MAYORAL CANDIDATE
Dianne Morales
Morales has spent the past decade serving as the CEO of Phipp's Neighborhoods, a non-profit that aims to help children and families rise out of poverty in the South Bronx via educational, career, and community resource programs. Morales has a lengthy resume serving New York's educational system, starting out in NYC's Dept of Education from 02'-04', serving as the director for the Teaching Commision from 04'-05', founding a child educational program named Jumpstart, and serving as the executive director of The Door, a youth development program from 05'-09'.
What Stands Out
Morales prides herself on her commitment to improving NYC's educational system and is the only candidate who is a former NYC public school teacher. She has dedicated much of her career across non-profits and local government roles to address educational problems for youth in low-income areas. Morales also started an outreach program on the Christopher St. Pier for homeless LGBTQ+ youth which grew into a program supporting housing development for them. Recently, she has been criticized for her role at Phipp's Neighborhoods, as the non-profit housing development program has come under fire for sub-par living conditions and failing to adequately serve its tenants. Morales' campaign manager has recently come out and admitted Phipp's is a "bad landlord"; however, Morales stated she remains committed to improving housing development programs for New Yorkers.
SHORT ANSWERS
On COVID: "In order to even begin to rebuild, we must first sign onto the demands for rent cancellation and debt relief to be paid for by taxing the wealthiest and/or federal aid. Additionally, we must expand city-based relief funds."
On Healthcare: "I would champion the passage of the New York Health Act, and in the interim, would see that local community-based health organizations are funded to assist immigrants with their health needs."
On Criminal Justice: "As mayor, I will move to end the long history of police brutality against communities of color, especially black people. We will not allow the NYPD to protect its members from accountability for acts of misconduct."
On Housing: "A Housing for All initiative that fights to bring down and stabilize rents, prioritizes low-income earners, takes housing development and land significantly off the speculative market, and instead builds needs-based quality mixed-income housing."