|
The questions were prepared by the Leagues of Women Voters of New York State and asked of all candidates for this office.
See below for questions on
Economy,
Budget,
Campaign Finance,
Redistricting,
Education
Click on a name for candidate information. See also more information about this contest.
 |
1. What measures do you support to save existing jobs and create new jobs in New York State?
|
Answer from Deborah Busch:
New York needs to create a more business friendly environment to retain and create new jobs. The single greatest impediment to job creation and retention is high taxes. The high taxes in new York keep business from developing and keep consumers from spending. Capping and reducing property taxes is a great start. Also, unfunded mandidates such as medicare and medicaid are making it impossible for local governments to perform infrastructure improvements to develope business friendly communities.In some countes upstate over half of a town's budget is devoted to unfunded mandates. We need medicaid reform, and we need the State government to assist rather than cripple local economic initiatives. In addition, we need to reduce energy costs in New York. We need to repeal or reform taxes and regulations that raise the cost of energy. The short term loss in revenue is recouped by private sector growth.
Answer from John McEneny:
We are in a National Recession. I support Banking Reform Favoring consumers and small businesses, and State Power for Jobs programs for cheaper energy. I was the first Chair of the Assembly University/Industry Task Force which is a proven job creator – eg. Nanotech at SUNYA. I support effective Enterprise zones (or the equivalent) as well as retaining programs for displaced workers, light rail, and improved transportation infrastructure.
|
2. How do you think New York can best deal with upcoming unsustainable deficit budgets?
|
Answer from Deborah Busch:
Very simple, cut spending. Just like every household in New York has to do. Year after year budgets are proposed that spend more than they take in. Budgets are conformed to appease special interest groups, are fiscally irresponsible, and the end result is defecit spending. New York needs education and healthcare reform. We spend taxpayer dollars placating the special interests associated with these areas with poor results to show for it.For example we need greater support for charter schools, even President Obama agreed on that! Yet NYSUT remains a powerful obstacle to greater implementation of such schools.It is no secret that NYSUT is a powerful player come election time. In microcosm, that is New York politics.Budgets are a reflection of deal making not economic reality.
Answer from John McEneny:
We must act earlier in the fiscal year if the trends warrant it. I support the creation of an independent state budget office similar to the Federal Government Accounting Office (GAO). We must keep lobbying for a fairer share of aid from Washington.
|
3. What reforms would you propose to address inadequate campaign finance rules and enforcement in New York?
|
Answer from Deborah Busch:
Effective immediately, we need full disclosure of all income for legislators. No more hiding behind the cloak of client privledge for lawyer/legislators. Incumbents enjoy an enormous advantage by being able to use constituent mailings to canpaign year round at taxpayer expense. There should be significant reductions in this practice.Same thing for member item grants. This is pork pure and simple and New York cannot afford it, and it is one more advantage that skews elections to favor incumbents.
Answer from John McEneny:
I support public financing of campaigns and informed summaries of candidates, sent out by the Board of Elections as California does.
|
4. What reforms would you support for the redistricting process?
|
Answer from Deborah Busch:
Yes. There should be common sense boundries such as county lines used to define districts.
Answer from John McEneny:
I support an independent redistricting commission, however, I want more than a “sound bite”. I need to see specifics and I want the anti-urban “block on boarder/town on boarder” provisions eliminated. I want to see rules for such a commission defining appropriate boundaries the public can understand – eg. municipal boundaries, geographic boundaries and respect for neighborhoods, commuting patterns on local residents. We spend too much time asking who and not enough time on how.
|
5. Would you support a cap on property taxes and, if so, how do you think school districts can deal with the decrease in revenue?
|
Answer from John McEneny:
I support the concept of a cap on property taxes – I believe we need a circuit breaker and a fair formula before the “cap” will make sense or be equitable. Across the board anything often locks in injustice. I also believe many school districts could merge administrative functions in order to cut costs.
Answer from Deborah Busch:
Yes. Cut spending.It is that simple.If programs neeed consolidation, do it.School Districts can no longer have open access to property owners pocketbooks. Charter schools need implementation in our cities, districts need consolidation in rural areas if required.
Responses to questions asked of each candidate
are reproduced as submitted to the League.
Candidates' responses are not edited or corrected by the League.
The order of the candidates is random and changes daily. Candidates who did not respond are not listed on this page.
| 
League of Women Voters of New York State Education Foundation, Inc.
