Candidate Answers to JOLDC: Robert Jackson for NY Senate District 33
Candidate Name: Robert Jackson
Office Seeking Election for: New York State Senate District 33
Website: https://www.voterobertjackson.com/
1. Explain, based on life experiences and accomplishments, why you believe you are best qualified to represent your district.
I grew up in this neighborhood and understand the power of diversity. I am a black man who was raised by a Chinese father. I grew up poor and through hard work and getting a good education became a City Council leader. I have a wife and three daughters. I understand that each of our uniqueness, when combined, can topple mountains. I cannot stand idly by and allow my neighbors to be left defenseless by failed policies, political shenanigans, and corrupted leaders and systems.
I love public service and representing the people of this district every day. In 2018, I ran to bring down the corrupted scheme in the state senate where the IDC and Republican's back-dealing blocked a Democratic State Senate majority, funds for our public schools, tenant protections, rent reforms, Reproductive Health Act, Comprehensive Contraceptive Coverage Act, the NY single-payer health plan, badly needed ethics reforms, election reforms, and real criminal justice reforms. We need to open doors of opportunity, not slam them shut. Today in 2022 I'm proud of the work that we've done together but there's still much to do to make sure all New Yorkers have a roof over their heads, food to eat, sustainable wages, access to mental
health and social support services, universal health care and representation that puts people's needs over politics and profits.
From my first elected position as School Board President where I launched the Campaign for Fiscal Equity school funding lawsuit to fix a school funding formula that was cheating our children, walked 150 miles to Albany to highlight the cause and won a court judgment that awarded $16 billion for NYC public schools, to my 12 years on the City Council where I sponsored the Small Business Survival Act and promoted equality, fairness and justice, to recent fights for tenants and against the IDC, I have taken on the tough fights for New Yorkers … and never backed down.
I'm ready to continue fighting for a fair and just New York. Government must level the playing field and fight for our children, our seniors and those least fortunate. We must give every child the chance to succeed, health care is a right not a privilege, and we must protect affordable housing so that seniors can stay here, young people can start here and the middle class can thrive. We are made strong by our diversity and we must promote equality, justice and fairness. Workers deserve good jobs with good benefits and we all need clean air to breathe, clean water to drink and open spaces to enjoy. Those are the principles that have guided me as a labor representative, tenant leader and elected official and that I will fight for as the next State Senator.
2. Please identify any openly LGBTQ candidates for public office you have previously or presently endorsed?
Cynthia Nixon, Brad Hoylman, Marti Cummings, Erik Botcher (?), Danny O’Donnell, Daniel Dromm
3. If applicable what legislation directly affecting the LGBTQ community have you introduced or co-sponsored?
In the Senate, I introduced and sponsor legislation to create a LGBTQIA+ curriculum that teaches about the political, economic, and social contributions, and lifeways of the LGBTQIA+ community, cosponsored the repeal of the Walking While Trans ban, support legislation to expand gender neutral restrooms, comprehensive sexuality education in school and more.
From my first days in the City Council 20 years ago, I was proud to co-sponsor a resolution urging the State Legislature and the Governor to support the Dignity for All Students Act, and urging the Mayor and the New York City Board of Education to address the needs and protect the rights of students who identify as lesbian, gay, bisexual, and/or transgender; and 2 years later in 2004 to co-sponsor a resolution calling upon the Mayor to instruct the City Clerk to recognize the fundamental rights of same-sex partners by issuing marriage licenses to same-sex couples in the City of New York; and later to be a leader promoting “Respect for All Week” in our public schools and help promote understanding and combat bullying. I fought to secure millions of dollars to combat HIV/AIDS, worked to make health care more accessible to LGBT seniors and to homeless gay youth, and every year to make allocations to the Gay Men's Crisis Center. It’s why I have always had a diverse staff with many trusted LGBT advisors, walked in the LGBT Parade and was one of the first elected officials to record an “It Gets Better” video.
4. What LGBTQ organizations have you been involved with, either on a volunteer or professional basis?
Ali Forney Center, SAGE, The Door, The Trevor Project, Latino Commission on AIDS, Black Commission on AIDS, GMHC, GLAAD, and Equality for New York.
