Voter's Guide 2012

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ELECTION D AY T ,N ,6 UESDAY

OVEMBER

Polls Open Throughout Nassau County 6 AM - 9 PM Races: Presidential • U.S. Senate & Congress • New York Senate & Assembly • Judicial View New District Maps at www.latfor.state.ny.us/maps/

Hofstra Presidential Debate Page 10 Photo courtesy of Hofstra University

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Q&A

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VOTERS GUIDE 2012 - ANTON COMMUNITY NEWSPAPERS - OCTOBER 26, 2012

U.S. SENATE & CONGRESSIONAL RACES

NEW DISTRICT MAPS: www.latfor.state.ny.us/maps/

D (Democratic Party), R (Republican Party), I (Independence Party), C (Conservative Party), WF (Working Families Party), TR (Tax Revolt Party), GR (Green Party), LBT (Libertarian Party), CST (Constitution Party)

Bio’s appearing below were submitted by the candidates along with their responses. Incumbents are listed first.

QUESTION: U.S. Senate and Congressional candidates were asked: as incumbents if they voted for, or as challengers if they support, the Affordable Health Care Act and to explain why or why not. The candidates were also asked for proposals to increase economic development and job creation on Long Island.

U.S. SENATE CANDIDATES

Kirsten Gillibrand (D,I,WF) “Kirsten Gillibrand was born and raised in upstate New York. She was elected to Congress in 2006 and then to the Senate in 2010 after being appointed to the position in 2009. In 2000, Kirsten served as special counsel to the Secretary of HUD, Andrew Cuomo. She graduated magna cum laude from Dartmouth College and received her law degree from the UCLA School of Law. After law school, she served as a law clerk on the Second Circuit Court of Appeals and as an attorney in Manhattan for 15 years.”

••• “I believe every American should have access to affordable, quality health care. As Senator, I worked hard to find solutions that will fix our broken health care system and bend the cost curve of spiraling health care costs by moving from an emergency room care system to a preventive care system that covers the uninsured, cuts costs and cracks down on insurance company abuses.

“While not perfect, the historic health care reform bill we passed achieved several important goals. Health insurance companies will no

longer be allowed to deny coverage because of pre-existing conditions. Prescription drugs will be more affordable for New York seniors. New York small businesses will be eligible for tax credits for a percentage of their contribution to their employees’ health insurance. By focusing on preventive health care, we’ll be able to cut waste from our health care system and reduce the national deficit by $143 billion over the next 10 years, with $1.2 trillion in additional deficit reductions the following decade.

“Because of this reform, 2.7 million uninsured New Yorkers will finally have access to affordable health care, and will no longer need to go right to the emergency room when they get sick, lowering costs for everyone.

“No matter where I travel in NY it is clear that job creation is a number one priority. From small businesses, to manufacturing to high tech and biotech, New York State will be a leader in the recovering economy.

New York State is poised to be a leader in American

Wendy Long (R,C)

manufacturing. My “Made In America” grant program would award competitive grants to manufacturing companies and provide them with resources needed to adapt to today’s manufacturing model. I support the SEAM Act, which would help cut costs on domestic clean energy technology manufacturing.

And we need to support small businesses by providing them with tax incentives and access to capital that will help them create the new jobs we so badly need.”

(No response received from the candidate.)

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U.S. CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT 2

Peter King (R,I,C,TR) “Peter King is serving his tenth term in the United States House of Representatives. In November of 2010, the voters of New York’s 3rd Congressional District on Long Island re-elected Pete with a resounding 72 percent of the vote.

Pete is chairman on the Homeland Security Committee and also serves on the Intelligence Committee, as well as the Financial Services Committee. During his years in Congress, Pete King has earned a reputation for courage and integrity. He is an independent voice who is never afraid to speak out for what he believes in and to fight for

the values and beliefs of his constituents. The New York Daily News said, “straight talk is King’s strength,” while Newsday acknowledged Pete is a “stand up guy who isn’t shy about tangling with the powerful, even some in his own party. King has become a national figure who delivers…”

••• “Very simply, I voted against the Affordable Care Act and believe the law should be repealed. Our health system needs to be reformed, however, incremental changes need to be made rather than a massive overhaul that does

Vivianne Falcone (D,WF) “I was raised in a middle class family that valued hard work, dedication and service. I worked as a bank teller while earning my B.S. in Education from Western Connecticut State College. I was an instructor for the SUNY Farmingdale Developmental Studies Program and a Bellport High School alternate schoolteacher. I am active in our community and believe volunteers are vital to our nation. I helped found Partners Advancing West Islip Students and was active in West Islip PTA, Girl Scouts, Cub Scouts, and St. Nicholas Greek

Orthodox Church. In 1981, I moved to West Islip where my husband Bill and I raised our children.”

••• “I fully support the Affordable Care Act. By helping to contain costs, the Affordable Care Act helps families by: closing the Medicare part D “donut” hole that costs seniors thousands of dollars; extended coverage to over 1 million young adults previously uninsured; insures people with pre-existing conditions who were previously denied coverage and makes sure insurance companies pay at

very little to contain costs. The Affordable Care Act does nothing to reduce out of pocket costs while premiums continue to rise. In addition, the law raises taxes, hurts small businesses and cuts over $716 billion from Medicare. We should enact measures that empower patients and reduce costs. That is why I support eliminating lifetime caps, ensuring coverage regardless of pre-existing conditions, providing for the portability of insurance from one job to another and fostering competition by allowing consumers to purchase insurance across state lines.

“Long Island’s economy is still recovering and we need policies that will reduce the deficit and put

people to work. I have authored legislation that would make it easier for small businesses to get the capital they need to expand and hire workers (HR 3993), supported payroll tax relief to put more money in the pockets of Long Islanders (HR 3630), and voted to reduce regulations which are stifling our economic recovery (HR 3606).

When I talk to local business owners about what can be done - all emphasize the economic uncertainty created by expiring tax cuts and overburdensome regulations. Reforming the tax code and eliminating costly and duplicative red tape will provide economic certainty that Long Island businesses need to invest and hire.”

least 80 percent of what they collect in premiums out in claims.

This year, rebate checks from insurance companies are going back to companies and individuals because the insurance companies have collected more than they paid out. Nationwide, 125 insurers reported that they expect to issue rebates to large groups covering 7.5 million enrollees. Nearly a quarter of projected large group rebates are from insurers in New York, with $127 million in expected refunds. Small businesses with fewer than 50 employees are exempt from the fee for failing to offer health insurance. Small businesses that choose to offer health insurance are receiving tax credits

to help with the cost.

“I support the House Bill H.R. 4720: America Innovates Act of 2012. This bill, which has not yet come to a vote, would establish the American Innovation Bank, to improve science and technology job training, to authorize grants for curriculum development, and for other purposes. Congress must combat outsourcing by closing tax loopholes that incentivize job outsourcing and instead reward companies that invest in our American workforce. Long Island is an aging suburb, and we need to improve infrastructure to remain competitive in the 21st century. Infrastructure projects create jobs in the short and long term.”

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U.S. CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT 3

Steve Israel (D,I,WF) “Before I was elected to Congress, I owned my own business and served on the Huntington Town Board. Since being elected to Congress, I’ve focused on restoring the middle class, common sense tax reform and bringing jobs home from overseas. I have proudly secured nearly $6 million in back payments for local veterans, while fighting for college affordability and protecting Social Security and Medicare.”

• • • “I voted for the Affordable Care Act because middle-class families, seniors and small businesses had been plagued by rising health costs for too long. With this law, prescription drug costs for seniors

Stephen Labate (R,C,TR) “Stephen Labate graduated from St. John’s University, was commissioned second lieutenant in the U.S. Army and called to active duty three times following 9/11.

Stephen served as a force protection officer responsible for protecting 23,000 soldiers and airmen in a heavily attacked installation in northern Iraq, commanded the 306th Military Police Battalion in support of Operation Noble Eagle II and served at the Pentagon in the Army’s Crisis Action Team.

Stephen’s current rank is lieutenant colonel. Stephen’s civilian experience is in financial services assisting clients with financial planning. Stephen, his wife Leticia and their twins live in Suffolk County.”

Michael McDermott (LBT) Anthony Tolda (CST)

are being cut by closing the donut hole, 6.6 million young adults have been able to stay on their parents’ plans until the age of 26, 70,000 Americans with pre-existing conditions now have the security of coverage, and 18 million individuals and families will get tax credits for health insurance coverage, averaging about $4,000 apiece. I also believe it is imperative that we make our health care system more efficient. For instance, I introduced the Local Medicaid Enforcement Incentives Act of 2012 to support the local prosecution of Medicaid waste, fraud, and abuse. In 2010 alone, bad actors wasted $22 billion in Medicaid waste, fraud and abuse.

