League of Women Voters of New York State Education Foundation, Inc.
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Deborah Busch
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This is an archive of a past election. See http://www.smartvoter.org/ny/state/ for current information. |
League of Women Voters of New York State Education Foundation, Inc.
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Deborah Busch
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The questions were prepared by the Leagues of Women Voters of New York State and asked of all candidates for this office.
Read the answers from all candidates (who have responded).Questions & Answers
1. What measures do you support to save existing jobs and create new jobs in New York State?
New York needs to create a more business friendly environment to retain and create new jobs. The single greatest impediment to job creation and retention is high taxes. The high taxes in new York keep business from developing and keep consumers from spending. Capping and reducing property taxes is a great start. Also, unfunded mandidates such as medicare and medicaid are making it impossible for local governments to perform infrastructure improvements to develope business friendly communities.In some countes upstate over half of a town's budget is devoted to unfunded mandates. We need medicaid reform, and we need the State government to assist rather than cripple local economic initiatives. In addition, we need to reduce energy costs in New York. We need to repeal or reform taxes and regulations that raise the cost of energy. The short term loss in revenue is recouped by private sector growth.2. How do you think New York can best deal with upcoming unsustainable deficit budgets?
Very simple, cut spending. Just like every household in New York has to do. Year after year budgets are proposed that spend more than they take in. Budgets are conformed to appease special interest groups, are fiscally irresponsible, and the end result is defecit spending. New York needs education and healthcare reform. We spend taxpayer dollars placating the special interests associated with these areas with poor results to show for it.For example we need greater support for charter schools, even President Obama agreed on that! Yet NYSUT remains a powerful obstacle to greater implementation of such schools.It is no secret that NYSUT is a powerful player come election time. In microcosm, that is New York politics.Budgets are a reflection of deal making not economic reality.3. What reforms would you propose to address inadequate campaign finance rules and enforcement in New York?
Effective immediately, we need full disclosure of all income for legislators. No more hiding behind the cloak of client privledge for lawyer/legislators. Incumbents enjoy an enormous advantage by being able to use constituent mailings to canpaign year round at taxpayer expense. There should be significant reductions in this practice.Same thing for member item grants. This is pork pure and simple and New York cannot afford it, and it is one more advantage that skews elections to favor incumbents.4. What reforms would you support for the redistricting process?
Yes. There should be common sense boundries such as county lines used to define districts.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?
Yes. Cut spending.It is that simple.If programs neeed consolidation, do it.School Districts can no longer have open access to property owners pocketbooks. Charter schools need implementation in our cities, districts need consolidation in rural areas if required.
Responses to questions asked of each candidate are reproduced as submitted to the League. Candidates' responses are not edited or corrected by the League.Read the answers from all candidates (who have responded).
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