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The questions were prepared by the League of Women Voters of Nassau County and asked of all candidates for this office.
See below for questions on
Education Finance,
Redistricting
Click on a name for candidate information. See also more information about this contest.
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1. Public education is financed through property taxes and state funds. What other means of raising revenue would you support?*
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Answer from Dolores D. Sedacca:
For fiscal year 2005-2006, the New York Lottery brought in over $5.7 billion. Only 32% of that revenue source went to aid to education, 56% went to prizes and the remaining 12% was disbursed for operating expenses, etc. In keeping with the spirit and intention of the lottery, I believe that the proportion of the prize winnings should not exceed the portion given to education. Last year, if 10% were shifted from prizes to education, it would have meant an additional $647,120 million passed down in state aid. It is my intention to sponsor legislation, which will revise the current lottery formula in order to increase the allocation of funds to education.
Answer from Thomas McKevitt:
High school taxes are making it increasingly difficult for people to live on Long Island. State funding to Long Island school districts must be increased to lessen the reliance on property taxes. Other means of raising revenue, such as a local income tax that has been suggested by some, must be studied in detail to determine if a workable system can even be designed.
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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.*
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Answer from Thomas McKevitt:
An independent commission could be a more open way to determine legislative boundaries. However, there would have to be assurances that such a commission would truly be independent and not swayed by various persons or groups with an agenda.
Answer from Dolores D. Sedacca:
Yes, I would support an independent commission. I believe that citizens, when given choice and opportunity, reside in neighborhoods for social, geographic and economic factors and not because of party affiliation. The current deliberating process simply perpetuates the status quo guaranteeing the re-election of incumbents. The public hearings present the lines, which have already been drawn by the party in power. There is no public participation and I believe that the public should be actively involved in this process from start to finish.
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.
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
