Q&A with Ashok Kumar
by Nathan J. Comp
Over the last two years, Ashok Kumar, 23, has written and passed major pieces of legislation for the benefit of Dane County’s most underprivileged residents. Because of his efforts and the coalitions he built, landlords can no longer discriminate against those with Section 8 vouchers. And, once the current contract expires, the Dane County Jail can no longer charge families exorbitant fees to speak on the phone with locked-up loved ones.
Unfortunately, Kumar decided not to seek a second term on the county board. This spring he’ll graduate from the University of Wisconsin-Madison and will likely pursue a career in labor organizing. Though he leaves much unfinished business behind, Kumar is confident that his successor, Wyndham Manning, will pursue similarly progressive changes to local laws.
Kumar recently spoke with The Madison Times about his accomplishments as county supervisor and what’s next on his agenda.
The Madison Times: How does it feel to be off the board?
Ashok Kumar: I wish that they had three-year terms, instead of two-year terms. I didn’t want four years; that would’ve been excessive. But three years: I think I could’ve passed everything I wanted to pass. I don’t feel fully satisfied, but I do feel like I accomplished a lot.
TMT: What were your biggest accomplishments?
AK: Obviously, Section 8 was a big one, jail profiteering was a big one, fair labor standards was a big one. The housing package was a big one, too. We passed 45 housing amendments in the package, even though it was vetoed by the county executive, but we were able to pass it, and that was a big accomplishment.
TMT: What unfinished business did you leave behind?
AK: Equal benefits, mandates that all contractors and subcontractors honor domestic partner benefits. It was blocked by members of the liberal caucus, but it will be re-introduced by a colleague of mine, Kyle Richmond. These are all things that would’ve been done, had we [had] the support.
TMT: What will you do next?
AK: Definitely something in organizing. I think that organized labor right now is really exciting, but it also really has a lot of holes to patch up.
TMT: Where is Dane County at, in terms of social justice, now from when you were elected?
AK: A lot of the stuff we worked on — trying to take money out of the sheriff’s department and district attorney’s office and put it toward rehabilitation and treatment programs — was really important. This is all really good; but in the scheme of things, they’re small changes. I think the overall attitude of Madison and Dane County is one of not being inclusive, and that really hasn’t changed.
TMT: Why don’t more minorities run for local offices?
AK: It has to do with funding. We tried passing public funding legislation about a year and a half ago, but it died in committee. The power structure never likes people asking questions about the power structure. Secondly, it’s the reality of districts that are gerrymandered, not necessarily in favor of communities of color. The power structure oftentimes doesn’t like people of color. A lot of people who do get elected are beholden to the power structure, and it’s problematic.
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April 19th, 2008 at 4:58 pm
Kumar’s got balls. Thanks for your amazing work for the last five years here!
April 19th, 2008 at 7:20 pm
I’ve always been impressed with Ashok. As a constituent and a volunteer on his campaign I am really proud of all his accomplishments. Keep up the great work wherever you go Ashok!
April 19th, 2008 at 11:12 pm
Love the pic. I remember when Ashok organized that occupation of the army recruitment office like 4 years ago.