Christopher Fink

Drug Policy

Ensuring that revenue from legal marijuana is reinvested in communities hardest hit by the War on Drugs. African Americans are nearly four times as likely to be arrested for marijuana possession as white Americans. Learn more

Vacating and expunging all past marijuana-related convictions. Learn more

Education

We need to create a system that allows all students to attend public colleges, even if they do not have the means to do so. But we also want those students to be motivated to succeed. In Argentina, college is free to all. However, for every 100 students that enroll in free colleges, only about 23 go on to graduate. We should learn from this. We should start with junior college which should be free. Anyone who successfully finishes junior college should be able to attend a 4-year institution for free. Learn more

Environment / Energy

As a start, I will propose that the United States immediately rejoin the Paris Climate Accord. In order to ensure that we meet our goals under this agreement, I propose that the United States transition to a carbon-neutral economy by 2040. I want to propel the U.S. to the forefront of the design, production and implementation of the most up-to-date technologies and storage techniques in order to protect our health, preserve our natural spaces and oceans, and protect biodiversity. Learn more

Guns

Mandatory background checks: Every single gun owner should be required to pass an extensive background check in order to purchase a gun, including guns purchased in private sales, on the internet, at gun shows and transfers upon the death of a registered owner. In addition to a background check, I would institute a waiting period of at least 72 hours for all firearms purchases. Learn more

Support for gun safety: Increase BATF funding. Set national safety and storage requirements for guns with a focus on those in homes that have children under 18. Provide funding for the CDC to conduct research and study on ways to reduce gun violence and protect public health, including by looking at the ways that other countries have maintained low rates of gun violence. Learn more

Healthcare

I firmly believe that healthcare is a fundamental right – not a privilege that should be available only to those who can afford it – and I will work to make sure that all Americans have access to health care. Americans should not have to live in fear of being made poor or bankrupt because of an illness or accident, and we can all agree that prescription drugs in this country are too expensive. There’s no justifiable reason why any American should not be able to buy the medications they need to stay or get healthy. Moreover, our current fractured health care system has put us at or near the bottom of health rankings for industrialized countries by many measures, including maternal mortality, infant mortality, and life expectancy. This is unacceptable. Learn more

Substance abuse – particularly opioid abuse – is a mental illness by which millions of American families are impacted, and young people of color and LGBT people are more likely to suffer from poor mental health and substance use disorders. Those most vulnerable to addiction are no less deserving of our compassion and care than those with a physical illness. We must ensure access to prevention, treatment, and recovery to all who need it – including the families of those suffering from addiction. Learn more

Immigration

I will also support U.S. economic, security, and development aid to the Central American countries which the majority of immigrants are fleeing. Improving the safety, security, and economic conditions of these countries is the only effective way to stem the flow of immigrants, asylum seekers, and refugees. Learn more

There should be a legal path to citizenship for DREAMers who arrived in our country as children and know no other home, and I will work to make this happen. Learn more

I will support an immediate end to funding for President Trump’s racist border wall, which is costing U.S. taxpayers upwards of $5 billion and destroying the habitats of many wild animals that live in the border region while doing nothing to keep out the latest Coronavirus – a far bigger threat to our safety and our economy than any immigrant. Learn more

Infrastructure / Transportation

I would propose to create a new workforce, hired, educated and trained to build and repair our infrastructure both locally and across our country. We can do this as a joint venture with local and national private companies who have the expertise and capital to do so but who also want to give back to their communities. The workers who join this effort will acquire new skills that will guarantee them employment opportunities for the rest of their lives and we will all benefit from their efforts and skills. The federal government can support these efforts through loan programs, educational seminars, training and direct investment. Learn more

Taxes / Budget

The 2017 Tax Cuts and Jobs Act changed the ability of taxpayers to deduct their state and local taxes (“SALT”) by putting a cap on these deductions at $10,000 per year. Previously, there was no limit. This limitation has no basis in federal taxation but was clearly a punishment by this Administration targeting high tax states such as New York, New Jersey and California for not voting for Donald Trump. In fact, this deduction has been in the federal tax code for more than 100 years without limitation. New Yorkers pay a disproportionate share of taxes to the federal government when compared to individuals in other states. Learn more