Candidate Answers to JOLDC: Kim Moscaritolo for City Council District 5
Candidate Name: Kim Moscaritolo
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 have spent the past decade organizing around progressive issues in New York City: marriage equality, the Living Wage bill, banning hydrofracking, the Community Safety Act, the Reproductive Health Act, and so much more. Since 2015 I have served as a Democratic District Leader, supporting major reforms to the County Democratic Party. I spent 2 years as the Legislative Committee Chair for New Yorkers Against Gun Violence, and I founded a local political club in my Assembly district. In 2019 I founded Yorkville Buy Local, an advocacy group focused on promoting and protecting local small businesses. I believe that I am the person in this race who has both the experience and the ideas to best represent District 5.
Please identify any openly LGBTQ candidate for public office you have previously or presently endorsed?
I supported Tiffany Caban for Queens DA, Yetta Kurland for City Council, and Rosie Mendez for City Council.
If applicable, what legislation directly affecting the LGBTQ community have you introduced or co-sponsored? (indicate accordingly)
N/A
What LGBTQ organizations have you been involved with, either on a volunteer basis or professionally?
I have been a member of the Stonewall Democratic Club since 2014.
Do you consider yourself a member of the LGBTQ community?
I consider myself an ally
Have you marched in Pride? Which marches and for approximately how many years?
Yes, I have marched in every Pride parade since 2011.
Have you employed openly LGBTQ individuals previously? Do you employ any currently?
N/A
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 multiple rallies over the past several years, including the Women's March in 2017, 2018 and 2019. I attended many anti-Trump rallies over the last few years. I have also attended rallies in support of Planned Parenthood and I have attended several Black Lives Matter vigils at Carl Schurz Park.
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, absolutely.
Describe your legislative and policy vision for combatting systemic racism
First and foremost, we must completely rethink policing in New York City. We must reallocate funds from the NYPD to social services, and we must hold officers accountable when they abuse their power. We must also combat systemic racism in our healthcare system. We must Invest resources in our most underserved neighborhoods. This includes ensuring that all New Yorkers have access to healthy and affordable food, clean air, and regular physical activity. We should require implicit bias training in all of NYC’s hospitals, and work to greatly expand language interpretation services at all city hospitals. We must also invest in our public hospital system and ensure that people in all neighborhoods have access to the same high level of care. Finally, we must address segregation in our schools, by establishing minimum diversity thresholds and admitting a proportional number of students from each middle school to the city’s specialized high schools.
Will you not seek, and refuse, the endorsement of Bill de Blasio?
I have no intention of seeking the mayor's endorsement and I highly doubt he would offer it.
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 would support such an effort.
What is your position on removing the Christopher Columbus statue in Columbus Circle and if so, what should replace it?
I am inclined to agree with those who say we should remove it. As an Italian American myself, I believe there are far better ways to celebrate cultural pride and it could provide a teachable moment for young people in this city about recognizing and rectifying mistakes.
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?
Yes, by at least a billion dollars, but I am open to more.
How would you have voted on the FY21 City Budget?
I would have voted no, because the cuts to essential services were too deep, and not enough was done to reign in the NYPD in the budget.
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.
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?
I am not sure I have specific recommendations on discipline, but the Police Commissioner must do far more to ensure officers are complying with the mandate, and those who refuse to comply could be fined or taken off duty. It is also the mayor's responsibility to ensure officers are complying.
What reforms would you make to the Civilian Complaint Review Board? Would you support state legislation to make CCRB disciplinary determinations binding?
We should eliminate Police Commissioner review of CCRB recommended sanctions, thereby making CCRB recommendations binding. We should also provide CCRB with explicit authority to investigate, and if warranted, prosecute complaints against school safety agents. Finally, we should fully fund CCRB’s current operations, and any expanded duties granted to the CCRB.
What is your position on the plan to close Rikers and create four borough-based jails?
I support closing Rikers, and I believe we can also reduce the jail population such that we will not need to construct new jails in New York City.
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?
If the 311 system is not adequately responsive, we need to address it. That could include more training and better pay for 311 operators. 311 should also expand and improve upon its language options, and should make it easier to follow up on complaints online.
Do you support decriminalizing sex work? Will you pledge to oppose the Nordic model?
Yes, I support full decriminalization.
Do you oppose school screening, which exacerbates segregation? Which screens in your school district(s) will you advocate to abolish?
Yes, I oppose screens. I would also support eliminating the in-district preference for city schools.
Describe what reforms you would make to the control of the NYC public school system.
While in theory I like the idea of an elected Board of Education, I am concerned that elections could end up benefiting people with more resources, and further exacerbate the inequality we see in our schools. I would definitely support ensuring more diversity in voices by reconstituting a BOE and ensuring that the mayor does not have the ability to appoint a majority of members. I support the principle of institutionalizing the parent and community voice in decision-making at the school, district, and citywide levels. I believe that parents can and should play an important role in educational decisions, and I believe that schools should do a better job of communication with parents so that they can make more informed decisions.
