Candidate Answers to JOLDC: Melissa Rosenberg for NY Assembly District 69
Candidate Name: Melissa Rosenberg
Office Seeking Election for: NY Assembly District 69
Campaign Website: https://www.melissaforny.com
With the possibility of Donald J. Trump winning (stealing) the next Presidential election and ending democracy and civil rights in the United States, it is more important than ever that we elect progressive, dynamic leaders to the New York State Senate and New York State Assembly.
1. Based upon your life experiences and accomplishments why should we believe you would be a dynamic, progressive leader who would stand up for Civil Rights and Democracy?
From my work on the community board to address the most local issues, to my work on statewide housing policy, I have shown myself already to be both a problem solver and a progressive advocate. I’ve spent my career digging into different issue areas, listening, learning and trying to be a voice and champion for equity. I see the Assembly as a way to help address historic challenges we’re facing like threats to our civil rights and democracy and my background makes me uniquely qualified to help serve our district. I am also not one to back down from my beliefs when they are opposed by power. I will continue to be a strong-willed advocate for progressive causes in the Assembly.
2. What is your involvement in the LGBTQ Civil Rights movement? What candidates have you or are you supporting who are openly LGBTQ? What legislation have you/do you support to further LGBTQ rights? Do you /will you have an LGBTQ liaison in your office? What LGBTQ organizations have you been involved with, either on a volunteer or professional basis?
I support enshrining equal rights for the LGBTQ community in our state constitution. I would also advocate to strip state funding from any localities that ban transgender athletes from participating in sports. I certainly plan to have an LGBTQ liaison in my office once elected. In a professional context, in my role working for the Supportive Housing Network, a membership organization that supported nonprofits who provide supportive housing, I advocated to expand the supply of housing for homeless LGBTQ youth, as well as for those living with HIV/AIDS. In my work, I collaborated with organizations such as GMHC, Housing Works, Ali Forney Center, and Alliance for Positive Change, among others.
3. What demonstrations, rallies, and protests have you participated in support of LGBTQ issues, African-American, Hispanic, Asian-American Civil Rights, pro-choice legislation, criminal justice issues, and Resist Trump?
I have attended Pride marches throughout my time living in New York City. As a woman, I have been deeply disturbed by our loss of reproductive rights post-Roe and spoke out and attended events advocating for their restoration. Following Trump’s win in 2017, I was extremely upset and angry and spoke openly about these feelings and attended the Women’s March.
4. Do you support reparations to compensate African Americans for the history of slavery, Jim Crow, and systemic racism in this country?
Yes, in addition to enslaving African Americans, the United States government has a long history of purposefully excluding Black Americans from economic opportunity and social mobility through Jim Crow and later, mass incarceration. The United States has an obligation to correct these historic misdeeds through reparations.
5. What are your concrete proposals to address current systemic racism in terms of employment, housing, voting rights, and the criminal justice system in the U.S.?
The United States has a long history of promoting systemic and legally disenfranchising marginalized people. As an Assembly Member, I wish to right these historic wrongs by advocating for expanded voting rights, fully funded public schools, so students can receive a quality education regardless of zip code, and for deeply affordable housing to house the most vulnerable New Yorkers who are disproportionately people of color.
6. Will you advocate for elder parole where incarcerated individuals aged 55 and older who have serviced in excess of 15 years obtain parole hearings? Are you a sponsor of the Elder Parole Bill, Senate 2423?
Yes, I will advocate for the Elder Parole Bill and would proudly sign on to sponsor the bill once elected.
7. Do you sponsor the Earned Time Act, Senate S774, which strengthens and expands “good time” and “earned time” to support rehabilitation efforts?
Yes, I support the Earned Time Act as I believe it emphasizes rehabilitation and reintegration and would sign on as a sponsor.
8. Do you sponsor Eliminate Mandatory Minimum Bill Act, S6471 which reduces excessive sentences and enables judges to look at individual factors and mitigating circumstances?
Yes, I believe we must combat excessive sentencing and need to refocus our criminal justice system on rehabilitation.
9. Do you sponsor the Second Look Act, S7872, which allows for reconsideration of prison sentences based on changes in law and circumstances?
Yes, I support the Second Look Act.
10. Have you participated, and will you participate in demonstrations and protests in relation to the issues of clemency and parole?
Yes, I will proudly participate in protests in relation to clemency and parole.
11. Will you affirmatively seek to hire formerly incarcerated individuals?
Yes, I would affirmatively seek to hire justice-involved persons for my staff.
12. Have you and will you visit incarcerated constituents to learn of their conditions?
Yes, I will visit incarcerated constituents and make sure they are provided humane living conditions.
13. What are your proposals to have prisons focus more on rehabilitation and less on punishment?
Prisons must prepare inmates to be reintroduced into society. I propose accessible education opportunities, such as GED preparation and college courses, and job training programs for incarcerated individuals.
14. Do you support ending the cruel punishment of solitary confinement, such as was recently mandated by the New York City Council?
Solitary confinement is an unconstitutional form of cruel and unusual punishment. I fully support the eradication of solitary confinement.
15. What are your proposals to facilitate individuals who have recently entered the U.S. to be able to live decently with employment and housing?
We must provide accessible jobs and housing for those who have recently entered the US. In order to do so, we must combat regressive housing laws to allow the development of affordable homes throughout New York and adjust the minimum wage for inflation. We also should work to help recently arrived immigrants file asylum claims and get documentation to allow them to enter the labor force.
16. What proposals do you advocate to combat the cruel and inhumane immigration policies that the Trump Administration commenced and which, to some degree, are still in effect?
