/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/69374090/joycelyn_taylor_1.0.jpg)
Taylor, a businesswoman who grew up in public housing in East New York, Brooklyn, wants to expand affordable housing for rental and ownership. She proposes turning empty office buildings and vacant real estate into housing for the homeless.
She also hopes to cut more than $1 billion from the NYPD budget and return to policing levels of 2014, when crime rates in the city were far below the early 1990s peak.
Her education plan includes raising teachers’ salaries and providing “equitable investment across the board for schools.”
“I am running because much like the average New Yorker that lives in this city, I’M TIRED!” Taylor says on her campaign website. “I am tired of us having the same conversations over and over again and not seeing any changes.”
Website: taylorfor2021.com
Positions
THE CITY sent three multiple-choice surveys to every Democratic and Republican mayoral candidate on the ballot for the June 22 primary, starting in February. See how Joycelyn Taylor answered below.
NYPD
-
Should the NYPD uniformed force be downsized beyond currently planned levels?
Yes, redirect a substantial share of NYPD operating resources to other city agencies
No, maintain police officer headcount at roughly current levels
No, increase the number of NYPD officers
"Defund the police; what exactly does that mean? In short, it means reallocating police department funding so that our communities are better set up for success. For me, it also means that it is time to re-imagine our policing concept."
from Bklyner, July 16, 2021 -
Should the NYPD respond to 911 calls involving people in severe emotional distress?
Yes, where the call suggests a risk to others’ safety
Yes, under most or all circumstances
No, NYPD officers should not respond to these calls
"The role of the police is supposed to be proactive about preventing crime. If you have a mental issue or you're going through something, you haven't committed a crime."
from THE CITY interview , May 12, 2021 -
Should NYPD officers reside in the five boroughs?
Yes, all officers should reside in the five boroughs by the end of the new mayor’s term
Any new NYPD officer must live in the five boroughs but existing officers may live elsewhere until retirement
NYPD officers should be able to live in any of the counties currently authorized
“When I grew up, I knew the cops in my neighborhood, and I didn't see them as someone that was there to police me. … I would require that new officers that are coming on to the force should live in the city. You have to be in touch with what's going on in the city.”
from THE CITY interview , May 12, 2021 -
Should the NYPD commissioner have final say on disciplining officers for conduct violations?
The commissioner should retain decision-making authority in all cases
The commissioner should retain decision-making authority in some cases
Decisions should be made by a newly empowered Civilian Complaint Review Board
The mayor should have the final say in all cases
"You can't have the person you're working with checking the person that’s doing wrong. It just won't work. You need an outside person, an impartial party, looking at it impartially and saying, ‘This is right or wrong’ based upon the parameters that we set as to what's appropriate."
from THE CITY interview , May 12, 2021
Education
-
Should admission to existing specialized high schools continue to depend on a single Specialized High School Admissions Test (SHSAT)?
Yes, keep the SHSAT
Keep the SHSAT but also require additional admissions measures
No, abolish the SHSAT
“When you go to the college level, you have to take entrance exams. And those exams are going to be even more significant as it relates to your ability to get into a school. … What we need to do is invest in kids equally, so everybody's bright, so that everyone has opportunity.”
from THE CITY interview , May 12, 2021 -
Should New York City have more charter schools?
No response / no position
-
Should middle school admissions remain limited to students attending school in or residing in a district?
Yes
Allow applicants outside the district, through set-asides or other means
No
“We should make sure that we keep the doors open for people to have access to the best of the best. When my son was in middle school, he didn't go to the school in his district. He went to another school because this school offered more.”
from THE CITY interview , May 12, 2021 -
Should public school parent associations continue to be able to raise unlimited sums?
Yes, keep fundraising as is
Yes, but a system is needed to share funds between schools with many wealthy families and those with many poor families
No. Limits or further ground rules are needed for fundraising
Taylor said parents in low-income neighborhoods don't have extra money and networks to contribute to school parent associations. “If we don't create an equitable system, it won't ever exist.”
from THE CITY interview , May 12, 2021
COVID Recovery
-
Should New York consider mandatory vaccinations (with appropriate medical exemptions) if voluntary uptake of COVID vaccines does not reach sufficient levels?
Yes
Yes, for health, education, law enforcement and other workers interacting with the public
No
“Some individuals have maybe a medical reason or a religious reason why they don't want to take the vaccine. So I just want to be mindful of that.”
from THE CITY interview , May 12, 2021 -
Should the Open Streets program, including outdoor dining, become permanent?
