Candidate for New York State Senate - District 22 in 2018 New York 2018 State Primary Election.
View your personalized ballot, check your voter registration, make a plan to vote, and research every name and measure on the ballot with BallotReady.
Get StartedReproductive rights in New York are being threatened by President Donald Trump and other Republican, anti-choice extremists in Washington — making it more important than ever to stand with Planned Parenthood, fight for a woman’s right to choose, and pass the Reproductive Health Act (RHA) into law as soon as possible. Learn more
I would also seek to codify into law the regulator action taken by the state government in January that guaranteed contraceptive drugs and devices are covered by health insurance policies without co-pays, coinsurance, or deductibles Learn more
I will fight to pass GENDA as soon as possible. GENDA would outlaw discrimination against transgender persons in employment, housing, public accommodations, education, and credit. GENDA would do this by adding gender identity and expression as protected classes under existing state human rights law. Learn more
I will fight for a statewide ban on inquiries about salary history and help to make all of New York a fairer, more equitable place. Learn more
I will change that by holding the MTA accountable for its past failures and convening hearings and audits that expose problems and force the agency to do the right thing. We must finally make our subway stations accessible. Additionally, we must upgrade our city buses and improve service to ensure they actually show up and get our residents where they need to be. Learn more
Pass the Restoration of Honor Act, which restores eligibility for state programs and benefits for LGBTQ veterans who were less than honorably discharged from military service due to their sexual orientation, gender identity or expression. Learn more
Pass the Child-Parent Security Act to extend legal protections to LGBT parents and legalize gestational surrogacy agreements. Learn more
Pass the GENDA Bill to enshrine protection for transgender individuals and support additional legislation to amend New York’s hate crime laws to explicitly include crimes against transgender people. Learn more
I will also fight to guarantee it covers hormonal therapy, sexual reassignment surgery, and all sexual health services to ensure no New Yorker has to pay more because of their sexual identity or orientation. Private insurance companies would not be allowed to discriminate against New Yorkers any longer. Learn more
I would prioritize passing legislation that brings New York in line with many others states that have recognized the urgent need to address this serious problem. The bill would criminalize the nonconsensual disclosure of sexually graphic images. Learn more
We need to back legislation to install speed-enforcement cameras in our school zones in an effort to protect our children from dangerous and speeding drivers Learn more
New York needs to implement common-sense reforms that have proven to be effective across the country, including adopting a system of graduated sanctions and rewards, instead of automatically dumping people into jail for minor infractions. We need to cap jail terms for minor parole violations and require a judicial hearing before parole officers can jail people accused of technical violations. We must also shorten parole terms for people who stay out of trouble for specified periods of time. Learn more
In order to have a fair system, we must take action to ensure that defense attorneys have access to the information they need to make an informed judgement on the next steps for their clients. It is impossible for defense attorneys to make informed decisions without real reform coming to the discovery process. Learn more
I will join the fight led by the New York City Bar Association to consolidate our courts and bring a rational, progressive, and fair judicial system to New York. Learn more
While the current situation is better than many states, including those where voting rights are never restored for convicted felons, the system does create confusion regarding probation and parole and falls behind states like Illinois, where only currently imprisoned felons are disenfranchised, and Maine and Vermont, where felons never lose the right to vote. Voting is a pro-social activity that can aid a person’s transition from incarceration to constructive, engaged roles in their community. New York State must move to address and rectify this policy that is rooted in historical racism. Learn more
New York State needs speedy trial reform immediately Learn more
The New York State Senate must move to legalize, regulate, and tax marijuana. With the hundreds of millions raised from legalization, we can help plug a looming state budget deficit. Learn more
I will fight for a statewide ban on inquiries about salary history and help to make all of New York a fairer, more equitable place. Learn more
Like the rent control and stabilization programs for tenants, which keep the working class from being entirely priced out of the five boroughs, commercial rent control could save countless small businesses, cut down on vacancies, and keep chain stores from fully taking over our neighborhoods. Learn more
