League of Women Voters of New York State Education Foundation, Inc.
	Genesee, Erie County, NY November 2, 2010 Election
	Candidates Answer Questions on the Issues State Senator; District 61

The questions were prepared by the Leagues of Women Voters of New York State and asked of all candidates for this office.     See below for questions on Economy, Budget, Campaign Finance, Redistricting, Education Click on a name for candidate information.   See also more information about this contest. 1. What measures do you support to save existing jobs and create new jobs in New York State? Answer from Marc A. Coppola: I support Downsizing the amount of bureaucracy that businesses and entrepreneurs must deal with, therefore lowering costs and allowing them to spend more time growing their business and creating jobs rather than spending it with government agencies. If we can help to lower property taxes for indviduals than this will have an automatic spinoff for lower taxes for business. 2. How do you think New York can best deal with upcoming unsustainable deficit budgets? Answer from Marc A. Coppola: We need to cut spending but be very smart and careful in what we cut. I do not support across the board cuts. there are some services and functions that should be added to or enhanced and by instituting across the board cuts I believe that government officials are simply taking the easy way out instead of putting in the time to identify the areas that can sustain such spending cuts or even be eliminated without harming the public or mission intended. We need to change the way that we do business and everyone has to be a partner in doing so including business, labor, management, and the legislature. 3. What reforms would you propose to address inadequate campaign finance rules and enforcement in New York? Answer from Marc A. Coppola: I propose first and foremost that the Board of Elections be provided with sufficient funding to hire the necessary full-time investigators and auditors to enforce the rules. While regulations should be reviewed and possibly amended, we must first attempt to enforce the rules that are currently in place. Having investigators and auditors isn't only necessary to catch those who violate but once they are in place and evidence of enforcement is there, it will act as a deterrent as well. 4. What reforms would you support for the redistricting process? Answer from Marc A. Coppola: While everyone seems to believe that by taking away the redistricting process from the legislature the process will be "de-politicized" I do not think it will be so easy. I have dealt with independent redistricting committees before as a member of the Buffalo Common Council. As long as the members are appointed by politicians the process will always have a political element and possibly more. Therefore, I am supportive of reforms but would need to see which shape they take. 5. Would you support a cap on property taxes and, if so, how do you think school districts can deal with the decrease in revenue? Answer from Marc A. Coppola: I will only support a Property Tax Cap if it accompanies mandate relief. We can't tell local governments and school district to operate under a specific cap on revenues but not allow or help them to control costs, it's a recipe for disaster. Responses to questions asked of each candidate are reproduced as submitted to the League.  Candidates' responses are not edited or corrected by the League. The order of the candidates is random and changes daily. Candidates who did not respond are not listed on this page.