NY State Assembly – 16th District

Term:  2 years  

Vote for One     

Salary: $75,000/year

(Questions asked by the League of Women Voters)                                       

1) Priorities: What would be your top three priorities if elected?

2) Economy: What should the federal government do to strengthen the national economy and reduce unemployment?

3) Hydraulic Fracturing: Do you favor introducing high-volume, horizontal hydraulic fracturing in New York? What legislation is needed to ensure safety, manage costs and protect New Yorkers?

4) Campaign Finance: Would you propose any changes to campaign finance regulation and enforcement in New York State? Please explain your answer.

5) Voter Turnout: Since New York’s voter turnout is extremely low, ranking 47th out of 50, what legislation would you support or introduce to increase voter turnout and enfranchisement?

Michelle Schimel (DEM, WF, IND)                                      

Parties: Democrat, Working Families Party, Independence

Campaign Web Site: www.michelleschimel.com

Education: BS, University of Pennsylvania, CWS Certified Wound Specialist, American Academy of Wound Care

Qualifications: Three term Assemblymember, Former North Hempstead Town Clerk, A Life-long Community Activist to Prevent Gun Violence, Former Vice-President of NYC Fashion Accessories Firm, Physical Therapist and Wound Care Specialist at North Shore University Hospital. Serves on Assembly Committees: Veterans, Environmental Conservation, Local Government, Transportation, Government Operations. 

Key Endorsements: Sierra Club, New York League of Conservation Voters, New Yorkers Against Gun Violence, Planned Parenthood, NARAL, NYSUT, Empire State Pride Agenda, AFL-CIO

Answer Q1: Enacting Microstamping Legislation which allows law enforcement to trace crime guns. The legislation is endorsed by over 100 law enforcement agencies and elected officials across the state. It is vehemently opposed by the Gun Lobby. I will fight for a Statewide Health Impact Assessment on Hydraulic Fracturing. Reducing unfunded mandates for local governments and schools, for example, student testing requirements that force teachers to “teach to the test.” 

Answer Q2: The state should continue to make fiscally responsible decisions and target resources to invest in our workforce and spur business growth with tax credits and provide low cost energy to small businesses. The 2012 budget invests in high tech innovation, and rebuilding state parks, roadways and bridges. I am sponsoring a Pilot Program-A Job Search Boot Camp, an intense 8 week learning experience to strengthen job seeking skills for the unemployed.

Answer Q3: No, I do not. I am a sponsor of legislation for a comprehensive HIA/Health Impact Assessment. I also have demanded a full disclosure of waste water management plans for the disposal of frack fluid, which to date, has not been done.

Answer Q4: I have been a sponsor of the Campaign Public Financing Bill which helps empower small campaign donors. Too much influence is given to high powered donors and corporations. I am strongly opposed to the Supreme Court’s Citizens United ruling. I am a sponsor of the Assembly Resolution for a constitutional amendment to overturn the decision allowing corporations to spend unlimited money on campaigns.

Answer Q5: I support Governor Cuomo’s initiative to make registering to vote easier, allowing people with a valid driver’s license or state issued non-driver’s ID to be able to register to vote on the DMV website. There are many voting laws that need updating – like the ballot format. Registration should also be allowed up to 10 days before an election. I also sponsored legislation that does not require a reason to receive an absentee ballot.

Richard Stiek (REP, CON)                                                      

Parties: Republican Party Conservative Party

Campaign Web Site: www.stiekforassembly.com

Education: BS, Engineering, US Military Academy, West Point, NY MA, Psychology, Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi, Corpus Christi, TX JD, Seton Hall Law School, Newark, NJ

Qualifications: Legal experience, 5+ years Leadership experience, 8+ years Analytical Skills Constitutional Knowledge

Key Endorsements: To Be Announced

Answer Q1: My first priority is the introduce legislation that would limit property taxes, including a restriction against raising property taxes when property values have objectively declined. In addition, I would introduce legislation that would preclude new mandates from being introduced without complete funding, and allowing a five-year grace period for currently unfunded mandates to be fully funded. Last, I would work diligently with Gov. Cuomo to more openly enforce ethics laws in Albany.

Answer Q2: Simplify the tax code and provide immediately-realized credits for long-term hires would be the first two steps to strengthening the economy and reducing unemployment. Additionally, we need to improve our state’s businesses ability to hire locally and not be limited by requiring all employees in the trades to join a union. If they want to join, encourage them to do so at their impetus. Also, we need to encourage our immigrant population to be more active in the workforce.

Answer Q3: Currently, the science is nearing the point where hydraulic fracturing may be done safely. Until we reach that point, we shouldn’t necessarily rush to break ground. We must make sure the science is sound and the unnecessary risks have been eliminated before we engage in inherently risky activities. Besides, the gas isn’t going anywhere soon. We need to properly develop codes and restrictions that are efficient but also effective in their protection of New Yorkers.

Answer Q4: I would simplify the system by which reporting is done. The current system is discouraging to outside candidates, like myself, in that the reporting system is complex and not user friendly. We need to make the state and local elections more accessible to everyday citizens who can’t afford the littany of experts and professionals to simply try to be a candidate, let alone the complexity of financial filings. Plus, we need to offer a matching program for candidates with limited resources.

Answer Q5: I would recommend making the votes count and offering people who are voting more of a say in the state government. Right now, there is a perception that Sheldon Silver runs New York, and our votes don’t matter because he can simply write a check or coerce someone out of candidacy. We need to hold our elected officials accountable and let voters know that those in Albany are doing their jobs, not just nodding and accepting their fates.