5. If applicable, what LGBTQ organizations have you allocated funds to? GMHC, SAGE, Latino Commission on AIDS and Black Commission on AIDS
6. Do you consider yourself a member of the LGBTQ community? I consider myself a very strong and proven ally.
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7. Have you marched in any Pride parades? Which marches and for approximately how many years? I’ve regularly marched in the NYC Pride Parade since going back to my tenure in the NYC Council.
8. Have you employed openly LGBTQ individuals previously? Do you employ any currently? Yes, both previously and currently.
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?
Absolutely.
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?
You name it, I’ve been there. Whether it was for GENDA, No IDC, Women’s Reproductive Rights, ending Trump’s tyranny, I have been there walking, marching, standing in solidarity and raising my voice.
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?
Pushed forward to finally address Foundation Aid (for education) for $4.2B over the next years (at $1.4B increase through 2023-2024). Help pushed forward Excluded Workers Fund for
$2.1B. My bill guarantteeing the residents of NYS to clean air and clean water. The voters of NYS passed this Constitutional Amendment which took effect January 1, 2022. Helped push the
three voting rights bills which were defeated in the referendum in the general election with over $3M by the Republicans including Ron Lauder. Passed a budget with rent assistance (ERAP) for tenants to avoid evictions and funding for excluded workers.
This term, a great deal of my focus was on helping my constituents navigate the pandemic. As a result, I set up bi-monthly food pantries that served over 400 constituents a month experiencing food insecurity, provided vaccination mobile or school sites, forums and legal clinics for small businesses, rent and excluded workers clinic, and increased funding for violence interrupters for Harlem, Washington Heights and Inwood while setting up a community gun violence prevention taskforce.
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. 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. 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. There has been a great deal of misinformation about bail reform that points to it as being the cause of increasing crime. This has been debunked over and over again. The state legislature painstakingly wrote a bill to begin to correct a criminal justice system that hurts Black and Brown communities. I have no interest in amending the law and instead we all need to focus on deeply investing in our communities, support a quality education and afterschool programs, support intervention services, keep people in their homes, provide access to jobs with living wages, and provide easy access to mental health support and services.
16. Do you commit to visiting constituents who are incarcerated in state prisons and city jails? If incumbent, when did you do so last?
I visited Fishkill Correctional Prison on 4/13/21 with an unannounced visit with the Chair of Corrections Committee and other legislators and staff. More recently, I visited Night Court to observe how detainees were treated and almost all were released to community programs for follow-up as a condition of their release.
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17. Do you support legislation outlawing solitary confinement in all prisons statewide including city jails?
Ending solitary confinement saves lives, and it also saves money. It’s that simple. But instead, COVID-19 is running wild in prisons and solitary confinement is one of the methods of quarantining those infected. I’ve loudly voiced my support for the HALT Solitary bill since I took office two years ago. It is a moral obligation to end its practices everywhere. I have attended countless press conferences and rallies to raise the issue of solitary confinement being an inhumane tool detrimental to our society.
18. When was the last time you were inside a correctional facility. 4/13/21 (Fishkill C.F.)
19. Do you believe sincere remorse and actions taken while incarcerated should be considered over the original crime in determinations of parole? Yes.
20. What do you believe should be done to ensure more clemencies are granted every year?
We have to normalize unconditional compassion and maintain that the incarcerated are fellow human beings capable of redemption. It’s a worthwhile process that will take time but in the meantime, we have to continue to organize and compel the governor to act accordingly.
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? I have and will continue to do so.
22. Have you participated in any demonstrations or protests concerning clemency and parole?
Yes, I have. I have stood alongside Allen Roskoff in rallies at the home of then Gov. Andrew Cuomo.
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?
Yes, I am already a co-sponsor.
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.
Sex is work and between two consenting adults should be decriminalized. Sex workers have a right to get paid and stay safe. When you take law enforcement out of criminalizing sex work, it keeps sex workers safe. Salazaar’s bill does not eliminate the criminalization of sex trafficking and engaing with minors.
The Nordic model criminalizes Johns, thereby still providing a window for sex wrokers to be harrassed by law enforcement and be exposed to violence. It is a moralistic approach that denies the reality that adults are going to consult to engaging in sex.
27. Do you support ending qualified immunity for police officers?
Yes, I carry this bill in the NYS Senate and would love your help to get it passed.
