Candidate Answers to JOLDC: Liz Krueger for NY Senate District 28

Candidate Name:  Liz Krueger

Office Seeking Election for: New York State Senate, 28th District (Manhattan)

Campaign Address:  350 E. 78th St., New York City 10075

Campaign Website: lizkrueger.com

Campaign Telephone: 

Campaign Social Media Handles (Facebook/Twitter): 

Campaign Contact (name/phone/email): 

1. Explain, based on life experiences and accomplishments, why you believe you are best qualified to represent your district. 
I have proudly represented my district since 2002.When I first ran conventional wisdom was that I was too liberal, having worked in anti-power the organizations for 20 years.  I told the people in my district then, that I didn’t know what they were asked before but I would listen and do my best. Now, 18 years later, many still think I am too liberal but they tell me they’re proud to vote for me because I deliver what I sayI will, and I explain when I can’t agree with them.

2. Do you now support or have you ever supported an openly LGBTQ candidate for public office?  
Tom Duane, Deborah Glick, Danny O’Donnell, Jimmy VanBramer.  More I am sure.

3. If applicable, what legislation directly affecting the LGBTQ community have you introduced or co-sponsored? (indicate accordingly).
When I won my first election, The first bill I signed onto, which only had a lead sponsor of the time, the same sex marriage bill.I believe I have cosponsored every LGBTQ bill since I have been in the Senate.
 
4. What LGBT organizations have you been involved with, either on a volunteer basis or professionally?
I have worked with many LGBT organizations over my long career. I worked with act up in the 80s to create city and state benefits for people with HIV/AIDS.  I provided training classes on government benefits for the staff of GMHC, sage, and others. My family supported the creation of an outpatient HIV/AIDS medical clinic at Beth Israel Hospital beginning in the late 80s. The Peter Krueger clinic is still one of the largest HIV medical clinics in the city of New York.  I still help support the clinic and work to ensure Mt Sinai Continues its commitment to HIV patients now that they have taken over Beth Israel.

5. If applicable, what LGBT organizations have you allocated funds to?
        
6. Do you consider yourself a member of the LGBT community? No

7. Have you marched in Pride? Which marches and for approximately how many years?
At least 10 times 0ver 20 years.  Not sure which years.   Where is the hottest day of the year.

8. Have you employed openly LGBT individuals previously? Do you employ any currently? 
I have employed many openly LGBT people throughout my career as well as currently.

9. If you receive the 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 LGBT issues, pro choice legislation, criminal justice issues  and the Resist Trump Movement have you attended?
More than I could possibly keep track of

11.  Have you ever been arrested? If so please explain why and outcome of arrest. 
              Once, for civil disobedience. Protesting the nypd abuse of Abner Louima 

12. Will you advocate and sponsor legislation to mandate the review of sentences of incarcerated individuals over the age of 55 who have served in excess of 15 years to determine if they warrant release?
Yes, am a co sponsor

13. Do you commit to visit constituents who are incarcerated in state prisons such as Bedford Correctional Facility?

14. Do you believe sincere remorse, risk of reoffending and actions taken while incarcerated should be considered over the original crime in determinations of parole?
They should be factored in along with the original crime(s)

15. Have you participated in any demonstrations or protests in relation to the issues of clemency and parole?
No.   

16. Will you affirmatively seek to hire formerly incarcerated individuals? 
I will not refuse to hire someone based on incarceration.

17. Do you believe in the decriminalization of sex work? Are you sponsoring the bill introduced by Jessica Ramos? 
Yes. And no

18. Will you actively oppose legislation that would implement the dangerous Nordic model instead of decriminalization of prostitution?
No

19. What proposals will you advocate for to protect immigrants and the further New York as a Sanctuary City?
Changes must be made at the federal level our efforts to be a sanctuary city or state offers a little real protection.

20. Will you advocate, including introducing legislation, to remove public funding from religious schools?
no

21. Do you support the establishment of supervised drug consumption spaces?
If handled correctly

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

23. Will you commit to hiring a member of the LGBT community to serve as a liaison to the community?
already on staff

24. Will you commit to ensuring diverse LGBT representation among your staff?   Yes

25. Who did you support for office in the following races A) mayor and Public Advocate in 2014 B) President in 2016 C) Governor and Attorney General 2018 

26. Describe any legislation and policy changes that you support in order to address the ongoing effects of slavery, racism, colonialism, and discrimination. 

27. 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?

28. Do you support a single-payer universal health care system? Please elaborate.

29. Discuss your stance on reproductive rights, including access to contraceptives and abortion services.

30. Will you refuse money from individuals or Political Action Committees representing the real estate industry?

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

32. Are you against the opening of casinos in New York owned and controlled by Trump mega-donor Sheldon Adelson?

33. Do you support the surrogacy bill introduced by Senator Brad Hoylman allowing women to decide control of her body in regard to surrogacy? 

34. Will you cosponsor the legislation to prohibit evictions without good cause (previously S2892A)?

35. 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?       

36. What additional information would you like Jim Owles to consider when we are making our endorsements decisions?