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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,
Drug Discounts
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 Elizabeth O'C. Little:
I have and will continue to support efforts to make government more open, accountable and responsive, including the disclosure of taxpayer funds for projects in individual member districts.
Answer from Timothy C. Merrick:
Yes. Transparency in government is essential. In budget negotiations, Senate Democrats forced concessions from the Republicans to disclose member items. Democrats have followed through; my opponent has not.
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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 Elizabeth O'C. Little:
I would support the creation of an independent commission provided the commission would be entirely free of any political pressure or influence.
Answer from Timothy C. Merrick:
Absolutely. Senate Democrats have called for redistricting reform as part of their government reform agenda. Government's purpose is to serve the electorate, not the elected.
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3. The Assembly has passed legislation that would allow New York State to buy drugs in bulk from drug companies and pass on the savings to low income and uninsured citizens in the form of an Rx discount card. Do you support this legislation? Why or why not?*
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Answer from Timothy C. Merrick:
Yes. Drug companies have posted huge profits while millions of New Yorkers cannot afford medication, threatening their health. Health care should not be for the privileged few. My opponent has not supported bills to facilitate bulk-buying.
Answer from Elizabeth O'C. Little:
I have supported many new laws, including EPIC and the Medicaid wraparound, to help ensure lower-income and uninsured citizens have access to affordable prescription medicines. I would support the bill referenced if there are assurances that a consumer's ability to access or afford medication is not adversely impacted.
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