We must create a state work authorization program for immigrants in between or without status that will allow them to come out of the shadows and contribute to the economy. Right now, hardworking immigrants are exploited in low-paying jobs. They struggle to access the kind of career paths that will take them out of poverty, take stress off them and their families, and help create healthier, more integrated communities. A statewide work authorization program for all would go a long way toward realizing the dream of a true sanctuary here in New York. Learn more
As a state senator, I promise to do everything I can to help small business owners in our community by bringing commercial rent control back to New York City. Long blocked by a greedy real estate lobby and the politicians beholden to them, commercial rent control would restore rights to commercial tenants who have virtually none. Learn more
From state of the art computer labs to basic classroom space, we must fund space increases and technology upgrades to ensure students in New York City are receiving a quality higher education in modern facilities. Learn more
We must focus especially on reducing segregation and overtesting in middle schools rather than eliminating the SHSAT. I am opposed to Mayor Bill de Blasio’s proposal because it won’t solve the segregation crisis in our schools and pits communities against each other. Learn more
When a high school requires a portfolio of work from prior grades to be presented, it is difficult to provide one when a child is coming from a part of the school system that has failed them for a decade. This is why we need to scale back or do away with zoning completely, break with the overreliance on entrance exams, and ensure equitable services are provided in all public schools. Learn more
In conjunction with the above proposals to fully fund tuition, room, and board, and fees for higher education in New York State, we must expand these resources to Dreamers in New York State. Learn more
Providing pay in line with the request by the CUNY PSC is a must to ensure adjuncts are compensated appropriately. In addition to paying adjuncts a living wage, we must return to a system that once existed and barely does now—offering a pathway to tenure for adjuncts. Overworked, underpaid adjuncts cannot bear the brunt of this status quo any longer. They deserve stability, support, and the benefits of tenure; students, in turn, will get a better education. Learn more
I will fight to ensure that the only people who have control over the education debate in this city are the people who live in it. Learn more
I believe in actual education reform — a holistic approach to education that focuses on more than just teaching to the test. An emphasis must be placed on clubs, electives, and hands-on learning to ensure students are well-rounded and can think critically as opposed to being able to regurgitate answers. Rote-learning doesn’t prepare children for the real world. Learn more
Instead of providing over a billion dollars in funding to charters, that money should be poured into struggling public schools and used to fund the construction of new schools to alleviate overcrowding. And instead of supporting a fractured system where public schools provide an education to all our children while charters provide an education to those they don’t target for suspension and removal, we need one system that works for all students. Learn more
Far more funding is needed to build new schools to guarantee our children have the space they need to grow and learn. If elected, I will fight to ensure each school district within the Senate District adds at least one new school. Learn more
Funding for full-time faculty at CUNY and SUNY schools is essential to the success of students across the state. We see it in increasing class sizes, required courses that are offered so sporadically that their availability delays graduation, and in a lack of staff to guide students to graduating on time. Learn more
On top of free tuition, room and board must be covered at SUNY’s, transportation costs must be covered at CUNY’s, and burdensome fees must be eliminated in order to provide a truly free higher education to all New York State residents. Learn more
The Excelsior Scholarship did not go far enough. We need actual free higher education for all New York State residents at CUNY and SUNY schools. Learn more
We must pay new teachers more in New York City and ensure they reach pay scales comparable with well-funded school districts in the suburbs. Learn more
The only way to guarantee we have an economy entirely reliant on clean, renewable energy is to move away from the use of fossil fuels as quickly as possible. New York State can join other governments around the world by making the critical choice to divest from companies that generate revenue from oil, gas and coal. Learn more
I will pressure City Hall to adopt a new zoning code to cut down on runaway development along the Southern Brooklyn waterfront. We should not be building large housing developments in Flood Zones 1 or 2, which are highly vulnerable to future storms. Severe restrictions on height and the number of units must be placed upon all new construction in these areas. Learn more
New York Climate and Community Protection Act would add a new article, Climate Change, to the environmental conversation law. It would, among other things, force the Department of Environmental Conservation to develop a climate action plan and create regulations to cut down greenhouse gas emissions statewide Learn more
