State Rep Candidate Forum - Aug 1 2018 - Lynn MA

Video: State Representative Candidate Forum, 11th Essex District, hosted by Lynn United for Change and Neighbor To Neighbor Massachusetts Education Fund on August 1, 2018.

Notes on the candidate responses, and where in the video to find specific questions, are below.

Thank you to all the candidates for taking part, to the audience and volunteers. And a huge thanks to Lynn Community Television for producing this great video.

Direct link to video

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-> Opening Statements at approximately [aprox 5:10]

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-> QUESTIONS

1. Immigrant rights [~ 13:05]

[Do you support] drivers licenses for undocumented people, in-state tuition regardless of immigration status, and the Safe Communities Act?

Russo: yes
Net: yes
Capano: yes

[Responses included additional discussion of the issue.]
- question presented by Quendia from Neighbor to Neighbor

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2. Real Estate Transfer Fee [~ 17:35]

Will you support legislation to allow any city in Massachusetts the option of imposing a "real estate transfer fee" on certain property sales, with resulting revenue dedicated to affordable housing?

Russo: yes
Net: yes
Capano: yes

Do you think the City of Lynn should put a Real Estate Transfer Fee in place?

Russo: yes
Net: yes
Capano: yes

- question presented by Ella from Lynn United for Change

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* 3. Rent Control [~ 19:05]

Will you actively support efforts to end the statewide ban on local rent control laws?

Russo: yes
Net: yes
Capano: yes

Do you think the City of Lynn should bring in rent control as soon as possible?

Russo: no
Net: yes
Capano: yes

[Additional discussion of the issue followed the yes/no responses.]
- question presented by Mary from Lynn United for Change

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4. Transgender Rights [~23:50]

Do you support keeping these protections [protecting transgender people from discrimination in public spaces]?

Russo: yes
Net: yes
Capano: yes

[Additional discussion of the issue followed the yes/no responses.]
- question presented by Kai from Neighbor to Neighbor

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5. Healthcare [~ 27:05]

Do you support "Medicare for All" (†) to ensure that every Massachusetts resident has access to healthcare?

Russo: yes
Net: yes
Capano: yes

† For an example of a specific proposal, see https://malegislature.gov/Bills/190/S619
- question presented by Francia from Neighbor to Neighbor

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* 6. House leadership and term limits for House Speaker [~28:00]

If elected, will you support term limits for the position of House Speaker?

Russo: no
Net: yes
Capano: no

[Additional discussion of the issue followed the yes/no responses.]
- question presented by Drenusha from Lynn United for Change

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* 7. Housing and Development [~ 32:20]

Tell us about [your] vision for development in Lynn. Some questions to consider: should Lynn allow gated communities on the waterfront? Should luxury housing play a part in development? What will you do to make sure that new development does not push out lower income residents. How would you fight to keep Lynn diverse, affordable, and working class?

[Each candidate was given two minutes to respond.]
- question presented by Ella from Lynn United for Change

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8. Public education [~ 38:20]

Would you support making community colleges and state schools free for all Massachusetts residents, including undocumented students and formerly incarcerated students?

Russo: yes
Net: yes
Capano: yes

[Responses included additional discussion of the issue.]
- question presented by Angelica from Neighbor to Neighbor

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* 9. Policy differences [~ 41:30]

Please describe some specific differences you have with the other candidates on policy and priorities.

[Each candidate was given two minutes to respond.]
- question presented by Dora from Lynn United for Change

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* 10. Community Benefit Districts [~ 46:25]

Do you support the concept of local Community Benefit Districts (‡) as described in... House Bill 4546?

Russo: yes
Net: yes
Capano: no

[Responses included additional discussion of the issue.]
- question presented by Eliud from Neighbor to Neighbor

‡ Some people may not be familiar with this term and proposal. Community Districts are promoted as a way to create public-private partnerships to bring more resources to downtown areas [through mandatory fees charged to property owners in the District]. But many people see them as essentially the private ownership of public space, with no voice for renters and small business owners in whether a District is created or what it does. Concerns have also been raised that Community Benefit Districts lead to privatization... of public jobs, threaten freedom of speech, increase racial profiling, and promote increased rents and gentrification. [Proponents of CBD legislation say these concerns are unfounded.]

The text of H.4546 is available at https://malegislature.gov/Bills/190/H4546
For more on both sides of this debate, see (for example):
http://www.lowellsun.com/breakingnews/ci_32019292/tax-equity-concerns-sw...
https://www.bostonglobe.com/metro/globelocal/2018/07/13/should-massachus...
https://www.masslive.com/politics/index.ssf/2018/07/controversy_emerges_...

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* 11. Environmental Justice [~ 50:42]

[This session] the state legislature passed clean energy legislation that failed to make clean energy sources accessible to low-income people and communities of color... the state has left communities of color to bear the costs of extraction and environmental injustices. What will you do... to ensure that the City of Lynn is not bearing the brunt of pollution and climate change effects?

[Each candidate was given two minutes to respond.]
- question presented by Paul from Neighbor to Neighbor

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12. Minimum wage [~ 55:27]

Should Massachusetts keep a separate [lower] minimum wage for tipped workers?

Russo: no
Net: no
Capano: no

[Additional discussion of the issue followed the yes/no responses.]
- question presented by Celly from Lynn United for Change

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* 13. Development and public institutions [~ 59:40]

A new project on Washington St in Lynn was just announced. It primarily consists of 2 BR condos that are expected to cost in the range of $400,000. This project has the support and heavy involvement of the Lynn Housing Authority. Is this an appropriate type of project for a housing authority and for public institutions to be taking on?

[Each candidate was given one minute to respond.]
- question presented by Isaac from Lynn United for Change

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-> Closing statements [ ~ 1:04:15 closing statements ]

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woman at podium asking question to three seated candidates