Senator James Sanders Jr. Hosts Cynthia Nixon, Candidate for NYS Governor at Community Clergy Breakfast

State Senator James Sanders Jr. (D-Queens) hosted his monthly Community Clergy Breakfast, on August 17, 2018 at Bethel Gospel Tabernacle Church in Jamaica, where the guest speaker was Cynthia Nixon, candidate for NYS Governor, progressive advocate and former television actress, best known for her role on the show Sex and the City. 

"Your vote is an investment," said Sanders, who has not endorsed any candidate for governor. "You have to ask yourself - 'How is the rate of return on my investment? Is it sufficiently benefiting the community. If it isn't then you have to consider looking at who is the manager of your investment.'"

Sanders added, "Get rid of all your preconceptions - for and against - and just listen, and then ask questions."

Dozens of faith-based leaders attended the event to hear Nixon's views on various issues and how her proposed initiatives could impact Southeast Queens. She spoke about topics including education, criminal justice reform, and economic development. 

Nixon began her introduction by stating that she is rejecting campaign donations from corporations and real estate developers, because she does not want to be a part of what she considers a corrupt culture in Albany. She added that she wants to ensure that everyone pays their fair share of taxes including millionaires and corporations so that New York is a state for everyone not just the wealthy.

Nixon's main platform, however, is "Schools not Jails." She aims to ensure that schools across the state are fully funded so that all youth have a chance to attend a Pre-K program and later the opportunity to go to college for free, where they can not only learn academics, but a trade as well. 

With regard to Minority and Women-Owned Business Enterprises (MWBEs), a hot topic on people's minds given the $10 billion reinvestment in JFK International Airport, Nixon said she would raise the state goal for contracts to these companies from 30 percent (which is the highest in the nation) to 35 percent. 

"I will work with you as governor and make sure that JFK provides tremendous benefits to local communities," Nixon said. "The first thing I will do on JFK is to come here to Southeast Queens and meet with the community to hear about local needs and local concerns and local priorities. In my administration these needs will be central to the redevelopment of JFK."

When questioned about her stance on immigration, Nixon stated that she supports the DREAM Act and the Liberty Act. She also wants to expand access to driver's licenses to include undocumented immigrants. Nixon said it is dangerous to have people on the road who may not know how to drive properly and this step would help eliminate that. 

Also of note, Nixon supports the legalization of the use of recreational marijuana and the expansion of dispensaries that distribute the drug for medical purposes. She claims this will lower incarceration rates among blacks and Latinos who are often nabbed for low level drug offenses and minor criminal infractions like turnstile jumping, which would be better punished with a summons, not time in a cell. 

We would like to thank Bishop Roderick Caesar for allowing us to use the multipurpose center at Bethel Gospel Tabernacle Church to host the event.

Senator Sanders' Community Clergy Breakfasts tentatively take place on the third Thursday of each month from 8:30 a.m. - 11 a.m. The next one is scheduled for September 13, 2018. More details will be announced as the date approaches.