Yes, ban vehicular access to current open streets
Yes, and expand the program to include more streets
No
“The open streets with the restaurants — I think it created a huge opportunity for restaurants.… It actually gives them additional square footage now to be able to accommodate more people, which from my standpoint means that they'll be able to get their businesses back to where they were more quickly.”
from THE CITY interview , May 12, 2021 -
Should NYC provide economic relief to undocumented immigrants who do not qualify for federal aid?
Yes, ongoing aid for the needy
Yes, one-time assistance
No
“A lot of undocumented immigrants that are here, that are working here — most come here because they want to make their lives better. … We have to treat them like human beings, and we have to support them.”
from THE CITY interview , May 12, 2021 -
Which statement most closely reflects your view of Mayor de Blasio’s approach to school reopening?
Schools have reopened for in-person/hybrid learning too quickly
Schools have reopened for in-person/hybrid learning too slowly
Schools have reopened at an appropriate pace
“There are some schools that are actually ready. There's some schools that aren't good. Given this being an unprecedented time, should we proceed with those schools who are ready and let them go ahead? And just let those schools who aren't ready, take the additional time that they need. We can't be one size fits all in this time because this is an unprecedented time.”
from THE CITY interview, Sept. 24, 2020
Transportation
-
Should New York proceed as soon as possible with congestion pricing, charging vehicles to enter central Manhattan?
Yes, supporting current plan to capture funds for the MTA
Yes, while pursuing city control over the revenue
No, or further evaluation is needed
“New York City is in a crisis, and we need to raise revenue for the city. We always find ways to do that — impact the people who could afford it the least."
from THE CITY interview , May 12, 2021 -
Should New York City gain control of its subway and bus systems?
Yes, while splitting bridge and tunnel toll revenue with LIRR and Metro-North
Yes, provided the city also gains full control of bridge and tunnel toll revenue
No
"I don't know if the city is at a point right now where we should be taking on additional responsibilities until we have a clear-cut plan as to how we're going to manage it and make sure that it's successful.”
from THE CITY interview , May 12, 2021 -
What course will you chart for the city-funded NYC Ferry system?
Continue or build on current NYC Ferry service and expansion plans while keeping fare at $2.75, providing additional dollars to step up service
Alter NYC Ferry service or expansion plans while continuing $2.75 fare
Raise or change NYC Ferry fare to help support existing and expanded service
Raise or change NYC Ferry fare while reevaluating routes and/or service
“We should make the ridership and the schedule has to make sense so that the city is not operating the ferries at a deficit.”
from THE CITY interview , May 12, 2021 -
Choose the statement that best describes your position on bike lanes:
NYC needs to expand its bike lane network into underserved areas, even where lanes have met some local resistance
Expand bike lanes, while being responsive to local objections in deciding where to put the lanes
Alter or remove existing lanes where warranted
“Although we would like more people to ride bikes, it's not happening in every community in the same way.”
from THE CITY interview , May 12, 2021
Housing
-
Which statement describes your preferred approach to spending the city’s affordable housing dollars?
Focus city funding on development projects that mix affordability at a range of incomes, using rents paid by higher earners to help cover costs for the lowest-income tenants
Focus city funding on 100% affordable development projects for the lowest-income tenants, even if that may create fewer units overall
Scale back city subsidies to affordable housing development, focusing resources on helping renters pay for existing housing
"We should be building what people can actually afford. And that will look different in every community, but at least it will create stability in every community."
from THE CITY interview, Sept. 24, 2020 -
Do you intend to “upzone” (increase permitted building size) areas of low-density neighborhoods to promote affordable and other housing development?
Yes, as part of area-wide rezonings
Yes, for specific blocks or properties
No, the city is already overbuilt
-
Should NYCHA continue toward its goal of placing half of its apartments into private management under the Rental Assistance Demonstration (RAD) program?
Yes, this is the best way for NYCHA to upgrade its deteriorating apartments
Yes, but keep a substantial number of apartments out of RAD to maintain oversight of those apartments by the monitor
No, NYCHA should not rely on private firms to manage its buildings
“I don’t just see RAD as just private management, I see RAD as private ownership to developers.... We need to create opportunities for those NYCHA residents that may have the ability to own something, to give them ownership, to give them control of their own developments and create better for themselves."
from THE CITY interview, Sept. 24, 2020 -
Should surplus funds received by the city from Battery Park City — an estimated $400 million over 10 years — be steered exclusively to NYCHA?