28. What proposals will you advocate for to protect immigrants and further New York as a “Sanctuary State”?
I am currently working on a bill to increase the number of places undocumented immigrants are safe from engagaing with ICE such as public schools, playgrounds, and public hospitals. We must also continue to provide free access to legal support for undocunented immigrants. Last but not least, continue to advocate on the issues and bills to include undocumented residents into the mainstream since they are working hard to support their families here and abroad, this includes education, housing, social services, healthcare, etc.
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29. Do you support the establishment of supervised drug consumption spaces?
Yes, I have been a long supporter (and for a while the lone elected official in Northern Manhattan) of The Corner Project which serves as one the first safe drug injections sites in NYC. These services save lives and help decriminalize addiction.
30. Have you ever endorsed any member of the IDC or any candidates who challenged IDC members? Please identify all candidates
I was the first candidate to challenge an IDC Senator in 2018 and was the first to be declared the winner. I endorsed the other challengers, and together, we ran on a shared platform to end the Republic control enabled by the IDC which included Marisol Alcantara. Together we made history, shook down the three men in a room back dealing, and delivered a supermajority Democratic Senate. In bringing down the IDC, we unblocked tenant protections, GENDA, bail reform, Dream Act, women reproductive rights and so much more.
There should be no doubt in anyone’s mind that if the IDC had their way, the Republicans would be in control and NYS would not have delivered the progressive legislation we have seen since I took office in 2019, including the billions of dollars for our public schools that I have fought for so long as a parent activist. We knew this was wrong in 2018 with Trump in the White House, and it would be a grave mistake to give any indication that Democrats are willing to slip backwards.
I endorsed Alessandra Biaggi, Jessica Ramos, Zellnor Myrie, Rachel May, and John Liu.
31. Will you commit to ensuring diverse LGBTQ representation among your staff? I always have and always will.
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) Scott Stringer and then Maya Wiley
B) President 2016- Clinton 2020- Biden
C) Governor: Attorney General: Cynthia Nixon and Zephyr Teachout
33. Have you made an endorsement in the current bid for Governor? If so, who?
I have not made an endorsement.
34. Do you support term limits for statewide office holders? For State Legislators?
I have not supported term limit legislation. I believe a better solution is to create four year terms for legislators. The two year election cycle creates constant pressure to fundraise and campaign, which diminishes legislators’ ability to dig in deep on the variety of issues their constituents face.
35. Describe any legislation and policy changes that you support in order to address the ongoing effects of slavery, racism, colonialism, and discrimination. I’m the Sponsor of theAmistad Commission bill to address the issues of slavery and its impact on Blacks.
Our school system is the most segregated in the country. That’s why i fought so hard to get funding to our public schools, a=m against high stakes testing and am fighting to reduce class sizes. I also sponsor the School Solutions Not Suspensions bill. Current suspension policies negatively impact the education of many students in our state.
Across New York, students of color, students with disabilities, LGBTQ+ students are suspended at disproportionately high rates. In NYC public schools, Black students are 5x more likely to get suspended than their white counterparts. Students in NY State lose 686,000 days of school a year due to suspensions.
My bill aims to reform school discipline policies ensuring holistic, fair, equitable, restorative justice for students across NYS. The School Solutions Not Suspensions Act will end the reliance on suspensions as the default way to discipline students and instead use proven restorative approaches to discipline.
Our approach to housing is racist. It’s why I support policies and legislation that increase access to affordable housing, provide permanent housing for the homeless, and ensure that people living in public housing or low income neighborhoods are not subjected to slum lords and living conditions.
Our criminal justice system is modern day slavery and one of the most racist tools we use against Black and brown people. It’s why I sponsor the majority of the criminal justice bills including ending qualified immunity and Turn on the Tap, which will allow incarcerated individuals to have access to higher education leading to a decrease in their recidivism by increasing their opportunity to a quality of life after completing their sentencing.
And last but not least, is addressing climate change with climate justice. High rates of asthma, exposure to vermin, mold, and lead, dilapidated or poorly maintained green spaces, heat related illnesses and more are just a few of the conditions that predominantly Black and brown communities are forced to live with.
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?
College should be free, in the meantime I support the SUNY and CUNY New Deal and student loan forgiveness. I’m speaking up in our Senate Conference now and will continue as a Senator and SUNY Alum.
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.
