Candidate Answers to CU: Chiedu Shea Uzoigwe for NY Assembly District 31 – 2020 Primary

Name:  Shea Uzoigwe
Office Sought: New York State Assembly District 31
Party Affiliation(s): Democrat
Age: 34
Education: Bachelors
Occupation/Employer: Candidate
Previous Offices, Campaigns and Community/Civic Involvement:
NAACP Far Rockaway, New York Communities for Change, Riders Alliance, Kappa Sigma Fraternity, Guy R. Brewer Dem Club, Queens County Young Dems, Igbo Organization, Lions Club Rosedale Branch, Saint Teresa Church of South Ozone Park

Website:  www.shea4assembly.com
Twitter:  @Shea4NYAD31
Facebook:   Shea4NYAD31

 

 

CANDIDATE QUESTIONS

Please state whether you support or oppose the following reform measures. If you wish to elaborate on your answers, you may do so in the provided space at the bottom of this page.

 

Ethics

  1. Replace the Joint Commission on Public Ethics and the Legislative Ethics Commission with an effective and independent enforcement body (S594A/A1282A).
    Support
  1. Limit outside compensation earned by state legislators and statewide officials to 25% of their salaries and eliminate stipends.
    Support

 

Elections and Voting

  1. Do you support or oppose the following changes to the state’s current registration and voting system?
    1. No-excuse absentee voting (second passage of constitutional amendment)
      Support
    2. Election Day voter registration (second passage of constitutional amendment)
      Support
    3. Re-enfranchisement of people on parole automatically through legislation, without requiring a Certificate of Good Conduct or Relief
      Support
    4. Automatic voter registration, unless the potential voter opts out
      Support
    5. Mandating poll sites on college campuses
      Support
  1. Reform the special election process, utilizing a nonpartisan special election for state legislative seats and eliminate delays in filling vacancies.
    Support
  1. Reduce the vote threshold to become a registered party back to 50,000 votes and keep the gubernatorial election as the qualifying election, and reduce the petition requirement for independent candidates back to 15,000 signatures.
    Support

 

Campaign Finance

  1. Amend the state’s public campaign financing system, approved in the 2021 budget, by
    1. Drastically reduce campaign contribution limits
      Support
    2. Set even lower contribution limits for registered lobbyists and those who do business with the state
      Support
    3. Move the campaign finance matching program to be administered by an independent, nonpartisan body outside of the NY Board of Election
      Support
    4. Simplify the matching system by making both in- and out-of-district donations eligible and by eliminating the three different tiers for matching
      Support

 

Budget Process

  1. Require full disclosure of grants and contracts issued by the state, including the budget lines from which the spending is made and reporting on the results of each grant or contract over a certain amount.
    Support
  1. Provide for effective online disclosure and itemization of spending from elected officials’ lump sum appropriations, including reporting on potential conflicts of interest and how the funds are spent.
    Support

 

Police Accountability

  1. Repeal Civil Rights Law, Sec. 50-a, which shields from public view the disciplinary records of police officers, correction officers, and firefighters.
    Support

 

Election Administration

  1. Restructure the state Board of Elections to abolish the strict two-party division of governance and operation and put in place professional, nonpartisan administration.
    Support
  1. Empower the attorney general to investigate and prosecute election law malfeasance and cases of public corruption.
    Support

 

Home Rule

  1. Make mayoral control of city schools permanent, with a governance system that provides for accountability, transparency, parent engagement, and democratic participation.
    Support

 

Court Reform

  1. Simplify and consolidate New York State’s court system by passing the Chief Judge’s proposed constitutional amendment to modernize the courts.
    Support

If needed, you may elaborate below on your positions on the previous questions. You may also provide additional information on any actions that you have taken or plan to take to advance your positions on these issues.

Respectfully I support the idea of poll sites on college campuses however my concerned with the matter is that students arrive from all parts of New York City and question the Board of Election ability to identify a voters electoral and assembly district.

