Name of Council Member: Eric A. Ulrich Name and Title of Person Completing Questionnaire: R.

Giuliani, Chief of Staff Campaign Website: N/A

2013 CITY COUNCIL HUMAN RIGHTS QUESTIONNAIRE

1. Many in the United States think of international affairs when they think of human rights. Our work emphasizes the applicability of the human rights framework here in the United States. Please share your thoughts on the domestic applicability of human rights, and discuss why human rights are important to you in the context of New York City and the City Council. In my view, domestic human rights are the guiding principle behind our entire legislative process at the City Council. All the legislation that is introduced in some way will facilitate opportunities that will afford every New Yorker the possibility to attain housing, employment, healthcare, etc. Whether it is direct or indirect, the agenda that is promoted through our laws is always to elevate the quality of life of our residents. This is the fundamental reason I began a career in politics. To be able to dedicate my life to helping people achieve these goals. I have also supported transparency in government thru the participatory budget process and other public disclosure measures. 2. Please share briefly how you have used your role in Council to advance human rights. By advocating for legislation that supports human rights, and securing funding through the budget process to empower worthy organizations that support human rights. 3. Legislative priorities: Please list your top 3 legislative priorities for 2013. 1. Intro 097-2010 (Local Law 46 of 2013) sponsored and voted for right to decent work - Paid sick leave bill 2. Intro 434-2010 (Local Law 38 0f 2013) sponsored and voted for right to work bill protecting street vendors (many of whom are immigrants) from being unfairly and disproportionately targeted by government. 3. Intro 468-2011 sponsored Health advocacy bill for pregnant women regarding transportation What will be your top 3 legislative priorities as a Council Member in the upcoming legislative session? 1. Advocating for local rezoning in the Councils land use process to protect moderate income areas of housing stock from overdevelopment and gentrification of residents. 2. Introducing legislation creating more transparency in government, and more government accountability through oversight.

3. Introducing legislation to protect senior citizens from discrimination in the workplace resulting from the current economic crisis. 4. Budget priorities: Please list your top three budget priorities of 2013. 1. Protecting emergency services such as fire and police from being cut in the budget. 2. Restoring funding for senior centers, educational, and after school programs. 3. Additional funding for areas hit hard by hurricane Sandy, such as in the Rockaways. What will your top 3 budget priorities be as a Council member in the upcoming legislative session? 1. Continue funding to bring full restoration of the Rockaways to pre-Sandy condition. 2. Preventing layoffs and furloughs of current City employees. 3. Lowering taxes and fees to bring some measure of relief to taxpayers and homeowners to prevent Middle class flight from NYC and the erosion of our tax base. 5. Have you used participatory budgeting to allocate your discretionary funds? Why or why not? I am one of the original four members of the council who implemented participatory budgeting in their districts. I am currently using this process and will continue to use this process in the future to engage constituents in my district. 6. Please provide examples of recent legislation in Council that you believe promotes human rights. Intro 97-2010 gives non-union employees parity with their union counterparts by allowing them sick leave without management retribution, and gives parents and individuals the basic right to care for sick family members. Intro 434-2010 gives hard working street vendors the right to earn a living without being victimized by overzealous government agents looking to pad the citys coffers. 7. Legislation is only one of many ways in which Council Members can work to advance human rights. What ways other than through legislation will you advance the human rights of New Yorkers as a City Council Member? I will continue to be part of the participatory budget process to educate and empower my constituents about the inner workings of government.

8. Some advocates contend that the position of the Council Speaker has too much power over the progression of legislation. Please use this space to respond to that critique. The speaker has power over the progression of legislation indirectly through the speakers co ntrol of the budget. Currently under the City Charter individual members do have some measure of control over the process, but they are intimidated by the possibility of funding being diminished for their districts by the speaker if they are not in line with the speakers agenda. This is why the council discretionary funding process needs to be reformed so that each member receives an equal amount of funding, not a negotiable amount that is dictated by the speaker.