“I am focused on standing up for New York’s middle-class families by creating jobs and growing

our economy. In order to increase economic development and job creation here on Long Island, we need to stop shipping jobs overseas and giving tax breaks to companies that do so. I’ve written two pieces of legislation that could help spur economic growth: The Bring the Jobs Home Loan Act and The American Parks American Products Act. The Bring the Jobs Home Loan Act would incentivize companies to bring manufacturing jobs and facilities home from overseas; while the American Parks American Products Act would require that all souvenirs sold at our National Parks be made in America, instead of countries like China, Korea and Pakistan. If every American spent an extra $3.33 on U.S.made goods every year, it would

create nearly 10,000 new jobs in this country – and my legislation would kick-start that effort.

“We can also increase economic development by putting more money in people’s pockets. We need sensible tax reform that recognizes the high cost-of-living in New York. Families here are hit with some of the highest property taxes, energy and housing costs, and yet still get taxed at the same rate as families in other parts of the country whose cost-of-living is half as much as ours. The tax code should reflect that. I am also pushing hard to make college more affordable for students and their families so that no family has to choose between paying their mortgage or tuition.”

• • • “The Affordable Heath Care Act, economic growth on Long Island and the federal deficit are all interconnecting issues facing the next congressman from the 3rd Congressional District. Much of the Long Island economy is at a standstill as a result of the passing of this Health Care Act and other highly regulatory laws imposed on large and small businesses on Long Island. These governmentimposed regulations, whose total costs of implementing is largely unknown, has created a climate of uncertainty for business owners and the reluctance to expand their businesses or hire new employees.

The Affordable Health Care Act, although promoted as a cost reducing measure by proponents, has already caused the increase in health

care costs and in the case of Medicare, has siphoned off billions of Medicare dollars to pay for its implementation. Beyond this, as more and more of this Health Care Act is implemented, its cost rises as with any government run program. The majority of businesses and citizens want the total repeal of the Health Care Act and if elected to Congress I would work toward that end.

“In addition to the repeal of the Health Care Act, additional costly regulations which disproportionately effect small businesses need to be reviewed and rolled back. According to a 2010 Small Business Administration report, nearly 90 percent of all United States businesses employ 20 employees or less, yet it cost these same small businesses nearly

$3,000 more per employee to comply with government regulations. These costly regulations are prohibiting job creation on Long Island and they must be dealt with.

“Business taxes are the highest in the world and have become a detriment to job and economic growth as well. In the case of large corporate enterprises, high tax rates force many to move their operations to more tax friendly countries and thus eliminating jobs in the United States. In the case of small businesses, high taxes when combined with regulatory costs force many small businesses to close their doors. Lower taxes and incentives to invest in their businesses are needed to promote growth and the hiring of new employees.”

health care industry strong on Long Island.

“I’ve formed an Economic Advisory Board consisting of business, labor, education and community leaders from all over Long Island and asked them to focus on what makes our part of New York and the U.S. unique so that our policies in Washington can be better for us here in Nassau and Suffolk counties. We have identified our access to world-class health care and educational institutions, our expertise in the aviation industry, and our proximity to New York City as assets to act upon. In order to stimulate the economy we need to continue to ease the tax burden for hardworking middle class families, and continue to ease the tax burden on small businesses, which make up nine out of 10 businesses on Long

Island. We also need to continue to invest in education and control student loan interest rates, to help young adults stay on Long Island instead of adding to the “brain drain” that’s sending young people away for schooling and jobs.

Finally we need to help local businesses here on Long Island grow and be more competitive in a global economy by increasing their access to capital and financing, as I have done through small business tax cuts and by leading the way to reauthorize the U.S. Export-Import Bank, which supports over 200 businesses in New York alone and makes a profit for taxpayers through interest rates.”

(No response received from the candidate.)

(No response received from the candidate.)

U.S. CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT 4

Carolyn McCarthy (D,I,WF) “Carolyn McCarthy is a figure of national significance with humble roots as a nurse and mother from Mineola before being elected as Long Island’s first and only woman in Congress. She was a nurse for over 30 year.

When her husband was killed and son badly injured in the mass shooting on the Long Island Rail Road in 1993, the tragedy led her to a life of activism for stronger gun safety laws. First elected in 1997, she has since become known as a bipartisan fighter for workers and middle class families, for seniors, for women, for children, and for the health and safety of all Americans.”

• • • “As a nurse for over 30 years

before running for Congress, I have first hand knowledge about what works and what doesn’t work in health care, both for patients and for the industry, which is a critical employer here on Long Island and expected to be our number-one source of job growth in coming years. I supported the Patient Protection and American Care Act for many of the same reasons that the AARP does: It strengthens Medicare for patients while reducing out-ofcontrol growth and waste; it bans caps on patient care and protects those with pre-existing conditions like cancer; it gets seniors preventative checkups and saves them thousands on prescription drugs; it requires the insurance companies to spend more money on patient care and less on administrative costs; and it will help keep the

(challengers on page 7V)

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U.S. CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT 4

Francis Becker (R, TR) “Francis Becker is currently the legislator representing the 6th District in the Nassau County Legislature, which includes Lynbrook, Malverne, North Lynbrook, most of Valley Stream and East Rockaway, south Rockville Centre and portions of North Valley Stream and Oceanside. He resides in Lynbrook. Becker came extremely close two years ago in this nationally watched race for the House of Representatives and in that race received the endorsements from former Mayor Rudy Giuliani, Congressman Eric Cantor, Ambassador John Bolton, Supervisor Kate Murray, Councilman Anthony J. Santino among many others, in addition to the Nassau Sheriff’s Association and Nassau Police Conference.”

Frank Scatturo (C) “Frank Scaturro is an author, attorney, and public advocate. He served as Counsel for the Constitution on the Senate Judiciary Committee, where he advised senators on judicial nominations and constitutional law issues. Afterwards, he served as a visiting professor at Hofstra Law School, where he taught courses on the legislative process and constitutional law. During the 1990s, Scaturro blew the whistle on a corrupt government bureaucracy and secured a $1.8 million restoration of President Ulysses S. Grant’s tomb in New York City. He has published a number of books and articles in the area of history and law and is currently a partner at FSB FisherBroyles.”

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(CONTINUED)

• • • “I do not support ObamaCare. It is a job-killing tax, plain-and-simple. And the Supreme Court agrees with me that it’s a tax. ObamaCare is hurting our economy. It’s driving up health care costs and making it harder for small businesses to hire. That’s one of the reasons why Nassau County has a skyhigh 7.5 percent unemployment rate right now that continues to rise. During the worst national economy since the Great Depression, working families and seniors can’t afford these new taxes to pay for a plan that is crushing our economy, costing us jobs and saddling our children with over $2 trillion in unaffordable debt.

“Job creation and economic growth are the backbone of our community and this country. My Middle Class “I did not support the Affordable Health Care Act, a measure that comes close to a government takeover of health care. The act compromises the high quality of care that Americans receive and stifles the application of lifesaving breakthroughs in medical technology. ObamaCare should be repealed and replaced by meaningful health care reform, which can be achieved at a lower cost to consumers without diminishing the quality of care or bankrupting our country. Government bureaucrats and health insurance administrators have interfered too much with medical decisions, and our system should return more discretion to patients and their doctors. Working-age individuals should be able to select from a large number of health insurance options for themselves and their families to reduce premium charges.

Jobs Plan will jumpstart our economy through job creation right here in Nassau County, on Long Island and across the nation. 132 American economists agree with my Middle Class Jobs Plan; it’s a commonsense blueprint laying out how to fix today’s uncertain economy. It will create jobs and bring businesses back to Long Island. Fixing the tax code and reducing regulatory burdens that hurt small businesses are important steps I will take. Washington needs to ensure everyone pays their fair share in taxes – and only their fair share; nothing more, nothing less. I will fix the tax code by eliminating loopholes, giveaways and special tax breaks that litter the immense document. We must also reduce the tax rate to no more than 25 percent for businesses and individuals including

small business owners. This will help simplify the tax code by making it flatter, fairer and easier for everyone.

It will also level the playing field with competitors and help generate investment in our communities – all while creating jobs on Long Island and allowing American businesses and entrepreneurs to be more competitive in the global marketplace. Paying down our ballooning debt and reducing costly, job-killing government mandates like ObamaCare are two other parts of my plan. I will vote to reduce spending for the rest of the fiscal year and vote to adopt a budget that reduces government spending by almost $6 trillion over the next ten years. These pro-growth proposals are what’s needed to make a difference and turn America around.”

They should be able to keep the health insurance plan they have chosen when they change jobs and have the option of adopting health savings accounts.

We also need to place greater emphasis on preventative care. Individuals should have financial incentives to make healthy lifestyle choices that prevent or at least reduce the severity of chronic conditions that increase health care costs. Finally, we should implement tort reform to help control the rapidly escalating cost of both private health insurance and Medicare and Medicaid without sacrificing quality or instituting rationing and long waits for medical treatments.

