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Candidate Overview

1. Why should young people in NYC vote for you instead of the other candidates?

I still believe in the sacred promise that New York City made with us, and I'll fight to

restore it: Work hard. Dream big. Then work even harder. Sometimes work twice as hard

as everybody else, even just to get to the same place. And if you do all that, you'll have

the opportunity to make good.

If a City like this can give someone like me this kind of opportunity, I believe this is

worth sticking your neck out for even if they put a target on it. So you know I'll fight

relentlessly from City Hall to restore that promise for all New Yorkers. And young peoplein New York share my bold ideas, vision and plan for One City.

2. How would you distinguish your future administration from the present one run by

Mayor Bloomberg?

I will be a Mayor not just of the 1% but of the 100%. In my administration, I will bring in

new blood and fresh energy representing all of New York.

Personal Questions

1. Do you rent or own your home? Will you move to Gracie Mansion if you win?

Homeowner in Flushing, where I emigrated at age 5.

It's a tremendous honor to occupy Gracie Mansion, and my family will live there full-

time; as with previous Mayors, it would still be largely used for public events.

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2. Do you have a pet?

No.

3. If you have children, do/did they attend public schools?

My son Joey (age 12) attends public school. My wife and I also are products of NewYork City public schools, from K-12 (Brooklyn Tech and Bronx Science, respectively).

4. Have you ever been the victim of a crime?

Fortunately Ive never been the victim of a violent crime.

Safety

1. What changes would you like to see in the NYPD's stop and frisk policies?

Under the Liu Administration, I will as Mayor abolish Stop-and-Frisk. I have long been

clear and consistent in calling for its complete end based on Stop-and-Frisk being the

biggest form of systemic racial profiling anywhere in the country. Under the Liu

Administration, the City's highest officials will no longer turn 'a blind eye' to

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discrimination where 'blacks are likely targeted for stops based on a lesser degree of

objectively founded suspicion than whites'. Our young people of color deserve more than

a presumption of guilt until proven innocent and need strong leadership that eliminates

self-fulfilling prophecies.

2. Would you replace Ray Kelly as police commissioner?

I think in all honesty no one has asked if him if he wants to stay one. But, I am looking

for my own team, new blood and fresh energy representing all of New York.

3. Do you support the decriminalization or legalization of marijuana in New York City?

Yes. Instead of sending kids to court, let's send kids to college! New York Citysmisguided war on marijuana has failed, and its enforcement has damaged far too many

lives, especially in minority communities. Its time for us to implement a responsible

alternative. Regulating marijuana would keep thousands of New Yorkers out of the

criminal justice system, offer relief to those suffering from a wide range of painful

medical conditions, and make our streets safer by sapping the dangerous underground

market that targets our children. The City use the revenues generated by the regulation of

marijuana to reduce CUNY tuition by as much as 50 percent for New York City residents.

In this way, well invest in young peoples futures, instead of ruining them. See my full

proposal here: http://comptroller.nyc.gov/newsroom/liu-legalize-marijuana-in-new-york-

city/

4. Do you support an independent inspector general for the NYPD?

http://comptroller.nyc.gov/newsroom/liu-legalize-marijuana-in-new-york-city/http://comptroller.nyc.gov/newsroom/liu-legalize-marijuana-in-new-york-city/http://comptroller.nyc.gov/newsroom/liu-legalize-marijuana-in-new-york-city/http://comptroller.nyc.gov/newsroom/liu-legalize-marijuana-in-new-york-city/

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The mayor has enough authority to provide oversight to the NYPD. The real focusshould be to end stop and frisk.

5. Would you change the way the NYPD handles protests in the city, including the

present "free speech zones"?

City Hall can strike the balance between ensuring safety while the robust exerciseof First Amendment rights.

6. Do you favor an increase in funding for the Accident Investigation Squad, and

directing AIS to investigate all accidents which include a serious injury (rather than just

deaths)?

I favor increasing funding to the Crash Investigation Squad and expanding its mission to

investigate crashes including a serious injury.

7. Should people be allowed to drink alcohol on their own stoops? What about in public

parks?

People should be able to engage in legal activities on private property. We shouldregulate the consumption of alcohol in a public space, such as a public park.

