George on the Issues

Transportation

New York City transportation must be improved to accommodate the needs of our city’s growing population and those with disabilities. Each year, the MTA struggles to provide service and raises the fares, making it more difficult on low-income residents to afford transportation.

​The state legislature needs to provide additional funding for the MTA in the upcoming FY budgets. Additionally, the legislature needs to hold hearings with MTA to increase fiscal transparency and prioritize repairs, incorporate new technologies and add new trains. In the 81st Assembly district is experiencing multiple transportation issues on our train and bus line and expressways that often disrupt weekday, evening, weekend service. 

Education

​Although mayoral control over NYC education has influenced school faculty and leadership to focus more on STEM, the creation of “campuses” has led to overcrowding and a strain on our education department’s resources. Gifted and Talented programs should be expanded, along with the creation of new schools, particularly Middle Schools and High Schools. 

​City and state government should allocate additional funding for school buildings and new facilities with updated technology, labs, gyms, bathrooms and buildings that are more environmentally-friendly. We need specialized Middle Schools that will increase the ability of students to prepare for specialized High Schools.  

Justice Reform

New Yorkers deserve a safe city to live in and a justice system that is fair and balanced. We must study, re-evaluate and make any necessary changes to our bail reform law passed earlier this year.

​ We need to lift the statute of limitations for sexual crimes, strengthen drunk driving laws to further protect victims. New York State should completely eliminate the racially-motivated Rockefeller Drug Laws and address the increasing use of opioids. We need less prisons and to allocate more resources to schools.

Health

The current Coronavirus crisis has made it more clear the need to have a nationwide Universal Health Care program. For the state it's obvious to me The New Health Act would have made things easier and safer for us all. We also need all of our public employee unions to support this measure as having all New Yorkers covered would make their lives and jobs safer. 

The Affordable Care Act is under relentless attack from Republicans and insurance companies.  The Affordable Care Act and our health exchange must be protected and expanded.

​Medications and procedures for women have been hurt by insurance companies looking to punish us for the passage of Obamacare.  I support the changes that have helped transsexual persons get the medication and procedures they need at a much more affordable price.  Insurance companies should be prevented from cutting benefits for New Yorkers who need it most. 

Economy & Jobs

New York State government should provide more support for small businesses. should look for ways to help small businesses and mitigate the impact of taxes, paperwork and regulations. New York City needs more mom and pop stores and less big retail stores.

​Retail chains often underpays workers with minimum wage, causing workers to seek additional employment or rely on the government for assistance. Our city needs to create more green jobs and encourage the creation of businesses and organizations that can train people to take on those green jobs.  

 

Housing

Homelessness and the presence of transitional housing and homeless shelters are increasing in the Bronx.   Our borough needs more drug and alcohol treatment facilities. Our dilapidated prisons need to be replaced with quality facilities with doctors and staff that are fair to inmates.   

I am looking to introduce state versions of SCRIE and DRIE. For SCRIE it should spell out "Senior CItizen Rent Increase Exemption" (SCRIE) and "Disability-based Rent Increase Exemption" (DRIE). 

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Crime & Safety

​I'm proposing to change the laws regarding domestic violence including changes to the law regarding stalking, orders of protection and disallowing abusers to return to the home. I am calling for a domestic violence registry similar to a sex offender registry and additional funding from the state to support legal services for those affected by domestic violence and protection from landlords who would allow abusers back into their buildings. 

I am calling for changes in the law to charge someone who permanently maims someone to face the same time in prison as if they were charged with murder as the effects will last a lifetime, affecting a victim's physical, emotional or psychological health and may affect the person's career opportunities.  Additionally, more years should be added to the sentences for these crimes.

​ I am working to eliminate the statute of limitations for sex crimes, especially when the victims are or were children. I believe in life imprisonment for those who abuse children sexually or those who commit extreme physical abuse on children.

Quality of Life

I always loved fireworks as a kid and even as an adult. Unfortunately when it gets hot, people decide they want to let off fireworks at all times of the day even going past 1 AM. In Kingsbridge, Wakefield and Norwood I have received complaints. I have had to personally call the local police department because of fireworks going off until almost 2 AM. Buying fireworks is illegal in New York, but the local police department doesn't seem to address this issue.

​I am proposing a state law to make the purchase and use of fireworks a Class A misdemeanor that would impose both a fine and a small amount of jail time for those caught using fireworks between the hours of 9 PM and 10 AM without approval from their local municipality or local agency which authorizes such matters. 

Fighting for Our Future

As the Asembly-elect for the 81st district, I vow to fight and advocate for our interests, needs, community and our future!!