U.S. House of Representatives
US Congress – 3rd District (The reconfigured 3rd Congressional District includes all or part of Oyster Bay, Great Neck, Manhasset, Port Washington, Roslyn, Williston Park, Floral Park and New Hyde Park.)
Term: 2 years
Vote for One
Salary: $174,000/year
2) Economy: What should the federal government do to strengthen the national economy and reduce unemployment?
3) Energy Policy: What steps would you propose to secure America’s energy needs while protecting the local and global environment?
4) Money in Politics: Do you support the Disclose Act, which would require disclosure by outside groups of large campaign contributions and expenditures, so that voters can determine the actual sources of funds being spent to influence federal elections?
5) Health Care: What changes, if any, should be made to federal health care policies or programs?
Steve Israel (DEM, WF, IND)
Parties: Democratic (DEM), Independence (IND), Working Families (WF)
Campaign Web Site: www.israelforcongress.com
Education: Nassau Community College and George Washington University
Qualifications: Before I was elected to Congress, I served on the Huntington Town Council, worked for Suffolk County, and owned my own business. The New York Times recognized me as “a Democrat who has long tried to focus attention on the plight of the middle class.” I’ve focused on commonsense tax reform and bringing jobs home from overseas. I have proudly secured nearly $6 million in back payments for local veterans, while fighting for college affordability and protecting Social Security and Medicare.
Key Endorsements: League of Conservation Voters, Sierra Club, NYSUT, AFL-CIO, NARAL, Planned Parenthood,
Answer Q1: I am focused on standing up for New York’s middle class by creating jobs and growing our economy by ending tax breaks to companies that ship jobs overseas, while pushing for sensible tax reform and aggressive college affordability programs. I also believe it’s immoral to pass on a $15 trillion debt to our kids. To grow our economy we need to balance cuts and smart investments. Finally I will continue to stand up for seniors and veterans by protecting Social Security, Medicare & Veterans benefits
Answer Q2: We need to focus on job creation here in America by investing in infrastructure like roads, wastewater systems, and our grid. I’ve also introduced 2 pieces of legislation to spur economic growth – The American Parks American Products Act and the Bring the Jobs Home Loan Act. These two bills would require that all souvenirs sold at our National Parks be made in America, and incentivize companies to bring manufacturing jobs home from overseas, respectively.
Answer Q3: I believe that a sound and balanced American energy policy is not only an environmental imperative, but critical to our national security and economic future. That’s why I voted for a comprehensive clean energy bill that would spur investments in innovative technologies, cut our oil dependence and create the next generation jobs in alternative energy industries. I have also been a relentless fighter for the Long Island Sound and have led the charge to end Big Oil subsidies.
Answer Q4: YES! Thanks to the 2010 Citizens United decision, a small group of well-funded political operatives are able to secretly buy elections. Passing the Disclose Act would ensure transparency – which must be a bedrock of our democracy.
Answer Q5: I support ways to make our healthcare system more efficient. For instance, I introduced the Local Medicaid Enforcement Incentives Act of 2012 to support the local expenses associated with a Medicaid fraud investigations. This is critical because Medicaid resources should be used to help those in need like seniors. In 2010 alone, bad actors wasted $22 billion in Medicaid waste, fraud and abuse.
Stephen Labate (REP, CON, TRP)
Parties: Republican, Conservative, Tax Revolt
Campaign Web Site: www.labateforcongress.com
Education: BA, Government, St John’s University Command and General Staff College
Qualifications: Lieutenant Colonel, United States Army and Army Reserve, Financial Advisor, Certified Retirement Counselor, Husband and Dad of twin 6 year olds.
Key Endorsements: Nassau Suffolk and Queens Republican Party, Nassau Suffolk and Queens Conservative Party, Tax Revolt Party, Steve Forbes, Editor of Forbes magazine Mayor Rudolf Guiliani, Governor George Pataki, Congressman Bob Turner, Combat Veterans for Congress
Answer Q1: Repeal Obamacare Create environment for growth in economy National defense
Answer Q2: When I speak to business owners about what they need in order to grow their business, the number one answer is, “Get the government off our back”. Business owners are being crushed by high taxes and buried by regulations and red tape which prevent them from operating in a cost effective way. I will propose legislation to not only cut taxes and regulation but also incentives for small business owners so they can expand their business and create jobs.
Answer Q3: We cannot focus solely on 1 source of energy, rather we must have a diversified portfolio of energy resources and we must exploit the vast natural resources of our country. This portfolio should include solar, wind, clean coal, fossil fuels and nuclear. Our dependence on fossil fuels is not only a environmental risk but also a national security risk. The only way we can decrease our dependence on foreign oil is through a common sense approach to the problem rather than an ideological one.
Answer Q4: Yes
Answer Q5: Repeal Obamacare because it is an unmanageable bureaucracy that will not reduce health care costs, and places the burden on states to fund vast numbers of new patients on Medicaid. My replacement for Obamacare would allow states to sell insurance over state lines and implement true tort reform. This plan will force insurance companies to compete for new patients and subsequently reduce costs. It will also lower malpractice insurance rates that are transferred to patients through higher costs.