“Fiscal responsibility, strong families, a regulatory system that protects free markets rather than stifle innovation, and a sound and stable dollar have been the cornerstones of pros-

perity throughout history. To increase job creation and economic development, we need to start with fundamental change in both tax policy and spending policy. By reducing tax rates and reforming the tax code, we can bolster entrepreneurship, savings, and investment. Our notoriously complex tax code unnecessarily burdens taxpayers, harms families, and stifles the small businesses we rely on for job creation. It should be replaced with a simpler, flatter tax code, and we should close special interest-driven loopholes. Economic development, which for too long has been corrupted by self-dealing special interests under the guise of central planning, needs to follow a bottom-up approach that gives the people the last word on their future. We also need to cut the corporate tax rate.”

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NEW DISTRICT MAPS:

U.S. SENATE & ASSEMBLY RACES

www.latfor.state.ny.us/maps/

D (Democratic Party), R (Republican Party), I (Independence Party), C (Conservative Party), WF (Working Families Party), TR (Tax Revolt Party), GR (Green Party), LBT (Libertarian Party), CST (Constitution Party)

Bio’s appearing below were submitted by the candidates along with their responses. Incumbents are listed first.

QUESTION: State Senate and Assembly candidates were asked what they propose to increase economic development and job creation to benefit their district. They were also asked the question: With school districts dealing with unfunded mandates and the state tax cap, what can be done in the form of mandate relief?

NY SENATE DISTRICT 5

Carl Marcellino (R,I,C,TR) “Senator Marcellino earned both a bachelor of arts and master of science degree from New York University and a professional diploma in administration and supervision from St. John’s University. After a 20-year career as a science teacher and administrator in the New York City School system, Senator Marcellino was elected as the Oyster Bay Town Clerk, a position he held until his Senate election in 1995.

He is chairman of one of the senate’s senior committees, the

Committee on Investigations and Government Operations. He also serves as a member on the Senate committees on Rules, Finance, Banks, Consumer Protection, Cultural Affairs and Tourism, Education, Environmental Conservation, and Labor.”

• • • “The business tax cuts I voted for as part of the New Jobs NY plan would put more money back into the pockets of small businessmen and women so they can invest, grow and hire more employees. If we successfully pair a favorable business environment with job growth, we

will reap the benefits of our economy moving forward. I have always believed that cutting taxes and creating jobs is the fuel that feeds New York’s economic engine. Hopefully the State Assembly will join with the Senate in passing a job creation plan as soon as possible. I will examine and eliminate current regulations, mandates, and taxes on private business that stunt growth and stifle our economy.

“I have always said that mandate relief goes hand in hand with a tax cap. If we are going to ask schools and local governments to tighten their belts, Albany cannot be asking them to pick up a bigger piece of the pie. I have voted for numerous mandate relief bills, but unfortunately none of these bills ever seem to pass the State Assembly. Simply stopping any new mandates is not enough. We also need to do a top to bottom

David Wright (D)

analysis of current mandates.

Through consolidation and elimination of existing mandates, we can help both schools and local governments eliminate the costs that drive up our property taxes every year. I have watched closely and participated in the hearings being held around the state by the Executive’s Mandate Relief Council. It is imperative that we pass and the Governor signs a farreaching mandate relief package.”

(No response received from the candidate.)

NY SENATE DISTRICT 6

Kemp Hannon (R,I,C,TR) “Kemp Hannon, was elected to the New York State Senate in 1989, he is the current Chair of the Senate Health Committee and the Chair of the Budget Subcommittee of the Majority Conference. He is regarded nationally as an expert in the health care industry. Governor Cuomo named Hannon as a key member to his Medicaid Redesign Team.

The Senator is the author of the New York State Health Care Reform Act (HCRA), and created

Ryan Cronin (D,WF) “Ryan graduated from Chaminade High School and then from Loyola College in Maryland. After working for three years in local politics, Ryan attended the Washington University in St. Louis School of Law. He has spent his legal career in complex litigation and representing victims of financial frauds, including victims of the Bernard Madoff Ponzi scheme.

Ryan has a longstanding commitment to public service, which

landmark legislation with the Patient Health Information and Quality Improvement Act. Hannon is committed to supporting significant legislation in the areas of long-term care, health insurance, women’s health issues and organ donation. Hannon also established key laws in the areas of technology, finance, tax reform and has established key laws in the areas of technology, finance and tax reform.”

• • • “I have supported, and continue to support, the New Jobs-NY creation plan, which calls for job

creating tax credits, tax cuts and investment pool for small businesses. It includes the “HireNow-NY” tax credit of up to $5,000 for businesses when a new job is created, increasing to up to $8,000 if the employer hires someone currently unemployed. It also provides incentives for hiring returning veterans, creates an investment pool for business start-ups, eliminates taxes on manufacturers, and provides a 20 percent corporate tax cut for small businesses. Further, the state has invested in Long Island’s resources with the Long

Island Regional Economic Development Council (which includes $500,000 for the Accelerate Long Island Initiative, $3 million for the expansion of Amneal Pharmaceutical and $2 million to expand the Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory). Cox & Co., a local manufacturer in the aerospace industry, was recently awarded more than $250,000 in Jobs Tax Credits. These initiatives were estimated to create well over 500 new jobs. In addition, NY Works recently awarded the contract to rebuild six bridges on Long Island to two

local companies, which alone is estimated to create at least 330 new jobs for Long Islanders.

“Mandate relief for school districts and localities is a top priority. I sponsored legislation that passed the Senate this year to eliminate a significant number of existing mandates and provide greater flexibility to control costs.

Among other things, the bill includes a requirement that any state mandated program imposed on municipalities or school districts that would create an additional cost in excess of $10,000 must be funded by the state.”

includes work with Rebuilding Together, the Special Olympics and voter protection initiatives.”

• • • “Although Long Island continues to face rising unemployment (in August, the rate stood at 8 percent - the highest it has been in more than two years), there are solutions for all levels of wage earners.

“First, we can attract young professionals by investing in modern industry. New leadership focused on creative ways that government can work with business is desperately needed.

“Second, we can help the industry hit hardest by the economy – construction – by investing in our region’s infrastructure. The weak job market for construction is limiting opportunities. Economic development in this area will put New Yorkers back to work by rebuilding the state’s roads and bridges and creating thousands of jobs.

“Third, while the cost of living in New York has soared, our state’s minimum wage has effectively declined, making it more difficult for families to afford basic necessities. Workers

being paid minimum wage typically spend their earnings locally on things like food, medicine and school supplies. That means that their earnings are put right back into the local economy. In fact, studies show that increasing the minimum wage by $1.25 will result in $600 million in new statewide spending and the creation of 4,800 new jobs.

“Investment in our schools is the smartest investment we can make. Today, only 34 percent of New York’s high school graduates are college ready, despite spending more money per stu-

dent than any other state in the nation. We must come up with new creative ways for distributing education funding and ending unfunded mandates that prevent districts from operating cost effectively. We should do away with unfunded mandates that prevent such things as streamlining services, cooperative purchasing and reduced transportation costs.

“Finally, we must build the “N.Y. Energy Highway.” Expanding New York’s energy infrastructure will generate economic growth throughout the state and will lower energy costs on Long Island.”

Regionally, we restored hundreds of millions of dollars in infrastructure improvements for roads, highways and bridges here on Long Island and restored the exemption on the state portion of sales tax on clothing statewide.

“As a member of the Long Island Regional Economic Development Council, I look forward to focusing on those economic development projects that expand our tax base and create jobs. Through programs we passed in the Senate such as New York Works and RechargeNY, businesses have created nearly 140,000 new jobs.

“In this district, I look forward to reviewing proposals for economic development including proposals for developing the Belmont Park south lot. Although such proposals will not include a casino, there is a tremendous opportunity for economic development that will benefit the communities surrounding the park.

“The 2 percent tax cap was enacted because the growth of property taxes was simply not sustainable for our hardworking families here on Long Island. The legislation, however, allows communities to decide for themselves if there are circumstances that war-

rant overriding the cap, which can be done with a supermajority vote of the community. The challenge for school districts is to put forth a plan the community can afford while continuing to provide excellent educational services. In order to help schools meet those challenges, we have provided, and will continue to advocate for, mandate relief measures including the School Bus Relief Act and the lever voting machine bill for school district elections which I sponsored.”

NY SENATE DISTRICT 7

Jack Martins (R,I,C,TR) “In just two years representing the 7th Senate District, Senator Martins has distinguished himself as a leader in getting New York State moving in the right direction. He has worked in a bi-partisan manner to pass 16 bills that became law in 2011 and 23 this year, more than any other senator on Long Island. A staunch advocate for local government, Senator Martins is the chair of the Senate Standing Committee on Local Government. Prior to being elected, he

served as mayor of the Village of Mineola for eight years. He resides in Mineola with his wife and four daughters.”