Yes, NYCHA needs a dedicated revenue stream to pay for much-needed apartment upgrades
Yes, but split the money between NYCHA and other affordable housing programs
No, 100% of this money should continue to be dedicated to general affordable housing programs
Immigration
-
Should non-citizens be allowed to vote in local elections?
Yes, permanent residents (green card holders) only
Yes, all New Yorkers, regardless of their immigration status, should be allowed to vote
No
-
Should government cash assistance be available to low-income undocumented immigrants?
Yes
Yes — special pandemic assistance only
No
-
Should NYC pay for attorneys to represent New Yorkers facing deportation in immigration court?
Yes, immigrant New Yorkers facing deportation should have a right to counsel
Continue existing city funding sponsoring legal services for immigrant New Yorkers held in detention
No
-
Do you support measures to legalize basement and attic apartments?
Yes, revise building codes to allow current illegal apartments to be compliant
Yes, revise building codes and encourage conversions through financing, counseling or other means
No
Labor
-
With hundreds of thousands of low-wage workers facing extended unemployment, which of the following would you make your top priority for investing federal aid dollars?
Wage subsidies to help employers bring back and retain their employees
Extended unemployment benefits to all impacted people
Access to loans for entrepreneurs and worker cooperatives
Government jobs in underserved communities to rebuild local economies
-
Should New York reclassify gig workers — including food deliverers and Uber drivers — as employees?
Yes, require companies to classify workers as their employees
Yes, give workers flexibility to decide whether they are classified as employees or independent contractors
No
-
Which statement best describes your approach to bargaining with municipal labor unions?
The mayor is working for voters and taxpayers, who must come first in bargaining with city employees
Municipal employees keep the city running and the mayor should put their needs first
Mayors should strive to find a balance between taxpayers and workers, even when that leaves everyone unhappy
-
New York has been a leader in increasing the minimum wage. Should the state increase it above $15 an hour in the first two years of your term?
Yes, and be indexed to inflation so the wage automatically rises each year
Yes, but not indexed to inflation — the wage should come under review before future increases
No
Criminal Justice
-
Will you direct the NYPD to stop arrests for drug possession?
Marijuana only
Marijuana and one or more other drugs
No
-
Should NYC stay on course to close all jails on Rikers Island by 2027?
Yes, build all new planned smaller borough-based jails on the current timeline
Yes, build new smaller borough-based jails but consider changes to plans or timeline
Reevaluate closing Rikers
Close Rikers, but build no new jails
“I am opposed to spending $11 billion on jails.... There are so many other things that we can utilize those funds for.… In the short term, it will continue to be on Rikers.”
from THE CITY interview, Sept. 24, 2020 -
Should NYC ban solitary confinement within jails?
Ban solitary confinement entirely
Maintain current plan to allow minimum 10 hours per day out of cells
No
-
Which of the following would you choose as your top priority in addressing individuals charged with a crime and awaiting trial:
Promote use of city supervised release programs for more people
Promote release without supervision programs for more people
Promote pretrial jail for more people who currently must be released
Leave the current system as is
Taxes
-
The next mayor will inherit well documented inequities in property tax assessments. What will you do?
No response / no position
-
Should NYC resume collecting taxes on stock transfers?
Yes
No
-
Should New York impose a “pied a terre” tax on homes that are not a primary residence?
Yes, for all part-time residents (less than 180 days a year)
Yes, for international owners only
No
-
Will you further tax the ultra wealthy?
Yes, increase the income tax rate for those who earn more than $5 million annually
Yes, increase the income tax rate for those who earn more than $10 million annually
No additional taxes
Borough Edition
-
The Bronx: Do you support building a stadium for the NYCFC soccer club next to Yankee Stadium?
Yes, I will do whatever I can to make this happen
Yes, but only if a deal can be reached with no public subsidy or tax breaks
No
“If we're saying that the city is in a crisis, then when you're in crisis mode, you can't go out give out subsidies. You just can't do it.”
from THE CITY Interview, May 12, 2021 -
Brooklyn: Do you support the National Grid’s proposal to expand its natural gas facilities, including building a pipeline through parts of Brownsville, Bed-Stuy, Bushwick, and Williamsburg?
