Candidate Answers to CU: Steve Lee for NY Assembly District 40 – 2020 Primary

Name:  Steven  Lee
Office Sought: New York State Assembly District 40
Party Affiliation(s): Democrat
Age: 42
Education: NY City Tech
Occupation/Employer: NYPD
Previous Offices, Campaigns and Community/Civic Involvement:

  • NYPIRG
  • NYPD

Website:  stevefornewyork.com
Twitter:  https://Twitter.com/SteveForNewYork
Facebook: https://www.Facebook.com/stevefornewyork

 

 

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
      Oppose

 

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.

“Simplify the matching system by making both in- and out-of-district donations eligible and by eliminating the three different tiers for matching.” I am uncomfortable with how this is worded. Matching funds from out of district donations may add to the pr

 

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?
    My concern regarding the use of emergency powers during this crisis is that it is not evenly enforced. Government should hold everyone to the same standards and accountable no matter what race, creed, sex, or religion.  Government can maintain public accountability by giving strong warnings and or summonses.

 

Serving the public under the COVID-19 outbreak

  1. What are the biggest challenges in your district in dealing with the coronavirus outbreak?
    Anti-Asian attacks.  Lack of social distances in some communities.  Getting food and help to the elderly, unemployed, sick, and immune deficient.
  1. What are the appropriate roles of city, state, and federal governments in a crisis such as this?
    City, State, and Federal governments should keep the people’s best interest, safety, and health in mind and keep the politics out of it.
  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 had put my campaign on hold and started a local grassroots non profit organization.  All locals volunteering to keep our community safe.  We also have been donating food to the frontliners (Police, Fire Department, Hospitals, Staff of Senior Homes) and also feeding the homeless and those who can leave their apartments.  We help get the information to our community and assist them in signing up for various programs that they qualify for and need.  When elected I promise to continue to educate my community on various programs that are available and will assist them in obtaining it.  I will listen to their concerns and issues and be their voice.

 

CAMPAIGN PROMISES MADE TO VOTERS

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

Campaign Promise 1
Employment – Helping the people find employment after COVID19.

Campaign Promise 2
Public Safety – Ensuring that everyone can feel safe.

Campaign Promise 3
Medical Coverage – Assisting everyone to get adequate health coverage.

Campaign Promise 4
I believe small business and responsible development is the cornerstone of our community and assisting with the small business recovery offers great opportunity for all.

Campaign Promise 5
Help fix our community infrastructure.  Such as Schools, Transportation system, and housing issues.

 

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.
As a Sergeant in the NYPD, I went undercover for 2 years to reveal and arrest  corrupt police officers.  Which labeled me a whistleblower.  I believe transparency is key in fighting corruption.  I have integrity and serve the people of the community.  The key to being humble is to be part of the community and listen to their concerns and issues.  Being their voice is true honor.

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