• • • “Over the past two years, working with the governor, we passed an historic 2 percent property tax cap to get property taxes under control, repealed the MTA Payroll Tax for small businesses and schools, passed a $3.3 billion middle-class income tax cut, reducing tax rates to their lowest levels in 58 years, as well as passed two on-time state budgets that closed a $13 billion deficit without raising any taxes or fees.

(challenger on page 11V)

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Round Two: Sparks Fly Contentious exchanges between Obama and Romney affect poll numbers

BY RICH FORESTANO rforestano@antonnews.com and DAVE GIL DE RUBIO dgilderubio@antonnews.com On Tuesday, Oct. 16, Hofstra stone XL pipeline, a massive University was the site for the 1,179-mile project that would second of three debates between stretch from Hardisty, Alberta to President Barack Obama and Steele City, NE. He also took isGovernor Mitt Romney. Hofstra sue with the president’s assertion had also hosted a debate between that drilling had increased in fedthen-Democratic nominee Obama erally owned areas. and GOP nominee Sen. John Mc“In the last four years, you cut Cain back in 2008, making the permits and licenses on federal land school just the second university and federal waters in half,” Romney to host consecutive presidential said and then hammered Obama debates. (St. Louis’ Washington about the exact percentage of liUniversity was the other.) censes and permits that were cut.

With Romney scoring what As the governor continued saying many considered an upset victory drilling was down, the president inover Obama’s decidedly lackluster sisted that statement was untrue. performance in the first debate, this “Here’s what happened. You had follow-up was going to be a “deal a whole bunch of oil companies maker or breaker in this cam- who had leases on public lands that paign,” according to political pun- they weren’t using,” the president dit Chris Matthews, who spoke at explained. So what we said was Hofstra the prior week. Shortly af- you can’t just sit on this for 10, 20, ter moderator Candy Crowley took 30 years, decide when you want to the stage at 9 p.m., it was clear drill, when you want to produce, both candidates were prepared to when it’s most profitable for you. come out swinging, making for a These are public lands. So if you lively hour and a half that found want to drill on public lands, you roughly 65 million viewers tuning use it or you lose it.” in to the town hall-style debate, acBetween this exchange and the cording to the Nielsen Ratings. president’s accusations of Romney dismissing jobs born through wind Drill, Baby, Drill power development and the goverHigh prices at the pump were a nor claiming that the president mishot button issue as evidenced by represented himself as pro coal, gas Phillip Tricola asking President and coal, this was one of the more Obama’s stance about Energy contentious exchanges of the night.

Secretary Steve Chu having been quoted three separate times saying An Act Of Terror Or Not? that helping to lower gas prices Long Island shined in the was not the job of the Energy De- weeks leading up to and during partment. Obama responded that the Hofstra debate. However, in energy independence was the key the waning minutes of the rock and that his administration had em’ sock em’ rhetoric tussle, a made inroads toward having that question surfaced and its originagoal by increasing oil, coal and tion could be traced to a village natural gas production, doubling in Nassau County: Mineola. fuel efficiency standards on cars Kerry Ladka, an undecided voter and doubling clean energy pro- of Global Telecom Supply on duction—wind, solar and biofuels. Windsor Court, posed a question He also accused Governor Rom- inquiring about reports that stated ney of planning to allow oil com- the State Department “refused expanies to write energy policy tra security for our embassy in should he be elected.

Benghazi, Libya prior to an attack Romney said the president’s re- that killed four Americans.” Secresponse was more rhetoric than re- tary of State Hillary Clinton had ality, based on the governor’s be- taken full responsibility for the atlief that oil production and gas tacks a few days before the debate. production were down on federal President Obama stated he was lands, 14 and 9 percent respective- totally responsible. The attack ly. He insisted that drilling licenses marked the first time an Ameriand permits for drilling on govern- can ambassador was killed in an ment-owned lands and waters had assault overseas since 1979. been halved and that over-regula“I’m the president and I’m altion was also a significant barrier. ways responsible, and that’s why “What we don’t need is to have nobody’s more interested in findthe president keeping us from ing out exactly what happened taking advantage of oil, coal and than I do,” Obama exclaimed. gas,” Romney pointed out. “I was The president said when he in coal country. People grabbed found out the Benghazi consulate my arms and said, ‘Please save was being overrun he got on the my job.’ When the president ran phone with his national security for office, he said if you build a team and gave three instructions. coal plant, you can go ahead, but He said to beef up security proceyou’ll go bankrupt. That’s not the dures in every embassy in the reright course for America.” gion, investigate what happened The governor also expressed and find out who did it and hunt befuddlement over the president’s them down because “one of the refusal to sign off on the Key- things that I’ve said throughout my

Governor Mitt Romney and President Barack Obama exchanging pleasantries before going toe-to-toe.

Anton Community Newspaper editors Dave Gil de Rubio and Rich Forestano plying their craft in the Debate Media Filing Center.

Photo by Samuel Rubenfeld

presidency is when folks mess with Americans, we go after them.”

Obama tried to squash Romney’s accusations that the administration tried to cover it up for political gain.

The Republican candidate claimed it took Obama two weeks to deem the violence an act of terror.

“You said in the Rose Garden, the day after the attack, it was an act of terror?” Romney asked. “It was not a spontaneous demonstration, is that what you’re saying? I want to make sure that we get that on record because it took the president 14 days before he called the attack in Benghazi an act of terror,” Crowley interjected, saying that in a Rose Garden press conference, Obama did call it a terror attack one day after the Americans were killed. She told Romney a few seconds later that he was correct that it took the White House two weeks to fully acknowledge it as an act of terror, even though the president previously used the wordage.

It’s The Economy Stupid With the Labor Department reporting that September’s unemployment numbers went down from 8.1 to 7.8 percent, the economy continued to be the hot button issue that it’s been throughout this campaign and all of Obama’s presidential term since he became the Democratic nominee back in 2008.

When Michael Jones asked, “Mr. President, I voted for you in 2008.

What have you done or accomplished to earn my vote in 2012?

I’m not that optimistic as I was in 2012. Most things I need for everyday living are very expensive,” Obama admitted that the past four years have been tough. But he also pointed out that he came through with the tax cuts he promised for the middle class and small business, passed Wall Street reforms that have created five million jobs and saved the auto industry while he was at it. The president also agreed that Americans are still struggling, but said if he’s re-elected to a second term, he has plans for manufacturing and education, and would use savings from ending wars to rebuild the country and put people back to work. He added that the difference between commitments he’s kept and planned to keep differ from Romney’s, which Obama said were signing a no tax pledge so that the wealthy wouldn’t be leaned on to reduce the deficit in addition to cutting Planned Parenthood funding and repealing Obamacare.

For Romney’s part, he was equally direct in pointing out that Obama’s promise to bring unemployment down to 5.4 percent was never fulfilled and the difference between the current numbers and that one is nine million Americans without work. Further, the governor also said that with the median family income down $4,300 and 23 million Americans out of work,

the president’s record reflects an inability to cut the deficit and put in Medicare and Social Security reforms to preserve them.

Fair and balanced trade was also part of the economic recovery equation both candidates touched on. With criticism of Romney’s role in the exporting of jobs that private equity firm Bain Capital engaged in during his time there, it was inevitable that someone like Carol Goldberg would ask, “The outsourcing of American jobs overseas has taken a toll on our economy? What plans do you have to put back and keep jobs here in the United States?”

In pointing out that half a million manufacturing jobs have gone overseas in the past four years, the governor blamed China for being a currency manipulator, as well as excessive regulations enacted by the president and high corporate taxes.

The president agreed that corporate tax reform was needed, but he said that closing loopholes that enabled corporations to deduct expenses when they moved to China not only allowed that to have offshore tax advantages, but was also unfair to small businesses and big business start-ups whose output is domestic and subject to higher taxation. Obama did use the word outsourcing in relation to Romney’s time in the private sector and also countered that China’s currency has actually gone up 11 percent in the time he’s been president. He added that U.S. exports had significantly increased as well.

China continued to be the villain as Romney accused it of not operating on a level playing field, of stealing intellectual property and of engaging in cyber-theft, citing the existence of an unauthorized Apple store in China selling counterfeit goods.

Obama said a major part of economic recovery was ensuring that China plays by the rules and making trade deals that wind up giving American workers and businesses a fair shake. Toward the end of the evening, he reiterated his belief that the only way for the economy to grow was for everyone to have a fair shot, do their fair share and play by the same rules. He also said that was the key to America building its middle class in the past.

Romney said his goal was to get the country back on track. He also added that voters shouldn’t have to settle for high gas prices, chronically high unemployment numbers, 47 million people on food stamps and half of all kids coming out of college not able to get work, joining the other 23 million people struggling to find good jobs.

In the immediate aftermath of the debate, whether it was at Spin Alley or on social or traditional media, liberals declared victory while conservatives asserted the debate was a tie. According to a CNN/ORC International nationwide poll conducted right after the second debate, 46 percent of voters said the president won while 39 percent polled gave the victory to Republican nominee Mitt Romney. And while the third and final debate slated for Monday, Oct. 22 would take place in Boca Raton, FL, Hofstra University was briefly the epicenter of the political world, at least for one night.

