~ Fiscal responsibility: taxes and utilities are too high!
~ Worker rights
~ Responsible manufacturing
~ Sustainable agriculture
~ Public safety: crime reduction, clean air, and clean water
~ Broadband access
~ Unity among neighbors

Fiscal Responsibility: Taxes and Utilities are too High!
Fiscal responsibility has to be the first consideration of every member
of the Steuben County Legislature. The county budget has to be our
number one priority. When spending tax payers’ hard-earned money,
frugality has to be the guiding rule! With the amount of town, county
and school tax that we currently pay combined with the ever-rising cost
of utilities, (NYSEG has recently applied for a 35% increase in rates,) the
legislature has to be more vigilant than ever in its spending and
appropriation practices.

With annual expenses such as Medicaid, road maintenance,
maintaining the Sheriff’s Department and jail, appropriating monies for
a number of other public services, I believe the time is quickly
approaching that we need to begin to think outside the box regarding
revenue. Seniors are already being pinched and our younger neighbors
are struggling to raise their families. It’s past time to provide some
relief to our residents.

Worker’s Rights
With fifty years in the American labor movement I have seen first hand
what a union contract means, not only to members of the union, but to
the entire community. In cities, towns and villages where a living wage,
healthcare and a retirement plan are provided through a union contract
the standard of living is always higher and you find a variety of public
services with a vibrant community benefiting everyone.
An example of this can be found in downtown Corning. During the
1992-93 contract negotiations between the AFGWU and Corning Inc.
the union successfully negotiated a vision care provision for its
members. Today that union-won benefit is alive and well thirty-two years later and Vision Works is now available and serves the community at large.

Responsible Manufacturing:
I support the expansion of manufacturing in Steuben County to grow
jobs and provide opportunities for our neighbors.
However, we need to be selective about the type of companies we
invite into our communities.
A “responsible manufacturer” is an entity that pays a living wage and
provides healthcare and , retirement and other benefits (such as child
care) to their workforce. A manufacturer that recognizes and abides by
state and federal labor law, stays neutral and leaves the question of
unionization up to the workers themselves with no interference,
threats or retributions to their employees. A manufacturer who
recognizes and adheres to all environmental rules and regulations,
works to support the environment, protects our water systems and the
fragile and unique ecosystems that are found throughout Steuben
County.
Lastly, a manufacturer who is both a responsible corporate citizen and
dedicated to being here for the long haul.