Name:
Neil D. Breslin
Occupation:
Attorney
Residence:
Bethlehem, NY
Political Affiliation:
Democrat
Intro:
Neil David Breslin, Democrat, is currently serving his seventh term as a New York State Senator. He represents the 46th District, which consists entirely of Albany County. Born as one of six children on June 9, 1942, Neil is a lifelong resident of Albany County. On academic scholarship, Neil attended Fordham College from which he graduated in 1964 with a BS degree in Political science. While in law school at the University of Toledo, he was named the editor-in-chief of the Law Review and was also selected as outstanding student in his class. Prior to his election as a public official, Neil was a community leader for many years. As a State Senator, in recognition of his dedication and commitment to the community, Senator Breslin has received awards from numerous organizations.
How would you tackle the state’s deficit?
We need a mix of cuts and revenue raisers to address the State’s dire fiscal crisis. Although painful, these cuts have and will be made in education and health care. I also support a new tax restructuring plan requiring that the wealthiest New Yorkers pay their fair share of taxes.
What would you do to provide property tax relief?
I support a tax cap with a circuit breaker to provide much needed property tax relief to working families.
Would you be able to work with any or all of the gubernatorial candidates?
Absolutely. As an elected official my first responsibility is to the People of New York State and especially to my constituents. I will work with whoever out next Governor is on addressing the many important issues facing our State.
What must be done to stem the flow of upstate New Yorkers leaving the state?
It is critical that state legislators consider measures to make New York more business friendly. During the past legislative session I was proud to vote for two programs that will help to save existing jobs and create new jobs in the Capital Region: Excelsior Jobs Program and Power for Jobs.
Should State legislators be full-time?
Yes. I would support a requirement that state legislators be full-time.
Additional Comments:
The measure of a strong economy is a growing middle-class where every American has a chance to work and an opportunity to succeed. I have and will spend my entire career standing up against special interest and fighting hard for our working families. As a state legislator, I have also actively worked to ensure that issues of social, racial, and economic justice are kept at the forefront of the political conversation. In addition, I have long advocated for the passage of various types of civil rights, ethics, and reform legislation. I am proud of the work that I have accomplished. However, there is much more that needs to be done and I am excited to take on the challenges of the coming years.
Name:
Robert Domenici
Age:
49
Occupation:
Owner of a Service Disabled Veteran Business
Residence:
Colonie, New York
Political Affiliation:
Republican, Conservative
Intro
Family: Bob Domenici has been married to his wife, Virginia, for 25 years. She is a Registered Nurse at St.Peter’s Hospital. He is the father of two sons: Robert A. (24), a Sergeant in the 10th Mountain Division, with one completed combat tour in Afghanistan; and Nicholas (16), a South Colonie High School Sophomore. They have a daughter, Mary (22), who is studying to be a Registered Nurse. Robert is the grandfather of Andrew Thomas O’Hare (2 _ years) and Great Uncle to Molly Serawak (6 Months).
Community Involvement: South Colonie School Board, BOCES School Board
Military Experience: Retired Lieutenant Colonel, United States Army (22 years)
Education/Degrees: M.S.S. (Masters of Strategic Studies) United States Army War College (2004); M.P.A. (Masters Public Administration) Marist College (1999); Command and General Staff College, FT Leavenworth (1990); B.A. Liberal Arts, Queens College (1983); New York State HazMat Specialist, New York State Fire Academy (2002).
How would you tackle the state’s deficit?
Reducing the growth of Medicaid spending; consolidating State, County and Local services; transitioning public employees to 401(k) type retirement benefits; and eliminating unfunded mandates from the legislature upon our counties and local governments.
What would you do to provide property tax relief?
Property tax relief begins with reducing Medicaid spending, government consolidation, pension reform and eliminating unfunded mandates. Once expenditures have been reduced, we can implement a meaningful reduction in property taxes, followed by a cap on future increases.
Would you be able to work with any or all of the gubernatorial candidates?
