Candidate Answers to JOLDC: Keith Powers for City Council District 4
Candidate Name: Keith Powers
Office Seeking Election for: City Council District 4
Campaign Website: https://www.keithpowers.nyc
Explain, based on life experiences and accomplishments, why you believe you are best qualified to represent your district
For the past three years, I’ve been fortunate to represent the area that I have called my home throughout my life. My dad ran a small business here, so I have long ties to my community and the folks that live here. Before serving as a Council Member, I was on the tenants association, local community board, and was a local district leader.
During my time on the City Council, I’ve been proud to serve as the Chair of the Criminal Justice Committee during a transformative time in our criminal justice system and to pass meaningful legislation that has improved many New Yorkers’ quality of life. I have also been proud to introduce legislation to protect small businesses, prevent tenants from unlawful convictions, broaden sexual assault protections, and remove financial/structural barriers to finding housing.
Please identify any openly LGBTQ candidate for public office you have previously or presently endorsed?
Rep. Ritchie Torres, Speaker Corey Johnson, State Senator Brad Hoylman, and State Senator Tom Duane, amongst others.
If applicable, what legislation directly affecting the LGBTQ community have you introduced or co-sponsored? (indicate accordingly)
I've been proud to support, introduce, and sponsor legislation directly impacting the LGBTQ community, including sponsoring a resolution to repeal Walking While Trans, introducing legislation requiring the Department of Correction to use appropriate pronouns, and sponsoring legislation to improve transparency on transgender housing in city jails, amongst others.
What LGBTQ organizations have you been involved with, either on a volunteer basis or professionally?
I’ve been a proud supporter of Jim Owles & Stonewall. I also worked with the LGBT Network on their entry into Queens and the launch of the first ever Pride Night at Citifield.
Do you consider yourself a member of the LGBTQ community?
Yes, as an ally.
Have you marched in Pride? Which marches and for approximately how many years?
Yes, I first marched in 2006 and have marched most years since then.
Have you employed openly LGBTQ individuals previously? Do you employ any currently?
Yes, but I do not explicitly inquire.
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 proudly marched in the Women’s march, attended BLM protests, joined rallies against solitary confinement and Trump policies impacting the LGBTQ community, and many more. I have also hosted rallies and press conferences in support of homeless individuals, criminal justice reform, housing justice, and more.
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. I regularly visit correctional facilities.
Will you affirmatively seek to hire formerly incarcerated individuals?
Yes, but I do not inquire.
Describe your legislative and policy vision for combatting systemic racism
As the Chair of the Criminal Justice Committee, I have used my chairmanship to reform our criminal justice system, which has long been unjust and unfair to communities of color. I have called for changes to the city’s school admissions system, notably the specialized high school exam and middle school admissions. I have called for changes to our city’s housing policies, including passing a law to strengthen anti-discrimination laws and co-introducing the Fair Chance Housing Act.
Will you not seek, and refuse, the endorsement of Bill de Blasio?
I will not be asking/accepting 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?
I disagreed with the original decision to name the bridge after him while he was still alive, but have not taken a position on renaming it now.
What is your position on removing the Christopher Columbus statue in Columbus Circle and if so, what should replace it?
I am open to removing or replacing the statue.
Will you refuse contributions from real estate developers and all law enforcement unions or associations?
I have donated a prior contribution from a law-enforcement union to Joe Biden. I have not taken a pledge against real estate contributions.
Do you support reducing the budget of the NYPD and if so, by how much?
Last year, we took a step to right-size and reduce the size of the NYPD budget. We also began the process of shifting the role of the NYPD in the city. In the middle of a pandemic and fiscal crisis, we had to ensure that we did not gut important social service programs. The City Council should continue to evaluate the headcount, role, and size of the NYPD budget in the coming fiscal years.
How would you have voted on the FY21 City Budget?
I voted in favor.
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.
Yes.
Should the NYPD Vice Squad be eliminated?
Yes.
Should Dermot Shea be fired immediately?
Yes, or he should be removed or replaced. At the minimum, the next administration should appoint someone new to head up the NYPD.
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?
As the city faces the second wave, the NYPD needs to install a public health protocol for officers that includes discipline for non-compliance. The first offense should result in a warning, but after that non-compliance should result in the loss of a vacation day.
What reforms would you make to the Civilian Complaint Review Board? Would you support state legislation to make CCRB disciplinary determinations binding?
I support removing the final authority for punishment from the jurisdiction of the NYPD Commissioner and putting that in the hands of another person or entity. We also need to reinstate the CCRB’s budget, which was cut last year.
What is your position on the plan to close Rikers and create four borough-based jails?
I supported the plan.
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?
The 311 system is an important part of New York City, but has some obvious flaws. I would recommend fixes to improve the lack of clarity in status and timeline, provide the ability to follow up, and ameliorate the inconsistent reporting amongst agencies. I also have had issues with the 311 iPhone app that could be addressed.
Do you support decriminalizing sex work? Will you pledge to oppose the Nordic model?
Yes. I am also a sponsor of the City Council resolution in support of repealing the Walking While Trans law, which would be a good first step in the process.
Do you oppose school screening, which exacerbates segregation? Which screens in your school district(s) will you advocate to abolish?
