|
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.
|
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?*
|
Answer from Hugh T. Farley:
Yes. I am proud of the work of the nonprofit and volunteer agencies, local governments, libraries, and schools in my Senate District which have sought grants, and always announce these publicly.
Answer from Jeffrey P. Stark:
I support full disclosure and feel items should be listed in the budget. While it's nice when we are recipients of pork it is a sad reflection dysfunctional government incumbents use our tax money to get reelected rather than create good paying jobs, quality education and safe communities.
|
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?*
|
Answer from Jeffrey P. Stark:
NY desperately needs a fair way to draw district lines. I support an independent commission; Districts should be drawn to maintain a balance between the major parties so representatives remain responsive to the issues
Answer from Hugh T. Farley:
Districts are now established by a bi-partisan legislative commission governed by provisions of the State and federal Constitutions and by numerous court decisions. I hope that any change would respect traditional community borders, such as county lines, rather than establish arbitrary boundaries in the name of numerical "fairness."
|
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?*
|
Answer from Hugh T. Farley:
I have sponsored legislation (S.2722B/A.2160B) to investigate bulk purchasing, drug importation, and expansion of assistance programs such as EPIC. A well-crafted bulk purchasing program should also help taxpayers and workers who pay high costs for health insurance, and should not drive small community drug stores out of business.
Answer from Jeffrey P. Stark:
Not only do I support this legislation but would expand this to include private employer group plans
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.
| 
League of Women Voters of New York Education Foundation
