Candidate Answers to JOLDC: Xavier A. Santiago for NY Assembly District 68
Candidate Name: Xavier A. Santiago
Office Seeking Election for: NY Assembly District 68
Campaign Website: https://www.xavier2024.com/
With the possibility of Donald J. Trump winning (stealing) the next Presidential election and ending democracy and civil rights in the United States, it is more important than ever that we elect progressive, dynamic leaders to the New York State Senate and New York State Assembly.
1. Based upon your life experiences and accomplishments why should we believe you would be a dynamic, progressive leader who would stand up for Civil Rights and Democracy?
As someone who is raising the fifth generation with roots in this community, having balance and equity remains an important goal. During my tenure of service as a leader on Community Board 11, I fought for affordable housing, public housing, education reform, public safety, and workforce development. Often times, East Harlem is neglected when it comes to equitable investments. As a leader, I build consensus among competing interests for the greater good of the community. This leadership style has afforded East
Harlem to create such successes as Costco at East River Plaza engaging in our local hiring initiative and accepting EBT/SNAP. Another noted item is Sendero Verde: one the larger affordable passive housing projects with multiple, deep economic bands of affordability. As the next Assemblyman, I will bring my comprehensive understanding of the 68th’s need to deliver tenable results for a deserving community.
2. What is your involvement in the LGBTQ Civil Rights movement? What candidates have you or are you supporting who are openly LGBTQ? What legislation have you/do you support to further LGBTQ rights? Do you /will you have an LGBTQ liaison in your office? What LGBTQ organizations have you been involved with, either on a volunteer or professional basis?
I will fight passionately for LGBTQ rights and protection. In the past, I have taken part in the AIDS WALK NYC, NYC Pride Parade and the Harlem Pride Parade. During Community Board 11’s Statement of District Needs & Budget Request process, I advocated for budget requests to help with the ageing LGBTQ community, including but not limited to STI education and prevention. Furthermore, we passed support of a recent supportive housing project that supports at risk LGBTQ youth who are ageing out of foster care. We were pleased to see this project from Ascendant Development and Ali Forney come to the neighborhood. We will have constituent services that address the needs of our LGBTQ community.
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3. What demonstrations, rallies, and protests have you participated in support of LGBTQ issues, African-American, Hispanic, Asian-American Civil Rights, pro- choice legislation, criminal justice issues, and Resist Trump?
As mentioned above, I have taken part in the AIDS WALK NYC, NYC Pride Parade and the Harlem Pride Parade, and other rallies and marches for civil rights. I have fought for equal rights and representation with our BIPOC communities. During the height of attacks on the AAPI, we convened rallies and press conferences to address these issues in a robust manner – including Yao Pan Ma and others.
Moreover, my work as a producer and the festival director for the International Puerto Rican Heritage Film Festival has strategically changed the trajectory for underrepresented community in the arts and Americana. As the next Assemblyman, my goal is to bring not just unity to our entire district but results that elevate marginalized groups.
4. Do you support reparations to compensate African Americans for the history of slavery, Jim Crow, and systemic racism in this country?
Yes.
5. What are your concrete proposals to address current systemic racism in terms of employment, housing, voting rights, and the criminal justice system in the U.S.?
From my early support of affirmative action to equitable investment in our communities, our campaign is centered on a course correction for success. The top four issues on this campaign are affordability crisis, workforce development (including our youth), public safety and healthcare. We have created notable success for affordable housing. Thanks to our partnership with the previous City Council Speaker, we have created Mandatory Inclusionary Housing, so more affordable housing may be created. Creating spaces for people to live and maintaining a safe environment where our children can thrive will lead to their success. But that means creating job development programs to build those skillsets. Finally, healthcare must be accessible and better regulated. The Medicare/Medicaid reimbursement rates are 70 cents on the dollar. That impacts not just their care but all others. I would push for parity at the state budget.
6. Will you advocate for elder parole where incarcerated individuals aged 55 and older who have serviced in excess of 15 years obtain parole hearings? Are you a sponsor of the Elder Parole Bill, Senate 2423?
