Candidate Answers to JOLDC: Tricia Shimamura for City Council District 5
Candidate Name: Tricia Shimamura
Office Seeking Election for: City Council District 5
Explain, based on life experiences and accomplishments, why you believe you are best qualified to represent your district
I am a young mom, a proud Japanese Puerto Rican woman of color, a first-generation college graduate and a social worker. I had a high risk pregnancy and I know how dangerous it is to be a woman of color and pregnant in our City. I’m a working parent who, like hundreds of thousands of other families in our City, is struggling to balance work from home and childcare at the same time. I’m a bus rider, a park user, and I see the impact of the climate crisis everyday on the East River Esplanade and in the NYCHA housing on the water’s edge in my district. I believe diverse communities are strong communities, and that we’ve failed to create safe, clean, affordable housing in every neighborhood of our city - including my own. I believe in racial, social, and educational justice and that our City has a long way to go before we achieve true reform that serves our families and neighborhoods. I’m running for office because I love my community and my city and I want to do everything I can to ensure that the families living here are taken care of for generations to come. I want to build a City with good jobs, open parks, and safe and affordable housing for all. Currently, there is only one mother with school age children serving in the New York City Council, and there has never been a Japanese American elected to public office in New York State. Representation matters, and our families matter. I’m running to be a voice for the millions of families in our city and to break barriers that have led to an elected body that does not reflect the diversity of its constituents. I have spent years serving my community as deputy Chief of Staff to Congresswoman Carolyn Maloney (who has endorsed my campaign), and continue to serve my community as First Vice Chair of Manhattan Community Board 8, a member of the East 72nd St. Neighborhood Association, and several other community-centered associations. Given my experiences as a mom, a social worker, and working in public office, I believe I’m the best candidate to serve in the City Council.
Please identify any openly LGBTQ candidate for public office you have previously or presently endorsed?
In 2013 I endorsed and supported Chris Quinn for mayor. I have also been a longtime supporter of Corey Johnson and have worked closely with his office and Jimmy Van Bramer on issues impacting their communities in Manhattan and Queens. I have also endorsed Eric Holguin - a friend and former coworker - for office in his 2018 US House race and 2020 state legislative race.
If applicable, what legislation directly affecting the LGBTQ community have you introduced or co-sponsored? (indicate accordingly)
n/a
What LGBTQ organizations have you been involved with, either on a volunteer basis or professionally?
As Deputy Chief of Staff to Congresswoman Carolyn Maloney, I’ve worked closely with the Ali Forney Center and Gay Men’s Health Crisis (GMHC) on a variety of funding and constituent-service related issues, ranging from programmatic funding to helping individuals access appropriate food, housing, and healthcare services. As a social worker, I have also worked with New Alternatives, an organization specifically serving homeless LGBTQ youth, on clothing drives and other social supports to care for our young New Yorkers in need. Additionally, as a social worker at NYU, I helped run clothing drives for homeless LGBTQ youth so that they could have clothing that reflected how they personally identified. I worked to call attention to the power of self-presentation and mental/emotional benefits of being able to dress according to how you identify.
Do you consider yourself a member of the LGBTQ community?
I am a proud ally of the LGBTQ community.
Have you marched in Pride? Which marches and for approximately how many years?
Yes. For as long as I’ve been in New York City (since 2011), I’ve celebrated Pride, either through participating in a march, supporting LGBTQ businesses, or working with a community-based organization.
Have you employed openly LGBTQ individuals previously? Do you employ any currently?
Yes - I’ve previously employed openly LGBTW individuals and currently employ members of the LGBTQ community.
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?
In 2016 I founded the 501(c)4 organization She Will Rise, which seeks to build out a pipeline of female leaders in both the private and public sector. Since then, I’ve led She Will Rise to participate in countless rallies, demonstrations, protests, and other activists events in support of pro-choice, Black Lives Matter, pay-equity, and anti-hate, amongst other issues. I’ve participated in the Women’s March every year, and have proudly performed as a member of Las Tesis in New York City in the flash-mob demonstration against the oppression against women in the justice system.
Have you ever been arrested? If so please explain why and outcome of arrest.
No
Do you commit to visiting constituents who are incarcerated in state prisons and city jails?
Yes absolutely
Will you affirmatively seek to hire formerly incarcerated individuals?
Yes absolutely. I work closely with several individuals who were formerly incarcerated and have been a strong advocate for removing the stigma and easing the reentry process (including banning the box).
