League of Women Voters of New York Education Foundation
New York State Government November 7, 2006 Election
	Julia Willebrand Answers Questions Candidate for Comptroller; State of New York

The questions were prepared by the League of Women Voters of New York State and asked of all candidates for this office.
Read the answers from all candidates (who have responded).

Questions & Answers

1. As state comptroller, your duties would include overseeing the fiscal affairs of the state. This year's $114.7 billion budget calls for the largest state spending increases in 30 years with spending growing faster than revenues. Is this fiscal responsibility on the part of the governor and legislators? Why or why not? Explain.

A $114 billion budget loaded with subsidies to corporations, mall developers and sports associations is fiscally irresponsible. Payments in Lieu of Taxes, giveaways that reward the already well subsidized, are irresponsible. Responsible spending would include incentives for jobs, education programs, sustainable environmental projects, organic agriculture and affordable housing.

2. Skyrocketing public employee pension expenses have inflated the budgets of every level of government in New York State. What reforms would you propose to ease the burden for taxpayers?

Retiring government employees have earned their pensions. Rather than cut pensions, reorder budget priorities to reduce taxes. Instead of giveaways to corporations, cut developer handouts and recoup fraudulently earned incentives, e.g., economic development subsidies for jobs that were never created. Pass effective whistle blower legislation to recover massive Medicaid overpayments.

3. What do you propose to end the excessive Medicaid fraud in New York State?

Increasing the number of auditors assigned to reviewing payments to pharmaceutical companies and other providers; hiring oversight workers to scrutinize patient records; centralizing audit functions in the Comptrolleršs office and criminalizing Medicaid fraud would be a start to recouping millions perhaps billions of NYS budget dollars lost to fraud.

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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 10, 2006 18:54
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