League of Women Voters of New York State Education Foundation, Inc.
	Rensselaer, Saratoga, Washington Counties, NY November 2, 2010 Election
	Candidates Answer Questions on the Issues Member of the State Assembly; District 112

The questions were prepared by the Leagues of Women Voters of New York State and asked of all candidates for this office.     See below for questions on Economy, Budget, Campaign Finance, Redistricting, Education Click on a name for candidate information.   See also more information about this contest. 1. What measures do you support to save existing jobs and create new jobs in New York State? Answer from Tony Jordan: The biggest hurdles to economic growth and job creation/retention in New York is our strangling regulatory environment and exorbitantly high tax rates. This combination make New York one of, if not the most, expensive states in the country in which to do business. This causes businesses to leave, not expand and/or not locate in New York. Reeling in out-of-control state agencies and reducing the size of state government will have the dual impact of reducing the regulatory burden on our businesses, and decreasing the cost of government thereby lowering taxes. 2. How do you think New York can best deal with upcoming unsustainable deficit budgets? Answer from Tony Jordan: Significant reductions in the size and cost of government are the only ways that we will be able to address the long-term budget deficits we are facing. We have reached a point where we can no longer afford the government we have. Agency consolidations and mergers, a reforming of the pension system, a local property tax cap, and meaningful mandate relief for local governments are the key ways we are going to be able to address the budget shortfalls we will be facing in the future. 3. What reforms would you propose to address inadequate campaign finance rules and enforcement in New York? Answer from Tony Jordan: The influence of special interests in Albany has become too great. Comprehensive, bi-partisan efforts need to be made to restructure the way in which candidates receive campaign contributions from special interest groups. I also think, we should examine the implementation of term limits for the leadership positions within the Legislature. By limiting the amount of time that someone can spend at the head of either conference, we can limit the amount of power they can amass and help keep them beholden to the electorate. 4. What reforms would you support for the redistricting process? Answer from Tony Jordan: Yes. I think the redistricting prior to the 2012 elections needs to be done in an impartial non-partisan matter that ensures a real voice to the people of each district. For too long, Gerrymandering has been a tool of the party in power to dole out protection of incumbents and punish Legislators who disagree with their policy goals. Specifically, I would like to see the adoption of a non-partisan reapportionment committee to be tasked with redistricting. This group should be free from Legislative interference, and actually adhere to the tenants set forth in the Constitution of the State of New York with regard to the criteria that should be used for drawing district boundaries. 5. Would you support a cap on property taxes and, if so, how do you think school districts can deal with the decrease in revenue? Answer from Tony Jordan: Yes, I am in complete support of a property tax cap. This cap can only be effective, however, if coupled with real, meaningful mandate relief. For far too long, Albany has relied on its use of the unfunded mandate to pass rules and regulations and let the local levels of government worry about paying for them. This has led to New York having one of the highest property tax rates in the nation, forcing seniors and hardworking families alike to leave this State. We must also recognize that school districts differ from rural schools, to city schools to suburban schools. Each has different needs and we should ensure that education requirements recognize these differences; rather than trying to regulate as one-size-fits-all. Responses to questions asked of each candidate are reproduced as submitted to the League.  Candidates' responses are not edited or corrected by the League. The order of the candidates is random and changes daily. Candidates who did not respond are not listed on this page.