As advertised, I just finished interviewing Dave Mejias, the former Nassau Legislator who is challenging Kemp Hannon on the 6th Senate District. Thanks to all the TAP readers who suggested questions to ask Mejias. Here is the interview::
So I'll start by asking why are you running against Kemp Hannon? How do you think you would serve the constituents of the 6th district better?
After 34 years in Albany, Kemp Hannon has forgotten who he represents. He works harder for party bosses and political insiders to maintain the status quo than he does for us. Why else would he have blocked ethics reform, voted to raise taxes over 400 times and most recently voted against restoring school aid?
Speaking of reform, what sort of political and electoral reforms would you support and what would be your priority? Specifically, what are your stances on independent redistricting, and campaign finance reform?
As a County Legislator, I represented a district that was 2-1 Republican. Every election was decided by a razor thin margin. That meant that I had to work hard for the people I represented to get re-elected, and that's the way it should be. That's why I support an independent redistricting commission. Senator Hannon has spent his career ensuring that he and his colleagues have easy re-elections. That's why, in the last 5 years, more incumbent state legislators have been indicted than have lost re-election.
Do you support campaign finance reform such as clean money, clean elections?
Yes, I do. The contribution limits currently are too high. There is a corporate loophole that must be closed, and using campaign contributions for quasi-personal benefits should be outlawed.
Would you have voted for the Governor's recent budget and budget cuts? If not, how would you recommend balancing the budget and how would you reduce the structural budget deficit?
First, we need better budgeting practices. For instance, there is no multi-year financial plan for the budget. This simple measure would force the government to consider the consequences of current expenditures and revenue sources. In addition, public authorities and their debt, which ultimately are the financial obligations of the state, must be considered during the budget process.
There are a host of tenant bills that have failed to see the light of day in the current Senate (thanks in large part to Sen. Espada). Your district has properties that fall under Rent Control and Rent Stabilization regulations -- what is your position generally on the Assembly passed tenant bills and most specifically the repeal of vacancy decontrol?
These bills are critical to keeping people in New York State. They should be given an open and fair hearing and voted on.
So you would vote for them if they came to the floor?
Too often, the special interests get their hands on bills and make serious changes before they get to the floor (another reason why we need serious ethics reform), so I would need to see the final version before making a decision. But we need to do all we can to make housing affordable.
Do you support Marriage Equality for all New Yorkers? And will you co-sponsor a bill in the next legislative session if elected?
I support Marriage Equality for all New Yorkers, and I would co-sponsor the bill if elected. As County Legislator, representing one of the most conservative districts in the county, I supported the Domestic Partnership Registry , even though it failed.
Would you vote for Pedro Espada for majority leader assuming he isn't in jail and has won re-election in the next session?
Unlike Senator Hannon, I would NEVER have voted for Pedro Espada to be Majority Leader, and I never will.
Do you support reversing the course the state has taken in de-funding the MTA over the past two decades? If so, do you have specific ideas for increasing revenue streams for the MTA?
Living on Long Island, I sit in traffic a lot. I am all for less cars on the road and greater use of public transportation. The MTA, and the state, have not done a good job of leveraging federal funding, especially stimulus money.
What are your ideas for increasing the clean energy economy in New York? And what do you think of the proposed plan for the Long Island - New York City (LI-/NYC) Off Shore Wind Project?
I am very proud to have the endorsement of the League of Conservation voters, and to have been named their Nassau County Environmentalist of the Year in 2006. As a legislator, I sponsored and passed laws that exempted solar panels from sales tax and required the county to purchase 20 percent of its energy from renewable resources. So I support increasing the clean energy economy in NY.
What is your plan to reduce property taxes in suburban areas like Long Island? What are your feelings about municipal consolidation?
We have 400 taxing jurisdictions in Nassau County alone. My tax bill has 21 different tax lines on it.This is one of the main reasons why our taxes are too high. In addition, unfunded mandates may look good for politicians during election seasons, but in reality are crippling local governments and school districts. We must put an end to unfunded mandates. In addition, governments must work more efficiently. We must continually root out waste fraud and abuse and grow our economy which would increase sales tax revenue, thus limiting our reliance on property taxes.
On the web:
Dave Mejias for State Senate
Dave Mejias for State Senate Facebook Page
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