Describe your legislative and policy vision for combatting systemic racism
Combatting systemic racism means dismantling racism from our criminal justice, healthcare, education, housing, land use and zoning systems. It means uplifting people of color and electing leaders who actually reflect the diversity of our city. It also means making a wholehearted commitment to investing in better structures that we know will mean better long-term outcomes for communities of color. As the only woman of color running in my district, I’m extremely committed to building a more just and equitable city for all New Yorkers. I want to reform our zoning and land use system to build more affordability at every income level in every community. I want to make cuts to the NYPD budget and reinvest funds into our communities - and particularly programs serving our youth. I want to completely restructure how we think about law enforcement to be community-centered and founded on the principles of restorative-justice. I will hold NYCHA accountable for taking care of its residents and empower its residents to have a voice in the future of their communities. I will fight everyday to make sure every New York child - regardless of race, ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, income-level, citizenship status or zip code - has access to humane, quality education and safe and supportive housing. Finally, I will continue to fight to dismantle racism from our healthcare system. For me, this starts with tackling our maternal mortality crisis head-on. It is completely unacceptable that black women are 8-12 times more likely than white women to die from pregnancy-related causes in New York City. Maternal death is not an inevitability and there are several steps we can take in order to dismantle racism and bias from our healthcare system. As a young mother, woman of color and survivor of a high-risk pregnancy, I am deeply committed to addressing this issue. I have led a coalition of over 50 City Council candidates in committing to prioritize BIPOC mothers through several measures including establishing community health and birthing centers throughout New York City, enacting universal access to doulas, ensuring access to patient advocates through every stage of pregnancy including postpartum, expanding access to alternative birthing options (such as midwives), increasing support for the education of BIPOC doctors, doulas, and lactation consultants, calling for more transparency in reporting hospital data and increasing postpartum support. This is a critical issue that is related to both racial justice and gender equity.
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’m very supportive of removing the Christopher Columbus statue. Monuments matter, and I strongly believe in having monuments and public exhibits that honor the heroes and leaders who have not historically been recognized for their contributions to our society. As Co-Chair of the Parks Committee for my Community Board, I helped support the establishment of a women’s suffrage monument in Central Park and as Deputy Chief of Staff to Congresswoman Carolyn Maloney, I fought to create a Women’s History Museum on the National Mall. I’ve since been honored by the National Women’s History Museum for working to become the first woman of color to represent my district, and am committed to supporting monuments that honor individuals like Shirley Chisholm and exhibits recognizing the significance of the Exonerated 5.
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 - I supported reducing the budget of the NYPD by at least $1 billion dollars, and did not support the FY21 budget because it did not make the meaningful cuts to the NYPD. The FY21 budget only temporarily reduced funding for a one-time only overtime cut and only made a 6.6% reduction in operating budget. This is compared to 13.1% and 24% reductions in Parks and the Department of Youth and Community Development, respectively. This is absolutely unacceptable - the City’s budget document should reflect the values of the City. I would call for continuing to reduce the NYPD’s budget until the budget prioritizes families, seniors, youth, and community wellness first.
How would you have voted on the FY21 City Budget?
I strongly opposed 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 - I'm extremely supportive of removing police from schools, mental health response calls, homeless outreach and social services. I'm also in favor of reforming traffic enforcement to reduce budgetary waste.
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?
We know that wearing a mask properly, social distancing and adherence to other public health measures saves lives. Any officer who refuses to wear masks while on duty is endangering the public and the other officers on duty. I would advocate that these offenses be taken extremely seriously and that a formal disciplinary process be created to ensure that all cases of non-compliance with public safety measures are taken seriously. If the officer refused to wear a mask, I would recommend that officer be suspended without pay. If the behavior continued I would advocate for dismissal.
What reforms would you make to the Civilian Complaint Review Board? Would you support state legislation to make CCRB disciplinary determinations binding?
As a Council Member, I would advocate for increasing funding of the CCRB and strengthening its overall oversight through making their determinations binding. This essential independent agency is one of the few entities that has no means to increase its own revenue and thus it is critical that the City increase funding to not only appropriately investigate allegations but to also expand its educational outreach throughout the City.
What is your position on the plan to close Rikers and create four borough-based jails?
I support the plan to close Rikers but oppose building four borough-based jails. Instead, we should strengthen bail reform laws to limit the number of people held in jail and invest in community based violence prevention and rehabilitation programs.
