League of Women Voters of New York State Education Foundation, Inc.
State of New York (Albany, Montgomery, Schenectady, Schoharie, Fulton, Saratoga, Rensselaer Counties) November 2, 2010 Election
	Paul Tonko Answers Questions Candidate for United States Representative; District 21

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 changes to our current immigration policy do you support?

There are many. I believe we must address our borders in a way that will enhance homeland security while reducing the potential for border violence, which is why I cosponsored H.R. 1867, the Border Violence Prevention Act. We also need to address enormous visa backlogs and the associated delays that have crippled our legal immigration system. In the meantime, we need to make sure that our immigration policy does not contribute further to senseless discrimination and second-class citizenship. Though I strongly support these various measures, I firmly believe that we need a comprehensive fix to our broken system. I am a cosponsor of H.R. 4321, an effort at such a comprehensive fix that includes vital components such as increased border security, visa reforms and a rigorous path to legalization. Ours is a country of immigrants. Instead of shying away from our current problem and playing politics with the issue, we need to be thoughtful, receptive and vigilant in our approach.

2. What legislation do you support to reduce CO2 emissions?

Creating a clean energy economy that creates jobs, increases our energy security and reduces carbon emissions is one of my top priorities in Congress. That is why I support H.R. 2454, the American Clean Energy and Security Act. Working on behalf of the New York delegation, I was able to work with Chairman Waxman and Markey to include language which allows states like New York to have the flexibility to be in control of its own compliance. This flexibility is vital if New York is to continue its progress in renewable energy and energy efficient programs. I also have authored legislation that will improve gas turbine and wind turbine efficiency, provide an incentive for the capture of waste heat and turning it into electricity, as well as furthering the technology that aides combined heat and power units. Just as we did in the Space Race decades ago, we need to fully commit to the global race on clean energy. In so doing, we can rebuild our economy and create jobs.

3. What timetable would you support for the removal of troops from Iraq and Afghanistan?

I believe we must do everything we can to bring our troops home from Iraq and Afghanistan at the quickest possible pace. The brave men and women of the United States Armed Forces have served admirably and improved the security situation in Iraq. It is now time for the Iraqi government to assume responsibility for its territory and citizens and for America to shift our valuable resources to more fundamental national security priorities and the very real challenges facing Americans here at home. I agree with General Petreaus and the President that we need a responsible draw down of troops in Afghanistan. In the coming year, my district will pay an estimated $468 million in taxes to support both wars. That same amount could ensure that 50,000 veterans in Upstate New York receive quality medical care; or it could power each home in my district on clean energy. Instead, billions are being spent to win the hearts and minds of Afghans while civilian casualty rates rise by 30 percent.

4. Do you support substantial additional federal funding for economic recovery?

I am committed to continuing to fight for legislation that will boost manufacturing, increase American competitiveness globally and create new jobs, right here in our community, instead of promoting tax loopholes that ship jobs overseas. I support federal funding for job training, STEM education, infrastructure investments, investments in research and development programs and retrofitting our homes and business to be more energy efficient. I believe in this time of economic crisis, that the federal government must look at all the possible ways to spur our economy, including additional federal funding for programs that will help rebuild America. As the true engines of economic growth, I support investments in small businesses, to take innovative ideas and prototypes from the testing stage to commercialization, which will lead to job creation and long term business growth. Leveraging public and private investments can stretch our tax dollars to their full effect.

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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).

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Created from information supplied by the candidate: October 29, 2010 13:26
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