I am a co-sponsor in the Senate of this bill. It would provide a single payer universal health plan - NY Health - to provide comprehensive health care to all residents of our state. Every NYer will be eligible to enroll, regardless of income or employment. There would be no deductibles or co-pays. Coverage would be fully funded. Too many New Yorkers have no health coverage and many more are severely underinsured. However, it is my understanding that some of the labor sector is uncomfortable with NYHA as written. The chair of the health committee and leader of the senate is keenly aware of this. As a result, a labor and NYHA workgroup was recently convened of which I am a member due to my labor background.
As Senator I’ve organized forums where both Gustavo Rivera (Senate Chair of Health Committee) and Richard Gottfried (Assembly Chair of Health Committee) held a discussion with constituents that included Q&A. I have attended many rallies and will continue to support it in conferences.
38. Discuss your stance on reproductive rights, including access to contraceptives and abortion services. Yes, Yes, Yes.
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? What does this mean? Yes.
41. Will you cosponsor the legislation to prohibit evictions without good cause (S.3082 / A.5573)? Yes, and I am a co-sponsor.
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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?
I would like to end it and use the $1.7B to build affordable housing and/or amend it in favor towards tenants in need of housing.
44. Do you support legalizing accessory dwelling units? Yes, there must be an entrance and another way to get out in case of fire.
45. Do you support more state funding for NYCHA? If so, how much? The Federal, State and City must act in unity to rehab and maintain NYCHA. All things considered the state should provide
$10B per year.
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 am considered a champion of 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? Absolutely.
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? Absolutely.
50. What is your position on removing the Christopher Columbus statue in Columbus Circle and if so, what should replace it?‘ It should be removed. The decision of what to replace it with should be the result of a thoughtful process centered on anti-racist tenets that includes the voices of a diversity of local stakeholders and residents.
51. Do you support reducing the budget of law enforcement throughout the state, and if so, by how much? I don’t have an exact number but a budget that reflects the public safety of ots state, has higher investments in mental health services, child care, education, health care and other social services and community interventions and investments than a law enforcement.
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. I believe that police should be removed from all those functions. We all know too many examples of police intervention that made a situation worse, including ruthless tactics that have wound up with civilians being injured or killed. Schools and public safety overall are better served when service providers with expertise in these areas are allowed and
supported in addressing these concerns with non-punitive and non-confrontational interventions.
53. Should law enforcements "Vice Squads" be eliminated?
The “vice squad” model of policing is one of the most egregious examples of failed practices still being supported. The Eric Gardner case was one of prime examples of how dangerous this approach is for communities of low income and working class communities, majority of them of color. Reviving it, will lead to a broken windows approach to policing that will provide excuses to criminalize……This squad exists to harass and arrest sex workers and their clients. Sex workers and our city will be safer when the squad is eliminated.
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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 think it is a reflection of the poor condition of how the police force views the city’s residents. It is an unacceptable level of disrespect. These officers should be punished according to the terms of their contract. It is past time that their anti-public health actions be punished.
55. What reforms would you make to the Civilian Complaint Review Board? Would you support state legislation to make CCRB disciplinary determinations binding? This is a NYC local issue and the City Council should address it. That being said, I support reforms to CCRB that include elected members and eliminating NYPD’s ability to adjudicate cases.
56. What will you do to support nightlife in New York State? In the past I have met with the head of the office of nightlife to discuss public and community relations, concerns in residential areas, safety for all involved, and striking the balance where businesses can thrive.
57. Do you commit to speak with restaurant and nightlife industry representatives before taking a position on any policies that affect their businesses? Yes, always.
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?
As state senator, it would have to be a very grave situation for my office to get involved. Typically, I allow the local community board to do its job in vetting the applicants and making its recommendation to the SLA board. That being said, I am always open to listening to all parties.
59. What are the top 3 issues you aim to address locally and legislatively? Locally:
1. Gun Violence
2. Housing
3. Mental health support, including increasing the number of psychiatric beds
Legislatively:
1. Education- Reduce class size and provide mental health professionals and nurses in each school
2. End qualified immunity
3. Improve the public sector workforce by reforming Tier VI pension
60. 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?
For years, we have fought side-by-side for equality, justice and basic fairness. Working together, we have made a difference in the lives of our community, our city and our country. Now as a candidate for re-election, it makes sense that we continue to work together for families today and generations to come. You have been at the forefront on so many issues important to me. I would be honored to have you join our grassroots campaign that you helped start in 2018– that already includes every local club in my district that has endorsed, Working Families Party, CSA, Tenants PAC and so many more - as we spread our message across this District and continue to shake things up in Albany and fight for a better future.
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