Candidate Answers to JOLDC: Walter T. Mosley for NY Assembly District 57

Candidate Name: Walter T. Mosley

Office Seeking Election for: 57th Assembly District

Campaign Address: 39 Broadway, Suite 1740, New York, NY 10006

Campaign Website: https://www.waltermosley.nyc/

Campaign Telephone: n/a

Campaign Social Media Handles (Facebook/Twitter):
https://www.facebook.com/AssemblymanWalterMosley/
https://twitter.com/WalterTMosley

Campaign Contact (name/phone/email):

Campaign Manager:
Jesse Conrad 484-769-8596 Jesse@theadvancegroup.com

Explain, based on life experiences and accomplishments, why you believe you are best qualified to represent your district.
Throughout my long history of public service I have demonstrated a commitment to being a staunch advocate for my constituents both in Albany and in the district. I have worked with colleagues to pass crucial legislation to protect New Yorkers from unscrupulous landlords, further criminal justice reform, and ensured that my constituents have a voice in the legislature.

Do you now support or have you ever supported an openly LGBT candidate for public office? Yes, I have supported
While I have not had the opportunity to openly advocate for an LGBT candidate to date, I would be more than happy to offer my support to an LGBT candidate running for office.

If applicable, what legislation directly affecting the LGBT community have you introduced or co-sponsored? (indicate accordingly)
Our Stop the Hate Platform aims to use legislation and activism to eliminate homophobia and bigotry in New York. I support stronger non-discrimination protections for sexual identity and orientation. I am a co-sponsor of A3358, a bill which prohibits discrimination based on gender identity. In the face of an increasingly hostile Washington, we must codify sexual identity in anti-discrimination laws. Additionally, I co-sponsored A6500A, a bill which mandates single-occupancy gender neutral bathrooms in all state run or owned buildings. No one deserves to feel unsafe because of their sexual identity.

What LGBT organizations have you been involved with, either on a volunteer basis or professionally?
I work with SAGE USA continuously to ensure that the elderly members of the LGBT community receive proper resources. Together we helped to open the city’s first LGBTQ-friendly senior residential building

If applicable, what LGBT organizations have you allocated funds to?

Do you consider yourself a member of the LGBT community?
While I am not a member of the LGBT community, I am an ally.

Have you marched in Pride? Which marches and for approximately how many years?
Since I was elected I have marched in the Brooklyn Pride Parade every year.

Have you employed openly LGBT individuals previously? Do you employ any currently?
I currently have a member of LGBT community on my campaign staff.

If you receive the endorsement, do you agree to identify the club on all literature and electronic materials where you list endorsements?
Yes, I will proudly list the club on all forms of literature and electronic material.

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 numerous rallies in support of criminal justice reform, and held one of my own in regard to my Anti-chokehold bill, which would make the type of technique used on Eric Garner officially illegal.

Have you ever been arrested? If so please explain why and outcome of arrest.
No, I have never been arrested.

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?
Yes, I am a cosponsor to A9040, which would ensure that our elderly that are incarcerated aren’t facing overly punitive sentences.

Do you commit to visit constituents who are incarcerated in state prisons such as Bedford Correctional Facility?
Yes, I am proud to commit to visiting constituents who are incarcerated.

Do you believe sincere remorse, risk of reoffending and actions taken while incarcerated should be considered over the original crime in determinations of parole?
Yes, all aspects of the situation should be taken into account when determining parole.

Have you participated in any demonstrations or protests in relation to the issues of clemency and parole?
I have pushed and introduced numerous bills in regard to parole. As a co-sponsor of the Fair and Timely Parole act, I have made this issue one of my top priorities.

Will you affirmatively seek to hire formerly incarcerated individuals?
Yes, my office is open to hiring anyone that is qualified and willing to serve the district.

Do you believe in the decriminalization of sex work? Are you sponsoring the bill introduced by Jessica Ramos?
I believe in ensuring that sex workers are protected and safe. I am not currently a sponsor of Senator Ramos’ bill.

Will you actively oppose legislation that would implement the dangerous Nordic model instead of decriminalization of prostitution?
Sex workers need to be protected and the their safety is what must come first in any legislation regarding the issue.

