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Website: www.carlos2013.com
4. What will your top 3 budget priorities be in your first term as Council Member? 1. Education 2. Housing 3. Open space 5. Do you plan to use participatory budgeting to allocate your discretionary funds? Why or why not? Absolutely! I called for participatory budgeting as one of my first major policy initiatives. As the BK Borough President's Capital Budget Director for 5 years, I understood the value community could play in deciding the allocation of resources. By integrating the community into this process, we expand the network of interested local leaders and stakeholders for other projects. In Red Hook, a strong network is vital to having a strong emergency response team in case of another hurricane or natural endorsement. 6. Please provide examples of recent legislation in Council that you believe promotes human rights. Community Safety Act - Inspector General Bill and Racial Profiling Bill Condoms As Evidence Resolution ICE out of Rikers Prescription Language Access
7. Legislation is only one of many ways in which Council Members can work to advance human rights. What ways other than through legislation will you advance the human rights of New Yorkers as a City Council Member? As I mentioned before, one of the first lines of defense for many residents, small businesses and community stakeholders is the local council member. The council member is there to help organize a community that is affected by the injustice and facilitate a change in law, policy or funding priority. These issues are often city-wide issues and can be coordinated through several council offices. Being visible and vocal for communities are the job of our council members. 8. Some advocates contend that the position of the Council Speaker has too much power over the progression of legislation. Please use this space to respond to that critique. I agree. The Speaker of the City Council has too much power and has not allowed for productive conversation of issues that directly impact immigrant, working families and people of color. As council members, we must be able to independently create legislation separate from the council speaker's approval and debate the issues on the floor of the council. Council Committees must be able to work at their full strength, allow the chair to direct committee staff to research critical issues in our communities. We need to distribute power across the Council. For more information, please visit www.urbanjustice.org.