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Transportation, Bikes and Bike Lanes

1. How often do you ride a bike?

I ride a bike several times a year, including several 5-Boro Bike Tours under mybelt.

2. How will you change Mayor Bloomberg's bike lane policy?

The creation of bike lanes would be a community driven process.

3. How often do you ride NYC subways and buses?

Not as often as I used to.

4. Should livery cabs be allowed to pick up street hails in the outer boroughs?

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Yes as it is a necessity in areas where there is limited to no yellow taxi service.

5. Do you support congestion pricing?

As a way to expand mass transit options, yes.

6. Should the new Staten Island ferries be required to have outdoor decks?

Preferable if the decks are well-made and cost-effective.

7. Do you favor adding platform gates on New York City subways?

Yes.

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Health1. Will you change or repeal any of the following Bloomberg administration policies?

a) Salt ban - repeal

b) Soda size limits - repeal

c) Smoking in public parks - keep

d) Restaurant letter grades - change

e) Styrofoam ban - keep

Disaster Preparedness

1. Should residents be allowed to rebuild their homes in flood-prone areas like The

Rockaways?

Residents should be allowed to rebuild in flood-prone areas like the Rockaways ifthey rebuild with measures to help protect against flood damage.

2. What specific measures should the City take to prevent widespread destruction from

Sandy level storms?

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The City needs to ensure that the infrastructure is designed to address Sandy levelstorms and codes and other standards are updated to address these types of storms.

Development

1. Do you support a ban or limit on chain stores in New York City?

No. Chain stores are not inherently bad. Its when they have bad practices, suchas not paying a wage that people can live on, or providing some sort of health insurance,which forces municipalities and its taxpayers to subsidize such businesses by provide

medical assistance and other relief.

2. Do you support Walmart building stores in the City?

No. Walmart is a prime example of a chain store with bad practices.

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3. Do you support NYCHA's recently announced plans to build market rate apartments

on publichousing parking lots and playgrounds?

No. NYCHAs mission is to build and maintain affordable housing, not a privatedeveloper. Also, the infill plan presents a false choice;.

4. Do you support tax breaks to keep corporations in NYC? What about for movies being

filmedin NYC?

I would level the playing field by eliminating the practice of giving subsidies to large

corporations. Instead I would invest that money into fostering small businessdevelopment. Small businesses are the source of most new job creation in New York

City and we should invest in their growth.

5. Do you support the "public-private" model of park development used under the

Bloomberg administration?

As part of my Mandatory Inclusionary Zoning plan, I see great value in publicprojects subsidized by private investments which should require that any new

construction offer affordable housing for residents with low to moderate incomes. I want

to emphasize that we're talking about public-private partnerships, with a heavy emphasis

on the former. Not where the privates get all the increase in the economic value.

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6. How would you modify the Bloomberg administration's waterfront development

policy?

My Mandatory Inclusionary Zoning plan would apply to waterfront property

development. I see great value in public projects subsidized by private investments which

should require that any new construction offer affordable housing for residents with low

to moderate incomes.

Education

1. How can the city reduce the number of teachers in "rubber rooms"?

The teachers contract creates a disciplinary system that the City negotiated with theteachers. The City needs to bring and try its accusations against teachers so that the

disciplinary issues are resolved promptly.

2. Would you continue to allow schools to distribute "morning after pills" without

parentalconsent?

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I am open to considering plans that expand access to contraceptives, based on both need

and reality.

3. How would you change the present administration's Charter School policies?

While some charter schools such as community-grown schools run by community based

organizations have worked well; corporate-type charter schools have created more

disruption than educational value. I will end the practice of allowing charter schools to

co-locate rent-free.

Miscellaneous1. Do you support or oppose term limits for NYC politicians?

I do not support term limits because I think elections are de facto term limits for elected

officials who do not meet their constituents expectations. I, however, respect the opinion

of city residents who voted twice to support term limits and I vociferously opposed theextension of term limits that I believe subverted the will of the people.

2. Should short-term vacation rental services like AirBnB be legalized in New York City?

No. When people rent or buy in a residential area, they have a legitimateexpectation that they will be in a community with other long-term residents, not different

people every night or so. Short-term vacation rentals belong in an area properly zoned

for hotels, not in a residential district.

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