League of Women Voters of New York Education Foundation
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Timothy C. Merrick
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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 Education Foundation
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Timothy C. Merrick
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The questions were prepared by the League of Women Voters of the Capital District and asked of all candidates for this office.
Read the answers from all candidates (who have responded).Questions & Answers
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?
Yes. Transparency in government is essential. In budget negotiations, Senate Democrats forced concessions from the Republicans to disclose member items. Democrats have followed through; my opponent has not.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?
Absolutely. Senate Democrats have called for redistricting reform as part of their government reform agenda. Government's purpose is to serve the electorate, not the elected.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?
Yes. Drug companies have posted huge profits while millions of New Yorkers cannot afford medication, threatening their health. Health care should not be for the privileged few. My opponent has not supported bills to facilitate bulk-buying.
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.
Read the answers from all candidates (who have responded).
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Created from information supplied by the candidate: October 12, 2006 18:35
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