Name of Council Candidate: Julio Pabn Name and Title of Person Completing Questionnaire: Saj Rahman, Senior Public

Policy Advisor Campaign Website: www.juliopabon.com

2013 CITY COUNCIL HUMAN RIGHTS QUESTIONNAIRE

1. Many in the United States think of international affairs when they think of human rights. Our work emphasizes the applicability of the human rights framework here in the United States. Please share your thoughts on the domestic applicability of human rights, and discuss why human rights are important to you in the context of New York City and the City Council. It is unfortunate that many people fail to realize countless human rights abuses are committed right here in New York City. In my district in the South Bronx we have "third world" conditions. People are malnourished. Food should be a human right for all. Food stamp programs don't reach everyone and often not enough in a city like New York. Housing is a human right, yet we have tens of thousands in our city without a place to live. Our schools in the neediest districts have the least resources which is a violation of our human right to education. Countless documented and undocumented immigrants are not given the basic rights afforded to all human beings. Many immigrants' labor are being exploited with "sweat shop wages and working conditions". Access to healthcare is a human right yet our community still suffers from massive health disparities. Our community also suffers from a technology gap that disadvantages our students and workers. Our children are being killed by law enforcement with impunity. Our young people are railroaded into prisons that have heinous conditions incapable to rehabilitating anyone. Sadly, I can continue listing human rights violations that exist right here in New York City. 2. How have you used current or previous professional positions to advance human rights? I have been an activist and community organizer for almost 50 years. I have worked on countless issues advancing human rights and justice for all. I started working with the Young Lords since the 70's. Most of my work has been on a volunteer basis. Professionally, I was the Director of Job Corps and was able to help thousands of individuals get living-wage jobs and training. I also worked for Congressmen Serrano and advanced many initiatives. 3. What will your top 3 legislative priorities be in your first term as Council Member? 1. Changing our department of homeless services policies that are wasteful and providing affordable housing for all. 2. Establishing Free Public Wi-Fi to reduce the technology gap that disadvantages our students and workers disproportionately in my district. 3. We want greater allocation of resources to districts with greatest need. Many reports have indicated that discretionary funds are not allocated based on objective formula but rather along political relationships. This creates disadvantages for non-profit organizations that have little political clout and the communities that

they represent. We want an objective need-based formula to ensure equitable distribution of public resources. (Please review my 17-point plan for the 17th District) 4. What will your top 3 budget priorities be in your first term as Council Member? 1. Provide universal pre-school and pre-kindergarten for all children 3-4 years old 2. Create at least 100,000 new units of affordable housing 3. Keep libraries open 7-days a week with computer labs and extended hours 5. Do you plan to use participatory budgeting to allocate your discretionary funds? Why or why not? I do plan on using participatory budgeting for discretionary funds. Not only should my community decide where these funds should go; I believe the process of engaging the community to make funding decisions will be empowering. It will push groups to engage their community to garner support for a project they might want to see in their community, thus ensuring there is community "buy-in" on these initiatives/projects. I really want to see greater community engagement and control over their tax dollars and public resources. 6. Please provide examples of recent legislation in Council that you believe promotes human rights. I support the Prevailing-wage bill; I think ensuring workers get a living-wage (at least on publicly funded projects/initiatives) is a step in the right direction. The community Safety Act is a great bill to ensure oversight of the police department's stop and frisk policy. I also support paid sick leave but have suggestions to improve the bill. 7. Legislation is only one of many ways in which Council Members can work to advance human rights. What ways other than through legislation will you advance the human rights of New Yorkers as a City Council Member? I want to use my position in office to highlight and draw public attention to issues neglected often by media and our elected officials. I want to devise mechanisms for community members to organize and more effectively redress grievances. I want to support movements in the city, attend rallies and demonstrations. I am willing to engage in civil disobedience if the issue demands it. I will not be a passive supporter but rather a proactive advocate for human rights. That is how I have conducted myself for almost 50 years and I expect to increase my engagement if elected to City Council. 8. Some advocates contend that the position of the Council Speaker has too much power over the progression of legislation. Please use this space to respond to that critique. City Council needs a bill drafting service independent of the Speakers office. It could be modeled similar to the state legislator's bill drafting commission. Committee chairs should have the power to put forth legislation and even call for voting. Committees should also have subpoena power through voting independent of the Speaker's office.

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