I would advocate for harsh penalties for any municipal government or agency that is found to be coordinating with ICE to facilitate incarceration and deportation of undocumented New Yorkers. I would also advocate for more resources for legal service providers working with undocumented folks so they can more quickly apply for asylum and be protected.
17. Do you believe in the decriminalization of sex work?
Yes, sex workers should not have to fear for their safety or livelihood. Sex work is work.
18. Do you oppose legislation that promotes the Nordic model?
Yes, the Nordic model does not represent true decriminalization and leaves sex workers at risk.
19. What concrete proposals do you support to lift up women after four years of Trump being President?
As a woman running among many men in my race, promoting women voices is a top priority of my campaign. With judicial assaults on reproductive health and contraceptives, it is imperative that we strengthen legislative protections for access. I would also advocate for equal pay legislation in Albany. On top of that, I commit to fully funding reproductive and gender-affirming healthcare facilities and initiatives.
20. Do you support a single-payer universal health care system? Please elaborate.
Yes, it is my belief that all Americans are entitled to accessible, high quality healthcare, regardless of employment status or wealth. The United States is one of the wealthiest countries in the world and it has an obligation to care for all citizens. No one should have to worry about financial ruin when diagnosed with any health issue.
21. What have you done to facilitate reproductive rights, including access to contraceptives and abortion services?
I have financially supported nonprofit organizations that advocate for access to safe abortions for women nationwide. I have also met with advocates for birth control and abortion pill access to discuss how I can be a champion when I am in Albany.
22. Will you refuse contributions from individuals or Political Action Committees representing the Real Estate industry, from police or correction communities?
I do not accept donations from police or correctional institutions. I have not accepted any real estate PAC money.
23. Will you refuse and refund any contributions from executives or corporations complicit in the Trump anti-American agenda?
Yes, I am staunchly against the Trump agenda and stand against any corporations or institutions which enable his anti-America agenda.
24. How do you propose that we address the current surge of Islamophobia and anti-Semitism?
I’ve been extremely saddened by the rise in Islamophobia and anti-Semitism across New York. We must work with leaders in both the Muslim and Jewish communities to foster a dialogue and address the needs of both communities. We also must hold the perpetrators of hate crimes accountable for their actions through restorative justice initiatives that emphasize learning and understanding over carceral solutions.
25. Did you or would you have voted for the censure of U.S. Representative Rashida Tlaib?
No, I would not have censured Representative Tlaib.
26. Do you support an immediate ceasefire in the Middle East?
Yes, I am appalled by the current humanitarian crisis in Gaza and want nothing more than peace in the region.
27. Should we condition further aid to Israel? What conditions should we stress that Israel abides by?
Yes, Israel should be held to the same standard as any other nation receiving aid from the United States.
28. Will you refuse funds from Trump-supporting AIPAC?
I will refuse funds from AIPAC and local organizations doing AIPAC’s bidding.
29. What are your concrete proposals to prevent Trump and his cult from taking over this country and ending democracy?
Trump should be in jail for his many crimes against the United States and, as a State Assemblymember, I will support legislation to hold anyone involved in an insurrection accountable for their crimes. I will also advocate to strengthen democratic institutions and our election agencies to prevent any future election interference and ensure ballot access for all voters.
30. How can we combat the movement in this country to ban books, prevent colleges from discussing issues and demonizing intelligence as “woke”?
We must stand with educators and refuse the banning of books in our public schools. All students are entitled to an open education and those looking to ban and demonize education should not be granted roles of authority.
31. As Christopher Columbus caused the death/slavery of thousands, should we replace the Christopher Columbus statue in Columbus Circle, and if so, what should replace it? Do you authorize the use of your name for such a purpose?
Christopher Columbus was a perpetrator of slavery and genocide. Even during his lifetime, he was considered an exceptionally cruel and evil man. There are so many important and valuable historical figures Columbus Circle can be renamed for and I look forward to hearing proposals from the local community. I authorize the use of my name for such a purpose.
32. As Edward I Koch caused the deaths of hundreds of thousands of people with AIDS and was blatantly racist, should we rename the former Queensboro Bridge? Do you authorize the use of your name for such a purpose?
Yes, I support renaming the Ed Koch Bridge and authorize the use of my name for such a purpose.
33. What will you do to support nightlife in New York State? Do you commit to speaking with liquor license applicants and restaurant/nightlife industry representatives before taking a position on policies affecting their businesses?
As someone with previous experience in the service industry, I am fully committed to supporting nightlife throughout New York. If elected, I commit to actively engaging with liquor license applicants and representatives from the restaurant and nightlife industry before taking any positions on policies affecting their businesses.
34. What is your opinion of Eric Adams as New York City Mayor? Are you involved in finding someone to run for Mayor of New York City?
Mayor Adams has continuously disappointed New Yorkers through inaction and corruption. New York City deserves a competent Mayor focused on serving our communities rather than promoting their own political image. For these reasons, I would happily support a viable primary challenge to Mayor Adams.
35. How can we mandate that every community do its share to have affordable housing and care for the recently arrived people?
Far too many wealthy property owners have been allowed to dictate the available housing in their communities, causing an artificial decrease in housing supply and exacerbating already skyhigh rents. Albany must work to build more affordable, accessible housing so recently arrived people can have homes.
36. Are you a sponsor of Good Cause Eviction S305 legislation?
I am not an elected official, but I do support the core tenets of Good Cause Eviction.
37. Do you support allowing legal Immigrants to vote in local elections?
Yes, local officials will be representing the interests of legal Immigrants and they deserve to have a say in their legislators.