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First-time candidate Maya Wiley, a former MSNBC analyst who served as counsel to Mayor Bill de Blasio, is among the race’s moreprogressive candidates.
A civil rights attorney who began her career with the NAACP Legal Defense Fund in 1992, Wiley has focused her campaign on racial and economic justice and police reform. She wants to eliminate the next two classes of police cadets as part of a plan to shift $1 billion from the NYPD’s budget and has recommended $5,000 grants to help poor families pay for child care. Her most ambitious proposal is a $10 billion “New Deal New York” plan, billed as “Works Progress Administration-style infrastructure, stimulus and jobs program.”
Wiley has earned the backing of the city’s largest labor union, Local 1199 of the Service Employees International Union, and notched endorsements from Brooklyn U.S. Reps. Nydia Velázquez, Yvette Clarke and Hakeem Jeffries.
Wiley has demanded the resignation of Gov. Andrew Cuomo and her Democratic mayoral rival, Scott Stringer, both of whom have been accused of sexual misconduct and have denied the charges.
During her campaign, the 57-year-old Brooklyn resident has repeatedly distanced herself from de Blasio, for whom she served as in-house lawyer. In 2015 and 2016, when de Blasio was investigated for questionable fund-raising practices, she spearheaded the administration’s legal response.
“Women should not be defined by anything other than their record,” she told The New York Times. “I’m not running against Bill de Blasio.”
Website: mayawileyformayor.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 Maya Wiley answered below.
NYPD
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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
"We have to put the 'public' back in public safety. And that means a soup-to-nuts, top-to-bottom restructuring of what we call the New York City Police Department."
from Central Brooklyn Political Action Association forum, Nov. 18, 2020 -
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 NYPD is not the appropriate response to people who need mental-health-trained and peer mental health support.”
from Citizen Action mental health town hall, Dec. 15, 2020 -
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
-
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
"The Police Commissioner will not have final disciplinary authority."
from POLITICO, Feb. 16, 2021
Education
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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
“We have to eliminate school-based admissions policies that are not based on anything except privileging folks who can pay for tutoring and supports to get people through a test.”
from Uptown Community Democrats forum, Jan. 15, 2021 -
Should New York City have more charter schools?
Yes, advocate for more charter schools
No, discourage more charter schools
Advocate for more charter schools under stricter conditions than currently apply
-
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
-
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
"All kids count."
from UFT Mayoral Town Hall, April 7, 2020
COVID Recovery
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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
-
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
"Through my campaign’s 'People’s Assemblies' process, I will ensure that my proposal to improve this program will be based on participation and feedback by the communities who will be impacted by this program."
from Streetsblog, Dec. 14, 2020 -
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
Wiley tweeted that it is “unacceptable” that lower-income teens, the elderly and undocumented immigrants who are taxpayers did not receive federal stimulus checks.
from Twitter , April 6, 2020 -
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
Wiley tweeted: "The CDC say it's safe for students to return to the classroom full time with proper protocols in place. I'm calling on the Mayor and Chancellor to open schools and let every one of our kids learn, with their teachers, safely and in person 5 days a week."
from Twitter , March 19, 2021
Transportation
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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
"Part of what we need to do with that money is put it into our subway systems to make sure that they're continuing to run and operate and we have to improve them.”
from "Leading Contenders" Democratic Debate, June 10, 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
"The city deserves an MTA that either we have the ability to resource and direct and control or that Albany does what Albany needs to do, which is ensure that it has sufficient investments and transparency and accountability."
from Empire State Indivisible's Albany Agenda forum, Feb. 8, 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
"What we really need to do is expand it ... where we need it to make sure we have that service because of usage, but also increase the rates like we do for express bus service."
from Forum on the Future of Transportation, March 25, 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
Wiley's campaign website calls for the creation of 300 miles of bike lanes.
from Campaign website
Housing
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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're going to track it by people's needs. So it's going to include very low and extremely low-income people and ensuring that we have housing for them.”
from NYC Mayoral Candidate Forum on Tenants Rights, Feb. 27, 2021 -
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
"We must prioritize building permanently and deeply affordable housing for low income and extremely low income people across the city, not prioritizing certain zoning designations."
from Central Brooklyn Independent Democrats questionnaire -
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
"The principles have to be about keeping public housing public, and that's one of the concerns around RAD."
from Housing Conservation Coordinators' forum, Dec. 8, 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
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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
“YES. All residents of New York City should have the right to vote. Just as non-citizens were able to vote in school board elections of the past, they should be able to vote in municipal elections of the future.”
from Central Brooklyn Independent Democrats questionnaire -
Should government cash assistance be available to low-income undocumented immigrants?
Yes
Yes — special pandemic assistance only
No
“Remember Census 2020. Remember when we asked every New Yorker — whether they had documentation or not — to put their names on the line.… We asked them to count because that would bring more money to us.... And now the question is, do they count? Because we had a historic census count to bring more federal dollars to the state.”
from Twitter, March 24, 2021 -
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
Wiley wants to back the New York Immigrant Family Unity Project, the public defender system for NYC immigrants in detention facing deportation.
from City & State NY/Documented, April 12, 2021 -
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
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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
“I have based my plan and my program on what we have learned in history, which is that when we are in an economic crisis, we have to find a way to invest in our people, put dollars in our pockets and make sure that we are stimulating the economy.”
from Citizens Budget Commission Mayoral Candidate Forum, Feb. 24, 2021 -
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
“Gig-economy workers have played an important role in keeping our city running throughout the COVID crisis. I support the right of all workers to organize, and I support the classification of app-based drivers as employees, entitled to the rights and protections they deserve."
from Community Service Society NY questionnaire -
Which statement best describes your approach to bargaining with municipal labor unions?
