NY State Senate
State senate – 7th District (The 7th State Senate district includes New Hyde Park, Floral Park, Mineola, the Willistons, Albertson, Westbury and the villages of the Great Neck peninsula.)
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?
Jack M. Martins (REP, CON, IND, TRP)
Parties: Republican Independence Conservative
Campaign Web Site: www.martinsforsenate.com
Education: B.A. at American University J.D. at St. John University’s School of Law
Qualifications: Chair of the Senate Committee on Local Governments Mandate Relief Council (member) Long Island Regional Economic Development Council (member) Mayor of Mineola (8 years) Corpus Christi School Board and Mineola Library Board (member)
Key Endorsements: Public Employees Federation (PEF) The Business Council of New York
Answer Q1: Pass a third consecutive on time budget, not raise taxes or fees & work in a bi-partisan manner to encourage job growth & economic development. Build consensus to provide mandate relief to local governments & school districts, including my proposal to flatten the employer pension contribution rate. Work to overcome the “1 size fits all” approach to decision making with an understanding that decisions affecting our local communities and schools are best left to the residents who foot the bill
Answer Q2: We must understand why employers are relocating to other states – high taxes, high energy costs, & the cost of government regulations and red tape. To reverse this trend & encourage business start ups, we must address these issues by getting Albany’s bureaucracy out of the way. As a member of the Regional Economic Development Council, I have seen the benefits of a regional approach firsthand. Programs like this will keep existing companies in state, create new jobs & bring companies back.
Answer Q3: I’m concerned about the environmental & health concerns raised re: hydrofracking & the industry’s failure to adequately address them. It shouldn’t be pursued until proven it can be done safely. There won’t be a 2nd chance to get it right & the natural gas isn’t going anywhere. I’ve sponsored a bill to prohibit the treatment of fracking fluids where primary water supply is derived from sole source aquifers & co-sponsored a moratorium on granting permits so no action is taken without oversight.
Answer Q4: If incumbents have an advantage when it comes to re-election because of name recognition and the function of public office, I am concerned that any change that artificially limits a challenger’s ability to mount a meaningful campaign would be detrimental to our democracy & voter participation. Having said that, I would be open to suggestions for campaign finance reform that didn’t skew the system towards incumbents but addressed concerns about undue influence of special interests in government.
Answer Q5: Getting our community active & involved in government should be a priority of the legislature, because the choices we make in Albany affect everyone’s daily lives. It’s important to instill efficacy in our constituents so they are aware of the issues & take an interest in coming to the polls & hold elected leaders accountable. If we can demonstrate that each voter plays a pivotal role in public policy that benefits our families and our community, we will increase voter turnout. Education is key.
Daniel S. Ross (DEM, WF)
Parties: Democratic (DEM) Working Families (WFP)
Campaign Web Site: www.votedanross.com
Education: Hofstra University, Frank G. Zarb School of Business, Bachelor of Business Administration with a Concentration in Legal Studies in Business.
Qualifications: For over a decade I have been a firefighter, serving the community with the Manhasset-Lakeville Fire Department, presently as a Captain; while involved with matters of public safety. Business experience includes years in finance with Deutsche Bank. Currently, I am the general manager of a large automobile dealership, involved in overseeing all operations. I am the co-founder of a non-profit organization (“501(c)3”) that works with young entrepreneurs incubating new business concepts and jobs.
Key Endorsements: NARAL, Planned Parenthood
Answer Q1: If elected I will focus on legislation and programs which can improve our economy; creating jobs while attracting greater investment in New York. Another priority is protecting our quality of life, by achieving an affordable cost of living, preserving of our environment along with an emphasis on public safety. The third priority is strengthening our education system, from elementary up to the university level. All constituents will benefit from these priorities in a transparent process.
Answer Q2: To provide a surge to the economy, I would propose tax incentives for businesses based on the number of new, quality jobs created relative to their existing staff and revenue, rewarding those with the greatest contributions. Small business is a main catalyst behind our economy; personal income tax relief for small business owners will reward them and allow for further reinvestment. Finally, lowering energy costs through choice in utility providers on Long Island will attract more investments.
Answer Q3: New York’s economy is in great need of jobs, especially in regions where the high-volume, horizontal hydraulic fracturing is being proposed; however caution should be exercised. Benefits of fracking include potential for energy independence, but at this point in time, research as to its environmental impact is inconclusive; thus legislation accompanying such a practice must be stringent. Safety of workers and residents in New York is a top priority for me, as is strong fiscal oversight.
Answer Q4: Promotion of equal and balanced campaigns, where all issues can be heard is essential. Funding from special interest groups should be capped, along with a revaluation of limits on individual donors. In line with these limits I would propose enhanced enforcement capability for the NYS Board of Elections, to maintain order and adherence to NYS regulations already in place. Publicly funded campaigns, along with limits on spending work towards a political/electoral system focused on constituents.
Answer Q5: To increase turnout, attendance at polls needs to improve by making voter registration accessible, through a seamless, straightforward process, including easier activation upon reaching eligibility. Furthermore, there should be a concerted, early effort to involve students as voters. Absentee ballot collection should be better explained when needed. Coupling voters with a transparent democratic process would enhance the enfranchisement; allowing them to view their leaders more readily.
