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  • Tom Siracuse

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    Human Rights Project at the Urban Justice Center
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    Thomas Siracuse believes that human rights are important domestically and in New York City. As a Council Member, his top three legislative priorities will be: 1) prohibiting racial profiling by the NYPD, 2) establishing an independent civilian police review board, and 3) decriminalizing marijuana. He will use participatory budgeting and favors expanding the process to more budgetary decisions. Additionally, he will organize public forums and meetings between community groups to advance human rights outside of legislation.

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    2013 New York City Council Human Rights Profiles

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    Thomas Siracuse believes that human rights are important domestically and in New York City. As a Council Member, his top three legislative priorities will be: 1) prohibiting racial profiling by the NYPD, 2) establishing an independent civilian police review board, and 3) decriminalizing marijuana. He will use participatory budgeting and favors expanding the process to more budgetary decisions. Additionally, he will organize public forums and meetings between community groups to advance human rights outside of legislation.

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    34 views2 pages

    Tom Siracuse

    Uploaded by

    Human Rights Project at the Urban Justice Center
    Thomas Siracuse believes that human rights are important domestically and in New York City. As a Council Member, his top three legislative priorities will be: 1) prohibiting racial profiling by the NYPD, 2) establishing an independent civilian police review board, and 3) decriminalizing marijuana. He will use participatory budgeting and favors expanding the process to more budgetary decisions. Additionally, he will organize public forums and meetings between community groups to advance human rights outside of legislation.

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    Name of Council Candidate: Thomas Siracuse Name and Title of Person Completing Questionnaire: Tom Siracuse, Candidate Campaign

    Website: www.electTomSiracuse.info

    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. Without a strong record on human rights within the United States, there can be no progress in the building of democracy either within the country and we can have no credibility on human rights internationally. New York City, the most populated city in the country, the site of the famous Statute of Liberty, the destination for those fleeing in justice and persecution throughout the word and the home of the largest immigrant population of any city in the US should be a beacon of human rights throughout the world. 2. How have you used current or previous professional positions to advance human rights? I have been active and held office in tenant, environmental, teacher, political and veteran groups that put human rights at the top of their agenda. I have included human rights in my campaign literature when I ran for the NYS Assembly and Senate in the past. 3. What will your top 3 legislative priorities be in your first term as Council Member? Human rights: 1. Prohibit ethnic/racial profiling and "Stop and Frisk" by the NYPD 2. 3. Establish an independent civilian police review board Decriminalize marijuana

    4. What will your top 3 budget priorities be in your first term as Council Member? 1. 2. 3. End the present NC tax system that amounts to a flat tax and replace it with a graduated income tax End subsidies and tax breaks for real estate developers End public subsidies for charter schools and spend more money on problematic public schools instead of closing them

    5. Do you plan to use participatory budgeting to allocate your discretionary funds? Why or why not? Yes. Participatory budgeting democratizes the process of budgeting by giving the public direct input. It promotes transparency and the spending of money in the interest of the whole community. Although the NYC process allows residents in their council district to decide a portion of the discretionary budget, it is a good first stop and I would favor of expanding this process in the budgetary decisions. 6. Please provide examples of recent legislation in Council that you believe promotes human rights. Intro 0097-2010. Paid Sick Time Act Intro 0656-2011. Limiting Dept of Corrections collaboration with USIS customs enforcement Intro 0816-2011. Workplace Protection of Religion Intro 0816-2012. Whistleblower Protection Expansion Act Intro 0791-2012. Extension of Rent Stabilization 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 would propose that the Council organize public forums and hearings on human rights issues. I would also propose that the Council organize meetings among community and religious groups to discuss how to advance human rights and confront racial, ethnic and sex discrimination and prejudice. 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. I agree. Right now the speaker can block a bill proposed by enough members of the Council to override a mayoral veto. The speaker must not have this power.

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