My Answers To Some Excellent Questions

For the past couple of months I have spent at least a few very early mornings each week on train platforms introducing myself to the commuters of the 41st District. I have met thousands of citizens at stations in Poughkeepsie, Beacon and New Hamburg. Honestly, it's been one of the most rewarding experiences of the entire campaign.

I recently received an excellent letter from a commuter I had the pleasure to meet all too briefly on the platform in Poughkeepsie. The letter contains some really excellent and thoughtful questions, questions that deserve answers.

With the the author's gracious permission, I have reprinted that letter with my answers here on our campaign website so that those who may have similar questions can benefit as well.

Saw you at the Poughkeepsie Train Station this morning... was in too much of a dash to catch the train to stop and speak with you directly.

Many people are in a hurry early in the AM. Thanks for taking the time to read our material.

I hear all this talk about how we have a tax crisis - property and school taxes combined. But what are your plans to do something about it?

At the moment, we have a 19th Century education funding system supporting a 21st Century education system. We fund our schools with a property tax which no longer is an indication of wealth or income. Therefore, many people who have homes that are now worth many times the value of their initial cost can’t afford their exploding property tax bills. We need to switch to a funding system that is based upon the ability to pay (income tax). We need to do it now.

At 30 years of age, I have yet to find myself trusting my vote when it comes time to hit the polls.

So sad and I know you would agree. So what can you tell me - and everyone for that matter, that would help me trust that my vote for you will help address and resolve our tax crisis?

I give you my pledge. I recently signed the F.A.S.T (Fix Albany School Tax) Pledge where I pledged to to FAST-track solutions to this extremely complex and serious problem. I have pledged to hold town hall meetings looking for the input of the citizens of the 41st District. What I have pledged to do is to tackle the problem from day one, to look for new solutions and new thinking, and to quit punting this problem down the road. Our children as well as the taxpayers of New York deserve nothing less than a comprehensive set of solutions ASAP.

Local areas (ie my town **********) enjoy blaming "Albany" for lack of funding and therefore locals must cover the costs. So what's the game plan to foster better relationships with local townships, to provide funding from the State and assist local townships with LONG TERM planning so residents are not faced with huge % increases year by year.

Let’s raise the money on a statewide basis and form a new partnership that doesn’t pit the concerns of localities against the state.

I'm sure you noticed how many residents commute "all the way" from Poughkeepsie to NYC. What a shame that is... we have bright, educated people right in our backyard, with nice homes in beautiful communities with high costs of living associated but lack of jobs that help fit the needs of the economic factor. Thus, early rise, expensive fares to the City, home late, lack of family time. Sad. We couldn't afford my beautiful 1820s colonial farmhouse without a combined income and the better portion of it comes from me. You should sit on the train one day and listen to the groups that have become friends over the years of riding the rail... sharing good times and bad... and also talking about how they would LOVE to work in Dutchess County - but the pay doesn't pay the bills. Commuting to Westchester has pros and cons (been there - done that). Cost of gas, hard on the vehicles (those miles sure do rack up) and the traffic is insane! The train actually makes it more bearable when doing the "long commute". I'm sure you understand and empathize with all of this, however, all I want to know is what is being done to enhance the quality of life.

We should concentrate upon building a local economy upon growth businesses. We need to attract businesses in areas such as renewable energy technology, stem cell research and high technology, which would offer the kinds of jobs that would allow residents to work locally and afford their homes. You are correct, we have great human resources, an advantage that is the envy of communities around the nation and yet many of our best and brightest are forced to spend three hours a day on a train. I think you’ll agree that this is a terrible watse of such a precious resource.

I won’t pretend to have all the answers. What I will say is that as your State Senator I will pursue policies that will promote a more robust business and entrepreneural environment right here in the 41st District. Like you, I want to make the best use of our human resources right here at home. I want the many talents of our citizens unitilzed in such a way that they can make a prosperous living here in Dutchess and Columbia Counties and spend more time with their families and more time building a community we can all be proud of.

Our children should be our top priority since they represent 100% of our future and solutions that allow us to spend more time with them will be my top priority as your State Senator.

So we suck it up... all for the money? Many of us would take a decrease in salary... we would. However, the salaries need to cover living expenses. (Our Township’s) taxes are over $10K a year. That's taxes alone. Housing is not "cheap" so you have the mortgage, traditional bills... we don't even have children yet.

A big part of making our communities more affordable is tackling our real property tax crisis and this is why I have made solving this issue a cornerstone of my campaign.

Children are also critical - they are the future. I believe time spent with children is essential as part of their upbringing. My husband and I both grew up with parents and family around. Today, parent's are on the train with me - while they would love to be home with their children, it's not feasible. And we wonder why we have the issues we do today?

With each election, I find myself looking at false promises and try to find candidates that not only identify with the "average folks" but also have a plan. Unfortunately, the more I look. I am overwhelmed with finger pointing and blame games. I sound so harsh...and I'm sorry for that. I'm genuinely a happy person who loves the State of NY (my husband's native state) and want to see the current state of NY flourish into an even better community and set fine example for the rest of the country.

I, too, have looked for those candidates and have decided to try and be one. I am a citizen who has felt the same way. That’s why I’m running. To be a citizen-Senator.

Thank you so much for your excellent letter and questions.

Let’s change the state and bring hope back to New York.