Ron
Tocci
1) What reforms would you make to the
New York state budget process to
ensure on-time passage?
I would change the fiscal year to July
1st so that we can receive last quarter
reports, which would result in better informed
economic decisions. I would suggest that
the legislative session should deal with
everything that has to do with non budgetary
concerns starting in January and ending
in May, and dealing only with the budget
for the remaining time - June and July.
2) Do you support universal pre-K in
our public education system? If
yes, how do you propose paying for it?
I think it is proven that early education
gives a child a decided advantage and helps
in their whole learning process, not just
formal education but social as well. Obviously
the need is for additional revenue solely
dedicated to education priorities of the
state. The state should ensure that all
monies that are intended for educational
purposes i.e.: lottery, should be guaranteed.
Additional revenue enhancements i.e.: monies
generated from Indian Reservation gambling
contracts should also be directed towards
educational purposes.
3) What is your position on the death
penalty in New York?
I believe the death penalty has a place
in our criminal justice system. Most recently,
we have seen the most heinous of crimes,
the random sniper killings, which victimized
innocent people including children. The
death penalty also serves to protect corrections
personnel, who are often victimized by violent
inmates who are repeat offenders.
4) You have already discussed the major
issues that are most important to you -education,
health care, and the environment. In addition,
is there an issue that is a particular interest
of yours, one that probably would be overlooked
by others unless you were elected to the
Assembly?
My passion is to serve our American Veterans,
our heroes-the protectors of America's liberties.
Throughout my entire career I formed relationships
with veteran leaders in the public and private
sectors. I have developed an understanding
of our veteran's needs, such as, healthcare,
housing, employment, etc. As a senior Member
of the Assembly and Chairman of the Military
and Veterans Affairs Committee, many veterans
groups depend upon my advocacy in pursuit
of our common goals. Veterans have done
so much for our country and they deserve
our gratitude. We should be constantly reminded
of those who honorably serve our nation.
|
Noam
Bramson
1) What reforms would you make to the
New York state budget process to
ensure on-time passage?
New York State’s budgets have been
late for eighteen years in a row, a chronic
failure that severely impacts our school
districts and undermines public confidence
in the legislative process. Late budgets
are one symptom of Albany’s highly
centralized leadership structure. Greater
transparency in decision-making and enhanced
inclusion of rank-and-file members in the
development of public policy are essential.
I would support the creation of conference
committees to reconcile differences between
the Assembly and Senate and support expanded
opportunities for meaningful debate and
amendment, both in committees and on the
Assembly floor.
2) Do you support universal pre-K
in our public education system? If yes,
how do you propose paying for it?
I strongly support universal pre-k and
would work to provide our school districts
with the resources needed to offer children
early instruction. Study after study demonstrates
the value of early enrichment to a student’s
future academic preparedness and success.
In addition, with more parents working,
universal pre-k offers families the assurance
that young children are receiving nurturing
supervision during the day. New York funds
a smaller share of education costs than
almost any state in America. Boosting school
aid, while introducing additional flexibility
into the aid formula will enable local districts
to provide the services families need and
deserve.
3) What is your position on the death
penalty in New York?
Some crimes call out for the most severe
punishment. Recent advances in the analysis
of DNA forensic evidence, however, have
uncovered widespread errors in the application
of capital punishment. It is clear that
many wrongfully-accused individuals have
been executed and that many others have
come close. Even the best criminal justice
system will make mistakes – but when
death is the penalty, those mistakes are
irreversible. For this reason and others,
I support life imprisonment without the
possibility of parole as the most effective
and certain form of punishment for violent
crime.
4) You have already discussed the major
issues that are most important to you -education,
health care, and the environment. In addition,
is there an issue that is a particular interest
of yours, one that probably would be overlooked
by others unless you were elected to the
Assembly?
The State must do more to promote effective
regional planning. Currently, municipalities
with disparate economic, social, and demographic
profiles have little incentive to cooperate,
even though the costs and benefits of specific
projects and actions often extend beyond
municipal boundaries. The State should lead
by offering credit to grant applications
submitted on an inter-municipal basis, by
amending environmental review requirements
to include meaningful input from impact
zones, and by adopting regional growth plans
that provide for urban in-fill and open
space protection. I would work with local
and state officials and planners to accomplish
these goals.
|
