The questions were prepared by the League of Women Voters of Chautauqua County and asked of all candidates for this office.     See below for questions on Accountable Government, Campaign Finance, Global Warming, Death Penalty, Education Funding, Uninsured Workers

Click on a name for candidate information.   See also more information about this contest.

Answer from Linda L. Witte:

I believe that we can make State Government more open and accountable. Two reforms that can move us towards a more open government are campaign finance reform. Campaign finance reform is important because it sets a limit on what can be spent on a capmpaign, this way regular citizens like myself can still run for office to represent average citizens. If we do not have this reform only the rich will be able to run for offfice. We also need a real lobbying reform law thaat ends the appearance of "pay to play" lobbuing and restores integrity to the Capitol. Eliminating gift giving from lobbyists to legislators is one example of ways to clean up Albany.

Answer from Joseph M. Giglio:

In the most recent legislative session, the New York State Assembly Republican Conference proposed a rules reform package that included the following measures:

Allowing each member to discharge one substantive piece of legislation out of committee and to the Assembly floor for a vote on the merits;

Requiring standing committees to consider bills having home rule messages within three days;

Require a two-thirds, or supermajority, vote for final passage of any bills that imposes, continues, or revives a tax or creates a debt;

Limiting bill introductions to 50 per member;

Allowing open sponsorship of all legislation;

Require all bills be accompanied by a fiscal impact statement;

Allow prime sponsors of bills to initiate the conference committee process to resolve differences in similar bills between the Assembly and the Senate.

I believe that the State Assembly should begin to institute many of these reforms to ensure that all constituents throughout the State have their voices heard. This will begin to make the State Legislature and State government more practical, efficient, and accountable to the people.

Answer from Linda L. Witte:

The next step should be to reduce campaign contribution limits, and to implement a matching public funds system like the successful one New York City established in 1988. This system requires participating campaigns to abide by contribution and spending limits and to meet other qualifications set by law in return for which these campaigns may receive public funds. The public funds are given to candidates on the basis of a formula that matches the contributions they receive from individual New York City residents. If the entire state set up a system like this it would level the playing field and more individuals who would like to run for public office would be able to mount credible, competitive campaigns.

Answer from Joseph M. Giglio:

I would be supportive of campaign finance reform legislation. However, at this time, I cannot lend my support to campaign finance reform that would call for campaigns to be funded by New York State taxpayers.

Answer from Linda L. Witte:

In reality, this is truly a national, indeed a transnational, issue requiring a comprehensive national policy, However, given the appalling and inexplicable lack of federal leadership on this issue- or even recognition that the problem exists, the state should take whatever modest steps it can to help until Washington D.C. comes to its senses. Chief among the things that New York can do is to provide incentives in the form of tax credits to producers of alternative energy.Credits for the wind farms proposed for Jefferson County and the two ethanol plants under consideration in Fulton County and Seneca Falls will go a long way towardsmaking those operations economically viable. But the solution cannot merely be on the producer side. Providing tax credits to purchasers of alternative fuel vehicles, including hybrids, and ensuringthat service stations will stock alternative fuels will begin the long, difficult process of moving consumers away from fossil-fuelburning cars, perhaps the number one source of greenhouse gases.

Answer from Joseph M. Giglio:

New York is already a leader in promoting clean fuel technologies. The 2006-2007 enacted budget contains a bio-fuel production tax credit and additional sales tax exemptions for alternative fuels. We can continue to subsidize clean energy technologies such as wind and solar energy, as well as promote newer technologies such as bio-fuels.

Answer from Linda L. Witte:

I believe NYS has found the death penalty unconstitutional at the present time, but I'm not sure if seeing other state finding they have put to death someone not quilty of a crime a reassuring feeling. there should be a process where there is no chance of an mistake.

Answer from Joseph M. Giglio:

The only vote in regards to the death penalty that I voted in favor of would have amended State law to allow the option of a death sentence for an individual convicted of killing a police, correction, or peace officer.

Answer from Linda L. Witte:

It is imperative that the Legislature enact next year a final. comprehensive and statewide solution to the Campaign for Fiscal Equity (CFE) lawsuit that mandates increased state education funding for NYC schools, the largest high needs school district in the state. There are many other school districts throughout the state that are similar to NYC's definition of high needs, many of them in the rural areas. That is why I support the Assembly plan to dramatically increase eduction funding in NYS, thereby settling this decade-long lawsuit regarding NYC, and at hte same time, increasing education aid dramatically for poorer districts throughtout the state. This will guarantee increased aid to every school district.

Answer from Joseph M. Giglio:

In recent years, New York has increased State funding for education at record levels. Education is one of my top priorities as a State Assemblyman and I will continue to support education funding. I do believe, however, that we should continue to assist homeowners with their property taxes through programs such as STAR.

Answer from Joseph M. Giglio:

In order to begin to address the need for quality health care for vulnerable populations and the uninsured, I would support incremental increases to existing State subsidized health insurance programs such as Child Health Plus and Family Health Plus. I believe that these programs have been successful in attempting to reduce the uninsured population. Additionally, I believe that New York has the resources to expand eligibility levels for programs such as Child and Family Health Plus.

Answer from Linda L. Witte:

I support what the Assembly has proposed: A.6575 (Richard Gottfried, chair Health committee) Creates the temporary state commission on universal health coverage. The purpose of this bill is to examine, evaluate and make recommendations concerning how to provide comperhensive, affordable, quality health coverage to all NYS residents, while controlling costs and ensuring freedom of choice for consumers. We are facing a healthcare crisis in NYS. Noit only is the uninsured population more prone to health risks, but there is a substantial financial toll on employers and the taxpayers who must accept the burden. The first step is to study the problem in order to come up with an viable solution that not only ensures every New Yorker has access to a doctor, but also that the solution we develop is economically sound and doesnot place overwhelming fiscal burdens on our businesses and taxpayers.

The order of the candidates is random and changes daily. Candidates who did not respond are not listed on this page.