Name of Council Member: Stephen Levin Name and Title of Person Completing Questionnaire: Council Member Stephen Levin

Campaign Website: www.stephenlevin.com

2013 CITY COUNCIL HUMAN RIGHTS QUESTIONNAIRE

1. Many in the United States think of international affairs when they think of human rights. Our work emphasizes the applicability of the human rights framework here in the United States. Please share your thoughts on the domestic applicability of human rights, and discuss why human rights are important to you in the context of New York City and the City Council. I have always believed that in order to make progress on human rights issues on an international level, we must first confront the inequalities in our local communities. Despite being one of the wealthiest cities in the world, we have not found a way to provide for the neediest individuals amongst us. Basic human rights, like shelter and food, are still inaccessible for too many New Yorkers. Each night, over 50,700 individuals in New York utilize the municipal shelter system because there are not enough living wage jobs in this city. Furthermore, the controversy around stop, question and frisk have highlighted the unfortunate fact that here at home, we are still a long way to a just and equal society. While it is essential that we continue to fight against human rights violations abroad, we cannot forget that we still have a lot of work do in our city. As a City Councilmember, I believe it is my duty to help shed light on the inequalities and injustices in our community and to work to fix them. 2. Please share briefly how you have used your role in Council to advance human rights. I believe that my role in the Council is to be a voice for those who cannot speak up for themselves. From advocating for early education, to holding the New York City Housing Authority accountable for their actions, to working with immigrant street vendors to reduce their fines, I strive to create a more just and equal society. Children, seniors, and those struggling with poverty do not have powerful lobbies to advance their causes, which is why we have tried to advocate on their behalf. 3. Legislative priorities: Please list your top 3 legislative priorities for 2013. 1. Reforming the NYPDs accident investigation squad and other safe streets initiatives. I introduced a package of legislation last year that sought to increase the amount of traffic accidents that are investigated by expanding on the definition of types of accidents that trigger an investigation. Due to this pressure, the NYPD willingly instituted reforms, including increasing the number of detectives assigned to the squad, expanding the number of cases investigated, and changing the name from Accident Investigation Squad to Crash Investigation Squad. I was also proud to co-sponsor resolutions supporting state legislation for

speed cameras and additional red-light cameras in New York City. While the bill that allows speed cameras in school zones was a victory, I will continue to fight for more speed cameras. They are a proven means of reducing drivers speed and allow the NYPD to redirect resources to other crimes. 2. Small business regulation reforms. I was proud to support two bills that make life easier for local small businesses. First, the Council passed Intro. 434-A, my bill to reduce fines on street vendors, this spring. This is an important victory for the mostly immigrant vendors of this city. The bill reduces the maximum fine from $1,000 to $500 and prohibits fines from increasing for unrelated offenses. I also co-sponsored a bill that allows restaurants to open their sidewalk cafes at 10am instead of noon on Sundays. This bill repeals an arcane law that was costing local restaurants substantial amounts of business every summer. 3. Protecting individuals health by passing the no condoms as evidence bill. I was proud to fight for passage of a Council resolution calling on the NYPD to stop using condoms as evidence of prostitution. This policy puts vulnerable adults at risk. I will continue to work to support legislative efforts in Albany to pass the bill. What will be your top 3 legislative priorities as a Council Member in the upcoming legislative session? 1. The creation of a Big Apple identification card for all New Yorkers regardless of immigration status. 2. The establishment of a Robin Hood tax in New York City so that big banks, hedge funds, and other large financial institutions pay their fair share of taxes to support New York Citys vital services. 3. Working with community stakeholders to establish effective community-based oversight of our healthcare delivery system in New York City. 4. Budget priorities: Please list your top three budget priorities of 2013. 1. Restoring after-school and childcare programs 2. Restoring proposed cuts to NYCHA community centers and senior centers 3. Increased funding for senior services and case management What will your top 3 budget priorities be as a Council member in the upcoming legislative session? 1. Reducing unnecessary Department of Education contract spending 2. Increasing funding for childcare and after-school programs 3. Increasing funding for early intervention literacy programs 5. Have you used participatory budgeting to allocate your discretionary funds? Why or why not? Yes, I utilized participatory budgeting to allocate just over $1 million in discretionary capital funding in Fiscal Year 2013. After seeing how successful participatory budgeting was when four of my colleagues introduced it to New York City for Fiscal Year 2012, I was excited to bring the process to the 33rd District. Empowering communities to make

real decisions about their tax dollars is a vital step in engaging individuals in the broader democratic process in our city. I am happy to report that participatory budgeting was an absolute success in the 33rd District. Over 2,000 people turned out to vote for their favorite projects, which was the most number of votes in a districts inaugural PB year. The five projects that were funded represent the geographic diversity of the district, from Greenpoint to Boerum Hill and will fill real needs in each neighborhood. As we begin the second round of participatory budgeting this month, I look forward to building on the success of last year and having an even more robust and inclusive process. 6. Please provide examples of recent legislation in Council that you believe promotes human rights. Legislation adopted by the City Council aims to make the city a better place to live, work and raise a family. The Councils recent post-Hurricane Sandy legislation will protect vulnerable individuals in the event of another major natural disaster. These bills recognize the things that worked well after Sandy and strives to fix the things that did not work. Legislation to reduce burdens on small businesses also advance a human rights agenda by ensuring that all New Yorkers can make a decent living. 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? In addition to addressing human rights issues through legislation, I will continue to serve as a strong advocate for the communities I represent. I am currently working with neighborhood groups, doctors, nurses, and other healthcare workers to save our local hospital, Long Island College Hospital, from closure. Access to affordable, quality healthcare is an essential human right, which is why I have stood with advocates to protest the closure and have even been arrested to bring attention to the issue. As a public official, putting pressure on agencies and companies to do the right thing is an important part of my job. Ive been proud to stand with low-wage workers, like fast food workers and Cablevision technicians, to fight for better conditions and better pay. I believe that being an effective advocate for disenfranchised individuals is the most important part of my job, which is why Ive made sure my office is accessible and welcoming to my constituents. My office has an open door policy and I place the highest priority on working with constituents to get the answers they need from city agencies. Navigating bureaucracy is difficult and the ability to cut through red tape can mean the difference between getting adequate housing, food assistance, job training, or education. Its my goal to make city services more attainable for constituents who need them the most

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 believe that it very important that the new City Council establish an independent legislative drafting system akin to what is currently in place in the State Assembly. As it is currently, there is too much control that the Speakers office has over the drafting of legislation and the advancement of bills through the legislative process. I believe a more democratic process would allow for a better and more effective Council. For more information, please visit www.urbanjustice.org.