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 absolutely.
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?
As a Council Member I would hold hearings on the actual responses of 311, including response time and how each agency response is communicated with the public. Like so many other New Yorkers, I too have made 311 complaints and have never heard back from the responsible agency. I believe we should review the 311 system comprehensively and hold our city agencies accountable for timely and responsive actions to public concerns.
Do you support decriminalizing sex work? Will you pledge to oppose the Nordic model?
Yes absolutely.
Do you oppose school screening, which exacerbates segregation? Which screens in your school district(s) will you advocate to abolish?
Yes. I oppose middle and high school screenings and am in favor of eliminating the SHSAT for specialized high schools. As a former school social worker, I believe in creating a more comprehensive approach to assessing student success. The pandemic has made it impossible to hold the same testing criteria for all students and we should use this opportunity to make a more fair and equitable process across our entire education system.
Describe what reforms you would make to the control of the NYC public school system.
As a working parent, I strongly believe in giving more families the opportunity to have a voice in the NYC public school system, and would work to give more power to the families, students, and teachers who are most directly impacted in decisions about public schools. I would call for municipal control of our schools and a directly-elected Board of Education. I would also expand the power of Community Education Councils to include approvals over school closings and other major school decisions. Finally, I would work to create a Parent Caucus and an ongoing task force composed of parents and students to help drive our priorities and ensure that parents have a stronger and expanded voice on school budgets and governance.
Do you support public funding of abortion?
Yes absolutely.
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?
While I do not smoke, my brother works at a cannabis dispensary in Reno, Nevada and I am extremely supportive of the legalization of marijuana. I have seen firsthand how this new industry can create good jobs and empower workers of color, and am very committed to removing the stigma from cannabis use.
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 volunteered with Robert Jackson’s campaign in 2018.
What will you do to support nightlife in NYC?
Our Nightlife industry is hurting significantly due to COVID-19 and one of the strongest actions we must take is fighting to ensure that Albany deliver true rent relief for our business community. In addition, I’ve advocated for the automatic re-approval of liquor licenses and other permits for small businesses in order to ease the regulatory burden and have continued to call for the creation of a legacy small business program that freezes rent for our truly unique small businesses. Finally, I’m supportive of using a portion of the City’s sales tax to convert into grants/loans for our small businesses that are in need of immediate cash assistance.
Do you commit to speak with restaurant and nightlife industry representatives before taking a position on any policies that affect their businesses?
Yes - my campaign is directly informed by members of the restaurant and nightlife industry and my policies on the Council will continue to be informed directly by representatives from these industries.
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?
I opposed the tax breaks and other incentives offered to Amazon and advocated for an inclusive development process that engaged and empowered local community residents from the very start.
What role do you believe the local member should play in the approval of development proposals before the Council?
While in an ideal world local council members would have the best interests of their communities at heart, that has not always been the case. We should limit member deference and work to approve rezonings that build true affordable housing and do not contribute to displacement.
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?
As a social worker who currently works closely with immigrant students, teachers, and families, I am personally very committed to ensure the protection of our immigrant New Yorkers, regardless of citizenship or status. In order for New York to truly be a sanctuary city we must protect our immigrants and their families through refusing to cooperate with any ICE round up/deportation proceedings and strengthening supportive services that protect immigrants from exploitative labor conditions. I would work with our advocates to introduce stronger legislation that protects our immigrant families through increasing access to public benefits. Our immigrant New Yorkers should have access to 24/7 legal services and workforce support and I would fight to increase penalties, fees, and severity of crime for any employer who uses immigration status to exploit or intimidate a worker. Further, I would call on Albany to Fund Excluded Workers who were left out of pandemic relief.
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.
I’m supportive of a universal single payer healthcare system in New York State, and am supportive of the New York Health Act. In my capacity as Second Vice Chair of Manhattan Community Board 8, I’ve supported community leaders in hosting informational panels on the NY Health Ave and believe that a universal single payer system will ensure that all New Yorkers have health coverage regardless of age, employment, or financial means. I believe it is incumbent upon our City to fight for policies that protect all of our families, workers, and residents. As a Council Member, I would call for hearings and pass resolutions in support of the New York Health Act. I would also personally reach out to our New York State elected officials and lobby for their support of the NY Health Act.
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?