No response / no position
-
Manhattan: Do you support commercial rent control?
Yes — I’m ready to work toward implementing a system
Let’s study the issue and see if any model could possibly succeed in Manhattan
No, commercial rent control does not work
“If we want to talk about having small businesses come back and be successful, we need to make sure that we give them the resource to achieve that. And I think the rents for commercials have really gotten out of control.”
from THE CITY Interview, May 12, 2021 -
Queens: The Sunnyside Master Plan envisions 12,000 affordable homes, a new regional rail station, 60 acres of open space and more to be built atop a platform over the western Queens rail yard. Will you work to realize the plan?
Yes, as planned
Yes, but the project’s cost, scale, community input or other fundamentals need revisiting
No
“I think that it's important that we proceed with the plan, but I also think we need to take a step back and look at it and see if it still makes sense. And we also need to reaffirm the community's input as it relates to this plan.”
from THE CITY Interview, May 12, 2021 -
Staten Island: Will you commit to restoring 24/7 half-hour service on the Staten Island Ferry? If so, when?
Yes, immediately after taking office
Yes, within my first term
No
“During my first term, we want to do an analysis to look at ridership. We want to have all of the data.... On the peak hours, the non peak hours, how many people do we have actually utilizing the service and then resume the service accordingly so that people have access.”
from THE CITY Interview, May 12, 2021
Leadership
-
Should NYC’s next mayor appoint campaign contributors to boards, commissions and other posts?
Yes, potentially to any type of position
Yes, only to advisory or other groups without decision-making authority
No
"We need to look at the dollar values of the donation."
from THE CITY Interview, May 20, 2021 -
Should city officials be able to raise funds from private donors for affiliated nonprofit entities?
Yes, as currently permitted
Yes, adding disclosure of the nonprofits’ spending and recipients
No
Taylor said allowing non-profit organizations to donate to political campaigns creates "an unequal playing field, favoring current officials and does not allow grassroots candidates the opportunity to compete."
from THE CITY Interview, May 20, 2021 -
Which of the following leadership styles will best serve NYC’s next mayor?
The decider — centralize decision-making with the mayor and close advisers
The delegator — hire top talent to run agencies and rely on their judgment
The partner — make decisions in coordination with the City Council
"You have to partner with City Council to get the legislation done. But you also have to have the right people to be able to implement it so that you can get the right result."
from THE CITY Interview, May 20, 2021 -
Should NYC’s next mayor veto any bills presented by the City Council?
Never — bills should only come to a Council vote following mayoral agreement
Only under extraordinary circumstances
As often as necessary
Homelessness
-
NYC is legally required to guarantee a “right to shelter.” Should related agreements be updated?
Renegotiate “right to shelter” into a “right to housing” to invest in permanent solutions
Keep “right to shelter” but lower existing barriers to families seeking shelter
Keep “right to shelter” as already agreed to
“Everybody deserves the right to housing. Housing is a basic right. And it actually ends up costing us more when we don't provide people with the housing that they need and we focus on just temporary shelter.”
from THE CITY interview, May 20, 2021 -
Should hotels remain residences for homeless people post-pandemic?
Yes, hotel capacity is needed for temporary or permanent housing
Keep current city plan to phase out hotels for the homeless by 2023
No, end homeless hotels as soon as possible
“My goal is to look at a lot of the zombie homes that we have in New York and work to increase the number of firms that we utilize for construction to rehab those zombie homes to provide affordable housing for the homeless. I also want to look at commercial space because you have a lot more people that are working from home in this moment.”
from THE CITY interview, May 20, 2021 -
Should the NYPD play a role in response to people living on the streets and in the subway system?
Yes, generally
Yes, specifically when public safety risks arise
No, NYPD should not be involved in homeless response
“The role of policing is supposed to keep people safe. Being homeless is not a crime, it's a condition that we created. So the response to a condition that we created should not be to bring in the police.”
from THE CITY interview, May 20, 2021 -
Should NYC’s next mayor close the 30th Street shelter, the main point of entry into the system for single men?
Yes, completely close within the next mayor’s term(s)
Close but keep ready and available to handle surges in demand
Keep the 30th Street shelter open as is
“People don't even feel safe going into these systems. So I want to eradicate homelessness and no longer allow homelessness to be big business.”
from THE CITY interview, May 20, 2021
Climate Change
-
By 2024, big NYC buildings will have to meet energy efficiency targets or face fines. Which one of the following should the next mayor prioritize to make sure they don’t fall short?
