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The questions were prepared by the League of Women Voters of the Capital District and asked of all candidates for this office.
See below for questions on
Member Items,
Redistricting,
Opportunity for Youth
Click on a name for candidate information. See also more information about this contest.
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1. "007" accounts, better known as member items, account for $200 million in tax payer dollars doled out to individual legislators each year. These pork barrel funds are not covered under New York State's Freedom of Information Laws. Do you support efforts to make the distribution of these funds public record?*
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Answer from Ronald J. Canestrari:
Yes, I support the effort to make the record of member items public. In fact, I have made mine public for several years.
Answer from Kandi S. Terry:
Yes. More transparency produces a more equitable, efficient and effective government. Public knowledge of member item allocations would reveal the priorities of our elected officials and hold them accountable for their actions.
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2. Legislative district boundary lines are drawn by the legislators themselves and are tied directly to the advantages of party politics. Would you support the establishment of an independent commission as a more open and ethical way to create districts?*
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Answer from Kandi S. Terry:
Yes. Redistricting was established to ensure equal representation as populations shifted. The practice was not intended as a tool for the powerful to turn Democracy on its head. Voters are supposed to be the ones making the choice on Election Day not the other way around.
Answer from Ronald J. Canestrari:
The Assembly is continuing hearings on this issue and I look forward to reading the report and information gathered from this process.
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3. Amid the recent reports that more and more young people are leaving upstate cities for better opportunities, what would you propose to reverse this trend?*
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Answer from Ronald J. Canestrari:
I have worked to foster the relationships between our colleges and universities and the entire region. This is the greatest asset we have to keep young people here. Empire Zones and Power for Jobs are 2 economic development initiatives that have proven success but we must do more.
Answer from Kandi S. Terry:
Continued investments in high-tech companies, lower business taxes, and continued investments in academic research and design. Business leaders contend that our young people are not adequately prepared to enter the work force. Therefore, changes are needed throughout our secondary educational system to better prepare all students for high-tech careers.
Responses to questions asked of each candidate
are reproduced as submitted to the League.
- Original answers for a published Voters Guide
were limited to 50 words and 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