Do you support public funding of abortion?
Yes, absolutely.
Do you support the creation of safe consumption sites? Would you support the use of NYC DOHMH authority to establish SCSs without NYSDOH authorization?
Yes, I support the construction of safe consumption sites.
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 the IDC in 2018?
No, never, I was vehemently opposed to the IDC. I campaigned for several IDC challengers in 2016 and 2018, and even wrote an oped about why we needed to defeat them and elect real Democrats.
What will you do to support nightlife in NYC?
Nightlife is vitally important to NYC's culture and economy, and right now bars and restaurants are struggling more than ever. We need to reform the letter grade system issued by the city health department to allow time for small business owners to address certain violations before receiving a grade. We also need to streamline the permit and licensing process, and provide more resources for prospective small business owners. We also need to address high costs. City officials should negotiate deals with real estate developers that require a certain amount of retail space be set aside for local businesses. We also need to pass the Small Business Jobs Survival Act, which would require building owners to renegotiate commercial leases in good faith. Finally, we must reform the Commercial Rent Tax, which imposes a 3.9% tax only on businesses in Manhattan below 96th Street. We must expand the city’s outdoor dining program, which has been a lifeline for many local restaurants. This includes setting aside more street space for bars and restaurants. If businesses are found to be violating city rules, they should be given adequate time and instructions to be able to cure any violations.
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 Island City?
Yes, I opposed Amazon's HQ2.
What role do you believe the local member should play in the approval of development proposals before the Council?
I believe it is vitally important for a Council Member to examine every development proposal and use whatever leverage they have to ensure we are building truly affordable housing and also that we are creating good paying jobs for New Yorkers. I also believe the Council Member should do more to facilitate community meetings that truly seek input from everyone. That could mean scheduling meetings on weekends, or different times of day, in order to accommodate people with unusual work schedules. I also believe the city should provide child care so that parents can more easily attend.
Do you support legislation to prohibit discrimination against formerly incarcerated people in housing?
Yes, absolutely.
Do you oppose the removal of the nearly 300 homeless individuals from the Lucerne hotel due to pressure from some local residents?
Yes, I oppose the removal.
What proposals will you advocate for to protect immigrants and further New York as a Sanctuary City?
We must ensure that all immigrants have access to city services, including healthcare and social services. We must do more to keep ICE out of our government buildings, and we should consider proposals that would allow some immigrants to vote in municipal elections.
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 a staunch supporter of Medicare for All and the New York Health Act. I also support the city’s MetroPlus program, to ensure that all city residents have access to medical care, regardless of whether or not they have insurance. I would like to expand on this program and continue to advocate for single payer healthcare at the state and federal level.
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 supported Bill de Blasio in the 2013 Mayoral primary, and Dan Squadron for PA. In 2019 I supported Jumaane Williams. In 2016 I supported Hillary Clinton. In 2020 I supported Elizabeth Warren, and Bernie Sanders once she dropped out. In 2018 I supported Cynthia Nixon for Governor and Zephyr Teachout for AG.
Top 3 issues you aim to address locally and legislatively
At this point, the top issue on everyone’s mind has to be how we recover from COVID-19 -physically, emotionally, and economically. We need a true WPA for the 21st Century, with major investments in healthcare, small businesses, education, the arts, and so much more. At the city level, we will need to work to improve our hospital system, offer relief to workers and tenants, and completely rethink our streetscape in this new era of social distancing. We also need a major focus on affordable housing, our public transportation infrastructure, and the effects of climate change.
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 like to see a real effort to create a comprehensive planning system, so that every part of the city is doing its part to create real affordable housing. I would also like to see an expansion of powers for the CCRB.
Please explain your vision for the present powers of the office you are seeking and how you intend to exercise them?
I would like to focus far more on the council's oversight powers. All of the good legislation in the world won't matter if our city agencies and departments aren't properly enforcing them. I would like to see the council be more proactive in holding city agencies accountable for their failures and pressing for real change.
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?
I expect the club and the LGBT community to hold me accountable at every step of the way, as a candidate, and hopefully as an elected official. I will reach out to members of the LGBT community as I consider legislation, and I will expect pushback if I am not being a true ally on the issues that matter.
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 have been a staunch ally of the LGBT community for years. It was the failure of marriage equality at the state level in 2009 that cause me to get engaged in local politics. I currently have the endorsement of State Senators Jose M. Serrano and Jessica Ramos, and I am the only candidate in my race who has won two competitive primaries in my district - for District Leader. I believe that I have the experience, the vision, and the community support to win this race, and with your help, I believe I can.