AD-102: Jonathan Smith, Democratic Candidate For Assembly

by: robert.harding

Mon Jun 16, 2008 at 18:09:41 PM EDT

Smith is a lifelong Democrat who will give Miller a tough challenge. In the year where we are looking to take back the New York State Senate, these close Assembly races can be overlooked. Smith gives us a reason not to ignore the race in AD-102.

I talked with Smith today and he is a very impressive, progressive candidate. I interviewed him and asked him questions on pressing issues like property tax reform, campaign finance reform and health care.

QUESTION: Why did you decide to run in the 102nd?

JONATHAN SMITH: Because this is my home and we are in great need of new representation in Albany. I do not feel that we are being well represented by the incumbent and we face very real challenges that need to be addressed.

Q: Who are you as a person and a candidate?

SMITH: I am a grassroots community organizer. I work to create change by bringing people together. I believe that what we cannot do alone, we can do together and that has become the central focus of my life. This campaign is about giving people the voice to facilitate real and meaningful change.

Q: How will your experiences as a grassroots community organizer help you as an assemblyman?

SMITH: Some of the most difficult problems we face are going to require a coalition of support in order to effect movement or shift policy. As an organizer, I know how to mobilize large groups of people to get involved in the issues that matter to them. This state has a wide range of issues and in order to get real policy proposals passed through the gridlock of Albany, it will require someone who can galvanize support.

(You can read the rest of the interview in the extended entry.)

SMITH: I support the circuit breaker proposals presently being discussed in Albany with the understanding that we need to move to a more fair and equitable system of funding our education. I know that I am not alone in this, you wrote earlier today on your website that over 70% of New Yorkers want to see property tax reform. We need to move to an income based system so that those who can afford to pay are carrying more of the burden.

I was recently endorsed by the Working Families Party and their proposal for a slight increase in income taxes for those making over $500,000 a year makes good sense to me. According to Dan Cantor, we can raise close to $4 billion in revenue by increasing the millionaire's tax by less than 1/2%

Q: How do you see the state playing a role in reforming our health care system in dire need of reform?

SMITH: I am glad you asked because this is one of the main issues in our campaign. I support universal healthcare in this state. Our current system does not work and we need drastic changes to move to a system that covers everyone and still provides excellent care. There are many ways of doing this as illustrated by the systems currently in place in Mass. and Michigan but I do not believe that we will make enough progress if we continue to allow private insurance companies to dominate the market. The government has an important role to play in ensuring that everyone in our state has coverage.

If we can cut costs in healthcare and get our system under control the effects will spread through all aspects of our state. Currently providing teachers with benefits accounts for 15% of many school budgets. Imagine how passing universal healthcare will save taxpayers money by lowering the burden on local school districts.

Q: Campaign finance reform is an issue that is well talked about in this state. What type of reforms do you think need to be made to the current system in order to have a much more transparent and much more ethical electoral system?

SMITH: This is a very important issue, Robert. My opponent is not in favor of campaign finance reform and has accepted donations in the past from many special interest groups. While Governor Paterson has introduced some good reforms, I support what Citizen Action has proposed which is essentially public financing of elections.

Q: Would you support a proposal like the one proposed by Gov. Paterson?

SMITH: I would support it but do not believe that it goes far enough. Lobbyists and bundlers will still be able to influence elected officials under Paterson's proposal.

Q: You mention renewable energy on your website. What role can renewable energy sources play not only on the environment but with our economy as well?

SMITH: Since 2000, New York has lost over 200,000 manufacturing jobs that have been shipped overseas or to cheaper markets. The new energy economy presents a tremendous opportunity to revitalize our local economies by creating meaningful manufacturing employment here at home. Not only will these technologies help us to overcome our dependence on foreign oil, thus reducing the cost of living for our struggling residents, but we can also incentivize green energy companies to come here and create jobs.

Q: On your first day as assemblyman, what will you do?

SMITH: I am focused on universal healthcare, providing excellence in education in our state, and building the new energy economy here in Dutchess. I have been promising my supporters that I will work my hardest every single day that I am in Albany to effect real and meaningful change both in the structure of our government and in the policies it makes. So on my first day in Albany, I will be reaching out to like-minded officials, reformers, and citizens to put that agenda into action. I can not promise to solve all of our problems in my first few days, but I will work diligently to give the residents of the Hudson Valley a representative that they can be proud of.

MY TAKE: I was very impressed by Jonathan's answers. This is a winnable Assembly seat for us. A win by Jonathan can strengthen our majority in the lower house and give the people of the 102nd a true progressive voice.