Yes.
7. Do you sponsor the Earned Time Act, Senate S774, which strengthens and expands “good time” and “earned time” to support rehabilitation efforts?
If elected, I would sponsor.
8. Do you sponsor Eliminate Mandatory Minimum Bill Act, S6471 which reduces excessive sentences and enables judges to look at individual factors and mitigating circumstances?
If elected, I would sponsor.
9. Do you sponsor the Second Look Act, S7872, which allows for reconsideration of prison sentences based on changes in law and circumstances?
If elected, I would sponsor.
10. Have you participated, and will you participate in demonstrations and protests in relation to the issues of clemency and parole?
Yes
11. Will you affirmatively seek to hire formerly incarcerated individuals?
Yes. I have hired formerly incarcerated individuals on our films. And as assembly member I would look to have representation multiple backgrounds and perspectives on my team.
12. Have you and will you visit incarcerated constituents to learn of their conditions?
Yes
13. What are your proposals to have prisons focus more on rehabilitation and less on punishment?
Rehabilitation should be the primary focus but the given structure makes it exceedingly difficult to pursue that path. Exploring other countries approaches would be worthwhile. Mental health remains of utmost concern for this population. Having worked with formerly incarcerated individuals, they have shared their challenges. New York State should take a holistic approach that is driven by data to determine a new vision for rehabilitation.
14. Do you support ending the cruel punishment of solitary confinement, such as was recently mandated by the New York City Council?
Yes.
15. What are your proposals to facilitate individuals who have recently entered the
U.S. to be able to live decently with employment and housing?
We are a nation of immigrants. East Harlem has seen wave after wave of new populations that would like an opportunity to succeed in America. While the Federal government sorts through their process, New York State can create an integrative culture through legislation and the budgetary process that uplifts both communities. As an Assembly member, my goal would be to create a pathway for those new arrivals to legally work in New York while they navigate the asylum process.
16. What proposals do you advocate to combat the cruel and inhumane immigration policies that the Trump Administration commenced and which, to some degree, are still in effect?
While we wait for Washington to take action, New York State must be a leader in addressing the concerns of all parties. As a Member of the Assembly, I will partner with the New York City and Federal legislators to create humane and legal pathways for those seeking asylum.
17. Do you believe in the decriminalization of sex work?
Yes
18. Do you oppose legislation that promotes the Nordic model?
Yes
19. What concrete proposals do you support to lift up women after four years of Trump being President?
We should continue strengthening our MWBE laws and invest in the future. Equity of opportunity for young women must be met with education and investment in themselves. That comes through funding of programs for our schools and educating the youth in all fields.
20. Do you support a single-payer universal health care system? Please elaborate.
Yes. I also support parity of reimbursement rates for Medicare/Medicaid. We should also create better regulation around the review process for authorization of care. Doctors should be able to assign the care they see fit in a timely fashion.
21. What have you done to facilitate reproductive rights, including access to contraceptives and abortion services?
We know more about reproduction than we ever have in our species history. As someone whose family member was raped, this issue is very sensitive to me. Dilation & curettage is a medical procedure that can help save lives. Whether it is the balancing of hormones by using birth control or dealing with an ectopic pregnancy or even an internal miscarriage, medicine serves a purpose in delivery of care.
22. Will you refuse contributions from individuals or Political Action Committees representing the Real Estate industry, from police or correction communities?
Yes.
23. Will you refuse and refund any contributions from executives or corporations complicit in the Trump anti-American agenda?
Yes
24. How do you propose that we address the current surge of Islamophobia and anti- Semitism?
The current environment must deescalate. Law enforcement can address the issues that temporarily disrupt our communities, while the government exercises its oversight mechanisms. But to bring healing, there should be a convening of religious leaders to discuss the issues directly. Since Covid, regular religious leader meetings ceased and have not returned. To address the surge Islamophobia and anti-Semitism, we must embrace the difficult conversations and that starts with our leaders. As a leader in East Harlem, I am already making steps toward reconvening this group of religious leaders. It will be comprised of the core faiths involved to discuss the best path forward to peace here at home while Washington addresses the matters more directly. The vitriol must stop. It all begins with sitting down and talking with one another first.
