League of Women Voters of New York State Education Foundation, Inc.
State of New York November 2, 2010 Election
	Howie Hawkins Answers Questions Candidate for Governor; State of New York

The questions were prepared by the Leagues of Women Voters of New York State and asked of all candidates for this office.
Read the answers from all candidates (who have responded).

Questions & Answers

1. What measures do you support to save existing jobs and create new jobs in New York State?

A Green New Deal. WPA-style public jobs in public works and services to guarantee every worker the right to a living wage job. A state fiscal stimulus of public investment in renewable energy, mass transit, and other green industries to increase employment, raise consumer spending, and revive the economy.

2. How do you think New York can best deal with upcoming unsustainable deficit budgets?

Progressive Tax Reform. Stop rebating Stock Transfer Tax to Wall Street ($16 billion). 50% Bankers Bonus Tax ($10 billion). Restore 1972 progressive income tax structure ($8 billion more in revenues, tax cut for 95%). Equals $34 billion. Subtract $9 billion projected deficit. Yields $25 billion for Green New Deal.

3. What reforms would you propose to address inadequate campaign finance rules and enforcement in New York?

Public Campaign Finance. Like Maine, Arizona, Vermont, Colorado. Public elections should be publicly financed, not subjected to legalized bribery by wealthy special interests. Public financing should be voluntary. Candidates choosing private financing must comply with disclosure rules and contribution limits, which in New York need to be strengthened and enforced.

4. What reforms would you support for the redistricting process?

Proportional Representation. Like New York City, 1938-1949. Like most democracies. Each party gets legislative representation proportional to the votes its candidates receive. Gerrymandered districts are impossible. Political minorities get their fair share of representation. With multi-member districts for proportional representation, or without them, I support an independent redistricting commission.

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?

No. Fully Fund Public Schools. The property tax cap is an ill-conceived state mandate to cut school funding and reduce home rule on local taxes. We can provide far greater property tax relief through single payer health care that takes over county Medicaid costs, over half of most counties' budgets.

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Responses to questions asked of each candidate are reproduced as submitted to the League.  Candidates' responses are not edited or corrected by the League.

Read the answers from all candidates (who have responded).

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Created from information supplied by the candidate: October 14, 2010 08:17
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