Yes. I am the sponsor of a resolution to change the SHSAT for specialized high schools. I have also successfully advocated for the repeal of lateness and absences in middle and high school admissions, and to remove middle school admissions for next year’s admissions.
Describe what reforms you would make to the control of the NYC public school system.
The first step to any meaningful reform is to ensure that the city is receiving its fair share of education funding. The City Council has little authority to legislate the Department of Education, as a product of state law, which is a reform that the State Legislature should change to give us more local input. On a larger scale, there are big ticket reforms to the schools admission process, school districts, and more that have to be part of the Mayoral control conversation in 2022.
Do you support public funding of abortion?
Yes.
Do you support the creation of safe consumption sites? Would you support the use of NYC DOHMHauthority to establish SCSs without NYSDOH authorization?
Yes.
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?
I endorsed all of their opponents.
What will you do to support nightlife in NYC?
My district is home to Broadway, Carnegie Hall, Town Hall, and a number of other music and performing arts venues. These nightlife industries are New York City’s lifeline—they’re what make the city so vibrant and full of culture.
During the pandemic, I’ve been very proud to be one of the most vocal supporters of nightlife and the performing arts, whether it’s supporting artists, musicians, or independent live venues. Notably, I’ve helped work alongside independent venues to raise their concerns about their future here in the city, and I’ve advocated for additional unemployment for out of work musicians and artists.
I’m proud to have joined Local 802 and their efforts to survive the pandemic, but also to work closely with the National Independent Venues Association as they fight to preserve independent venues across the country. I’ve worked alongside Senator Schumer and other members of Congress to make sure that our performing stages in New York City get the financial support they so desperately need and deserve. Additionally, I’ve sponsored legislation in the City Council that would provide more opportunities for the performing arts and its spaces in the city.
I also have called for outdoor dining, the repeal of the Commercial Rent Tax, the reduction in fines and fees, and more.
I’m hopeful that the Biden administration will pass the Save our Stages Act in Congress, and continue to do another round of stimulus that will help the people and businesses in these industries.
Do you commit to speak with restaurant and nightlife industry representatives before taking a position on any policies that affect their businesses?
Yes.
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.
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 IslandCity?
I had raised concerns with the tax incentives from the beginning of my tenure in the City Council, asking the question to EDC at a public hearing long before Amazon had been announced.
What role do you believe the local member should play in the approval of development proposals before the Council?
I am supportive of my colleagues and value their judgement, but do not bind my vote to local members’ decisions.
Do you support legislation to prohibit discrimination against formerly incarcerated people in housing?
Yes, I proudly co-introduced the Fair Chance for Housing Act, which would end housing discrimination against people with conviction records. I also am a sponsor of the Source of Income Discrimination law, which ensures that New Yorkers are not denied permanent housing based on their source of income.
Do you oppose the removal of the nearly 300 homeless individuals from the Lucerne hotel due to pressure from some local residents?
Yes. I joined protests against it.
What proposals will you advocate for to protect immigrants and further New York as a Sanctuary City?
New York City is home to over 3 million immigrants, and while we’ve been leaders in protecting these communities, it’s critical that we continue to expand on our work.
For starters, given that over half of our city’s working immigrants have lost their jobs due to COVID-19, we need to find ways to support undocumented New Yorkers who are not eligible for unemployment or federal stimulus checks. One option to address this pressing issue would be to resource a state or city-funded emergency cash assistance program for undocumented individuals left out of federal relief programs.
We also need to fight to expand immigrant communities’ access to the ballot box. I’m a supporter of a bill that would expand voting rights to undocumented New Yorkers, which would be one way to make sure they have a seat at the table on issues affecting their daily lives.
I’m also a strong supporter of ensuring that our city remains a sanctuary city and believe that we must continue fighting against the presence of ICE, whether that’s in our courtrooms, places of employment, or elsewhere. I’ve been proud to show up and prevent legal action against undocumented New Yorkers who were being unlawfully detained by ICE. I firmly believe that we cannot stop fighting against ICE and need to protect New Yorkers from its presence in our communities.
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. I am hopeful that the Biden administration will take this up at the federal level, but otherwise the city should provide support at the state level to implement universal health care in New York State. We also need to fund and support our public health hospitals, which are the center of care for many communities. I am proud to represent Bellevue and to provide critical capital funding in support of it.
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?
I only made endorsements in the 2018 races, where I supported Tish James and Governor Cuomo.
Top 3 issues you aim to address locally and legislatively
Rebuilding the city’s economy after the COVID-19 pandemic
Reducing the cost of living in New York City and increasing opportunity for housing
Addressing disparities and injustice within New York City’s criminal justice system
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?
During the most recent Charter Revision Commission, I testified in support of comprehensive city planning and increasing the Board of Correction budget in the Charter. I think there are opportunities ahead to look at modernizing city elections, looking at the appointment process (including the Council’s role), and strengthening the role of the Council vis a vis the Mayor.
Please explain your vision for the present powers of the office you are seeking and how you intend to exercise them?
The City Council has a number of important powers, namely land use, legislation, budget, and oversight. During my time in the Council, I have tried to play an active role in the functions of the Council, including serving on the Budget Negotiation Team, serving as a member of the Oversight & Investigation Committee, working on important land use issues, and introducing a number of important bills.
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.
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?
I am deeply appreciative of the Jim Owles leadership when it comes to issues like criminal justice reform and supporting nightlife.