What proposals will you advocate for to protect immigrants and the further New York as a Sanctuary City?
I support both making New York a sanctuary state and decriminalizing border crossings. I was a fervent supporter of the the Green Light Bill and will continue to fight for expansions and protections to the rights of undocumented New Yorkers, such as bill A5974 to make low-income undocumented adults eligible for health insurance coverage. I will continue to stand with undocumented immigrants, no matter what intimidation tactics or executive orders the federal government hands down.

Will you advocate, including introducing legislation, to remove public funding from religious schools?
I am committed to making sure that our public schools are receiving the most funding that the budget can provide, and if that includes removing funding from religious schools then I am committed to doing that.

Do you support the establishment of supervised drug consumption spaces?
Any legislation needs to ensure that the health and safety of the individual that is suffering an addiction is at the forefront. We must continue to allocate the necessary funds to combat this crisis and find new and innovative ways to prevent its growth.

Have you ever endorsed any member of the IDC or any candidates who challenged IDC members?
I was an early supporter of Senator Myrie in 2018 and worked to ensure that we made sure representatives with true progressive values were sent to Albany.

Will you commit to hiring a member of the LGBT community to serve as a liaison to the community?
I also always include the communities that have a stake in a certain policy to have the opportunity to discuss their viewpoints on such a policy with me. When looking at legislation that affects the LBGT+ community I ensure that they have a seat at the table with me.

Will you commit to ensuring diverse LGBT representation among your staff?
I will ensure that hiring staff that are part of the LGBT community is a priority.

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

Bill De Blasio for Mayor, Letitia James for Public Advocate
Hillary Clinton
Letitia James for Attorney General, Andrew Cuomo for Governor

Describe any legislation and policy changes that you support in order to address the ongoing effects of slavery, racism, colonialism, and discrimination.
For years I have advocated for the legalization of Marijuana and reformative justice as a central part of this plan, which is why I am a cosponsor of the Marijuana Regulation and Taxation Act. By the same token we must ensure that previous low level marijuana convictions are dismissed, and emphasize that revenue made from marijuana sales be poured back into the communities impacted most by marijuana-related arrests.
I am also a multi-sponsor of the HALT Solitary Confinement Act. I am also the main sponsor of the “Eric Garner Anti-chokehold” bill.

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?
In my time as Assemblyman, I have been a fierce advocate for public education and our public universities. I supported the CUNY/SUNY Maintenance of Effort Bill, have consistently fought to increase aid to CUNY and SUNY in the State budget, and am currently co-sponsoring the bill to make CUNY and SUNY schools tuition free. We are not even close to spending what we need to be on our public universities, and I intend to continue working to fix that.

Do you support a single-payer universal health care system? Please elaborate.
Yes, I support a single-payer health care system. I have supported & co-sponsored Assembly Member Gottfried’s bill to establish a New York State single payer health system. It is time to ensure that all New Yorkers have access to quality health care.

Discuss your stance on reproductive rights, including access to contraceptives and abortion services.
I spearheaded the passage of measures to prohibit discrimination against employees based on reproductive choices and other health care decisions and codify a woman’s right to an abortion in New York State. Women can never be truly equal until they have complete control over their bodies and their health care decisions without the government or their boss stomping on their constitutional rights.

Will you refuse money from individuals or Political Action Committees representing the real estate industry?
Campaign contributions have never swayed how I vote and they never will. I stand firm in my principles and values.

Will you refuse and refund any contributions from executives at corporations complicit in the Trump agenda?
Yes. I will return any contributions from those complicit in Trump’s agenda.

Are you against the opening of casinos in New York owned and controlled by anti-union and Trump mega-donor Sheldon Adelson?
We need to ensure that any business or industry that comes to New York knows how important organized labor is to us. In my capacity as an elected state official I have supported the formation of union throughout my tenure. That is why I helped to co-sponsor A8419, the farm laborers fair labor practices act this past session. This bill helped bring the ability to form a union to one of the largest economic sectors in our state. I will continue to build on legislation like this to help ensure that anyone regardless of where they work has the opportunity to organize.

Do you support the surrogacy bill introduced by Senator Brad Hoylman allowing women to decide control of her body in regard to surrogacy?
Yes, women should be the ones to decide what to do with their bodies, not the government.

Will you cosponsor the legislation to prohibit evictions without good cause (previously S2892A)?
Yes, I was a cosponsor to the Assembly version of the bill A05030B.

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?
I am a Cosponsor to this bill, A1620. We need to continue to fight the spread of homelessness and make sure that New Yorkers are able to keep a roof over their heads,