Name of Council Candidate: Mark Levine Name and Title of Person Completing Questionnaire: Mark Levine, Candidate Campaign

Website: votelevine.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 plan to emphasize human rights in the domestic realm in City Council once I am elected. Human rights are a crucial aspect of New York City politics in terms of public safety, worker rights, and economic justice. In order to have a free and safe New York City, we need to enforce fair treatment of its citizens. Furthermore, I unequivocally reject all forms of discrimination based on gender, sexuality, race, religion, or disability. I support efforts to provide city contracts to minority/women-owned business, as well as advocate for immigration policies such as the DREAM Act. I am also a strong supporter of LGBTQ rights, including marriage equality. 2. How have you used current or previous professional positions to advance human rights? In early 2009, I founded the Barack Obama Democratic Club of Upper Manhattan, which has become an instrument to help community residents speak up in local politics and empower them to make their voices heard. Additionally, I am the founder of Upper Manhattans first and only community development credit union, Neighborhood Trust. This credit union has helped thousands of local low-income residents obtain loans to start businesses, pay for education, and become home-owners. 3. What will your top 3 legislative priorities be in your first term as Council Member? 1. I plan to ensure that every child has the chance to receive an excellent education through expanded school options, smaller class size, universal pre-K, quality after-school programs, and a greater voice for parents in their childrens schools. 2. I aim to fight to maintain and expand affordable housing by supporting the repeal of vacancy decontrol. I also believe that New York City should have oversight over its own rent regulation laws. Whats more, I believe that inclusionary zoning is a powerful tool to expand the supply of affordable housing as our city grows. 3. I am an advocate for the preservation of City funding for our districts senior centers and home meal delivery programs. I support the expansion of the Senior Citizen Rent Increase Exemption (SCRIE) program. I also

plan to pay special attention to District 7s many Naturally Occurring Retirement Communities, such as Morningside Gardens. 4. What will your top 3 budget priorities be in your first term as Council Member? 1. Increase access to affordable housing and healthcare. 2. Improved subway and bus services, as well as making the streets safer for bicyclists. In addition, I plan to create better transit access for New Yorkers with disabilities. 3. Maintain District 7s many public parks, especially along the Hudson River waterfront. I also plan to fight for the environment by limiting bus idling and working against hydrofracking in favor of protecting New Yorks vital watershed. 5. Do you plan to use participatory budgeting to allocate your discretionary funds? Why or why not? Yes. I believe participatory budgeting is a way to empower ordinary citizens to determine the allocation of discretionary funds in the City budget. 6. Please provide examples of recent legislation in Council that you believe promotes human rights. I believe the Community Safety Act will help with my goal to end the abusive practice of stop and frisk and enforce a more respectful police system. 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? I am a strong proponent of government and election reform in order to create a more transparent and just city. I support same-day voter registration and early voting, as well as replacement of the Board of Elections with a nonpartisan agency. 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 the Speaker currently has too much power to block legislation from coming to the floor for a vote, even if a bill has the support of a majority of rank-and-file members.

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