 

RESPONDING TO THE COVID-19 OUTBREAK

Government under the COVID-19 outbreak

  1. Adopt technological solutions and provisions that will allow the New York State legislature to convene and vote remotely if needed.
    Support
  1. Provide public access to observe and participate in government proceedings, in meetings that would be public under the New York Open Meetings Law, via live and recorded video available on government Website:
    Support
  1. Implement immediate programs to facilitate absentee voting for all New York voters as long as the widespread contagion risk of COVID-19 continues, under current state constitutional limitations. This includes electronic submission of absentee ballot applications without a wet signature and a public information campaign.
    Support
  1. What are your concerns regarding the use of emergency powers during this crisis, and how do you think NY government can maintain public accountability standards at this time?
    I believe that governors/executives  should act accordingly in the face of a crisis whether its a storm or an attack on our homeland or in this case a highly contagious virus the priority simply put is to lead. The country as well as the state of New York was founded on a balance of power and lately that balance of power tipped heavily in the governors favor.

 

Serving the public under the COVID-19 outbreak

  1. What are the biggest challenges in your district in dealing with the coronavirus outbreak?
    Voter engagement has been challenging. I have been knocking on doors since last year leaving letters and distributing letters to voters all across the district. To date my campaign has distributed thirty thousand letters and knocked on ten of thousands of doors. I am eager to continue the momentum all the way to June.
  1. What are the appropriate roles of city, state, and federal governments in a crisis such as this?
    Public Safety must come first. I believe the governors phased in shut down was the right course of action. Second, unify critical information to the public, it is important that all leaders in government are on the same page in order prevent a communication breakdown. case in point; Mayor DiBlasio announcing the closing of schools and the governor sidestepping the mayor decision can lead to public confusion. Lastly; streamlining bureaucracy and cutting red tape in order to fast track resources and funding.
  1. How will you help your future constituents, residents and businesses, access potential funding from the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act, or any other future government relief funds?
    My office will serve a resource to the public beyond my constituency. I have learned from my experience working for my local elected official not to turn anyone away to assist anyone regardless of where there coming from constituent or not. My office will lead seminars and workshops partnering with chambers of commerce for businesses, elected officials and community leaders to ensure that they are receiving all available resources.

 

CAMPAIGN PROMISES MADE TO VOTERS

What are the top five promises you are making to the voters during the campaign?

Campaign Promise 1
A promise to be visible and active.

Campaign Promise 2
A promise for a modern fully accessible transit system. we need elevators in the Rockaways I am the only candidate campaigning on the need for more elevators throughout the peninsula. Which is why I would like to be a member of the transportation committee when elected.

Campaign Promise 3
A promise for a Green New Deal in New York State I pledged my support to be a climate warrior on the behalf of all New Yorkers.

Campaign Promise 4
A promise to expand affordable housing and fully fund public housing.

Campaign Promise 5
A promise bring sustainable careers by means of union jobs I am the only candidate that hosted apprenticeship trainings to bring union opportunities to the those that need the opportunity the most.

 

ETHICAL REPRESENTATION OF CONSTITUENTS

Citizens Union believes that all New Yorkers deserve to be represented by officials who work for the public interest and honor the public trust. With the corruption conviction of recent legislative leaders, we seek to endorse a candidate who will demonstrate that she/he will honor the full commitment of the oath of office, and always represent the public interest above all else.

Please tell us how you have and would continue to conduct the political affairs of this office in an upright manner, and maintain the public trust.
In Southeast Queens I have witnessed first hand the damage of unethical representation and the erosion of public trust which is why I pledged not to accept contributions from corporations, not to accept contributions from lobbyist and run a small donor campaign. When I engage with the voters I want to give them an assurance that I am governing in their best interest. My campaign was build consciously around my moral beliefs Housing for all, Transportation for all, a healthier climate, a fair justice system. I want the voters to have their full faith in me as a man of faith that comes from a working class immigrant household and lifelong resident of the community he is eager to serve.

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