We must also set into law Governor Cuomo’s goal of eliminating all fossil fuel usage by 2050. Learn more
If New York is to actually serve as a model for the nation, we must put a price on carbon emissions and enact a carbon tax. This is one of the only ways to substantially reduce near and long-term carbon emissions. Learn more
Ross also believes we must invest $200 million in state funding to help English Language learners. In addition, we must increase funding for adult literacy programs for immigrants. Ross will fight to increase state funding from $7 million to $20 million and add incremental increases every year over time. Learn more
the Driver License Access and Privacy Act would allow the undocumented to get driver’s licenses using a passport that was issued in another country as identification. In instances when individuals are required to give a Social Security number, the law would then allow for them to sign an affidavit saying that they had not received one, but it would not prevent them from getting a license. Learn more
Partnerships must be made between city and state agencies, like the State Office for People With Developmental Disabilities and the New York City Department of Small Business Services to provide assistance in both training potential employees and connecting them with local businesses. Learn more
I will join the fight led by the New York City Bar Association to consolidate our courts and bring a rational, progressive, and fair judicial system to New York. Learn more
While the current situation is better than many states, including those where voting rights are never restored for convicted felons, the system does create confusion regarding probation and parole and falls behind states like Illinois, where only currently imprisoned felons are disenfranchised, and Maine and Vermont, where felons never lose the right to vote. Voting is a pro-social activity that can aid a person’s transition from incarceration to constructive, engaged roles in their community. New York State must move to address and rectify this policy that is rooted in historical racism. Learn more
Coupled with this program, however, should be the right to free prenatal and postnatal care for all women in New York State. The State must be legally obligated to provide maternity and child health clinics. We need a robust home-visiting program for women after birth. Learn more
Legislation to guarantee healthcare to all New Yorkers has been blocked in the State Senate and must be passed as soon as possible. Ross will battle to free our dying healthcare system from predatory insurance companies and bring the dream of universal coverage to all New Yorkers. Learn more
I will also fight to guarantee it covers hormonal therapy, sexual reassignment surgery, and all sexual health services to ensure no New Yorker has to pay more because of their sexual identity or orientation. Private insurance companies would not be allowed to discriminate against New Yorkers any longer. Learn more
Ross is a staunch supporter of universal healthcare. Over time, covering everyone lowers costs and saves lives. We need a universal healthcare system in New York to cover residents without regard to immigration status. This is a moral obligation and will also save costs by keeping New Yorkers from seeking routine medical care in emergency rooms. Learn more
Health care is a human right, and providing universal health care is a feminist issue. Bringing Medicare for All to New York will especially benefit women and people of color and will combat the inequities suffered by low-income women. Women pay more for their health care, they’re less likely to have a job that provides health care, and they earn less than men, making them less able to afford their health care. Learn more
While the Governor recently announced a $2.5 billion plan to build 110,000 units of affordable housing, that is just not be enough to adequately serve seniors. We need more than double that much funding to create a New Deal for senior housing — one that keep seniors living productive, healthy lives right here in Brooklyn. In addition to battling for new funding for senior housing throughout the 22nd Senate District, I will fight to ensure the Angel Guardian Home in Dyker Heights is turned into senior housing. Learn more
On top of free tuition, room and board must be covered at SUNY’s, transportation costs must be covered at CUNY’s, and burdensome fees must be eliminated in order to provide a truly free higher education to all New York State residents. Learn more
The city and state must work together to ensure that the housing needs of those living with disabilities are met, and that a share of new affordable housing that is constructed is dedicated to those individuals. This must include supportive structures within these specific developments and full accessibility to ensure that people living with disabilities are able to stay in the communities they know and love. Learn more
I will pressure City Hall to adopt a new zoning code to cut down on runaway development along the Southern Brooklyn waterfront. We should not be building large housing developments in Flood Zones 1 or 2, which are highly vulnerable to future storms. Severe restrictions on height and the number of units must be placed upon all new construction in these areas. Learn more