Over several decades, I have had the privilege of serving many mayors, governors and Federal leaders, on both sides of the aisle. I am confident that I can communicate my message of lower spending and lower taxes, to representatives from all political parties.
What must be done to stem the flow of upstate New Yorkers leaving the state?
I propose lowering or eliminating taxes on small business for several years to promote growth, and lessening capital gains taxes to encourage reinvestment and rehiring.
Reform our workers compensation insurance system and address our highest in the nation property and income taxes, as well as our above-market energy costs.
Should state legislator’s be full-time?
A full time legislature would allow effective change. It is critically important that we attract entrepreneurs and business owners to the legislature, and a full time legislative commitment might prove to limit our ability to recruit the best of the best from the private sector to serve the public interest.
Additional Comments
As legislators, we need to view small businesses as partners in economic development, and not targets for unnecessary taxes and regulation. Working together, the State and our local businesses can grow our economy out of this recession. Too often, though, the business community is at odds with the State, and seen as a target for more taxes and fees. We need leadership to do these things and right now we are not getting it from our elected officials. Promoting growth requires businesses to view the State as a credible partner. We need to build credibility through trust.
Name:
Michael Carey
Age:
48 years old
Occupation:
Owner of Solo Auto Sales
Residence:
31 Oakwood Road Glenmont, NY 12077
Party Affiliation:
Reform Party Line- Running with a Reform platform
Intro
Michael Carey has been a resident of Albany County for most of his life, residing in the Town of Bethlehem since 1967. He has been married to his wife Lisa for 20 years, and they have two children, Jonathan, who was killed in 2007 at the age of 13, and Joshua, who is currently 12 years old. For over the past 20 years Michael has owned and operated several small businesses including Solo Auto Sales, providing services for many people locally, and he has become very familiar with the difficulties of maintaining a small business in upstate New York. Michael is successful reformer and has worked tirelessly for the past 3 _ years to fight for the passage of `Jonathan’s Law` and 7 other bills which have been signed into law to protect vulnerable disabled people statewide. In 2007, Michael also co-founded the Jonathan Carey Foundation to help vulnerable children.
How would you tackle the state’s deficit?
I would tackle the state’s deficit by doing everything possible to reduce taxes to spur growth of small businesses, and look into every area of wasteful spending and misuse of the state’s current tax revenues. I would do everything possible to reduce and eliminate fraud and corruption.
What would you do to provide property tax relief?
To provide property tax relief I would propose a spending and budget reduction, and after our economy is strong again and we are clearly not in a recession I would then propose a 2% property tax cap annually. Most residents of Albany County cannot afford the current increases.
Would you be able to work with any or all of the gubernatorial candidates?
For the past 3 years I have worked successfully with many legislators from both parties to get numerous bills past. As Senator, I would continue to successfully work with any of the gubernatorial candidates to address the vital needs of Albany County and New York State.
What must be done to stem the flow of upstate New Yorkers leaving the State?
I will work hard to cut taxes, stop wasteful spending of tax payer dollars, address serious problems of corruption and fraud, and provide incentives to small businesses to hire more employees. Also, to find a fair solution to providing employees of small businesses with affordable health care coverage.
Should state legislators be full time?
Yes, it would eliminate conflicts with other jobs and it would give legislators the opportunity to focus solely on the vital needs and priorities of the people of Albany County and New York State. I would be willing to work full time to serve the people Albany County.
Additional Comments
I will work extremely hard to serve everyone in Albany County and New York State, regardless of party affiliation. Over the past 3 1/2 years I have gained significant experience with the legislative process. I have the personality to work well with others, and the ability to persevere until needed changes actually happen, having 8 bills successfully signed into law already. I sincerely care about all people, and I will fight for what is right and just for everyone to improve their lives. I am a strong advocate, and a successful reformer and I will use my experience to serve you and your family by working hard to reform all areas of State government. I am the only truly independent candidate in this race that will represent you directly that can make all the difference. It would be an honor to serve you and your family as your next Senator.
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