Candidate Answers to JOLDC: Kenya Handy-Hilliard for City Council District 40

Candidate Name: Kenya Handy-Hilliard

Office Seeking Election for: City Council District 40

Explain, based on life experiences and accomplishments, why you believe you are best qualified to represent your district

I am the best qualified to represent the district because I have the experience on all levels of government to take a legislative idea from concept to legislative text to passage, through the budget process, into agency implementation and administration. I have a keen understanding of how agencies work and its relationship with the budget process, which is a perspective that many Council Members don’t have or often understand. I know the legislative, budgetary, and policy relationship between the Federal, State, and City governments. Additionally, given my experience with the NYC Comptroller’s office, I have the organizing skills to bring stakeholders together to influence political decision making. Lastly, I have the life experience as a public servant, a wife, mother and community member to understand and appreciate the diversity of experience, and the need to have a community that celebrates and invests in its diversity.

Please identify any openly LGBTQ candidate for public office you have previously or presently endorsed?

I openly supported my friend Crystal Hudson who is running in the 35th for City Council, as one recent example.

If applicable, what legislation directly affecting the LGBTQ community have you introduced or co-sponsored? (indicate accordingly)

Although I, personally, haven’t introduced or co-sponsored any legislation, I advised Congresswoman Yvette D. Clarke to vote for and support H.R. 2965, the Repeal Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell bill (2009-2010).

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

Professionally- I’ve worked with Lambda Independent Democrats and the Brooklyn Pride, Inc.

Do you consider yourself a member of the LGBTQ community?

I consider myself an ally, supporter and cheerleader. I long believed that LGBTQ+ representation in government helps to create a more responsive government that recognizes the unique challenges faced by various expressions of sexuality and gender. As a student of intersectional social movements, I believe it is important to acknowledge all aspects of human identity and empower people to live their truth without fear of harassment or discrimination. It is the role of the government to ensure those protections, so that kids like mine can grow up with a greater spectrum of examples to identify with without fear, but with greater love, acceptance and celebration of the human experience. Therefore, I will work to increase LGBTQ+ representation within the government and ensure that it is inclusive.

Have you marched in Pride? Which marches and for approximately how many years?

I started marching in the NYC Pride Parade and raising money for the GMHC in high school. I have also marched in NY Pride and Brooklyn Pride parades for most of my career in government (6 years).

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

I was not in a position to hire in previous positions, but do believe in the value of lived experience and perspective in building strong teams. There is an LGBTQ individual on my campaign staff.

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?

Yes, my daughter and I joined a couple of protests for Black Lives in and an anti-Trump rally in central Brooklyn.

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, if there’s a constituent who needs assistance from myself or the Council I would be happy to visit them.

Will you affirmatively seek to hire formerly incarcerated individuals?

Yes

Describe your legislative and policy vision for combatting systemic racism

First do an assessment of the racial disparities within City agencies. There is obviously a lot that needs to be accomplished at the City level in terms of demilitarizing and drastically reducing NYPD’s role in everyday life, and removing police from situations they are not equipped to handle like responding to people experiencing mental distress or homelessness. Structural racism obviously goes beyond policing and needs to be addressed in relation to education, housing and economic opportunity, etc. and I will plan to do that as a Council member.

Will you not seek, and refuse, the endorsement of Bill de Blasio?

I will not seek and would refuse.

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?

I think we should remove it. I think it should be replaced by someone who is the champion for true freedom and celebrating diversity.

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 will start with the $1.1 billion stated by the comptroller and call for an audit of how much more is feasible.

How would you have voted on the FY21 City Budget?

I would have voted no on the FY21 Budget and allow the governor to step in and force the Mayor to negotiate real cuts to the NYPD.

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.

All of the above.

Should the NYPD Vice Squad be eliminated?

Yes. I also think there should be major adjustments to existing law that classifies certain “public crimes” and loopholes/vulnerabilities in these laws that allow for the harassment of victims and innocent people. That includes decriminalizing sex work and removing the MOUs with state and local agencies that use the NYPD for enforcement.

Should Dermot Shea be fired immediately?

The Mayor should be fired, as he sets the expectations for his administration and has been deferential to the police unions, which allows Commissioner Shea to act accordingly. But yes, I would fire the Commissioner too.

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?

They should be subject to existing punishments set by local labor laws and agreements. And unit heads/supervisors should be subject to the same if they fail to report such violations as per the policy for most City agencies

What reforms would you make to the Civilian Complaint Review Board? Would you support state legislation to make CCRB disciplinary determinations binding?

I would combine the three outside oversight agencies- CCRB, NYPDIG, and CCPC- into one agency to streamline funding, coordination and adjudication of complaints. And yes, I would make its determinations binding.

What is your position on the plan to close Rikers and create four borough-based jails?

I agree with closing Rikers, but I’m not confident it was set up for it to happen in the timeline set. There was a lot of politics around it that did not have thoughtful oversight and implementation infrastructure, which worries me. Additionally, I do not think we should build more jails. We should work towards restorative justice programming, and greater individual investment programs, like education, drug treatment and job training.

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?

Call for a renegotiation with Accenture’s contract. Create a faster intake system, as 10 minutes on a call is too long in this day and age. Additionally, the online intake system is too confusing, it needs to be a one-stop shop and easily searchable. There should also be a way to see publicly how many complaints have been cast on a certain issue immediately, and not in required reporting.

Do you support decriminalizing sex work? Will you pledge to oppose the Nordic model?

Yes. Sex work is one of the oldest forms of womxn’s entrepreneurship and should be conducted in safe environments. Additionally, the NYPD uses sex work as an excuse to harass LGBTQ+ folks and Black/Brown womxn, and are inadequate at investigating and solving violent crimes, disappearances or murders of Trans and Black womxn sex workers.