He will fight to protect and expand rent regulations so people who aren’t multimillionaires can live comfortably in the neighborhoods they call home. Ross will fight for universal rent control and the construction of housing that you can actually afford. Learn more
We must pass legislation to ensure incomes are factored into any decision made about rent hikes on rent-controlled apartments. If a senior citizen is living solely on a fixed income, sudden increases do not make sense — they are capricious and cruel. Learn more
Ross is a staunch supporter of universal healthcare. Over time, covering everyone lowers costs and saves lives. We need a universal healthcare system in New York to cover residents without regard to immigration status. This is a moral obligation and will also save costs by keeping New Yorkers from seeking routine medical care in emergency rooms. Learn more
Ross would pursue legislative avenues to break this deportation chain and prevent the NYPD, unless in certain severe cases, from sharing fingerprint data elsewhere. Learn more
the Driver License Access and Privacy Act would allow the undocumented to get driver’s licenses using a passport that was issued in another country as identification. In instances when individuals are required to give a Social Security number, the law would then allow for them to sign an affidavit saying that they had not received one, but it would not prevent them from getting a license. Learn more
Ross will vote for the New York Liberty Act, a comprehensive piece of legislation to protect immigrants. Passed by the Assembly, the Liberty Act has been bottled up by the pro-Trump Senate Republican Conference. The legislation would make New York a true sanctuary state by prohibiting the detention of undocumented individuals on immigration detainers unless there was a warrant from a judge. It would also prevent state and local law enforcement agencies from stopping or questioning a person based on perceived immigration status Learn more
Undocumented immigrants deserve tuition assistance too. Long stalled in the Republican-controlled Senate, the DREAM Act would allow college-bound undocumented immigrants to access the same in-state scholarships and financial aid available to U.S. citizens. Passing the DREAM Act is a moral obligation for any state senator, and Ross expects to cast the decisive vote in favor of the bill next year. Learn more
We must create a state work authorization program for immigrants in between or without status that will allow them to come out of the shadows and contribute to the economy. Right now, hardworking immigrants are exploited in low-paying jobs. They struggle to access the kind of career paths that will take them out of poverty, take stress off them and their families, and help create healthier, more integrated communities. A statewide work authorization program for all would go a long way toward realizing the dream of a true sanctuary here in New York. Learn more
As a state senator, Ross will lead the fight to bar ICE from our courthouses altogether. The Chief Judge could adopt policies to keep ICE out or we can pass legislation, if she doesn’t act, to bar ICE. Every state senator must be advocating to keep ICE away from our courts. Learn more
In conjunction with the above proposals to fully fund tuition, room, and board, and fees for higher education in New York State, we must expand these resources to Dreamers in New York State. Learn more
I will change that by holding the MTA accountable for its past failures and convening hearings and audits that expose problems and force the agency to do the right thing. We must finally make our subway stations accessible. Additionally, we must upgrade our city buses and improve service to ensure they actually show up and get our residents where they need to be. Learn more
We must cut down on the absurd amount of truck traffic in Southern Brooklyn. Large trucks are responsible for a tremendous amount of congestion and air pollution and are a safety hazard to pedestrians, bicyclists, and other car drivers. We can review the way we coordinate shipments, in part, by exploring possible toll pricing changes at major crossings depending on the time of day. Learn more
We need to make our neighborhoods more adaptable to alternative modes of transportation, including walking and biking. We must push for bike-share expansion, prioritizing dock-less bike shares in an effort to bring a responsible and equitable biking network to Southern Brooklyn. This also means pushing for more Vision Zero Complete Street Re-Designs, which have successfully reduced the number of traffic fatalities and injuries by putting the safety of pedestrians and cyclists ahead of the convenience of drivers. Learn more
We need to support a millionaire’s tax on everyone in the regions served by the MTA in New York State, not just New York City, and use this revenue to subsidize half-priced MetroCards for low-income New Yorkers. Our transportation system should be accessible to everyone, regardless of income. Learn more
MoveNY’s congestion pricing plan is a logical solution for Southern Brooklyn’s transportation woes. It will dramatically lower tolls on the Verrazano Bridge, cut down on pollution, and keep vehicles from clogging Manhattan streets — freeing space for commuter buses we rely on to get to work. In conjunction with placing tolls on the East River bridges, state lawmakers must ensure a lockbox is created for the MTA, so all new revenue is channeled toward transit upgrades and nothing else. Learn more
