| You want to reform Albany by reducing the power of the legislative leaders. How do you propose to do this without endangering your own standing in the caucus if it doesn't come to fruition?
As a Westchester legislator, I have earned the reputation of being fiercely independent. This is something I am extremely proud of. I wasn't thinking about my standing when I voted against the former Democratic County Executive's tax increases. Nor was I concerned about my colleagues' concerns when I voted against pay raises for myself and the other legislators.
I think we should empower each individual legislator because all represent an equal portion of the state. Each senator should be allowed to introduce legislation, take part in public hearings and adequately represent their constituents.
My first allegiance is always to the voters, the constituents of my district - and not to legislative leaders or party politics. I believe that Albany is in need of a healthy dose of integrity and independence. I will absolutely maintain my constituent-first attitude when I am a State Senator because my district, and our state, will be better off for it. I will do so with the sincere hope and belief that my colleagues will understand my intentions and ultimately respect my approach.
You want to guarantee that all lottery proceeds go to education- what is the current status of these proceeds?
We need to lower property taxes and one way to do that is to find alternative revenue sources to fund public education. Every cent of every dollar spent on a New York Lottery ticket is supposed to go directly to education funds.
However, too much of the money never makes it to schools. There are excessive costs to sustain the games themselves, including marketing, prizes and vendor commissions. In New York, 51% of lottery revenue is allotted to prize money and 38% to education. I will fight to lower operating costs so that the other 11% actually makes it ways to schools - and so taxpayers can enjoy the savings.
You want to increase renewable energy by encouraging solar and geothermal energy- can you elaborate on your plans?
Last week, I unveiled plans to create thousands of green collar jobs and provide major energy savings to homeowners in businesses in New York. I proposed legislation that would require New York to install 5,000 megawatts of solar power by 2025 - an act that would generate over 22,000 jobs and boost our State's economic output by $20 billion over that time period. I also suggested that New York State promote green collar jobs growth by providing a 30% tax credit for investments in manufacturing facilities that produce clean energy products.
Additionally, I called for the creation of a 50,000 smart electric meter pilot program in the Hudson Valley. Such a program would increase energy efficiency and lower energy prices for homeowners. To make the program even more affordable, I will provide businesses with a 30% tax credit or 10% cash grant for investment in manufacturing facilities, and give homeowners a 10% cash grant to purchase a meter.
My proposals will provide significant job creation and tax relief while protecting the environment, and promoting energy independence, and alleviating tax burdens on families and businesses alike.
You want to help the state's fiscal position by pension reform- what do you specifically have in mind?
New York's current pension system is untenable, unsustainable and unfair to taxpayers. The cost of public pensions is literally driving our state into bankruptcy. I have therefore proposed sweeping pension reforms that would end to the use of overtime to inflate the pensions of new employees. Existing retirees and current employees would see no change at all to their pension plans.
I have also proposed that we switch to a defined pension contribution, very similar to a 401(k) that private employees pay into.
The combination of these two reforms would save taxpayers as much as $2.2 billion in state and local pension costs - just over the next three years.
You have been a big proponent of improving the water quality of the state's lakes and reservoirs- what is your specific vision for the state's water bodies?
The Hudson Valley has one of the most pristine natural environments in the state and the protection and preservation of the many lakes in the region are essential to our overall quality of life. I have proposed a Lake Improvement Program that would channel funds from the state's $134-$250 million Environmental Protection Fund to help protect and preserve the region's lakes.
My proposal would offer communities choices from a toolbox of lake-restoring techniques including aerating, dredging, cutting weeds, removing debris, introducing weed-eating carp, improving deteriorated dams and others. Paying for the Lake Improvement Program would not require any additional taxes.
Restoring these lakes will protect drinking water quality because some lakes flow into reservoirs. It will improve property values in the lake communities, enhance our environment and quality of life, and increase the recreational use of the lakes. This is a vital program that will improve the quality of life for thousands of residents living within our region's lake communities, who are already financially stressed with high property taxes.
