Candidate Answers to JOLDC: Nikki Lucas for NY Assembly District 60
Candidate Name: Nikki Lucas
Office Seeking Election for: NY Assembly District 60
Website: https://electnikkilucas.com/
1. Explain, based on life experiences and accomplishments, why you believe you are best qualified to represent your district.
As an active single parent, volunteer, and as a former Female Democratic State Committee Member for Assembly District 60, I will continue to advocate for the concerns of the community, and address issues such as less than humane conditions in New York City Housing Authority buildings, access to healthcare, affordable housing, increased housing with social service provisions for seniors and structure and increased funding for Community Based Organizations
2. Please identify any openly LGBTQ candidates for public office you have previously or presently endorsed?
I have yet to do so.
3. If applicable what legislation directly affecting the LGBTQ community have you introduced or co-sponsored?
Non-applicable.
4. What LGBTQ organizations have you been involved with, either on a volunteer or professional basis?
I have yet to do so.
5. If applicable, what LGBTQ organizations have you allocated funds to?
I have yet to do so.
6. Do you consider yourself a member of the LGBTQ community?
No.
7. Have you marched in any Pride parades? Which marches and for approximately how many years?
No.
8. Have you employed openly LGBTQ individuals previously? Do you employ any currently?
I am committed to creating a diverse and accepting staff and volunteers on my team.
9. If you receive the Jim Owles 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 LGBTQ issues, pro choice legislation, criminal justice reform issues and the Resist Trump Movement have you attended and/or participated in?
I have hosted demonstrations and attended many press conferences for social justice and equality.
11. Have you ever been arrested in pursuit of legislation or for protesting an injustice? Please elaborate.
No.
12. If you are an incumbent, what have you accomplished in your most recent term?
Working towards the much-needed rent relief for the tenants of Spring Creek Towers.
13. For the following pieces of legislation, please answer if you are currently a sponsor or
co-sponsor (if you are an incumbent), or if you will co-sponsor (if you are not an incumbent):
A. Fair and Timely Parole (S.1415A / A.4231A): A bill pending in Albany that would ensure access to the parole release process for incarcerated people in New York State. This bill insures that decisions on parole are not solely based on the nature of the original crimes but includes incarcerated peoples’ record of rehabilitation and assessment of current risk to public safety.
Yes.
B. Elder Parole (S.15A / A.3475A): A bill pending in Albany that would allow elderly incarcerated people who have served at least 15 years in prison an opportunity to appear before the Parole Board for a chance at release.
On a case-by-case basis.
14. If you will not co-sponsor any of the above legislation, why not?
For Elder Parole bill it would depend on the nature of the offense.
15. Do you oppose the efforts to weaken bail reform as written?
Yes.
16. Do you commit to visiting constituents who are incarcerated in state prisons and city jails? If incumbent, when did you do so last?
Yes.
17. Do you support legislation outlawing solitary confinement in all prisons statewide including city jails?
Yes.
18. When was the last time you were inside a correctional facility?
A few years ago.
19. Do you believe sincere remorse and actions taken while incarcerated should be considered over the original crime in determinations of parole? This question is redundant. I would eliminate it.
Yes.
20. What do you believe should be done to ensure more clemencies are granted every year?
I need more information on the subject.
21. Will you publicly call on the governor to use her clemency power for the many incarcerated New Yorkers who can safely return home? Will you tweet out your support for this or issue a public statement? Would you be willing to be critical of a governor who does not exercise their
power to grant clemencies and commutations to those worthy of release? Have you ever spoken out in such a way?
Yes. Yes. I am willing to work for what best makes for positive change.
22. Have you participated in any demonstrations or protests concerning clemency and parole?
Yes.
23. Will you affirmatively seek to hire formerly incarcerated individuals?
Yes.
24. Do you support legislation to prohibit discrimination against formerly incarcerated people in housing and employment?
Yes.
25. Do you believe in the decriminalization of sex work? Are you or will you co-sponsor the bill introduced by Julia Salazar (S.6419 / A. 8230), which fully decriminalizes sex work?
I believe in the decriminalization of sex work.
26. Will you actively oppose legislation (S.6040 / A.7069) that would implement the dangerous Nordic model instead of the decriminalization of prostitution? Explain in detail your views on full decriminalization, the Nordic model, legalization, and the existing criminalization approach.
I need further time to examine the contents of this legislation.
27. Do you support ending qualified immunity for police and other law enforcement individuals?
Yes.
28. What proposals will you advocate for to protect immigrants and further New York as a “Sanctuary State”?
I am in full support of taking measures to protect our immigrants and remove the overarching umbrella of fear from their lives. We need to move towards becoming a Sanctuary State.
