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.
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 Teresa R. Sayward:
Yes, I believe the public has a right to see how their money is being spent and for what purpose.
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 Teresa R. Sayward:
I do support establishing an independent commission to draw legislative boundaries. The makeup of the committee should be equally represented by all parties and areas of the state.
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 Teresa R. Sayward:
Until NYS drastically reduces spending and lower taxes we will not be able to attract new businesses without offering huge government subsidies. NYS should start spending reductions by ending the 007 appropriations, eliminating mandates on schools and counties as a beginning. Once taxes go down, the trend will reverse.
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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