What are your thoughts about municipal consolidation to decrease the tax burden throughout the state? The New N.Y. Government Reorganization and Citizen Empowerment Act is a good start, but would you support a stronger bill that categorically consolidates certain types of taxing districts, like sewer and fire districts, into county governments?
Reducing the tax burden on New Yorkers is my number one priority. There are 10,092 entities in New York, and outside of New York City, that can tax New Yorkers. No other state comes close to this total. New Jersey, for example, has "only" 1,700; Pennsylvania has 3,100.
There are 62 counties, 62 cities, 553 villages, 698 school districts and 932 towns in New York. And then there are 6,927 special districts. These include local lighting, sewer, fire, water and drainage districts.
Needless to say, massive consolidation in New York is necessary and I will fight for consolidation that makes sense and saves taxpayers money.
What is your position on marriage equality and would you co-sponsor a marriage equality bill in the next session if elected?
Government does not have the right to discriminate. The ability to marry is a civil right and should not-and can not -- be limited to people who identify with one sexual orientation or another.
I was pleased that the Senate finally brought marriage equality to vote in this past session, but disappointed in the bill's ultimate failure. I look forward to marriage equality becoming law in New York in the next session and I would be honored to have my name as a co-sponsor on the bill that established that.
If elected, what plans do you have to increase ethics oversight and transparency in Albany? Would you support an ethics enforcement agency that is fully independent from the legislature? Would you vote for redistricting plan that is not written by an entity independent of the legislature? Do you support campaign finance reform such as Clean Money, Clean Elections?
Albany's fiscal disorder is matched only by its ethical disorder. This is why I have come up with a plan for massive reform and have signed onto five measures - Pledge for Change, Call to Action, Enough Already NY, New NY Agenda and NY Uprising - devoted to achieving this goal.
In doing so, I have affirmed my commitment to establishing an independent budget watchdog, creating an independent redistricting commission, and ending 'Pay to Play' campaign contributions from those doing business with the state and their lobbyists. For too long, these types of common sense reforms that increase ethics oversight and transparency have been absent from Albany. I am committed to not only supporting these endeavors, but to proposing legislation that will ensure their realization and codification.
To make sure we also get our fiscal house in order, I have committed to the other core areas of these reform pledges as well, namely: capping property taxes and state spending; reforming public employee pensions; limiting government borrowing; reducing the size of government; eliminating unfunded mandates; creating tax credits to hire the unemployed; and reducing the cost of doing business in New York.
Would you vote for Pedro Espada as majority leader at the start of the next session, assuming he is not in jail and has won re-election?
Absolutely not.
If the Farm workers' Bill of Rights comes up in the next session, how would you vote on it?
My district is the home to many farms. Farmers in New York serve a very valuable function, and are facing some pretty difficult times. The interests of both farmers and farm workers need to be taken into account. Otherwise, you will be giving farm workers rights but all the farms will be sold and they will have nowhere to work. I therefore opposed the bill that was voted on in the Senate and would instead favor a bill that takes all the stakeholders' interests into account.
What is your position on hydraulic fracturing or "hydrofracking" in natural gas deposits in New York?
I supported the moratorium on hydrofracking that was passed by the Senate this summer. It is simply unacceptable to enable a potentially dangerous practice without first making sure it won't poison our most irreplaceable resources - clean air and drinkable water. I believe that the health of our citizens comes before the profits of oil and gas companies. Before we allow any hydrofracking, we need to ensure its impact is adequately studied and set up an adequate oversight apparatus. And if the long-term costs outweigh the benefits, the moratorium should be permanent.
What New York really need is smart economic reindustrialization and long-term sustainable jobs for our communities.
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?
We need to fix the MTA funding problem. The bigger the funding gap, the more likely a congestion tax and increase in New York City tolls becomes - something that would hurt the many commuters in my district.
The best way to close the gap is to create jobs and promote economic growth, injecting revenue into the state. I have the ideas and initiatives to help make that happen. I would support legislation that creates a sustainable funding stream for the MTA without raising taxes. This has to be done in a way that's fair, where everyone who benefits either directly or indirectly from the MTA helps in securing its future. I look forward to working with my colleagues in the State Senate in finding the best way to do that. |
