League of Women Voters of New York Education Foundation
Nassau County, NY November 7, 2006 Election
	Charles D. Lavine Answers Questions Candidate for Member of the State Assembly; District 13

The questions were prepared by the League of Women Voters of Nassau County and asked of all candidates for this office.
Read the answers from all candidates (who have responded).

Questions & Answers

1. Public education is financed through property taxes and state funds. What other means of raising revenue would you support?*

In 1988, the federal government stopped funding public education, forcing state and local taxpayers to make up for the 12% federal contribution. The "No Child Left Behind" law and rigid testing mandates from the State Education Department and other unfunded mandates cost each district millions of dollars. Restoration of a federal contribution, ending outrageously expensive and unnecessary testing will add revenue while reducing the expense of education. This year's increased state contribution helped keep property taxes in check.

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.*

I am a co-sponsor of a bill (A6287) to establish independent redistricting commissions to fairly draw legislative districts. This bill prohibits the use of partisan considerations (party enrollment) in drawing districts and requires that redistricting commissioners be truly independent and representative of the state geographically, racially, by gender and politically. In recent elections, 25% of incumbents ran unopposed and many challengers did not even raise money to campaign. Fair redistricting will make for a better playing field and the public will realize the benefit.

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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.

Read the answers from all candidates (who have responded).

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Created from information supplied by the candidate: October 18, 2006 18:28
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