elected, will you include in your office’s newsletter instructions for your constituents on how their loved ones can apply for clemency?
Yes
13. Do you commit to visiting constituents who are incarcerated in state prisons and city jails? When did you do so last?
Yes, I have visited Rikers and as MOME Commissioner I launched a literacy program at Rosie’s.
14. Do you believe in the decriminalization of sex work? If so, do you support full decriminalization, including decriminalizing purchase and facilitation? Will you commit to opposing the Nordic model, which continues criminalizing purchase and facilitation while decriminalizing sale?
I support the decriminalization of sex work, but we must ensure that those who exploit sex workers and engage in sex trafficking are held accountable.
15. What proposals will you advocate for to protect immigrants and further New York as a “Sanctuary City”?
As a daughter of an immigrant, I have been committed to standing up for immigrant communities for years. I served as Census Director and Executive Assistant Corporation Counsel for the City Law Department representing the City in suing the Trump Administration on the citizenship question on the Census. Also, as the Commissioner of Consumer Affairs I co-chaired a task force with the Attorney General to investigate immigration service providers fraud. Lastly, as Commissioner of Consumer Affairs, I worked on the launch of the municipal ID program. I am dedicated to advocating for our immigrant communities and integrating them into the full fabric of society. I am committed to fighting for them to have access to the full range of government services, including education, housing programs, and healthcare.
I have been very involved in pushing the Administration on its response to asylum seekers in ensuring that the contractor for meals in city-run facilities is making culturally competent meals. New York must be as welcoming as possible to asylum seekers and I am committed to working with the Administration on that.
16. Did you support legislation, which passed, to allow non-citizen New Yorkers to vote? Do you support the appeal of the case in which the law was held unconstitutional?
I will work with my colleagues in government to fight for the implementation of Local Law 11-2022. Despite disturbing trends of voter suppression across the country, with the passage of
Local Law 11 our City has expanded the franchise. I will work with the Administration to ensure that Republican Courts do not block this law. In my District in Roosevelt Island we have many
individuals who would qualify to vote for the first time under the legislation and I look forward to giving them the chance to participate in our Democracy.
17. Do you support the establishment of supervised drug consumption spaces in your district?
The City Council passed legislation to create a yearlong pilot program for a needle buyback program. Now, the Council is working to study the results of the pilot program to determine how to best support those who suffer from drug addiction and need additional support.
18. Do you support ending qualified immunity for police and other law enforcement individuals?
New York City eliminated qualified immunity for the NYPD in 2021.
19. 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 need to strike a balance between having the NYPD focus on its core mission of fighting crime and utilizing non-law enforcement personnel to promote community safety.
20. Should law enforcement "Vice Squads" be eliminated?
Vice Squads that target and intimidate individuals, especially those in our vulnerable communities, should not be tolerated. However, quality of life concerns must still be addressed by law enforcement.
21. Should the Gangs Database be abolished and do you / will you co-sponsor Intro 360 on the subject?
I look forward to the Department of Investigation’s release of their upcoming report on the gang database. This thorough investigation will provide important statistics and analysis about the database, its functions, and its oversight within the City.
22. Do you support the Progressive Caucus’s requirement that members support cutting funding to NYPD in favor of alternative safety infrastructure?
I have been a leading advocate on many progressive issues for two decades. As DCA Commissioner, I launched the paid sick leave and living wage law and led the expansion of the earned income tax credit returning $260 million to low-income New Yorkers. As the Commissioner of MOME I fought for gender equity in the industry and pioneered many initiatives that created opportunities in the film, television, and media industry for women. As Census Director I worked hard to ensure New York had the most successful count in the country to deliver more federal funding for healthcare, transportation, and other critical services. I was also Executive Assistant Corp Counsel for the City’s Law Department where I represented the City in its lawsuit against the Trump Administration about the citizenship question on the Census. In the Council, I have continued that fight introducing legislation to codify reproductive rights through the Health Department, introducing 5 bills as part of the package to bring Universal Childcare to New York City, and leading the charge on the push for healthcare price transparency. I think that issue pledges and litmus tests can stifle important dialogue and discussion.
23. What concretely have you done to improve access to reproductive healthcare? If elected, what more will you do? Be specific.
