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The questions were prepared by the League of Women Voters of Nassau County and asked of all candidates for this office.
See below for questions on
Education Finance,
Redistricting
Click on a name for candidate information. See also more information about this contest.
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1. Public education is financed through property taxes and state funds. What other means of raising revenue would you support?*
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Answer from Harvey Weisenberg:
The federal government's share of school funding is woefully inadequate, particularly with regard to students with disabilities or for those struggling to learn. Federal mandates (NCLB, IDEA, ETC.) are not adequately funded, thereby passing the burden to local taxpayers. Other possible revenues include income tax, utility tax, etc. While having some merit, these alternatives shift the burden and take away a citizen's right to decide locally through school district budget votes.
Answer from Francis X. "Frank" McQuade:
To generate revenue for public schools, I recommend schools' vigorously pursuing private grants and foundations. I recommend school districts' selling surplus property. A County income tax may be fairer than property tax, especially for seniors; I would consider such a tax. However, cutting spending is more urgent. I support consolidation of schools and districts. I would lessen unfounded mandates and not impose new ones. Furthermore, I support a vital private education system and tax vouchers, incentives and credits.
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2. Legislative districts have been determined on a partisan basis. Would you support establishing an independent commission as a more open and ethical way to create the districts? Please explain.*
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Answer from Harvey Weisenberg:
I would support the creation of an independent commission only if citizens can be assured beyond any doubt that this "new" commission would actually be non-partisan. For instance, who would appoint members to the commission? How would the commission be funded? Those are important questions when determining whether any entity is truly "independent." I will not support the creation of another layer of publicly funded bureaucracy as a "quick fix" empty gesture.
Answer from Francis X. "Frank" McQuade:
I support an independent commission to create legislative districts. Of the 212 state legislative districts, only 25 are considered competitive (by Party enrollment) and 97.3% incumbents are returned. The result is complacency of the Legislator and inertia to real progress. In redistricting, look to preserve unity of villages and neighborhoods. Try to coordinate state districts with town and county divisions. Look to keep together areas defined by geography and similar nature and needs.
Responses to questions asked of each candidate
are reproduced as submitted to the League.
- Original answers for a published Voters Guide
were limited are presented as submitted. Candidates have since been invited
to supply answers of any length for the Web.
The order of the candidates is random and changes daily. Candidates who did not respond are not listed on this page.
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League of Women Voters of New York Education Foundation
