This is an archive of a past election.
See http://www.smartvoter.org/ny/state/ for current information.
LWV League of Women Voters of New York Education Foundation
Albany, Columbia, Greene, Rensselaer Counties, NY November 7, 2006 Election
Smart Voter

Martin T. Reid
Answers Questions

Candidate for
Member of the State Assembly; District 108

 
[line]

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?*

Yes, all public monies are to be covered by NYS's Freedom of Information Laws, especially before they are expended.

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?*

Yes, an independent, bi-partisan commission answerable only to the U.S. Attorney General's Civil Rights Division. I would add that I would like an equal number of political scientists to lawyers on such a commission.

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?*

We have to cut spending and taxing in New York State to create a climate for businesses to grow and opportunities for advancement to be made available. Young adults are leaving the State for jobs that we should be able to provide here in New York State. Let's reform workers compensation, simplify tax codes, lower energy costs and provide advanced training and education to young adults to compete in the workplace.


Responses to questions asked of each candidate are reproduced as submitted to the League. 

Read the answers from all candidates (who have responded).

Candidate Page || Feedback to Candidate || This Contest
SmartVoter Home (Ballot Lookup) || About Smart Voter


Created from information supplied by the candidate: October 20, 2006 18:53
Smart Voter <http://www.smartvoter.org/>
Copyright © League of Women Voters of California Education Fund   http://www.lwvc.org
The League of Women Voters neither supports nor opposes candidates for public office or political parties.