Candidate Answers to JOLDC: Kenny Burgos for NY Assembly District 85

Candidate Name: Kenny Burgos

Office Seeking Election for: NY Assembly District 85

Website: https://www.kennyburgos.nyc/

1. Explain, based on life experiences and accomplishments, why you believe you are best qualified to represent your district. I am a product of my district, born and raised. I understand the needs of my neighbors because I have not only lived it, but worked in local government for this district my entire career. Beginning at the NYC Council I have partnered with dozens of neighborhood Tenant Associations, merchants associations and local non profits to secure funding for projects such as parks, tech labs, etc. I now represent my community in the NYS Assembly continuing that work and pushing legislation that would not only improve their lives, but other similar communities.

2. Please identify any openly LGBTQ candidates for public office you have previously or presently endorsed? I supported Ritchie Torres, Corey Johnson and my district leader Norma Saunders.

3. If applicable what legislation directly affecting the LGBTQ community have you introduced or co-sponsored? Ban on Walking While Trans, Vacating Convictions for Offenses Committed Due to Being a Victim of Sex Trafficking, Utility Companies to Allow Customers to Use Their Preferred Name and Pronouns, Removal of genders for State Committee positions.

4. What LGBTQ organizations have you been involved with, either on a volunteer or professional basis?

- GMHC

- Pride Not Prejudice

- BOOM Health

- Destination Tomorrow

5. If applicable, what LGBTQ organizations have you allocated funds to? GMHC, Pride Not Prejudice, BOOM Health (City Council)

6. Do you consider yourself a member of the LGBTQ community? No, I am an ally.

7. Have you marched in any Pride parades? Which marches and for approximately how many years? Yes, I first marched in the Pride parade with my mother. I’ve attended several times since then.

8. Have you employed openly LGBTQ individuals previously? Do you employ any currently? Yes

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? Yes

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 participated in pro-choice rallies and multiple press confrences/rallies in support of criminal justice reform bills such as Less Is More, HALT Solitary, Repeal of Walking While Trans and many others.

11. Have you ever been arrested in pursuit of legislation or for protesting an injustice? Please elaborate. No

12. If you are an incumbent, what have you accomplished in your most recent term?

- Passed two laws for election reform and spam text messages. Co-sponsored dozens of other bills varying from criminal justice reform to consumer protections.

- My office provides constituent services for an average of 90-100 people per week no matter their address, including help with unemployment, excluded worker applications, rental assistance, small business support, immigration and other services.

- Hosted community events, including back to school backpack giveaways, food distributions, community cleanups, COVID testing and more.

- Initiated teen programming to combat gun violence in the district and secured over

$1million dollars in funding for our local YMCA.

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. Sponsor

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. Sponsor

14. If you will not co-sponsor any of the above legislation, why not?

15. Do you oppose the efforts to weaken bail reform as written. Yes

16. Do you commit to visiting constituents who are incarcerated in state prisons and city jails? If incumbent, when did you do so last? Yes, I visited Rikers Island several times and Green Haven Correctional Facility. I intend to visit more this year.

17. Do you support legislation outlawing solitary confinement in all prisons statewide including city jails? Yes

18. When was the last time you were inside a correctional facility. Dec 2021

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

20. What do you believe should be done to ensure more clemencies are granted every year? Stories must be shared far and wide and there has to be increased advocacy directed at the governor from everyone including elected officials.

21. 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

22. Have you participated in any demonstrations or protests concerning clemency and parole? Yes

23. Will you affirmatively seek to hire formerly incarcerated individuals? Yes

24. Do you support legislation to prohibit discrimination against formerly incarcerated people in housing and employment? Yes

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, not currently a sponsor but I intend to.

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.

27. Do you support ending qualified immunity for police officers? Yes.

28. What proposals will you advocate for to protect immigrants and further New York as a “Sanctuary State”? Continue to support DACA on the federal level but also ensuring protections for the many immigrants in our state and in my district. I continue to push for policy that works not only for New Yorkers, but the same resources for immigrant and undocumented populations.