25. Did you or would you have voted for the censure of U.S. Representative Rashida Tlaib?
No
26. Do you support an immediate ceasefire in the Middle East?
Yes
27. Should we condition further aid to Israel? What conditions should we stress that Israel abides by?
The U.S. can push for a ceasefire by tethering aid insomuch that they do no limit Israel’s right to defend itself while negotiations occur.
28. Will you refuse funds from Trump-supporting AIPAC?
Yes
29. What are your concrete proposals to prevent Trump and his cult from taking over this country and ending democracy?
Having good relationships with other elected representatives from other states, we must bring unity to the Democratic party. There is a need for a return to the “Big Tent”. New York can be a shining bastion of hope by bringing more individuals back to the party.
Many desire to believe in our positions but feel abandoned by previous leadership. We need people who they can connect with. As a producer, I work with a diverse array of individuals who have differing points of views politically. When we break for meal, we all try to find common ground. As an Assemblyman, I will bring that same spirit to Albany to serve as a buffer to a resurgence of Trump.
30. How can we combat the movement in this country to ban books, prevent colleges from discussing issues and demonizing intelligence as “woke”?
In New York, we must allow the discussion of ideas and thought. When we approach any issue with an empathy and respect, we stand to gain more from the conversation. It is imperative that we step away from cancelling people and rather ask the question, “What did you mean?” New York can lead the charge by having honest, open and inclusive conversations for all.
31. As Christopher Columbus caused the death/slavery of thousands, should we replace the Christopher Columbus statue in Columbus Circle, and if so, what should replace it? Do you authorize the use of your name for such a purpose?
As a man of Puerto Rican decent whose family comes from Aguadilla, where Columbus landed on his third voyage, this issue is challenging. There is an opportunity to educate; education is tantamount to success. As our Nation and State has evolved, we should explore through a democratic process, whether to remove the statue. Not dissimilar to CB11’s work to remove the Marion J. Simms’ statue, a commission should be created to determine the next steps.
32. As Edward I Koch caused the deaths of hundreds of thousands of people with AIDS and was blatantly racist, should we rename the former Queensboro Bridge? Do you authorize the use of your name for such a purpose?
We cannot move forward into the future until we reconcile our past. Similar to the above, we should have a vote and then after create a commission to determine next steps.
Education remains imperative so we do not forget and repeat our mistakes.
33. What will you do to support nightlife in New York State? Do you commit to speaking with liquor license applicants and restaurant/nightlife industry representatives before taking a position on policies affecting their businesses?
As the chair of Community Board 11, I have been intimately involved with our restaurant and nightlife. I will continue to do so as the Assemblyman by helping solve license issues and maintaining a friendly business model.
34. What is your opinion of Eric Adams as New York City Mayor? Are you involved in finding someone to run for Mayor of New York City?
In any thriving democracy, there will be differing opinions. However, as chair of Community Board 11, I have worked diligently to create relationships toward the betterment of East Harlem. Although our differences are noted, those items do not prevent aligned goals from proceeding. Our focus is on the campaign to bring change for our community in the 68th Assembly District.
35. How can we mandate that every community do its share to have affordable housing and care for the recently arrived people?
New York State recently passed measures to address our housing crises. It remains to be seen whether the various provisions will spur the type of affordable housing growth that our state – and particularly Harlem – needs. However, as Assemblymember, I will continue to support ways to increase the housing stock, to drive down costs, increase wages, and protect Harlemites from ever losing their homes. By fighting for these measures and increasing funding for emergency services, we can make sure new arrivals have the systemic and policy supports they need to be strong, productive New Yorkers.
36. Are you a sponsor of Good Cause Eviction S305 legislation?
I support it with modifications from the previous budget.
37. Do you support allowing legal Immigrants to vote in local elections?
Those that have legally completed the immigration process should be allowed to vote.