Candidate Answers to JOLDC: Nathalia Fernandez for Bronx Borough President

Candidate Name: Nathalia Fernandez

Office Seeking Election for: Bronx Borough President

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

I'm a daughter of immigrants and my story is one that is reflected in the people of the Bronx. During my time in the State Assembly, I have championed criminal justice reform and police reform, including introducing and passing the Andrew Kearse Act. Additionally, I have always been a strong proponent of education reform and an advocate for strengthening tenant protections, including supporting housing for LGBTQ individuals. The Bronx is writing a new chapter and it needs a leader who will fight for all of us. I believe I am that person.

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

Ari Espinal; Deborah Glick

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

When I entered in the assembly, I introduced A2762 that would increase the age for homeless youth to stay in shelters from 21 to 24. I have also cosponsored the followings bills: A576 – Conversion Ban A747 – GENDA A1071 – Gestational Surrogacy A8375 – Panic Defense A654 – Walking while trans

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

Destination Tomorrow, NYC Stonewall Democrats

Do you consider yourself a member of the LGBTQ community?

Yes, an ally.

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

I attended NYC Pride various years since college. I have marched every year since 2016. I have attended the Bronx Pride festival in 2018 & 2019.

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

Yes. Currently my Executive Director for the 80th Assembly District office is a member of the LGBTQ+ community. She has been with me since I started serving in 2018

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 numerous rallies in support of criminal justice reform, regarding cash bail reform, walking while trans bill, prosecutor misconduct. I have attended the Women’s March every year since it’s started. I attended a Trump Protest in 2017 in front of Cipriani’s with the NYS Dems. This summer, after a back the badge rally, I helped organize the first BLM march in my district.

Have you ever been arrested? If so please explain why and outcome of arrest.

No, I have never been arrested.

Do you commit to visiting constituents who are incarcerated in state prisons and city jails?

Yes. I have visited constituents at Sing Sing Penitentiary in the past

Will you affirmatively seek to hire formerly incarcerated individuals?

Yes, I will hire whomever is best for the job regardless of their background

Describe your legislative and policy vision for combatting systemic racism

Combatting systemic racism is at the core of my policy vision as an elected official. I have cosponsored all of the criminal justice reform bills and police reform bills that have come before the Assembly. Additionally, I have supported education reform to end systematic racism in our schools, focusing on solutions not suspension and raising the age of juvenile delinquency from 7 to 12.

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

Yes

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?

Christopher Columbus' treatment of indigenous people, including Latin individuals, was horrific. I would consider supporting the removal of his statue in Columbus Circle if it is replaced by a statue of an indigenous person of significance, or by another notable individual of Italian heritage.

Will you refuse contributions from real estate developers and all law enforcement unions or associations?

Yes, I will refuse any contributions from law enforcement unions and associations. In fact, I returned the only $500 I received from law enforcement unions during my re-election campaign to the Assembly last year. I have family members who are property managers and small landlords who have always supported me, including my campaigns for public office. That being said, I have always been an advocate for tenants over profits.

Do you support reducing the budget of the NYPD and if so, by how much?

Yes, there are numerous responsibilities currently under the auspices of the NYPD that can and should be delegated to other agencies. Additionally, we need to reimagine how the NYPD operates to better serve New Yorkers.

How would you have voted on the FY21 City Budget?

No, the FY21 budget did not reflect what our values as New Yorkers should be.

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 to all

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?

No one is above the law. Police officers who do not comply with public safety guidelines should be fined in the same manner as civilians, and that pay should be taken out of their paychecks. Further defiance of these rules should result in suspension without pay.

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 have true oversight over the NYPD but that cannot happen when the NYPD commissioner appoints one of its members. The NYPD commissioner's appointment should be given to the five borough presidents who would collectively appoint one individual to the CCRB.

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

I support the plan to close Rikers but I do not support the proposed placement of the Bronx jail site.

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?