29. Are you a sponsor of New York's Medical Aid in Dying Act (A.4321a/S.6471)? If not will you add your name and sponsor?
I am not a sponsor, and would not sponsor at this time.
29. Do you support the establishment of supervised drug consumption spaces?
Requires further review.
30. Have you ever endorsed any member of the IDC or any candidates who challenged IDC members? Please identify all candidates
No.
31. Will you commit to ensuring diverse LGBTQ representation among your staff?
Yes.
32. Who did you support for office in the following primaries or special elections: A) Mayor in 2021 B) President in 2016 and 2020 C) Governor and Attorney General in 2018?
A) Maya Wiley
B) Hilary Clinton and Joe Biden
C) Andrew Cuomo and Letitia James
33. Have you made an endorsement in the current bid for Governor? If so, who?
No.
34. Do you support term limits for statewide office holders? For State Legislators?
Yes.
35. Describe any legislation and policy changes that you support in order to address the ongoing effects of slavery, racism, colonialism, and discrimination.
I support reparations and the investment and reallocation of funds for restorative economic and social justice in all parts of government.
36. 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?
Education is one of the most important issues of my campaign because of education and making sure higher education is accessible to all. A bill I support is the New Deal 4 CUNY.
37. Do you support a single-payer universal health care system? Do you or will you co-sponsor the New York Health Act? Please elaborate.
Yes. We need to make sure that healthcare is available for a community like mine.
38. Discuss your stance on reproductive rights, including access to contraceptives and abortion services.
I wholeheartedly support reproductive rights and giving healthcare to women who need and request it.
39. Will you refuse money from individuals or Political Action Committees representing the real estate industry or law enforcement unions/associations?
No.
40. Will you refuse and refund any contributions from executives at corporations complicit in the Trump agenda? What does this mean?
Yes.
41. Will you cosponsor the legislation to prohibit evictions without good cause (S.3082 / A.5573)?
Yes.
42. 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? Will you co-sponsor S.856 / A.6032, which amends the Social Services Law to create a statewide rent supplement for families and individuals who are eligible for public assistance benefits and who face eviction, homelessness, or loss of housing due to domestic violence or hazardous living conditions?
Yes and Yes.
43. What should happen to 421-a? Would you end it, mend it, continue it?
We need to amend it.
44. Do you support legalizing accessory dwelling units?
Yes.
45. Do you support more state funding for NYCHA? If so, how much?
Yes.
46. Do you, or will you, co-sponsor the Climate and Community Investment Act? (S.4264A / A.6967) If you are an incumbent and do not currently co-sponsor this bill, why not?
I would co-sponsor this bill.
47. Do you support the New York Public Banking Act (S.1762A / A. 8290? If you are an incumbent and do not currently co-sponsor this bill, why not?
Yes.
48. Do you support the New Deal for CUNY (S.4461 / A.5843)? If you are an incumbent and do not currently co-sponsor this bill, why not?
Yes.
49. 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 a city bill to rename the former Queensboro Bridge? Do you authorize the use of your name for such a purpose?
Yes.
50. What is your position on removing the Christopher Columbus statue in Columbus Circle and if so, what should replace it?‘
Yes.
51. Do you support reducing the budget of law enforcement throughout the state, and if so, by how much?
I support reallocating resources toward social services and preventative violence interruption.
52. 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.
53. Should law enforcements "Vice Squads" be eliminated?
Yes.
54. How would you recommend law enforcement officers be penalized for refusing to wear masks in public while on duty, in defiance of city and state rules?
I would recommend following the law and expectations set for all New Yorkers to be applied to all New Yorkers.
55. What reforms would you make to the Civilian Complaint Review Board? Would you support state legislation to make CCRB disciplinary determinations binding?
I am in favor of increasing transparency, especially for the sake of creating more trust and accountability for all.
56. What will you do to support nightlife in New York State?
I believe that we must ensure that nightlife in New York State is not villanized but included when we focus on rejuvenating business after the heights of the pandemic. I support forgiving fines and holdings to allow businesses to invest in themselves.
57. Do you commit to speak with restaurant and nightlife industry representatives before taking a position on any policies that affect their businesses?
Yes.
58. Do you commit to speak personally with liquor license applicants and license holders before opposing any bid for a liquor license? Likewise for an applicant seeking your support?
Yes.
59. What are the top 3 issues you aim to address locally and legislatively?
I want to address the homelessness crisis. Create economic opportunities for my community and more than minimum wage jobs. Lastly, I want to focus on ensuring healthcare for my district allowing those who desire to pursue their education.
60. How much money do you presently have in your campaign account?
$10,000.
61. What additional information would you like members The Jim Owles Liberal Democratic Club to consider when we are making our endorsement decision concerning your candidacy?
Thank you for your consideration and your time.