• For full Hofstra Presidential Debate story, see AntonNews.com • See Anton Weekly section for more Debate 2012 coverage

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VOTERS GUIDE 2012 - ANTON COMMUNITY NEWSPAPERS - OCTOBER 26, 2012

NY SENATE DISTRICT 7

Daniel Ross (D, WF) “I am a lifelong active and committed resident of Long Island, having attended and graduated from the Manhasset Public Schools. I continued my education at Hofstra University, graduating with a BBA. For 10 years I have been a member of the Manhasset-Lakeville Fire Department, currently holding the rank of captain. After college, I began working in finance and sales, including three years with Deutsche Bank (New York and London). Cur-

(CONTINUED) rently, I am the general manager of an auto dealership. I am the co-founder of a nonprofit organization (501(c) 3) that works with young entrepreneurs by incubating new business concepts.’

• • • “Since the Great Recession took hold in the latter part of the last decade we have witnessed a loss of jobs, decreased incomes and slumping real estate values.

If elected, I would propose legislation allowing tax incentives to be granted for businesses and other organizations which create new, quality jobs. To get into

more detail, there would be a tiered system corresponding to the number of jobs created by a given employer relative to their existing headcount and gross revenue, rewarding those who make a bigger effort.

“Small business is the main catalyst behind our nation’s economy and there is no better example of that than here in the 7th Senate District with our many small stores and shops lining the main thoroughfares of our communities. In recognition of that, there should be further relief in the form of personal income cred-

it for these small businesses. In contrast, the larger companies that continue to employ residents in the face of outsourcing would benefit from reductions in corporate tax rates and from new incentives for establishing new operations such as lower energy costs.

As the real estate market rebounds, both on residential and commercial fronts, the unfunded mandates which our communities have been burdened with will find additional funding. Beyond increasing the funding through organic growth of the tax base, I would look to propose a modifi-

cation to the state tax cap. This modification will review the needs of school districts and allow for variances based on the true needs and wishes of a community focusing on what is most important to their residents and young people in school. The mandates that have been imposed will be reviewed for cost and relevance in this economy; no one wants to stifle their youth and endure the terrible consequences that could be the result. Further evaluation of spending should be considered in coordination with potential funding from the federal level.”

for middle class families; repealing the MTA payroll tax; restoring the STAR rebate check and giving new tax credits to businesses that create jobs. I have voted in favor of two consecutive state budgets, which closed multibillion dollar deficits without raising taxes or fees.”

• • • “Creating jobs and increasing economic development, along with tax relief, must remain top priorities. Over the last two years, New York State

has made tremendous progress in these areas: creating a new ReCharge NY program to help lower utility costs for businesses in exchange for creating jobs, as well as a new New York Works program which will invest billions of dollars into infrastructure development. Additionally, we repealed the job-killing MTA payroll tax for more than 80 percent of businesses. The Senate approved legislation to provide new tax credits to businesses for each new job they

create. Businesses would receive an enhanced credit if they hire a veteran or an individual who is receiving unemployment. These initiatives must continue to be able to grow our economy and put people back to work.

“Mandate relief must remain a top priority. The legislature enacted mandate relief measures to help reduce mandates on school districts, including giving school boards the flexibility to manage transportation plans on the basis of ridership

and allowing for regional shared services through BOCES so that districts can reduce their transportation costs.

While these are positive steps, we need to keep providing mandate relief to help school districts reduce costs and save taxpayer dollars. State aid to education totaled over $20 billion statewide in the 2012-13 budget, an $805 million increase over last year’s total.

New York State leads the nation in per pupil spending on education.”

member of Save the Jones Beach Committee, past member of the board of directors of North Amityville Community Economic Council (NACEC) and a past third vice president of NAACP, Central Long Island Chapter. ” • • • “I believe in communitybased growth, which seeks to give local government contracts to local businesses as opposed to larger corporations, which may not even be located in the state, let alone Long Island. I

also believe in extending more credit to small businesses, which represent a major share of the Long Island economy.

When private banks are unable to loan to small business because of uncertain economic times, I am not afraid to take lessons from elsewhere, even if they are places that are dominated by politicians from the other party. North Dakota, the state with the lowest unemployment rate in the country and a strong Republican power base, has a state bank that does not seek to

compete with private banks but supports them. The Bank of North Dakota serves as North Dakota’s “Federal Reserve” and can loan during times of emergency including natural disasters and financial crisis. It can also serve as a rainy day fund during times of budgetary constraint. Another way to promote economic development and job creation is by improving our local schools. Education is essential to the participation of individuals in our market economy.

School districts should receive

their fair share; all state aid should be equally distributed to each student.

“The state tax cap and unfunded state mandates create large disparities between communities that are wealthier and those with less economic resources at their disposal. I will seek elimination of the tax cap and require a 51 percent majority vote for approval of budgets. Regarding unfunded mandates, I will require the state to fund any and all mandates imposed on school districts.”

managed to close a state budget deficit of $13 billion. As the author of Megan’s Law, Senator Skelos created the New York State Sex Offender Registry and authored numerous measures strengthening this powerful statute.”

• • • “To increase economic development and job creation, I will continue to work with Governor Cuomo to keep state spending under control and will work to create incentives to bring in new businesses, keep existing ones here and encourage businesses to

hire. In 2012, the state senate passed the 2012 New Jobs-NY Job Creation Plan. This plan included the elimination of income taxes on New York manufacturers, a 20 percent corporate tax cut for small businesses, a 10 percent personal income tax credit for small businesses. In addition, this plan would have created a tax credit for new businesses that cre-

ate new jobs and would have encouraged businesses to hire people that are on unemployment and also provide incentives for businesses to hire our veterans. I will continue to work with the Assembly and Governor Cuomo to pass this plan into law.

“The state senate remains committed to mandate relief for our local schools. Over the past

two years, the senate has acted on a number of proposals to eliminate unfunded mandates, however I believe more must be done.

This past session, I voted for a bill that passed the state senate that would have specifically provided relief on a number of unfunded mandates to our local schools, unfortunately it was not acted on in the state assembly.”

NY SENATE DISTRICT 8

Charles J. Fuschillo (R,I,C,TR) “I have been a New York State Senator since 1998 with a proven record of delivering results. I have sponsored and supported numerous job creation and economic development initiatives, including creating and expanding the Broad Hollow Bioscience Park at Farmingdale State College; the New York Works program; and ReCharge New York. I have supported cutting income taxes

Carol Gordon (D) “I am the founder, president and curator of Unspoken History Treasures, a private collection of over 35 years of African American artifacts. I was also a patient advocate and mental health manager at the Department of Veterans Affairs. I am vice president of the Breezy Point Civic Association and a facilitator for Child Abuse Prevention Services (CAPS). I am also a past

NY SENATE DISTRICT 9

Dean Skelos (R,I,C,TR) “Senator Dean Skelos is serving his 14th term in the New York State Senate and serves as the chamber’s majority leader, making him the highest-ranking Republican official in state government. Over the past two years, Skelos has worked closely with Governor Andrew Cuomo to pass a local property tax cap, lowering the New York State personal income tax rates for middle class New Yorkers and successfully

Thomas Feffer (D)

(No response received from the candidate.)

NY ASSEMBLY DISTRICT 9

Joseph Saladino (R,I,C,TR) “A nine-year veteran of the New York State Assembly, Assemblyman Joseph Saladino is the Nassau Conference Leader to the Republican, Conservative and Independence parties. He leads the fight against rising taxes, protecting education, safe communities, our environment and drinking water with legislation and his votes. He pushes for laws protecting wo me n an d c h ild r e n f r om

sexual predators. He helped to pass legislation, which created a tax cap, lowered state income tax rates to a record low in 58 years and he passed a repeal of the MTA Payroll Tax.” • • • “He has forged ideas to stimulate jobs on Long Island with the creation of the Solar Energy Development Zone legislation and will drive high tech jobs in R&D and production and installation of the technologies for residents and businesses. He worked to re-

peal the MTA Payroll Tax and create lower rates for NYS income taxpayers and businesses. He continues to fight for lower taxes for businesses and Long Island’s workforce with legislation such as the Green Jobs Green Energy and works to lower the burdens on businesses. He has helped to bring major infrastructure projects providing more jobs.

Jay Cherlin (D)

“He was the original sponsor of the NYS Tax Cap, which was inclusive of sweeping unfunded mandate reform, a Regional Cost Index to bring Long Island’s fair share of school aid permanently to the school aid formula and as was originally written, reduces the costs to districts substantially. He has called for a reduction in the cost of supplies, quality services and

benefits through consolidated purchasing and works to reduce liability to school districts. With these issues addressed, school districts managing a tax cap become reality. Assemblyman Saladino has called for an end to the expensive unfunded mandates. Nassau County spends $500 million a year paying the cost of Medicaid and administering the department.”

