SD-11: Meet Tony Avella

by: Roatti

Mon Aug 02, 2010 at 14:22:18 PM EDT

Why are you running for the State Senate?  How do you think you could improve Albany?

I am running for the State Senate because I believe I can make a difference in returning State government back to the people.  If elected, I would immediately work towards eliminating the "Pay to Play" system of campaign donations, requiring a balanced budget agreement on time by law, instituting Term Limits for State elected officials, create an Independent Redistricting Commission and eliminating the system of "lulu's" by which the leadership controls individual members votes.

Ruben Diaz Sr. Has endorsed your GOP opponent, Frank Padavan.  Care to comment on that?

Why would anyone want Diaz's endorsement? I certainly would not.

Although Frank Padavan barely won re-election in 2008, this time there won't be an influx of Democratic voters for a Presidential election.  How do you plan to make up for the lower-expected turnout this time around?

Although there was an influx of voters in the 2008 election, there was also was a larger than usual "drop off" after voting for President.  Twelve percent of the voters only voted for President and then went home.  It is reasonable to expect that the gubernatorial race will bring out Democratic voters and, historically, less of a drop-off.

I am pro-choice and a long-time supporter of women's rights.  You can expect to see several important endorsements of my candidacy in this regard soon.

You famously refused to accept "lulus" at the City Council.  Would you do the same thing in the Legislature?

Absolutely!  Lulus must be eliminated to allow elected officials to vote their conscience and truly represent their districts rather than the wishes and political agendas of the leadership.

Do you support an independent redistricting panel?  

Yes.

What about campaign finance reform like "Clean Money, Clean Elections" or a matching funds program like the one that exists in the city?

I introduced legislation in the City Council to create a "Clean Money - Clean Election" system of total public financing.  I would do the same in the State Legislature.  I would rather support a total public financing system than a matching program.  However, if that cannot be achieved, I would support a matching system.

What principles will you adhere to when voting on the Senate Rules at the start of the next session if elected?

Clearly, the Senate must have greater transparency, allow members greater opportunities for input and have much stronger ethics rules.

Do you support marriage equality and would you sponsor a marriage equality bill in the next session if elected?

I support marriage equality. As a member of the City Council I represented a very politically conservative district yet was actively involved in promoting and sponsoring LGBT legislation.

I view marriage equality as a human rights issue.  In 2009, I received the "New York City Human Rights Award" for obtaining the highest score of elected officials in New York City on the Human Rights Project's report cards.  A city-wide human rights coalition with over 100 groups from all over the City, the Human Rights Project is the lead organization of the New York City Human Rights Initiative.  

If elected, I would sponsor a marriage equality bill in the next session.  I have already received the endorsement of the Empire State Pride Agenda, Marriage Equality New York, the Human Rights Campaign and the Stonewall Democratic Club.

Would you ever vote for Pedro Espada as majority leader assuming he is re-elected this year?

No.

What would you do to balance the state budget? Which programs, if any, would you cut and by how much; and/or what taxes/fees would you increase?

The key to balancing the budget without reducing important services is to find alternative sources of revenue.  I have been a strong supporter of legalizing sports betting in the City and State, which could generate over $2 billion each year.  In addition, we could save billions of dollars by using government workers to perform services currently contracted out to private sources.  We could also cut wasteful government spending, consolidate redundant state agencies and tax cigarette sales on Native American reservations.

You opposed Congestion Pricing.  Do you have any other ideas for increasing revenue streams for the MTA?

I think many of our transportation problems would be solved by increasing mass transit, making it available to more New Yorkers, and putting the City of New York back in control of the MTA. We need to eliminate wasteful spending by the MTA and find alternative sources of revenue such as those I previously mentioned.  

Your website says you would try to make CUNY free for all New Yorkers.  Can you explain your plan?

CUNY is an essential contributor to New York City's economy, training a large proportion of our nurses, firefighters, police, scientists, lawyers, and business people.  I understand that making CUNY tuition free would require an additional 600-800 million dollars.  This figure could be achieved in large part by legalizing sports betting or other alternative funding sources.

You have a strong record of voting against middle-class tax increases. What would you do in Albany to slow the growth of taxing jurisdictions in the state and encourage municipal consolidation?

I believe it is essential to place limits on the ever increasing property taxes and address increases from annual property tax assessments.  

What are your environmental and clean energy priorities?

As a former member of the New York City Council (2002-2009) I introduced Intro. 891/2008, which would require the City of New York to develop an "Energy Volatility Task Force" to assess the City's vulnerability to various energy price and supply scenarios, potential mitigations, and to make recommendations regarding future actions.  The Task Force would have also considered ways in which City budgeting and planning decisions could incorporate energy volatility concerns.

I also introduced Resolution 2191/2009, calling on the New York State Legislature, the Department of Environmental Conservation and the Governor to prohibit hydraulic fracturing combined with horizontal drilling for the extraction of natural gas with New York State.

I am extremely proud that as a Council Member, I was able to obtain millions of dollars for new park acquisitions and improvements.  I also worked with local environmentalists to beautify and successfully restore the waterfront along parts of my Council district.

I would continue to pursue these issues and more in the State Senate.

What are your thoughts about the so-called "Ground Zero Mosque" and what do you think about GOP attempts to demonize Muslim New Yorkers by association?

Freedom of religion is a core American value.  While I can understand the anxiety voiced by families of 9/11 victims, it is basic to our human rights beliefs that we allow the Muslim community to practice their religion.

I find it reprehensible that the GOP is trying to demonize all Muslims for the actions of the terrorists.

You publicly called on the U.S. to boycott the Beijing Olympics because of China's human rights record.  What actions would you take as a member of the legislature, if any, to divest state assets from regimes with human rights issues?

Our country is based on tolerance and human rights. It is essential that we denounce violations of basic human rights wherever it may occur.  I would work with the legislature to develop legislation that would require New York to divest State funds of the Chinese regime.