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The questions were prepared by the League of Women Voters of Buffalo/Niagara and asked of all candidates for this office.
See below for questions on
Rockefeller Drug Laws,
Gambling Revenue
Click on a name for candidate information. See also more information about this contest.
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1. There is growing support for reform of the Rockefeller drug laws. What will you do to: a.) Initiate significant reform of these laws; b.) Provide adequate financial support for programs, on the community level, designed to cope with the impact of such reform?*
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Answer from Gary F. Kent:
I would actively support such reform but be unlikely to initiate it. Money not needed to incarcerate would be redirected to GCASA and workforce development. Better than punishment and treatment is prevention. In 2005 I developed an improved drug abuse prevention strategy shared with all Orleans County school superintendents.
Answer from Stephen M. Hawley:
I would support reforms to the Rockefeller drug laws if there are assurances from DA's and others charged w/ protecting the public that any effort undertaken by Albany will not have unintended consequences of expediting the release of someone who will likely reoffend.
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2. What programs and actions will you support to protect communities from the negative consequences of the state’s increasing dependence on gambling revenue?*
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Answer from Stephen M. Hawley:
Support
Answer from Gary F. Kent:
Gambling can become a ruinous addiction. Why increase its accessibility? Presently it is culturally acceptable (joked about) and has been passed from immigrant ancestors whose "America gamble" paid off. Advertise that gambling is addictive and destroys lives. Use sports figures. Insist educators treat it seriously and indoctrinate against it.
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.
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League of Women Voters of New York Education Foundation