I am extremely proud that one of my first legislative achievements in the City Council was the passage of a bill that was part of a groundbreaking package of maternal health legislation. My bill codified the protection of reproductive rights in New York City by establishing an Office of Sexual and Reproductive health within NYC’s Department of Health and Mental Hygiene. This Office’s mission is to secure and promote access to the full range of sexual and reproductive health services for all New Yorkers. I will continue working with my colleagues to pass reforms like this: codifying protections, allocating City resources, and focusing on disparities.
24. Do you approve of Mayor Adams’ approach to sweeping homeless encampments?
Our City is currently in the midst of a homelessness crisis and a mental health crisis. Many of the individuals experiencing street homelessness are not receiving adequate outreach and mental health services. I will continue pushing for increased funding for outreach as well as increased oversight of service providers. The City must ensure that effective providers are out on the frontlines with DHS tackling this issue.
25. Do you commit to speaking with restaurant and nightlife industry representatives before taking a position on any policies that affect their businesses?
I have been a strong advocate for the City’s nightlife industry. When I served as the Commissioner of Media and Entertainment, I hired the City’s first night Mayor. I am now the Small Business Committee Chair so I work with many restaurant and nightlife industry
stakeholders to ensure the Council is supporting small business as much as possible. I am in frequent communication with these stakeholders.
26. Do you commit to speaking personally with liquor license applicants and license holders before opposing any bid for a liquor license? Likewise for an applicant seeking your support?
Yes
27. 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.
28. Do you commit to removing the Christopher Columbus statue in Columbus Circle?
I believe a better way to address the issue is to add some historical context to existing statues which can serve an educational purpose.
29. Who did you support for Mayor in the 2021 Democratic primary? Did you make an endorsement in the general election?
I did not endorse a candidate in the 2021 Primary. I endorsed Eric Adams in the General Election.
30. Are you currently a member of the Progressive Caucus? If you are not currently an incumbent, will you join if elected?
I am not currently a Member
31. Do you believe the Progressive Caucus should have qualifications to ensure that its members are actually progressive? Please explain.
As I said above, I have been a leading advocate on many progressive causes both in my two decade career in public service and in the Council. As DCA Commissioner, I launched the paid sick leave and living wage law and led the expansion of the earned income tax credit returning
$260 million to low-income New Yorkers. As the Commissioner of MOME I fought for gender equity in the industry and pioneered many initiatives that created opportunities in the film, television, and media industry for women. As Census Director I worked hard to ensure New York had the most successful count in the country to deliver more federal funding for healthcare, transportation, and other critical services. I was also Executive Assistant Corp Counsel for the City’s Law Department where I represented the City in its lawsuit against the Trump Administration about the citizenship question on the Census. In the Council, I have continued that fight introducing legislation to codify reproductive rights through the Health Department, introducing 5 bills as part of the package to bring Universal Childcare to New York City, and leading the charge on the push for healthcare price transparency. Caucuses are free to have their own standard for admission.
32. If you are a sitting Councilmember, name three votes you took in the City Council that differed from the position of the Speaker.
I have not voted against Speaker Adams on any legislation.
33. The rules of the City Council often make it difficult to get a hearing and/or vote on bills of which the Speaker does not approve. Would you support, and introduce if necessary, legislation that could force the City Council to print, introduce, hold hearings on, and hold votes on legislation.
The rules of the City Council currently allow for a Member to make a motion to discharge from Committee. Hearing topics requested for the Committee on Small Business, which I chair, have not been denied by the Speakers’ Office.
34. Will you refuse money from individuals or Political Action Committees representing the real estate industry or law enforcement unions/associations?
I have not taken money from law enforcement unions/associations.
35. Will you refuse and refund any contributions from executives at corporations who donated funds to any of Donald Trump’s campaigns?
I will refuse corporate checks from these individuals
36. With the continued boycott of Equinox fitness on the basis of owner Steve Ross’ support of Donald Trump and institution of “Don’t Say Gay” policies in his residential buildings, do you commit to opposing his application for a casino?
Under the State Rules for the Casino permit, only the local Council Member of a proposed casino gets an appointment on the local Community Advisory Committee that will offer input.
37. If you receive the Jim Owles endorsement, do you agree to identify the club on all literature and electronic materials where you list endorsements?
Yes