Education

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.