League of Women Voters of New York Education Foundation
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Michael C. Eidens
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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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Michael C. Eidens
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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?
I support making distribution of Member Items public, but go further and support eliminating them entirely. Member Items results in spending our tax dollars that is not specifically voted upon, not awarded competitively, not the subject of legislative hearings, and serves only a local or special interest.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?
Legislative District boundary lines should be established by an independent, non-partisan commission. This would open the political process in NYS and make legislative elections more competitive and not skewed to protect incumbents. Several states have shifted redistricting from the legislature to a board or commission, and NY should also.3. Amid the recent reports that more and more young people are leaving upstate cities for better opportunities, what would you propose to reverse this trend?
Young people will leave upstate cities until we capitalize on our research and technology strengths and our higher education system in helping grow the Upstate economy. Coupled with cutting property taxes by eliminating wasteful spending and reforming our state government, we can make upstate NY a desirable place to live.
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 19:23
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