The issue isn't submitting complaints to 311, the issue remains with city agencies not resolving cases before closing them. We need to ensure that city agencies have adequate resources to respond to complaints and that they take necessary actions to resolving the issue or redirect it to the appropriate department.

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

I believe in the decriminalization of sex work, however those “managers” who abuse and exploit women need to be held accountable for their crimes.

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

Yes.

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

I am open to considering various reforms in regards to control of the NYC public school system, including reducing the number of Mayoral appointees to the PEP. I will continue listening to parents, advocates, and thought leaders on this matter.

Do you support public funding of abortion?

Yes.

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 and yes, although NYSDOH should not have final authority, local electeds and community boards should material input on the siting process.

Do you smoke or otherwise consume weed?

Yes.

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?

In 2018, after I won my special election, I endorsed Jeff Klein for his re-election for State Senate. Klein was my senator and one whose office I worked closely with. Since then, I have had the opportunity to partner with Senator Biaggi and we have accomplished a lot for our districts together.

What will you do to support nightlife in NYC?

SLA has a history of over-targeting minority owned bars and restaurants. As Borough President, I will make sure that SLA does not bully nightlife owners. I will direct the Bronx Tourism Council to extend its services and attention to help our Bronx nightlife thrive. I will also create a guide that highlights Bronx nightlife establishments which will be published on the Bronx Tourism Council website.

Do you commit to speak with restaurant and nightlife industry representatives before taking a position on any policies that affect their businesses?

Yes, of course.

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, our community boards should reflect the diversity of our communities, and that includes local business owners, particularly restaurant, bar, and club owners.

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?

I did not support the Amazon proposal. I believe in a transparent process where communities and elected representatives collaborate on projects that have large scale material impacts on our neighborhoods. Decisions like these should not be made unilaterally by elected officials.

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

DCP and the local member should work directly with communities on development proposals; I believe in a transparent, bottom-up approach that allows communities more input and involvement.

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

Yes, given discrimination in policing penalizing the formerly incarcerated is another form of systemic racism

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

Yes, all communities should share the responsibility of housing our most vulnerable residents.

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

I supported the Liberty Defense Fund and the creation of the Office for New Americans in the State Assembly. Throughout the pandemic, I have been supportive of making the wealthy pay their fair share in taxes to fund COVID relief for excluded workers. I will always advocate for protecting immigrants and for New York City's status as a Sanctuary City.

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'm a co-sponsor of the NY Health Act. As Borough President, I will advocate for the necessary funding to maintain NYC Health & Hospitals.

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?

A) I did not publicly support anyone for Mayor in 2013 B) I did not publicly support anyone for Public Advocate in 2013. In 2019, I supported Michael Blake in the special election and Jumaane Williams in the primary election C) In 2016 I supported Hillary Clinton. In 2020, I supported Elizabeth Warren and when she dropped out, I supported Joe Biden D) In 2018, I supported Andrew Cuomo and Tish James

Top 3 issues you aim to address locally and legislatively

Environmental Justice, Healthcare, and Economic Development

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 support a full line item audit of the budget to determine if city funds are being spent most effectively. I believe an audit will give us the necessary information for us to determine the best way to reform the budget process. Simply put, communities should have more input in the ULURP process. The city's top down approach to land use is antiquated and discriminatory. I believe we should leverage technologies and allow community boards earlier access to plans which would grant them more time to review proposals. We need to expand the powers of the borough president. BP's should have a seat on the NYCHA advisory board, have the ability to appoint individuals to the CCRB and to the MTA, and have the power to introduce legislation to the City Council that applies predominantly to their specific borough.

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

I envision the Borough Presidency similarly to the role of the Public Advocate. I will highlight the issues and address the needs of the Bronx with community and elected partners by creating solutions. Additionally, I will be a vocal advocate for my entire borough, especially for our small businesses as they recover from the COVID-19 pandemic. Furthermore, I will ensure that our community boards truly reflect the diversity of the communities they serve. Community board members should receive annual diversity and inclusion training.

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. My door is always open and I'm willing to listen and work with club members on progressive issues.

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?

None