Do you oppose school screening, which exacerbates segregation? Which screens in your school district(s) will you advocate to abolish?

Although I’m not sure to which type of screening you are referring; entrance-based screening or disability screening? However, either way, I do believe that screenings in Public Schools and publicly funded charter schools should be abolished. They are inherently biased and used to keep certain folks out.

Describe what reforms you would make to the control of the NYC public school system.

I would increase community influence on funding and programming. I want to expand Community Schools and allow parents a more influential say in how the DOE is run. There also has to be greater accountability structures within DOE to ensure that funding gets to the schools and not caught up in the executive bureaucracy or contractors.

Do you support public funding of abortion?

Yes. While working on Capitol Hill, I introduced on behalf of Congresswoman Clarke, the Global Sexual and Reproductive Health Act of 2010, which worked to overturn the Helms and Hyde Amendments. Also, while in the NYS AG’s Office, we worked to protect the rights of abortion seekers’ access to safe and affordable abortion care.

Do you support the creation of safe consumption sites? Would you support the use of NYC DOHMH authority to establish SCSs without NYSDOH authorization?

This is something I’ve been researching, but have not had access to the expertise to help educate me on. Although I do believe that these sites will help to minimize mortality or severe disorder by opioid injection misuse, I’ve seen conflicting studies on their efficacy. I would need more education around this to make a determination.

Do you smoke or otherwise consume weed?

Although I don’t consume weed, I do support other’s right to do so. And in the eventuality of it’s legalization in NYS, I believe there should be crucial restorative justice measures that give those with drug convictions and/or communities of color an opportunity to get in on the ground floor for investment into this burgeoning industry.

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. I actually voted mine out, Jesse Hamilton.

What will you do to support nightlife in NYC?

First I would call for the State Liquor Authority to end it’s MOU with the NYPD. That has been the foundation of much of the harassment and systematic assault on LGBTQ and minority-owned businesses. I would also offer my office as a resource to the business community. We are also advocating for the business-corridors in my district to create Business Improvement Districts (BID) that will help create better advocacy and collective power or the businesses, including those that create the nightlife in our communities.

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, I will work to create a greater presence for the restaurant industry in the district. Additionally, I will support board members who are about helping the community grow and invest in itself. I will not support those who are about their own endeavors and commodifying the community for selfish gain.

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. The City is the town at the beginning of Footloose! Being able to dance, especially at the end of COVID should not be curtailed.

Did you oppose the de Blasio/Cuomo proposal (and giveaways) for bringing Amazon’s HQ2 to Long Island City?

Yes. There wasn’t enough community input, to say the very least.

What role do you believe the local member should play in the approval of development proposals before the Council?

First I think the local member should play a crucial role in approval of development, but not the deciding role. The Community Boards should have greater teeth and there should be more community-based mandates within the application process to ensure developer accountability. The Land Use Committee and the greater Council should be the last stop to solidify the community’s concerns, not that of the Council Member, the Mayor and/or the developer. Therefore, I think there needs to be a major overhaul of ZQA/MIH and the ULURP process.

Do you support legislation to prohibit discrimination against formerly incarcerated people in housing?

Of course. Studies have shown that when you provide those who are formerly incarcerated a good job, a stable place to live, trauma based resources and access to a good education system, they thrive. That is where much of our criminal justice funding should be focused on - investing in decreasing recidivism.

Do you oppose the removal of the nearly 300 homeless individuals from the Lucerne hotel due to pressure from some local residents?

Yes. I do not agree with the Mayor’s decision as every community has to do their fair share to support our neighbors who have fallen on hard times.

What proposals will you advocate for to protect immigrants and further New York as a Sanctuary City?

I do support non-citizens and Legal Permanent Residents being able to vote in local elections, especially if they pay taxes. That is foundational to our country’s beginnings. Additionally, I have been a large proponent of Comprehensive Immigration Reform. And I will continue to work with my local Congresswoman and the other Federal elected officials to ensure that a comprehensive pathway to citizenship is created and that sanctuary cities are made whole for such an existing prohibitive process.

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 support single-payer universal health care. I’m interested in seeing how the federal government’s public option proposal and Obamacare fixes affect the state’s efforts with the New York Health Act-- a bill that I support. Additionally, if all else fails, there are Cities like San Francisco that are exploring City-based universal health care. I think if we have a Mayor and Governor that have a good working relationship, it will be easier for the City to determine the type of health care expansions we can make. Until then, we are at the mercy of the state’s cooperation.

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?

I voted for Mayor deBlasio, Tish James and Jumaane Williams, Hillary and Biden, Nixon and Tish James.

Top 3 issues you aim to address locally and legislatively

My top 3 issues will be - Economic Recovery and Small Business Investment Housing/Homelessness/Community Development Education Reform

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?

I would also include the contracting and procurement process and police oversight reform.

Please explain your vision for the present powers of the office you are seeking and how you intend to exercise them?

My vision is to exercise my powers to the fullest extent in order to represent my community and execute their vision for our community. That means utilizing my oversight and investigative authority to find out why agencies are not acting in the best interest of my community. I will use my budgetary powers to leverage agencies to “act right.” Also, I will ensure that through participatory budgeting and discretionary processes that intersectional and diverse programming within the district are adequately funded, and that those marginal groups are brought to the fore.

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 think the most important thing is for Jim Owles to become a partner with me as I legislate, and create a conduit for communication to ensure that we are working in one accord. And to foster a relationship where we have a mutual understanding so that we can continue to have healthy and open discussions even if we have different perspectives. Additionally, Jim Owles, as a candidate, can help me put together my LGBTQ+ plan that I can add to our larger community platform. This will be turned into the district’s legislative and policy agenda and will be the tool to help hold me accountable while in office.

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?