No response / no position
-
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
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Will you direct the NYPD to stop arrests for drug possession?
Marijuana only
Marijuana and one or more other drugs
No
“We have to start, obviously, with where we have already a lot of public support with marijuana.”
from VOCAL-NY’s Mayoral Candidate Forum, March 17, 2021 -
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
"We have to close Rikers Island. It is a human rights violation, what is happening at Rikers.… There is a plan in place. It's a plan that will be implemented, and.... I support the plan."
from Queens Post Podcast, March 19, 2021 -
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
“I want to make sure there's no solitary confinement.”
from Empire State Indivisible's Mayoral Candidate Forum, Feb. 8, 2021 -
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
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The next mayor will inherit well documented inequities in property tax assessments. What will you do?
Respond without impacting overall tax dollars collected, even if that means some will pay more than before
Respond without increasing anyone’s tax burdens in the process — potentially reducing tax dollars collected
Maintain existing property tax assessment system
“I would follow the commission’s lead and propose a plan that is revenue neutral.… But the wealthy should pay their fair share, which is why I’m proposing raising property taxes on the wealthiest New Yorkers.”
from New York Daily News, April 11, 2021 -
Should NYC resume collecting taxes on stock transfers?
Yes
No
Wiley supports the stock transfer tax to fund her plan to ban evictions.
from Campaign website -
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
Wiley’s campaign plan includes imposing a “pied a terre” tax as part of new revenue sources.
from Campaign website -
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
“The one thing I consistently hear is that Maya, if you share with us a plan for what our money will do, and we know that improves our schools, that it's going to help with public transit, we're willing to pay more, but we want to see managerial leadership.”
from Citizens Budget Commission Mayoral Candidate Forum, Feb. 24, 2021
Borough Edition
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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
-
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?
Yes
Yes, but the proposed route requires more review
No
Wiley's website says she would "prohibit new fossil fuel infrastructure and funding sources, including pipelines and gas turbines, and support ongoing grassroots fights against fossil fuel infrastructure like the No North Brooklyn Pipeline organizing effort."
from Campaign website -
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
A spokesperson for Wiley said she would work toward implementing a system that helps small business owners to pay their rent. Her plan is called Save Our Small Business and it includes protecting commercial tenants, reducing commercial vacancies and committing to create a citywide model for commercial rent stabilization.
from Statement to THE CITY, May 17, 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
A spokesperson for Wiley said she will review the critical components of the Sunnyside Master Plan because “the City has invested billions of dollars in affordable housing development over the past seven years” and the city is still facing a housing crisis.
from Statement to THE CITY, May 17, 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
A spokesperson for Wiley said she would restore Staten Island Ferry service every half hour 24/7 so that "essential workers and overnight workers in Staten Island can continue to have transportation."
from Statement to THE CITY, May 17, 2021
Leadership
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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
-
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
-
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
"This is how I managed inside City Hall and got things done — like getting every single apartment in Queensbridge Houses free broadband…by recognizing it's a team effort and that you have to have the smartest and most qualified folks in all our important positions. You have to listen to them."
from Bloomberg Opinion, April 5, 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
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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
“We need a housing-first strategy.”
from First Democratic mayoral debate, March 2, 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
“Instead of spending $3 billion a year on homeless shelters, we should be investing in folks having housing first, having supportive housing. We should be taking the 100 hotels that have been shuttered and turn them into affordable and permanently affordable housing for our folks who need it.”
from Mayoral Candidates Meet Homeless New Yokers, Feb. 12, 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 reality is a big part of our safety problem in the subways is a mental health and homelessness problem, where we have the tools and resources to ensure that we have the proper outreach workers helping get folks who are mentally ill, or and or substance addicted out of the subways and into housing.”
from First Democratic mayoral debate, March 2, 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
Climate Change
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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
-
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
Wiley called for "transition of City-owned social infrastructure to become climate-ready, by investing in infrastructure to allow public schools, libraries, hospitals and Community Care Centers to act as climate-ready community hubs."
from Waterfront Alliance survey -
NYC’s current mayor vowed to ban gas hook-ups in new construction by 2030. Are you on board?
Yes
Yes, and move the goal sooner and/or make strides to phase out fossil fuels in existing buildings
No
Wiley pledged to "prohibit new fossil fuel infrastructure."
from Campaing website -
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
"By reducing the amount of waste we generate, expanding composting programs, and decarbonizing our waste handling systems, we can improve our environment and our economy, resulting in a healthier place to live and work."
from Campaing website
Building NYC Better
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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
“A big part of it is asset-mapping of the assets the city government controls that it can both leverage with the private sector, to help the private sector get more infrastructure and expand it, but also figure out how we utilize that to create the community benefits that ensure everything from free service where we need to be free, to low-cost service so that people can afford it, even if they have low incomes, but at a price point they can afford.”
from NYC Mayoral Forum, presented by Tech:NYC and Warby Parker, April 9, 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
-
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
“We need to change the city’s approach to land use and rezonings in ways that are principled. That means land use and rezonings that create and maintain affordable housing.… All land use and housing plans should include a fair distribution of resources and development that takes into account community needs and corrects for historic disinvestment and displacement.”
from National Organization for Women – New York City questionnaire -
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
Quality of Life
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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
-
Should NYC be home to full-fledged gambling casinos?
Yes — including Manhattan
Yes — not including Manhattan
No
-
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
-
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
Candidates
Meet Your Mayor
Answer questions on the big issues facing NYC and find out which candidates agree with you most.