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The questions were prepared by the League of Women Voters of Syracuse and asked of all candidates for this office.
See below for questions on
Public School Financing,
Discount Drug Purchasing
Click on a name for candidate information. See also more information about this contest.
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1. New York State Legislators did not address the pending CFE (Campaign for Fiscal Equity) suit during the 2006 session. What would you propose to expedite the resolution of the CFE case?*
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Answer from David J. Valesky:
I have vocally supported a statewide solution to the school funding crisis. I believe the best way to foster economic prosperity tomorrow is by investing in education today. That's why I voted for an amendment to S.6458, which would have increased state school aid in rural and urban district across the state, including an additional 59% in state aide for Syracuse City schools. I also supported the 2005 budget, which brought an additional $24.7 million in state education aid to the 49th Senate District. And I successfully fought the Governor's 2006 school aid plan, which would have meant less state aid for 15 School Districts in the 49th, and instead supported a budget that increased state education aid for all schools in the senate district that I represent.
Answer from Jeff Brown:
As State Senator, I will continue to aggressively oppose proposals that require Upstate taxpayers to pour billions of dollars in new funding toward New York City schools + schools which appear to be accountable to no one.
In my view, this is a "Robin Hood approach" to school spending, and I oppose it.
I believe strongly that we need to work much harder in Albany to lower taxes, control spending and improve our economy so we can provide a top quality education for our children and keep our kids right here in Central New York after they graduate. I am committed to fight for smart investments in our children's education and a strong economic future here in Upstate New York.
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2. The Assembly has passed legislation that would allow New York State to buy drugs in bulk from drug companies and pass the savings on to low income and uninsured citizens in the form of an Rx discount card. Do you support this legislation? Why or why not?*
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Answer from Jeff Brown:
I supported this legislation, A.6336-B, in the State Assembly, as I believe we need to develop creative and meaningful solutions to the efforts to make prescription drugs more accessible and affordable for all New Yorkers.
Answer from David J. Valesky:
I strongly support the legislation to allow bulk purchasing of prescription drugs, introduced in the Senate as bill 5029. I have heard personally from many seniors who are struggling with the ever-increasing cost of medicine and health care. And I believe this bill would save millions for seniors, and others, on expensive medications. Just a few weeks ago, I called on the leadership of the Senate to let this bill come to the floor for a vote. I will continue to call for a floor vote and support this critically important legislation.
Responses to questions asked of each candidate
are reproduced as submitted to the League.
- Original answers for a published Voters Guide
were limited 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