(No response received from the candidate.)

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VOTERS GUIDE 2012 - ANTON COMMUNITY NEWSPAPERS - OCTOBER 26, 2012

NY ASSEMBLY DISTRICT 13

Charles Lavine (D,I,WF) “Charles Lavine grew up in Wisconsin and Michigan. He graduated from the University Wisconsin and New York Law School. He was a public defender in New York City and practiced law with specialization in municipal law and defense of complex criminal cases. Lavine moved to Glen Cove in 1980. He was a lawyer for North Country Reform Temple

and the Glen Cove Community and Industrial Development Agencies and a member of the Glen Cove Planning Board as well as the Glen Cove City Council. He was elected to the New York State Assembly in 2004, and has served on important committees, as well as serving as chairman of the Administrative Regulation Review Commission and president of

Louis Imbroto (R,C) “Lou Imbroto grew up in Plainview and attended the local POB schools. Lou graduated from Chaminade High School and Fordham University, and received his Juris Doctor, cum laude, from Brooklyn Law School. He is an attorney in private practice and served as the manager of policy and government affairs for the Long Island Contractors’ Association. Lou helped found the Young Adult Alliance to fight tirelessly to keep Long Island

affordable for young adults who are forced to leave in increasing numbers every year.”

• • • “My top priority as assemblyman will be to reduce the tax burden on Long Islanders.

We pay among the highest property taxes in the nation which, combined with our state and local taxes, creates a crushing burden that is driving our families, young people, and seniors off the Island in droves, while creating a diffi-

Jeffery Peress (GR) “I am a lifelong resident of Glen Cove and a graduate of Glen Cove High School, with honors. Currently, I am majoring in sociology at Old Westbury College, and graduated from Nassau Community College in restaurant management in December 1997. I have been a

member of the Glen Cove Volunteer Fire Department since 1999, am a past volunteer for North Shore Sheltering Program, from 1998-2008, a past board member from Congregation Tifereth Israel in Glen Cove, from 1998-2005, and was a member of CSEA Region 1 Lo-

the New York Chapter National Association of Jewish Legislators. He is married to Ronnie, a retired Glen Cove teacher. They live with their dog, Mona, and cat, Mr. Kitty. Their two children attended Glen Cove public schools. Their son, Greg, is chief-of-staff to a New York City councilmember; and their daughter, Andria, is a social worker in Oakland, California.”

• • • “Long Island’s highly educated workforce makes it a de-

sirable location for sophisticated industry, such as the defense industry. I am a proponent of Governor Cuomo’s Long Island Regional Economic Development Council. I am pleased to have helped provide funding for Cold Spring Harbor Lab, which, along with Brookhaven National Laboratory, Stony Brook, the Feinstein Institute at North ShoreLIJ Health System and Hofstra University, will create knowledge-creating and job-generat-

ing synergy for our future.

“Each of our 124 separate school districts on Long Island could save millions of dollars if we limited the needless testing to which we are subjecting our children, educators and administrators. We need to break down the barriers that make it difficult for school districts to pool resources to purchase collectively and must allow districts more flexibility to pool resources to transport children by bus.”

cult climate for local businesses. I will do everything in my power to reduce property taxes, including making our property tax cap permanent, capping and repealing unfunded mandates on our local governments, restoring our STAR rebates, and completely repealing the MTA tax for Long Islanders, including our businesses, schools and local governments. These measures will promote small business and job growth, while turning the tide on the region’s “brain drain” so that talented individuals can remain on Long Is-

land. By adopting these measures, we can reduce the cost of living on Long Island so that our young people can afford to remain here, while creating jobs for them and giving them a reason to stay.

“Mandate relief must be an important part of our property tax reform. Since the passage of the property tax cap, our school districts and local governments have been strained because of the failure to provide relief for unfunded state mandates, forcing them to either cut services or raise property taxes. The problem is that

the state bears no fiscal responsibility for these mandates, so there is no incentive to rein them in. By requiring the state to fund any local mandate in excess of 10,000, we can ensure that only those most essential will pass, and reduce the burdens on our local governments and school districts. By adopting this reform as a first step, we will give local governments and school districts the freedom to spend money on the services they feel are important and halt our ever increasing property tax burden.”

cal 1000 Political Action Committee (PAC) in 2008-2009.”

• • • “I would eliminate the property taxes and replace them with a personal income tax.

Short term I would lower the sales tax. Long term I propose a work style project that would put unemployed New Yorkers back to work, such as repairing our infrastructure. I would

also propose a Green New Deal that would promote public and private sector jobs such as solar, tidal hydro power, hemp for fuel and wind factories. Give tax breaks to the small businesses that provide jobs with livable wages.

“I am in favor of eliminating mandatory statewide standardized testing that does not work.

I believe that this does not im-

prove student skills, it only teaches them how to answer questions for the tests. I believe that any other unfunded mandates should be required by the state to give 100 percent in state aid. This will be paid for by the existing stock transfer tax, which is 0.1 percent. Another way of funding such mandates is progressive taxation on wealthier New Yorkers.”

VOTERS GUIDE 2012 - ANTON COMMUNITY NEWSPAPERS - OCTOBER 26, 2012

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VOTERS GUIDE 2012 - ANTON COMMUNITY NEWSPAPERS - OCTOBER 26, 2012

NY ASSEMBLY DISTRICT 14

David McDonough (R,I,C,TR) “Dave McDonough, a member of the assembly for over 10 years, currently serves as chairman of an Assembly Task Force on Public Safety, dealing with the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, police and law enforcement, the courts, corrections, veterans, and sex offender watch. McDonough served as president of the Nassau County Council of Chambers of Commerce, and was a four-term president of the Mer-

John Brooks (D,WF) “John Brooks, a former Republican, is a community activist in Seaford: the former chief of the Seaford Fire Department and the former vice president of the Seaford Board of Education. An insurance executive for more than 30 years before becoming a risk manager in government where he has saved governments almost $90 million. He chaired the work group that was able to reduce a planed NYSHIP rate in-

rick Chamber. Assemblyman McDonough served in the U.S. Coast Guard and U.S. Air Force and is a graduate of Columbia University. He and his wife, Carolyn, live in Merrick, and have three children and three grandchildren.”

• • •

“Over the past two years, we’ve taken significant steps to ensure the prosperity of our community. Partnering with Governor Cuomo, I’ve helped spearhead much-needed reforms like the elimination of the MTA payroll tax, a historicrease by over $450 million.”

• • •

“Long Island’s poor business environment prevents companies from moving here to do business. Those companies remaining on Long Island explore relocation opportunities, thus limiting the prospects for long-term employment.

Long Island has the highest property taxes in the nation.

But why is it this way? A quick look at your tax bill shows that school taxes average 65 percent of the property tax burden. According to a 2011 report from the Nelson

cally low income-tax rate for the middle class, and the creation of the NY Works program to rebuild our crumbling roads and bridges. We’ve put New York on the right track, and Long Island is leading the way. I truly believe that we’re on the right course. By making fiscally responsible choices, like enacting two consecutive on-time budgets, with no new taxes or fees, we have taken steps to bolster the long-term prosperity of our community.

“We must also ensure that we give the next generation all

the tools they need to be successful. This starts with a strong educational foundation.

The tax cap, which I am proud to have supported, will help protect local taxpayers. However, our schools can’t continue to provide the high-quality education we’ve come to expect without a two-pronged approach to assistance. First, we must ensure our kids get their fair share from Albany by recalculating the aid formula.

Second, we need to eliminate the costliest unfunded mandates for school districts. Many

of our teachers devote countless hours to assisting our kids, but they can’t do that when they’re trying to figure out what supplies they can order and what they can go without each year. Simply put, if the state requires it, the state should pay for it! If we follow this logical approach to education, students from Long Island and beyond will be better equipped to reach their goals. It is important to provide teachers the essential supplies needed for the classrooms to create a practical learning environment.”

Rockefeller Institute, Long Island homeowners send far more money up to Albany than they get back in terms of benefits and funding. Even with the higher average incomes througout our region, the taxes sent to Albany far exceed the state reimbursement – especially for education. I reviewed the 2010-2011 school year funding scheme and found that had state aid been divided proportionally according to student enrollment, Nassau County would have received over $710 million more in state aid. Long Island, as a

whole, would have received over $1.1 billion more. The result is a shortchanged Long Island that is forced to make up the difference by hiking property and school taxes.

“This problem can be fixed, but the changes need to be made in the state legislature by leaders who are willing to tackle the status quo and who are willing to reject politicsas-usual in Albany. First and foremost this means changing the way we fund education. If we were to fund every school district based on the core cost of education, and if the re-

quired programs and services were based on student enrollment, along with adding in a regional cost factor, then every school district statewide would start on even fiscal footing. That kind of tax planning would provide a billion dollar boost to our local economy – along with the concomitant economic growth that such large tax relief would provide. Companies could once again locate to Long Island and bring with them the jobs and prestige that made this area one of America’s greatest places to live.”

