League of Women Voters of New York State Education Foundation, Inc.
Montgomery, Schenectady County, NY November 2, 2010 Election
	George Amedore Answers Questions Candidate for Member of the State Assembly; District 105

The questions were prepared by the Leagues of Women Voters of New York State and asked of all candidates for this office.
Read the answers from all candidates (who have responded).

Questions & Answers

1. What measures do you support to save existing jobs and create new jobs in New York State?

The only permanent solution is to free the private sector from a sluggish, unresponsive and unreliable bureaucracy, not create another program. Lowering the cost of doing business in New York would enable the creation of jobs and produce economic stability. State mandates, fees, out-of-control workers compensation and health insurance costs, high energy costs, and high property, business and incomes taxes are just some of the job-killing factors faced by New York’s businesses. We are at a competitive disadvantage compared to other states and the world. We must resolve these issues, especially for small businesses, which provide the majority of new jobs. In addition, fast tracking development, licensing and registration would reduce the lag in starting a new business, shortening the time it takes to get up and running and for hiring to begin.

2. How do you think New York can best deal with upcoming unsustainable deficit budgets?

There is an obvious spending problem in Albany and our recent economic troubles have done little to stop the madness. In just 10 years, the budget has increased about 72%. If we had spent at or below the rate of inflation during these 10 years, we would have had a budget surplus now and not a budget gap. If lawmakers cannot restrain their penchant to spend on their own, then a state spending cap must be put in place in the interest of all of New York's taxpayers.

3. What reforms would you propose to address inadequate campaign finance rules and enforcement in New York?

As a relative newcomer to the political stage, I have seen lawmakers abuse the rules in order to gain an advantage. There must be a greater ability for the Board of Elections or another entity to enforce violations to the election law, especially when it comes to reporting and disclosing sources of donations and expenditures. I have supported New York Public Interest Research Group's (NYPIRG) recommendations for how to accomplish this. Whether it be donor limitations or increased transparency, it is vital that every candidate participate on a level playing field and do so with the highest integrity.

4. What reforms would you support for the redistricting process?

It is important that we take the politics out of representation. Gerrymandered districts only serve the interests of politicians and political parties, not the community they are supposed to serve. I would support the creation of a non-partisan Redistricting Commission that would have the interests of voters and communities as their core mission, not the retention of one political party. Geographic continuity is vital, especially upstate, where districts can span hundreds of miles.

5. Would you support a cap on property taxes and, if so, how do you think school districts can deal with the decrease in revenue?

Yes, I support a property tax cap. Taxpayers have been subject to outrageous increases in their tax bill and in some cases, can no longer afford to stay in their homes. That is simply unacceptable. School districts will be able to increase taxes, but at smaller increments than they have in the past. This is going to require the participation of all parties to bring down the non-discretionary costs of education faced by the school district. For example, unfunded state mandates add a considerable cost to schools, so they must be responsibly funded or eliminated.

---

Responses to questions asked of each candidate are reproduced as submitted to the League.  Candidates' responses are not edited or corrected by the League.

Read the answers from all candidates (who have responded).

Candidate Page || Feedback to Candidate || This Contest
SmartVoter Home (Ballot Lookup) || About Smart Voter

---

Created from information supplied by the candidate: October 29, 2010 13:26
Smart Voter <http://www.smartvoter.org/>
Copyright © League of Women Voters of California Education Fund   http://www.lwvc.org
The League of Women Voters neither supports nor opposes candidates for public office or political parties.