Candidate Answers to JOLDC: Roxanne J. Persaud for NY Senate District 19
Candidate Name: Roxanne J. Persaud
Office Seeking Election for: New York State Senate, 19th District
Campaign Address: 1320 East 53rd Street, Brooklyn, New York 11234
Campaign Website: www.roxannepersaud.com
Campaign Telephone: (718) 844-8075
Campaign Social Media Handles (Facebook/Twitter): N/A
Campaign Contact (name/phone/email):
1. Explain, based on life experiences and accomplishments, why you believe you are best qualified to represent your district.
I know that I am qualified to represent the district because I have been doing so in my elected capacity for 5 years. Prior to that I had been actively involved leading various organizations.
2. Do you now support or have you ever supported an openly LGBTQ candidate for public office?
Yes. I have colleagues whom I support.
3. If applicable, what legislation directly affecting the LGBT community have you introduced or co-sponsored? (indicate accordingly)
Gender Expression Non-Discrimination Act (GENDA).
4. What LGBT organizations have you been involved with, either on a volunteer basis or professionally?
None officially
5. If applicable, what LGBT organizations have you allocated funds to?
I have allocated funds to organizations that serve the LGBT community as part of their greater mission to serve marginalized New Yorkers in need (health, civil legal, human services), but have not allocated funds to an organization that identifies primarily as LGBT. I am eager to work with any organization in SD19 that serves the LGBT population and would gladly accept any recommendations.
6. Do you consider yourself a member of the LGBT community?
I consider myself an ally.
7. Have you marched in Pride? Which marches and for approximately how many years?
Yes- Brooklyn 3 years
8. Have you employed openly LGBT individuals previously? Do you employ any currently?
I have and will continue to employ openly LGBT individuals.
9. If you receive the endorsement, do you agree to identify the club on all literature and electronic materials where you list endorsements?
I will proudly identify the club on all literature and electronic material listing endorsements.
10. 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?
GENDA DVSJA Planned Parenthood, NIRH
11. Have you ever been arrested? If so please explain why and outcome of arrest.
No.
12. Will you advocate and sponsor legislation to mandate the review of sentences of incarcerated individuals over the age of 55 who have served in excess of 15 years to determine if they warrant release?
I will advocate and work with my colleagues
13. Do you commit to visit constituents who are incarcerated in state prisons such as Bedford Correctional Facility?
My colleagues and I have been visiting and will continue to do so.
14. Do you believe sincere remorse, risk of reoffending and actions taken while incarcerated should be considered over the original crime in determinations of parole?
I think it should be strongly taken into consideration.
15. Have you participated in any demonstrations or protests in relation to the issues of clemency and parole?
NO
16. Will you affirmatively seek to hire formerly incarcerated individuals?
I would not exclude any potential candidate from the hiring process due to having been incarcerated provided they meet the qualifications for the vacant position.
17. Do you believe in the decriminalization of sex work? Are you sponsoring the bill introduced by Jessica Ramos?
I have not supported the legislation but will continue to listen to the discussions.
18. Will you actively oppose legislation that would implement the dangerous Nordic model instead of decriminalization of prostitution?
I would need to learn more about this model to make an objective, informed decision prior to declaring opposition.
19. What proposals will you advocate for to protect immigrants and the further New York as a Sanctuary City?
I currently sponsor legislation that would allow the State of New York to authorize local social services districts (particularly in the City of New York) to provide various forms of assistance and care to any individual regardless of their immigration status.
I voted in favor of the Farmworkers Bill of Rights and the Green Light legislation.
I sponsored legislation which become law (Ch. 422 - 2019) that grants, in perpetuity, a statutory authorization for non-citizen permanent residents to become permanently certified teachers provided they meet all other qualifications
20. Will you advocate, including introducing legislation, to remove public funding from religious schools?
K-12. There are various mandated services required by the State of New York (some due to federal preemption) that are funded to ensure compliance including, but not necessarily limited to the Comprehensive Attendance Program and the free or reduced-cost school lunch program, of which the state contributes a small share. In the case of the above, particularly the nutritional program, I would not be comfortable eliminating programs that assist students in poverty.