Development Fund this year, an investment in our future that I will continue to support going forward. I also supported the creation of the Regional Economic Development Councils. Thanks to the grants made available by these councils, companies like our own PL Developments have been able to expand and make investments critical to job growth on Long Island. In order to further assist our local businesses, I support fully repealing the MTA tax for every

small business, as well as eliminating the small business franchise tax, an excessive levy that costs businesses across the state hundreds of millions of dollars annually and stifles the growth and development needed to fuel our economy.

“Our schools and municipalities face equally daunting impositions in the form of unfunded mandates. After last year’s historic property-tax cap, mandate relief was expected to follow, since these

unfunded burdens cause our taxes to skyrocket each year. I have supported several reforms to reduce the unfunded mandate burden. The first involves Governor Cuomo’s Mandate Relief Council pinpointing and eliminating specific unfunded mandates. Next, I co-sponsored a measure in 2012 that would place a three-year moratorium on any further unfunded mandates. This legislation would call for any new state program to have a clearly defined funding source.”

ing. I want to ensure your voices, concerns, and opinions are being heard.”

“I believe we need to take innovative steps to help increase the economic development in our community.

We need to ensure businesses are offered the right incentives to grow and prosper.

I am in favor of increasing the minimum wage and indexing it to inflation, increasing low interest loans to small businesses, and increasing subsidized loans to students, which will create a more educated workforce and allow college graduates to stay on Long Island.

“The property tax cap is

definitely a step in the right direction, but more reform is needed to ensure it is successful. The unfunded state mandates are putting a huge and unfair burden on the towns and school districts. I believe the state has to put an end to the practice of issuing mandates without proper funding. ”

structure, there will continue to be a significant uptick in funding projects to repair and rebuild our state roads and bridges; this is evident all throughout my district. Last year, when I served on the Assembly Energy Committee, I sponsored a new law that provides low cost power to businesses and not-forprofits through Recharge New York.

“I recently consulted with Congressman Steve Israel about securing federal and state grants to refit the sewer districts in my area with alternative energy sources such as

bio fuel and solar energy, which will bring jobs and lower tax rates for my constituents.

“Most important, we need to invest in a well educated workforce by having great schools in the district. Emerging economic powers, like China and India, are heavily investing in educating their future workers - we must do the same.

“I sponsored a new law, The School Bus Mandate Relief Act, which allows school districts to base the number of seats provided for students on actual bus ridership. The

measure could save schools up to a half million dollars per year. I also sponsored legislation which awaits the governor’s approval that allows school districts (as well as villages and special districts) to continue using lever voting machines for two more years - a significant cost savings to the schools in my district.

“I recently introduced a bill that exempts high performing schools from certain state testing mandates and paperwork requirements.”

NY ASSEMBLY DISTRICT 15

Michael Montesano (R,I,C,TR) “Michael Montesano was a police officer and detective for the NYCPD as well as an EMT supervisor and investigator for the NYC Emergency Medical Service. Montesano started his own law firm in 1990 and has served as Acting Village Justice and Prosecutor in Roslyn Harbor. In 2010, he was elected to the New York State Assembly. Montesano is a graduate of Nassau County

Mario Ferone (D) “My name is Mario Ferone and I am the Democratic candidate running for state Assembly in the 15th District. I am currently a student at Stony Brook University studying political science and economics. I am

Community College, St. John’s University and CUNY Law School at Queens College. A Glen Head resident since 1979, he has two children, Jennifer and Carmine, and lives with his wife Donna and her children, Amanda and Michael.”

• • •

“While New York’s economy has seen improvement over the past two years, there is still more work to be done.

There was a $75 million investment in the NY Works

involved in the undergraduate student government at my school, and have been very active in the local community. I am running for state Assembly because I want to help our community, be a role model for the younger generation; and fight for education, equality, and lowering the cost of liv-

• • •

NY ASSEMBLY DISTRICT 16

Michelle Schimel (D,I,WF) “Serving her third term in the Assembly, Michelle Schimel has built a reputation as an effective agent for change. She was previously the North Hempstead town clerk for eight years. A leading voice on gun violence prevention, Michelle is the cochair of the New York chapter of SLAIG. Her microstamping bill will help police solve gun crimes. She has fought to protect our water resources and is an opponent of hydrofracking.

Michelle has lived in Great

Neck since 1982. She was a physical therapist and certified wound care specialist at North Shore University Hospital.

Michelle owned a fashion accessories firm in Manhattan (1982 to 1994). She is an alumna of the University of Pennsylvania.”

• • •

“I joined Governor Cuomo in his plan that targets resources to economic development programs and invests in high tech innovation and nanotechnology, which will bring jobs to Long Island.

“Thanks to a budget that focuses on rebuilding infra-

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NY ASSEMBLY DISTRICT 16

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Richard Stiek (R,C)

of directors of the Armed Forces Reserve Family Assistance Fund and board of governors for the West Point Society of New York.”

“Richard Stiek is an attorney in Port Washington where he lives with his bride, Nancy. After graduating from West Point in 1996, Richard served in Field Artillery in, Oklahoma. While there, Rick served in various positions as an officer. After leaving the Army, Richard obtained a Masters in Psychology from Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi and Juris Doctor from Seton Hall Law School.

He is a member of the board

“The biggest challenge facing the State of New York right now is the exodus of businesses due to our hostile business climate that results from unreasonable corporate income taxes that unduly burden small businesses. To alleviate this strain and increase job development, I would simplify the commercial tax code and develop immediately realized refundable credits for growth of small business-

• • •

es. In addition, I would work to facilitate immigration assistance so individuals like my grandparents can enter the United States and more easily find work without fear of deportation. We must make it easier for mom-andpop businesses to grow and hire more local residents without fear of reprisal by the ICE, whose sole purpose is to punitively deport immigrants.

We must also give our small businesses immediate benefits for expanding their business, including an immediately realized refundable credit for hiring new employees who remain on the job

longer than six months, thereby encouraging longterm growth. Furthermore, we need to simplify our commercial tax code and filing system so that a familyowned business that earns $250,000 doesn’t have to spend 10 percent of its earnings to file the tax return.

“Another significant issue facing our district are the unfunded state mandates that are forced upon our schools by the state governing body. I would introduce legislation that would prohibit mandates that fail to include a funding source. Many of the mandates are quality programs,

but they must be properly funded by the sourcing entity, specifically the Assembly/Senate. If the new mandate is not fully funded, it would not be allowed on the floor of the Assembly for a vote. In addition, I would introduce a limit on the duration of existing mandates that would allow up to five years for the mandate to be fully funded or be eliminated in its entirety. I would further introduce legislation that would prohibit the increase of property tax rates when property values are flat or declining as measured by an objective evaluation system.”

lowest level in 58 years is a good start. We must continue with the New York Works initiative to target specific projects. However, we should also expand the New York Youth Works program to encourage to provide tax credits to employers who hire 16 to 24 year olds to all communities throughout the state, and not just a select few. We must create a business-friendly environment to fuel private sector growth. The corporate franchise tax for small businesses with incomes under $200,000 should be reduced from 6.5 to 5.85 percent; and for those businesses with net incomes

between $200,000 and $390,000 should be reduced from 7.1 to 6.85 percent. We should also streamline filing requirements by allowing businesses to pay all fees, filings, and assessments as part of their annual state tax filing.

“Mandate relief is necessary for school districts to contain costs and comply with the property tax cap. We should begin by enacting structural reform by requiring that any regulation by the Board of Regents that imposes an unfunded mandate on school districts to be approved by the governor and state legislature. Any additional man-

dates on schools that will cost a district more than $10,000 or $1 million aggregate statewide, should be paid for by the State. Aid must also be provided for districts in order to comply with the new Annual Peer Performance Review (APPR). The number of reports that school districts must report to the New York State Department of Education must be reduced so precious resources can be used to help students and not occupy bureaucrats.”

NY ASSEMBLY DISTRICT 17

Thomas McKevitt (R,I,C,TR) “Tom McKevitt received his Bachelor of Arts, summa cum laude, from Hofstra University, and his law degree from Hofstra Law School where he was articles editor of Hofstra Law Review. He worked for nine years as a deputy town attorney of the Town of Hempstead, and is a member of East Meadow Kiwanis and the East Meadow

Chamber of Commerce. In 2006 he was first elected to the New York State Assembly and is currently serving his fourth term. He lives in East Meadow with his wife and two children.”