Help owners finance upgrades
Institute a cap-and-trade program that lets owners buy credits to offset their emissions
Revise the law’s timeline or penalties
None — Local Law 97 is solid as is
"A lot of these landlords are not making millions of dollars off of these premises. For the smaller and midsize ones, we have to support them financially."
from THE CITY Interview, May 20, 2021 -
What should the next mayor’s top priority be for neighborhoods in the most vulnerable flood zones?
Limit new development and enable owners to sell properties to the city
Invest in elevating and fortifying homes and other buildings
Construct protective infrastructure such as seawalls and restore wetlands
No new action
"We have to be proactive. We have to invest in infrastructure."
from THE CITY Interview, May 20, 2021 -
NYC’s current mayor vowed to ban gas hook-ups in new construction by 2030. Are you on board?
No response / no position
-
The newly revived organic waste recycling program will be available only in some community districts and only on demand. Should that change?
Maintain the program as is
Expand organic waste collection to all New Yorkers, but keep it optional
Expand organic waste collection to all New Yorkers and make it mandatory
Get rid of the program
"It should remain optional. And then we need to start doing some effective communication and education around it."
from THE CITY Interview, May 20, 2021
Building NYC Better
-
What route should NYC’s mayor take to expand access to broadband internet at home?
Create a publicly owned and operated municipal broadband network
Build on the existing city plan inviting companies to build out low-cost service
New state law requiring $15/month broadband for low-income customers is sufficient
“We do need low-cost internet but I think it's important that the city partner with companies that do this because we want to make sure that it's done correctly.”
from THE CITY interview , May 20, 2021 -
Should real estate developers be allowed to construct bigger buildings if they pay for elevator installation at nearby subway stations without access?
Yes, with the MTA maintaining the elevators
Yes, only if the developer also commits to providing ongoing maintenance
No
“We have to stop giving these developers incentives to build higher buildings that only seem to benefit them. The cost of the elevator is not so significant that we have to give a developer an incentive. No. We could afford, utilize the funds that we're about to get from Biden to build elevators in subways.”
from THE CITY interview , May 20, 2021 -
Should new real estate development require approvals beyond those that currently exist under the city land use review process?
Yes, require additional review
Stick with existing procedures and customs
The process needs fewer obstacles to development
-
Which of the following should NYC’s next mayor do first about sidewalk sheds attached to buildings?
Champion, sign and enforce a City Council bill that would require property owners to complete facade repairs within 90 days
Review existing building codes and enforcement to ensure the Department of Buildings doesn’t go overboard in requiring sheds
Focus on managing the current facade inspection and repair system
“We need to review the current process. We need to think about what the end result is. We have to also think about how the city can support these owners if they need some assistance.... But to just continue to put up sidewalk shed, at the sidewalk shed, no, it's not working.”
from THE CITY interview , May 20, 2021
Quality of Life
-
Should the mayor’s office crack down on short-term rentals from services like Airbnb, which are illegal under state law if the owner is not present during the stay?
Yes, large-scale professional operators only
Yes, all illegal rentals
No, let Airbnb be
"There are a lot of homeowners that are struggling right now. I want to make sure that we give them the option to still be able to generate some revenue and maintain their homes and pay them off."
from THE CITY interview, May 21, 2021 -
Should NYC be home to full-fledged gambling casinos?
No response / no position
-
Should city government open public restrooms as a widely available amenity?
City should launch effort to deploy and maintain public restrooms
No city restroom program, but incentivize business establishments to make their restrooms available to the public
No
"We should be able to provide that, not just in Manhattan, but throughout the boroughs in various areas. And we need to make sure that they're clean and they're safe, because as human beings, we have to use the restrooms."
from THE CITY interview, May 21, 2021 -
A new law creates 4,000 new street vendor licenses over 10 years, most outside Manhattan. Should the city:
Expand the number of licenses further
Keep the number of licenses as set
Evaluate impact of new vendor licenses on businesses before further action
"We want these vendors to be able to get their licenses, we want them to be successful. We want to cut down on bureaucracy. If we're not able to do that and we just increase the numbers, it'd have been a waste of time."
from THE CITY interview, May 21, 2021
Candidates
Meet Your Mayor
Answer questions on the big issues facing NYC and find out which candidates agree with you most.