A) Chris Quinn for Mayor in 2013 B) Tish James for Public Advocate in 2013 and Jumanne Williams in 2019 C) Hilary Clinton in 2016 and Elizabeth Warren/Joe Biden in 2020 D) Andrew Cuomo for Governor in 2018 and Tish James for AG in 2018
Top 3 issues you aim to address locally and legislatively
My priorities are enacting Universal Childcare in New York City, creating a more resilient City through an ambitious climate agenda, and addressing the pressing need for affordable, safe, and clean housing for all. Universal childcare should be a fundamental component to any reopening plan for our city. This is essential to achieve both gender and racial equity, but also makes the most economic sense as we face a multi-billion budget crisis. Countless studies have shown that women, and particularly women of color, have been forced to leave the workforce due to lack of affordable childcare. As a working mom to a one year old, I can personally attest to the incredible financial and emotional hardship parents are facing while trying to make impossible decisions between work and families, and am committed to making childcare a right and not a luxury. Maternal mortality is a growing crisis in the city, state, and nationwide. In New York State, Black women are almost 4 times as likely to die in childbirth than white women, and things are even more dire in New York City where, from 2006 to 2010, Black women were 12 times more likely to die from pregnancy-related causes. Maternal death should not an inevitability. Addressing this crisis begins with valuing women’s health, increasing access to healthcare and family planning services, and investing in low-income and minority communities. I’ve outlined a broad policy agenda to address the city’s maternal mortality epidemic and have gathered a coalition of over 50 City Council candidates who are committed to joining me in this fight. Policy priorities include inc Finally, addressing the needs of our homeless families should be a top priority for any incoming legislator, and we must collectively work to ensure that all New Yorkers have access to clean, safe, affordable housing. Reducing homelessness means means bringing true reforms and new funding mechanisms to NYCHA, as well as bringing a compassionate, comprehensive vision for serving our homeless families. We must designate a Homeless Families Czar who can lead an interagency effort to ensure all homeless families can participate in remote and in-person learning and design an overall comprehensive strategy to caring for these children. We must revise City shelter policies to adjust to remote learning and increase staffing and training throughout the shelter system. The City should also adopt a more streamlined, humane approach to the Prevention Assistance and Temporary Housing (PATH). Families should not have to wait over a day to receive word on whether they qualify for shelter. We must reconsider the documentation requirements for shelter applications and possible ways to streamline the application process.In addition to all of this, the City should increase our Section 8 voucher program, and increase the number of safe havens and supportive housing locations throughout New York, understanding that this crisis requires a multilayered, compassionate approach with appropriate social services. We must increase the range and quantity of affordable housing, in every neighborhood and at every income level to create truly diverse and inclusive communities.
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?
As the First Vice Chair of my community board, I strongly believe in expanding the opportunities and weight of community input into the land use process. I would proudly call for the expansion of the ULURP process and broaden the definition of “environmental impact” to include impacts on housing, transportation, schools, hospitals and parks/open space. The absence of these critical areas of impact from the ULURP process has led to inappropriate land use and zoning decisions that have ultimately put a dangerous strain on our public resources. I’ve seen firsthand how the lack of consideration for how developments will impact other aspects of urban living and ultimately results in everyone losing out. I also call for the expansion of community board oversight to include as-of-right developments to increase transparency in the land use process.
Please explain your vision for the present powers of the office you are seeking and how you intend to exercise them?
The three most critical responsibilities Council Members have are: city budget, land use, and addressing local community concerns. On the city budget, I will support budgets that reflect the values of our city: youth, communities, seniors and small businesses. I will continue to fight to reduce funding of the NYPD and reinvest this money into critical programs like SYEP and prioritizing universal childcare. On the issue of land use, I will fight for the expansion of ULURP and building more transparency into the development process. Finally, on the local level, I'm running as a community candidate. I will always be a voice and active member of my local community. From funding the East River Esplanade repairs and reforming NYCHA policies on maintenance and repairs, to creating a mobile food pantry on Roosevelt Island, and working to redesign Ruppert Park, I will work everyday to center and uplift the lived experiences of my constituents and build an agenda that reflect these priorities.
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?
I will be a proud partner with Jim Owles and would look for your assistance in creating and supporting strong policies that protect and uplift the LGBTQ community. I would also welcome Jim Owles and other LGBTQ advocates to work with me to identify short and long term goals that serve the community, and particularly LGBTQ youth. My door will always be open to Jim Owles and I will continue to be a strong ally.
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?