• • • “We must implement policies which will promote job growth and reverse New York’s trend of exporting more people than any other state. Nearly two million people have left New York in 10 years, due to policies which make us one of the most taxed states with a poor environment for businesses. Reducing the personal income tax to its

(challenger on page 17V)

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NY ASSEMBLY DISTRICT 17

Kevin Brady (D,WF) “I grew up a proud Boy Scout and product of local public schools: Levittown’s Division Avenue High School, undergrad at Stony Brook and graduate school at Queens College. My values come straight from Mom’s devotion to community education and my Dad’s years of perfect attendance as a long-time NYPD

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veteran. Working for FedEx from a former Grumman site and volunteering with at-risk youth remind me how much public policy really matters.

I’m not a registered Democrat or a Republican: I want to see my hometown represented by one of its own in Albany – not some outside partisan agenda.”

• • • “You already pay enough in taxes: that’s why I support Governor Cuomo’s property-tax cap for homeowners and oppose the MTA raising LIRR fares while cutting service. Assembly mem-

bers should be agents – working deals to make sure the money getting spent by Albany gets back to our downtowns, our roads, and especially our schools. Right now, Long Islanders get just 72 cents back on every dollar we send to Albany – lowest for any region. I promise to be one of the few members who make the Assembly a full-time job, which also means being a real small-business champion, meeting regularly with owners and local chambers of commerce to learn their needs and problems. Many of

our businesses are hurting, especially along Hempstead Turnpike – by no coincidence, a state road that’s the deadliest in the region. Long overdue improvements have been announced and the other two Turnpike districts (Hempstead and Elmont) will have members in the Assembly majority: we can’t be the ones without a seat at the table or our money will be spent elsewhere.

Being pro-business and antigovernment B.S. means big and small fights: like pushing New York to stop contracting with outsourcers, favoring local com-

panies, and assigning a staff person from my office to help neighbors and businesses request traffic lights and signs.

“As a PTA member and a public schools student my entire childhood, I know that advocating for our students also means reducing spending: capping superintendent pay and dismantling costly mandates likely over-testing our kids. I will be one of the new, loud voices in the majority willing to push for fairer school funding formulas, building bridges between the two parties.”

torney for the Town of Hempstead and as a legal aide in the office of the New York State Attorney General. Assemblyman Ra is a lifelong resident of Franklin Square, where he lives with his wife, Laura.”

• • • “The backbone of our local economy is our small businesses. They employ people, serve our local residents and support many community organizations.

The best way we can help increase local development and create jobs is to reduce government red tape and give our local

small businesses the tools they need to succeed. I have proposed a “Small Business IRA” (A.10382) account designed to allow businesses to set aside capital pre-taxes that they will be able to access during difficult economic times. During these times, businesses have trouble getting loans and this will provide a cushion they can use to weather an economic storm and thrive. Further proposals, which I would support, would increase the pool for eligibility for RechargeNY to allow our local small businesses to acquire low

cost energy and measures such as the BizBoom legislation which I have co-sponsored which would lower application fees and provide for reduced taxes in the first years for new businesses.

“Mandate relief is a critical issue that we must tackle for our local school districts. We have taken some actions such as the repeal of the MTA tax for our schools and cost savings measures like less restrictive bus mandates and allowing the use of lever voting machines for school elections. I would support legislation like the pro-

posed exemplary schools legislation which would allow schools to apply for an exemption from certain state testing requirements when a school has shown a record of academic success by their students. With each mandate we reform or repeal we will give our school districts more flexibility to allocate their resources in a way to best serve local students. Further, I have supported legislation that would impose a moratorium on unfunded mandates or require the state to pay for any new mandates imposed. ”

stead Chamber of Commerce, Gary and his wife, Yukiko, have been married for 24 years; they have four children.

He is a Scoutmaster and previously coached Little League and softball.”

• • • “Nassau Coliseum needs to be developed and to do that zoning must be removed from the Town of Hempstead. Unfortunately, under the New York Constitution, the legislature cannot override the zoning of a specific local government without special proceedings. The courts have held that broader laws, such as the Ur-

ban Renewal laws, can legally override local zoning. A concerted plan using these broader laws must be put into effect. We need to attract high quality white-collar jobs, particularly in the new field of biotech. We must explore innovative models of development, which do not represent overdevelopment, but a careful blending of residential and workspaces. Perhaps the best example is to be found in Garden City.

This village has a healthy blend of residences, office space, industrial use areas and commercial space. The state can do more by working with the local gov-

ernments and encouraging them to streamline red tape and providing the proper tax incentives, not just for businesses to come, but to stay. Create incentives and programs between Nassau Community College and local businesses. By partnering with local businesses, the goal would be for students to start working while in college and then segue into full time employment.

“Unfunded mandates need to be brought under control by establishing a commission of educators and parents. They need to be examined in a realistic fashion and determine for each one

if the goal is worthwhile for the cost entailed. There needs to be a statewide law capping the salaries of superintendents. As Governor Andrew Cuomo has pointed out, the cost of administration has increased well beyond inflation and in fact the cost of education. Administrative costs must be reduced. We must push to consolidate back office functions such as purchasing and construction/repair services. Any district that wishes to exceed the 2 percent property cap should undergo an outside audit and must justify the need to exceed the cap.”

She has worked in the higher education field for almost a decade. Solages works at Hofstra University, where she is a member of the Office and Professional Employers International Union Local 153. She has also worked as a paralegal in a local law practice. Solages has volunteered at the Nassau County Legislature. Solages won the Democratic and Working Families Party primary on Sept. 13.”

• • • “I would focus on small business growth to increase economic development. Small businesses are the backbone of our community. By increasing the amount of small businesses, we widen the tax base and decrease the tax burden on the homeowners, which is essential for those who are on fixed incomes like our seniors. I would support incentives that enhance the development and

growth of small businesses. I would also call upon the state legislature to provide incentives for businesses that hire unemployed New Yorkers.

“Parents, teachers and lawmakers realize the tremendous financial stress facing our public schools. Working together, we must seek to provide the best possible education for children without shifting the tax burden to homeowners. An unfunded mandate is an obliga-

tion imposed on school districts by the state government, the cost of which is not paid for by the government. I would work closely with the Special Education Parent Teacher Association (SEPTA) and New York State United Teachers (NYSUT) to find out which mandates are nonessential and which mandates are essential. I would then work with the state legislature to repeal nonessential mandates.”

Valley Stream Green Hornets assistant youth football coach and lives in the in the 22nd District. Together with his wife Lisa, Sean has one young child and they are expecting their second.”

• • • “Economic development and job creation is my primary focus for the people of the 22nd Assembly District.

The local areas need involvement from New York State in order to create jobs within the skilled work force, such as

plumbers, electricians, carpenters, steel workers, as well as the full array of professionals, too many of whom are out of work. This district is ideally situated for such job opportunities with its close proximity to JFK Airport, the JFK AirTrain and the East Side Access slated for completion in the coming years.

The Floral Park, Stewart Manor, Valley Stream and Gibson railroad stations all supply a steady workforce into the city. Why not attract

the air travel businesses here to western Nassau County, building on the freight and cargo industry that already has a healthy presence in Valley Stream. We also have Belmont Park, which is prime for thoughtful development in keeping with the suburban character of its surrounding neighborhoods of Elmont and Floral Park. The Nassau Hub, just a little further east of the 22nd District is also a largely untapped opportunity.

“Mandate relief is a large

problem for school districts, especially those struggling to stay within the 2 percent tax cap. Mandates must be reviewed yearly, and if necessary, the state must provide the aid needed to comply. Nassau County and the 22nd District are sending a disproportionate share of tax monies to Albany and getting back only a fraction. I believe any unfunded mandates must pass a 2/3 majority vote in both the Senate and the Assembly before being passed on to school districts.”

NY ASSEMBLY DISTRICT 19

Ed Ra (R,I,C,TR) “Ed Ra was elected to represent the 21st Assembly District on November 2, 2010. As a member of the assembly, Ra serves on the health, labor, education and codes committees.

He is also the ranking minority member of the Racing and Wagering Committee. Prior to his election to the state assembly, Ra served as a deputy town at-

Gary Port (D) “Gary Port is 50 years old.

He graduated from Brooklyn Law School in 1986. After serving in the active Army until 1990, he joined the Brooklyn District Attorney’s office. He later formed Port and Sava. He is a lieutenant colonel in the Army Reserves and was awarded the Meritorious Service Medal, the Army Commendation Medal, and the Army Achievement Medal. A founding member and two-term past president of the West Hemp-

NY ASSEMBLY DISTRICT 22

Michaelle Solages (D,WF) “Michaelle Solages is a resident of the new 22nd Assembly District. Solages earned a bachelor’s degree from Hofstra University’s School of Education, Health and Human Services.

Sean Wright (R,I,C) “Sean Wright is a graduate of Johns Hopkins University; CUNY Law School and has been a practicing attorney for more than 10 years. He is the deputy town attorney for the Town of Hempstead and deputy prosecutor for the Village of Valley Stream. He is a CSEA Member, third degree Knights of Columbus member,

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Nassau County Judicial Candidates

(From Nassau County Board of Elections)

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