Candidate Answers to JOLDC: Shirley S. Paul for City Council District 46
Candidate Name: Shirley S. Paul
Office Seeking Election for: City Council District 46
Explain, based on life experiences and accomplishments, why you believe you are best qualified to represent your district
Shirley Paul is running for New York City Council District 46 to make a difference in our community. Shirley was born and raised in Brooklyn to immigrant parents who instilled in her the value of serving her community. Throughout her education in the public-school system and career in public service, Shirley has dedicated her life to helping others. No matter what job she has held, Shirley has always focused on helping the less fortunate. Shirley first discovered the importance of public service in High School when she worked for an adolescent education program for the state in underserved communities. While in college, Shirley interned at then-Senator Joseph Biden’s office and went on to work for then-Assemblyman Frank Seddio’s office. After law school, she pursued a clerkship at the New York Supreme Court where she learned the impact of law on everyday people’s lives. She also partnered with nonprofits and government offices to assist immigrants with the citizenship application process and services in New York City. She then went on to the Governor’s office where she helped minority and women-owned businesses grow and thrive. Currently, Shirley is a practicing attorney helping the people of Brooklyn avoid foreclosures and stay in their homes. Shirley received a B.A. from Delaware State University, M.A. from Brooklyn College, and J.D. from New York Law School. Shirley is a founding member and Election Chair of the Unified Political Association and an active member of the Thomas Jefferson Democratic Club in Brooklyn, Kings County Law Committee, and the Haitian American Caucus. She resides in Canarsie, Brooklyn.
Please identify any openly LGBTQ candidate for public office you have previously or presently endorsed?
Josue Pierre for Brooklyn District Leader
If applicable, what legislation directly affecting the LGBTQ community have you introduced or co-sponsored? (indicate accordingly)
I have not held elected office to introduce or co sponsor legislation.
What LGBTQ organizations have you been involved with, either on a volunteer basis or professionally?
I have been involved with the Lambda Independent Democrats and the THEO via SUNY Downstate.
Do you consider yourself a member of the LGBTQ community?
I'm a supporter of the LGBTQIA community.
Have you marched in Pride? Which marches and for approximately how many years?
Yes. I have marched in the Brooklyn and Manhattan parades from 2014 to 2019.
Have you employed openly LGBTQ individuals previously? Do you employ any currently?
I have never been given an opportunity to hire staff.
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 the Black Trans Lives matter rally this past summer at the Brooklyn Museum.
Have you ever been arrested? If so please explain why and outcome of arrest.
I have not been arrested but I have volunteered as a pro bono attorney to represent demonstrators if arrested.
Do you commit to visiting constituents who are incarcerated in state prisons and city jails?
Yes.
Will you affirmatively seek to hire formerly incarcerated individuals?
Yes.
Describe your legislative and policy vision for combatting systemic racism
My long term vision is to reduce the number of arrest on low level crime which will aide in the elimination of the school to prison pipeline while maintaining law and order with respect to serious crimes, such as domestic violence, sexual assault and other violent crimes. In order to improve the criminal justice system and policing, the City Council should support the reallocation of resources to high impact communities and bring back police and community engagement and support faith led violence intervention groups. Resources can also be reallocated by capping overtime, creating more accountability, and transparency between the police and the public. In addition, the City Council can work in tandem with our partners in the State to revisit sentencing guidelines, a true end to solitary confinement and improvements to our criminal procedure laws.
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?
I support member deference and will speak with my council colleague on their position on the removal of the statue.
Will you refuse contributions from real estate developers and all law enforcement unions or associations?
Yes.
Do you support reducing the budget of the NYPD and if so, by how much?
Yes by at least 1 billion dollars allocated to my local anti-violence organizations.
How would you have voted on the FY21 City Budget?
I would have voted against the budget.
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 from all locations.
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?
They should be removed from their position and place on desk duty.
What reforms would you make to the Civilian Complaint Review Board? Would you support state legislation to make CCRB disciplinary determinations binding?
I would support state legislation to make CCRB determinations binding.
What is your position on the plan to close Rikers and create four borough-based jails?
We are facing a massive fiscal crisis and the plan to move this forward will be in limbo when I'm elected. I would look at the city budget to identify waste and stop any attempts of privatization which would cost good unions jobs.
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?
I would work with the city agencies to centralize the system to connect the resident with the agency that would resolve their issue. I would also make sure the complaint was logged with the city council member and borough president offices for follow up.
Do you support decriminalizing sex work? Will you pledge to oppose the Nordic model?
Yes.
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 agree that our public schools are severely underfunded, however, the chief complaints that I am currently receiving from parents in my district is the need for free or low cost broadband access to ensure that their children are able to be present via remote learning. Resources and funding need to be reallocated to deal with the current crisis and we cannot afford to have our children pay such a terrible cost if they are not able to be present. When elected I will fight for more parent inclusion and more support for working families.
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.
Do you smoke or otherwise consume weed?
No.
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?
No. I supported Zellnor Myrie's candidacy for NYS Senate.
What will you do to support nightlife in NYC?
The city should work to provide commercial rent relief and institute a vacancy tax against landlords to prevent empty storefronts. I will also work with my state colleagues to stop unfair enforcement from the liquor authority to help nightlife keep their licenses during the pandemic.
Do you commit to speak with restaurant and nightlife industry representatives before taking a position on any policies that affect their businesses?
Yes.
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.
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?
Yes.
What role do you believe the local member should play in the approval of development proposals before the Council?
I believe local council members should work closely with community groups, housing advocates and local civic organizations to formulate a zoning plan that works for the district.
Do you support legislation to prohibit discrimination against formerly incarcerated people in housing?
Yes.
Do you oppose the removal of the nearly 300 homeless individuals from the Lucerne hotel due to pressure from some local residents?
Yes.
What proposals will you advocate for to protect immigrants and further New York as a Sanctuary City?
Yes.
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. Healthcare is a human right and I support Medicaid for All. I will advocate for more fair funding and continued support for State Safety Net Funding for hospitals. Too many of our hospitals, especially those in communities of color are underfunded and operating in a deficit which impacts their quality of care. Improved care requires fair funding to safety net hospitals and the State needs to do its part.
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?
Mayor 2013- Bill De Blasio Public Advocate 2013- Tish James President 2016- Hillary Clinton Attorney General- Tish James President 2020- Joe Biden ( I worked for Senator Biden in college)
Top 3 issues you aim to address locally and legislatively
Prevention of eviction and predatory lenders, fully funding pubic schools and increasing food security for residents.
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?
Any reforms that I would advocate would be from holding many community town halls to get feedback from residents as to what reforms they would like the city to change.
Please explain your vision for the present powers of the office you are seeking and how you intend to exercise them?
When I am elected as the first woman and first black person to ever represent a district that is majority black, I will address food insecurity, foreclosure and housing protections, increased resources for seniors and education, and improving the everyday lives of the residents in our community.
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 I will commit to attending meetings regularly and amplify
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?
Please check out my website to learn more about my platform. https://shirleypaulny.com/