1. What is the most important issue in Council District 8 you would address if elected?

Education. It changed my life (Harvard University, Yale Law School), and it can lift our children.

As your Council Member, I will 1) visit all our schools, 2) meet the parents in those schools, 3) hound Albany for court-mandated funds, 4) create student internships.

2. What other important issues would you address if elected?

Housing and Economic Development. As Assemblyman, I tore down the "Berlin Wall of bank lending" ...with public hearings, census tract analysis, and constant pressure on the State Banking Commissioner. I used the Community Re-Investment Act to FORCE banks to DOUBLE their housing/small business lending, north of 96th street. I will continue this fight in the Council.

Prison Spending. NYC spends $58,000 per year per prisoner, but less than $15,000 on every public school student. Let’s invest in our schools.

3. What makes you the best candidate for this office?

1) I am the only candidate with any legislative experience.

2) TRAINING: I served in the New York State Assembly (1996-2000). I graduated from Harvard University (B.A., Government) and Yale Law School (J.D. ’80).

3) EXPERIENCE: I was a corporate attorney at Donovan, Leisure, Newton & Irvine. Wrote nearly 400 editorials for El Diario/La Prensa. Taught in our NYC public schools, and ran after-school programs for 4 years.

4) TRACK RECORD: I stopped 300 evictions. Our office solved 12,000 constituent problems. In just 4 years, I secured $8 million in additional state funds for my district.

5) COMMITMENT: Other candidates talk and disappear, but I am for real. For 12 years, I have given the Denis Legal Clinic. For 4 years, I fought for us in Albany. In the land of talk, my results are real.

(Reprinted as supplied by the candidate.)

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