29. Do you support the establishment of supervised drug consumption spaces? Yes

30. Have you ever endorsed any member of the IDC or any candidates who challenged IDC members? Please identify all candidates. No

31. Will you commit to ensuring diverse LGBTQ representation among your staff? Yes

32. Who did you support for office in the following primaries or special elections: A) Mayor in 2021 Andrew Yang B) President in 2016 Not Elected and 2020 Bernie Sanders/Joe Biden C) Governor and Attorney General in 2018 Not Elected

33. Have you made an endorsement in the current bid for Governor? If so, who? Not yet

34. Do you support term limits for statewide office holders? For State Legislators? Yes, I have a bill for this.

35. Describe any legislation and policy changes that you support in order to address the ongoing effects of slavery, racism, colonialism, and discrimination. Ending qualified immunity, Good Cause Eviction, Canceling of Student Debt, Closure of multiple prisons throughout NY.

36. 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 the New Deal for CUNY and the cancellation of student debt. I am also working on a program that would expand the original NY Get on Your Feet loan payment program.

37. 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 am a current sponsor

38. Discuss your stance on reproductive rights, including access to contraceptives and abortion services. I believe abortion is healthcare and should be treated as such. Contraceptives should be free and widely available.

39. Will you refuse money from individuals or Political Action Committees representing the real estate industry or law enforcement unions/associations? I do not accept checks from law enforcement.

40. Will you refuse and refund any contributions from executives at corporations complicit in the Trump agenda? Yes

41. Will you cosponsor the legislation to prohibit evictions without good cause (S.3082 / A.5573)?

Yes, I am a current sponsor.

42. 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.

43. What should happen to 421-a? Would you end it, mend it, continue it? Currently briefing with my team and advocates on the best path forward, but 421-a has not produced the housing stock it originally promised.

44. Do you support legalizing accessory dwelling units? Yes

45. Do you support more state funding for NYCHA? If so, how much? Yes, I represent several NYCHAs. I cannot name a number because I do believe it is the responsibility of the federal government, but the state should fill any remaining gap to ensure NYCHA is fully funded.

46. 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? I am a sponsor.

47. 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? I am a sponsor.

48. 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

49. 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

50. What is your position on removing the Christopher Columbus statue in Columbus Circle and if so, what should replace it?‘ Should be replaced.

51. Do you support reducing the budget of law enforcement throughout the state, and if so, by how much? Yes, these budgets need a cost-benefit analysis because bloated budgets come at the cost of underfunded social services and resources. Crime persists in the most

under-resourced and under-invested neighborhoods.

52. Are you in favor of removing police from any of the following? a) Schools Yes; b) Mental health response calls Yes; c) Homeless outreach and social services Yes; or d) Traffic enforcement Yes, automate it.

53. Should law enforcements "Vice Squads" be eliminated? Yes

54. 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? Should be treated as any other serious policy offense - docking of vacation, suspension, etc.

55. What reforms would you make to the Civilian Complaint Review Board? Would you support state legislation to make CCRB disciplinary determinations binding? The CCRB should be strengthened in its oversight powers and have full access to any/all internal data.

56. What will you do to support nightlife in New York State? I am a supporter of policies such as “to-go” drinks and I am pushing for sweeping changes in the SLA which operates as a revenue driven agency intent on closing small businesses.

57. Do you commit to speak with restaurant and nightlife industry representatives before taking a position on any policies that affect their businesses? Yes, it is how i make decisions now.

58. 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

59. What are the top 3 issues you aim to address locally and legislatively? Reforming the many injustices within the criminal legal system, addressing the widening wealth gap, local environment restoration (marshes, local parks, green spaces)

60. 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? I am thankful for your consideration and your decades of advocacy in New York, I hope to receive your endorsement to partner and continue making a New York for everyone.