Candidate Answers to CU: Lisa George for NY Assembly District 31 – 2020 Primary

Name:  Lisa M George
Office Sought: New York State Assembly District 31
Party Affiliation(s): Democrat
Age: 52
Education: College
Occupation/Employer: NY State Senate, Office Manager for NYS Senator James Sanders Jr.
Previous Offices, Campaigns and Community/Civic Involvement:

  • Former PTA President and Board Member – 3 years
  • President o The Heart of Rockaway Civic Association
  • Volunteer Friends of Sanders Campaign – 5 years
  • Member FarRockaway NAACP
  • Member Arverne Visionary Lions Club
  • Member FarRockaway Lions Club
  • Member Ladies of Business of Rockaway Beach
  • Member Sistars Inc. – Woman Empowerment Group
  • During the COVID-19 Pandemic formed Mutual Aid volunteer groups and organized to deliver food to elderly, essential workers, and distribution to those in need.  All Volunteers including, myself, 3x a week feeding over 500 a day.

Website: we,wiin@lisaforassembly
Twitter: Lisa George for State Assembly @lisaAssembly
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/LisaForNYSAssembly/

 

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.

As a parent leader I understand the need for Parent Engagement Centers.  The mayor needs to have fiscal discretion to create more centers where needed.  We have a growing immigrant population, many economically challenged families, limited access to resources. Every day that goes by without the center, a family suffers.

 

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 websites.
    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?
    Some of laws the governor has suspended are for public safety. We need a public bulletin (website) to detail each emergency action taken and should state intended duration.  An ad hoc commission should be formed to address potential conflicts of interest and other ethical concerns.

 

Serving the public under the COVID-19 outbreak

  1. What are the biggest challenges in your district in dealing with the coronavirus outbreak?
    Getting to testing sites – I live in a transportation desert and the testing sites are far.

    I started a weekly food distribution – Mutual Aide volunteer service.  Challenge with this is getting more food to service all, especially seniors who cannot come out.

    Small Businesses especially MWBE’s are not getting the PPP loans and will not be able to reopen when the pandemic has ended.

    Many cannot pay their rent and will not be able to catch up even after the pandemic this is hurting the homeowner also who will relies on this rent to pay their mortgage. Many will be displaced, this is a challenge because we need more legislation and money to assist both homeowner and tenant.

  1. What are the appropriate roles of city, state, and federal governments in a crisis such as this?
    We need a crisis committee representing all levels of government to exchange and evaluate the needs of the district.  The federal government formulates the objectives and policy for the states to receive aid; the state applies for federal funding and monitors funds distributed to cities and municipalities; the cities and municipalities execute the programs and offer the state and federal stakeholders feedback on changing needs.  The various levels of government cannot work in silos, they need to work together better to serve the people.
  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?
    I will host applicant step-by-step trainings on how to apply for the various relief packages.  If the applicant does not receive a response, I will have my office follow up.  In conjunction, I will advocate for the creation of a liaison office for crisis funding to address communication concerns.

 

 

CAMPAIGN PROMISES MADE TO VOTERS

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

Campaign Promise 1
Housing needs to be sustainable NOT what is currently called affordable.  I will push for legislation to ensure the Area Median Income (AMI) reflects the community for those who live within the area.

Campaign Promise 2
Challenge the governor’s school budget cuts and push for more vocational training for skilled jobs in our schools and community. education

Improve education by making STEM a priority.

Campaign Promise 3
Money from a select few has a disproportionate level of influence in our elections. I will advocate for even lower contribution limits for registered lobbyists and those who do business with the state.

Campaign Promise 4
I promise to always be present and accessible in the community as I am now. Once I’m elected I will not change, I understand the need to have boots on the ground with the people to know and identify with the real issues.

Campaign Promise 5
Health: Seek additional funding for local hospital; improve the lack of healthy food options; combat childhood obesity with free to low cost fitness education classes and programs in the community; and request additional funding for mental health in the community.

 

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.
For the past eight years, I have worked for a state senator, so I am bound to the same ethical standards as the elected. As the current office manager, a portion of my responsibility is to monitor and report ethical infractions.  During my campaign, I have found success and recognition by putting the interest of the people over the interest of money.  I am humbled by the community’s support, so I will stay the course, which is to serve the people.

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