We need to stop spending money on inane projects, like pretty lights on bridges, and invest in a computerized signaling system to make the trains, like the R and D, run on time. We must raise new revenue for the MTA while reforming their wasteful spending practices. Learn more
More bus lines must be converted to Select Bus Service with Traffic Signal Priority (TSP) to fill the glaring gaps. When possible, protected barriers must be installed for buses. Additionally, the MTA must introduce a new card that could allow for all-door boarding on all buses, and not just Select Bus Service lines. This would speed up travel times significantly. Learn more
For a lot less money than a few stops on the Upper East Side, we could have a transformative train line that would start right in Bay Ridge. The “Triboro” is a viable transit line that would connect communities in South and Central Brooklyn to Queens and the Bronx because it would run for 24 miles on already existing freight line. Learn more
Only with a laser-like focus on CBTC — prioritizing new signal networks above all else — can we get the modern transportation system we need to keep New York City from backsliding to the bad old days. If stations need to close to end delays as we know them, this is acceptable — as long as rapid shuttle buses replace lost trains and no money is spent on superficial upgrades. Learn more
We must force the MTA to upgrade the subway’s nearly century-old signaling system so our trains can actually show up when they’re supposed to show up. Breakdowns due to “signal delay” are unacceptable. A vast majority of the MTA’s resources must be geared toward installing a computerized signaling system (CBTC) on every train line in the next decade. Learn more
Even when stations are made accessible, the MTA doesn’t do nearly enough to alert those who frequently utilize elevators when they are out of service. A plan must be drawn up and funding must be added to ensure that this vital public service is truly accessible to all city residents. Learn more
We need to back legislation to install speed-enforcement cameras in our school zones in an effort to protect our children from dangerous and speeding drivers Learn more
I’ve called on the MTA to install elevators in every subway station in my district. In the interim, no upgrades of subway stations should be undertaken without accessibility factored in. Learn more
While the Governor recently announced a $2.5 billion plan to build 110,000 units of affordable housing, that is just not be enough to adequately serve seniors. We need more than double that much funding to create a New Deal for senior housing — one that keep seniors living productive, healthy lives right here in Brooklyn. In addition to battling for new funding for senior housing throughout the 22nd Senate District, I will fight to ensure the Angel Guardian Home in Dyker Heights is turned into senior housing. Learn more
A free baby box program in New York would go a long way toward aiding new mothers in the crucial first months of childrearing. A baby-box program would also help to combat sudden infant death syndrome, or SIDS. Learn more
I will make battling senior hunger a priority when he is elected, because no one should have to make the everyday choice between buying food, medication, or paying rent. Learn more
Bay Ridge lacks a full-service community center — and we must change that. It is well within our power to do this and there many different ways through which we can pursue it. One of the best options is to establish a community land trust on city-owned land in the neighborhood and work together to build the community center we need. If needed, I will also work to secure state funding to build a community center. Learn more
The city and state must work together to ensure that the housing needs of those living with disabilities are met, and that a share of new affordable housing that is constructed is dedicated to those individuals. This must include supportive structures within these specific developments and full accessibility to ensure that people living with disabilities are able to stay in the communities they know and love. Learn more
Integration for those living with disabilities should mean full integration. Tailored job training programs for those individuals who choose to work is essential to ensuring they play an active role in their communities. Learn more
We must push for an official, independent audit of the MTA — a failed bureaucracy — and its profligate spending. Learn more
We need to support a millionaire’s tax on everyone in the regions served by the MTA in New York State, not just New York City, and use this revenue to subsidize half-priced MetroCards for low-income New Yorkers. Our transportation system should be accessible to everyone, regardless of income. Learn more
Far more funding is needed to build new schools to guarantee our children have the space they need to grow and learn. If elected, I will fight to ensure each school district within the Senate District adds at least one new school. Learn more
View your personalized ballot, check your voter registration, make a plan to vote, and research every name and measure on the ballot with BallotReady.