The issues matter. Here's where I stand on the big ones.
Support for Our Most Valuable Residents: Our Older Adults
We have the 4th largest aging population in New York State and we are NOT prepared for the needs of our most valuable residents, our older adults. My experience brings the needs of our older adults to the for front in advocating for the State to shift its mindset from an institutional-first model (relying heavily on expensive Medicaid-funded nursing homes) to a community-first model by making significant, sustainable investments in New York State Office of Aging’s core home and community-based services. This preserves both the dignity of our aging population and long-term fiscal responsibility for the state.
Housing Shortage
We have a housing shortage in New York State, especially in rural communities. I believe we need to increase support for housing programs in rural communities to help build affordable homes, but also implement programs to assist homeowners in making repairs to their homes. I support small-scale development that is simplified and incentivize; and, enhancing home repair loan and grant programs while integrating homeowner support.
Agricultural Issues
The Governor's order to reduce herd size, ostensibly for emissions, has a deeper agenda. Since 2001, the Governor’s Office has aggressively pursued policies to expand solar and wind farms, leading to the conversion of vast tracts of agricultural land. Already, 250,500 acres of farmland have been lost, projected to reach over 452,000 by 2040. This devastating trend will result in the loss of over 2,500 farms, 7,200 jobs, and more than $288 million in revenue from our vital dairy, vegetable, and meat sectors. Compounding this, the Governor is now using eminent domain to seize land from multi-generational farm families.
Second Amendment
New York State's restrictive gun laws are among the most stringent in the nation, paralleling those in countries like China and Russia that exert full control over civilian firearms and ammunition. Here, purchasing a semi-automatic hunting rifle requires a special county-issued stamped card, and every firearm or ammunition purchase necessitates a background check that can take hours or even days. Even when courts uphold our rights, the Governor frequently issues executive orders to circumvent constitutional protections.
State Budget
The Governor's spending habits have been unprecedented, particularly her extravagant expenditures on housing, food, and medical expenses for illegal aliens. Now, she intends to spend an additional $50 million of our tax dollars to provide them with legal representation, all without legislative approval. This is an egregious abuse of power and a direct insult to every taxpayer.
Furthermore, the Governor's inability to pass a State Budget on time severely impacts vital community services, especially our children's education, as payments to school districts are needlessly delayed.
Crime and Security
We have witnessed a disturbing trend where criminals are often treated with more leniency than our dedicated law enforcement officers who risk their lives daily to protect us. Bail reform has demonstrably failed, allowing repeat offenders to be released with a mere summons, only to commit further crimes. The Governor has also created unsafe work environments within our prisons through mandatory overtime, extended hours, and the removal of crucial protocols like solitary confinement, thereby handicapping our corrections officers' ability to maintain control over unruly inmates.
Term Limits
To combat the corrosive effects of corruption and encourage dynamic governance, I advocate for universal term limits across all elected government offices. Limiting the time individuals can serve in power would significantly reduce the potential for undue influence and the development of self-serving agendas. Moreover, it would cultivate an environment where new ideas and diverse approaches to problem-solving are consistently introduced, moving beyond the perpetual arguments that often exacerbate societal challenges.
