Candidate Answers to JOLDC: Olanike Alabi for NY Assembly District 57

Candidate Name: Olanike Alabi

Office Seeking Election for: NY Assembly District 57

Website: http://olanikealabi.com

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

Now more than ever, we need leaders who will lead and representatives who will represent. I’m best qualified because of the work I’ve already done in partnership with several block, community and civic organizations to have a positive impact on the 57th Assembly District. As the daughter of immigrants, a product of the NYC public school system, union member, public servant and community advocate, I’ve

* Established “Community News & Updates”, a widely dispersed weekly e-newsletter

* Sponsored legal clinics, town hall meetings and community forums on public education, housing, public safety, the healthcare system, domestic violence, redistricting, “Stop-and-Frisk”, electoral politics and many other topics

* Convened Annual Community Food Drives in support of local food pantries

* Created a process to ensure the appointment of individuals to staff polling sites who were capable and committed to ensuring democracy especially in light of the enactment of the Help America Vote Act (HAVA).

* Was elected to serve as a pledged delegate at the 2008 and 2012 Democratic National Conventions in support of the Honorable Barack Obama.

* Served as an independent voice as it relates to rules, procedures, local issues and the selection of candidates for judicial and public office.

* Worked with clergy, elected officials and community leaders to resolve constituent complaints

* Hosted a major community fundraiser in support of a local school in financial distress

I’ve received certificates and awards for my work from schools, faith-based institutions, elected officials along with civic organizations and block associations. 

2. Please identify any openly LGBTQ candidates for public office you have previously or presently endorsed? Hon. Deborah Silber, Supreme Court, Hon. Richard Montelione, Supreme Court

3. If applicable what legislation directly affecting the LGBTQ community have you introduced or co-sponsored? N/A

4. What LGBTQ organizations have you been involved with, either on a volunteer or professional basis? I have supported events and initiatives sponsored by LGBTQ organizations including the Hetrick-Martin Institute, Lambda Independent Democrats of Brooklyn and the Jim Owles Liberal Democratic Club.

5. If applicable, what LGBTQ organizations have you allocated funds to? N/A

6. Do you consider yourself a member of the LGBTQ community? No, although I will always stand in solidarity with the LGBTQ community.

7. Have you marched in any Pride parades? Which marches and for approximately how many years? Pride parades in Brooklyn and NYC on at least 2-3 occasions.

9. Have you employed openly LGBTQ individuals previously? Do you employ any currently? On several of my political campaigns, I have employed LGBTQ individuals.

10. 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’ve signed petitions in support of such causes, held a town hall meeting on at least one issue and attended several protests over the years on other issues.

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? N/A

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 ensures 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. Will co-sponsor

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. Will co-sponsor

14. If you will not co-sponsor any of the above legislation, why not? N/A

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? Yes. If incumbent, when did you do so last? N/A

17. Do you support legislation outlawing solitary confinement in all prisons statewide including city jails? Yes or limited use thereof which is in alignment with the recently revised state policy (i.e. HALT)

18. When was the last time you were inside a correctional facility. 2019/2020

20. Do you believe sincere remorse and actions taken while incarcerated should be considered over the original crime in determinations of parole? Yes

21. What do you believe should be done to ensure more clemencies are granted every year? We must apply pressure to incumbent and aspirant Governors and sponsor issue-based campaigns to educate the public and raise awareness about the issue.

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 on all

22. Have you participated in any demonstrations or protests concerning clemency and parole? No

23. Will you affirmatively seek to hire formerly incarcerated individuals? Yes and I’ve done so on several of my campaigns.

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? Yes

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. Yes. The model seeks to distinguish between sex work and prostitution, but we should work to fully decriminalize both. It’s an issue of democracy and free will.

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”? Non-Citizen Voting, Excluded worker funds, Limiting ICE and the use of city and state enforcement officials from immigration enforcement.

29. Are you a sponsor of New York's Medical Aid in Dying Act (A.4321a/S.6471)? No. If not will you add your name and sponsor? Yes

29. Do you support the establishment of supervised drug consumption spaces? Yes

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 N/A Neutral B) President in 2016 and 2020 Barack Obama (2016) Neutral (2020) C) Governor and Attorney General in 2018? Neutral on Gov, Letitia James for AG

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? There are pros and cons on both. Fine officials and legislators should stay and continue their work to move NYS forward and for the bad ones, “Throw the bums out”.

35. Describe any legislation and policy changes that you support in order to address the ongoing effects of slavery, racism, colonialism, and discrimination.  Divesting pension funds from financing support for slavery, racism, colonialism and discrimination.

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? Cancel Debt, New Deal for CUNY and SUNY .

38. 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 and I will.

39. Discuss your stance on reproductive rights, including access to contraceptives and abortion services. I support Roe v. Wade, a woman’s right to choose and free and unrestricted access to contraceptives and abortion services.

39. Will you refuse money from individuals or Political Action Committees representing the real estate industry or law enforcement unions/associations? Yes

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

43. What should happen to 421-a? Would you end it, mend it, continue it? Reform/End it to work for tenants and not developers

44. Do you support legalizing accessory dwelling units? Yes

45. Do you support more state funding for NYCHA? If so, how much? Yes. $1 billion and more.

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? Yes and I will

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? I would support a city bill and authorize my name to be used to rename all public properties of individuals who are racist or exercised racism and caused deaths.

50. What is your position on removing the Christopher Columbus statue in Columbus Circle and if so, what should replace it? In favor of removing and replacing with someone of sound character, public good and non-racist views.

51. Do you support reducing the budget of law enforcement throughout the state, and if so, by how much? $1 billion or more. There are many activities that are non-criminal and should and can be handled by other agencies.

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? Dock in pay and personal time. Repeated offenders should lose their jobs.

55. What reforms would you make to the Civilian Complaint Review Board? Baseline budgets consistent with reforms. Would you support state legislation to make CCRB disciplinary determinations binding? Yes

56. What will you do to support nightlife in New York State? Not overburdening establishments with layers of bureaucracy, fines and penalties.

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? Yes. Likewise for an applicant seeking your support? Yes

59. What are the top 3 issues you aim to address locally and legislatively? Housing, Children and Families, Seniors

60. How much money do you presently have in your campaign account? I opened my account and just started fundraising last week.

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? I share your values as it relates to racial, economic and social justice.