Higher Education. Many of my constituents have earned college degrees from an independent college or university due to having been awarded a state grant (HEOP, TAP) or signing a HESC-administered student loan. I am an ardent supporter of public education (specifically CUNY and SUNY), but I am not comfortable eliminating opportunities for future students from SD19, one of the most economically disadvantaged areas in New York.
21. Do you support the establishment of supervised drug consumption spaces?
Having visited supervised drug consumption spaces in Toronto with a delegation of New York legislators, I believe we gained significant knowledge that will assist in our discussions of a more progressive and compassionate policy in this area.
22. Have you ever endorsed any member of the IDC or any candidates who challenged IDC members? Please identify all candidates
I joined other members of the Democratic Conference in endorsing the late Senator Jose Peralta in 2018.
23. Will you commit to hiring a member of the LGBT community to serve as a liaison to the community?
Every member of my staff (senior staff, policy staff, and constituent services) works with members of the LGBT community. I am open to discussing the idea of establishing a single point of contact.
24. Will you commit to ensuring diverse LGBT representation among your staff?
I have been committed to overall diverse representation including members of the LGBT community.
25. Who did you support for office in the following races A) mayor and Public Advocate in 2014 B) President in 2016 C) Governor and Attorney General 2018
26. Describe any legislation and policy changes that you support in order to address the ongoing effects of slavery, racism, colonialism, and discrimination.
27. 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?
I sponsored legislation that became law (Chapter 323 of 2019) which created statutory exemptions for balances in NY 529 college savings accounts, from public assistance income and asset tests.
28. Do you support a single-payer universal health care system? Please elaborate.
I fully support the New York Health Act, also known as “Medicare for All” as sponsored by Senator Gustavo Rivera.
29. Discuss your stance on reproductive rights, including access to contraceptives and abortion services.
I will gladly accept any negative ratings by conservative interests (and community opposition) due to my strong stances in support of various reproductive health measures (including contraception and abortion services) that continue to come under threat by the federal government. I am a recognized champion of individual bodily autonomy as evidenced by the 2019 law I sponsored banning pelvic exams on anestetized or otherwise incapacitated women with out prior informed consent.
30. Will you refuse money from individuals or Political Action Committees representing the real estate industry?
No. As someone who has challenges in raising funds, I carefully consider every offer.
31. Will you refuse and refund any contributions from executives at corporations complicit in the Trump agenda?
Yes.. But not an issue as I do not not receive offers
32. Are you against the opening of casinos in New York owned and controlled by Trump mega-donor Sheldon Adelson?
I look to the community leaders in the areas. If the project will greatly benefit their communities and they are supportive.
33. Will you cosponsor the legislation to prohibit evictions without good cause (previously S2892A)?
I have heard widespread concern from constituents who are middle-class owner-occupants of two or three family homes. As you are aware, I represent a predominantly black and brown district that is disproportionately prey to foreclosure, housing instability, predatory equity, predatory lending deed theft and overall underinvestment (public or private). A number of owner-occupants in my district have either inherited or assumed mortgage and tax payments from a close family member, where the inability to evict an irresponsible tenant could put them at risk for tax liens or foreclosure (thus deed theft, predatory lending, predatory equity). Owner-occupants have also raised concerns about being left unable to cease a landord - tenant relationship should a tenant become a nuisance or danger to their family and/or neighbors.
34. 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?
As a co-sponsor of S2375; as Chair of the Senate Social Services Committee (which has reported the bill); and as a member of the Human Services Budget Working Group (which has strongly advocated for the necessary appropriations), I can confidently say that I have and will continue to push for the passage of Home Stability Support (HSS).
35. What additional information would you like Jim Owles to consider when we are making our endorsements decisions?
While everyone cannot agree on every topic or situation outcome, I know that I have and will continue to do my best to ensure the right outcomes for my constituency.