Hartzog (D)

On the Issues

Endorsements

Currently: Attorney; Member of Community Board 8; Founder & Executive Director, Kids Voting NYC

Previous Work: Executive Director at New Democratic Majority; New York State Coordinator at Draft Mark Warner for President; Field Director at Anthony Weiner for New York

Education: BA, Randolph-Macon College; MPA, Syracuse University; JD, Indiana University

On the Issues

• Development↓

  Stated that overdevelopment is the biggest issue facing the Upper East Side. DNA Info

  "I would push for a moratorium on rent increases for those individuals and small businesses who were displaced by the [2nd Avenue] subway's construction. Rent should stay where it was before they were forced out due to lack of business in order for them to get back on their feet, should they so choose to return." Four Freedoms Democratic Club Questionnaire

  "We need thoughtful and inclusive land use development decision-making. ...[I]t is incomprehensible to believe that effects from major construction on an avenue or street can be confined. That is why we need a complete and comprehensive understanding of development in our community -- taking into account the scope and benefits, as well as the timing and proximity of projects. Balancing job creation and economic development with the long-term effects on the surrounding neighborhood and community, with an eye towards green and open space, as well as accessibility to our waterfront."

  "One result of over-development is a decrease in our collective quality of life. As one of the most under-served communities with respect to green and open space over-development only exacerbates our problem, by reducing the available land that could otherwise be used to reverse this unacceptable situation." 

  "...[O]ur leaders [must] insist upon something in return when development occurs in our neighborhood. Whether this is dedicated green and open space, access to the waterfront, improvements to the esplanade, or real solutions to the inevitable traffic flow issues that come with more people and more buildings, something must change in the way we develop on the Upper East Side."

• Election Reform↓

  Advocates for a campaign finance system to combat corruption, wherein campaigns are fully funded publicly, with all candidates in an election receiving the same amount of funds.

• Housing↓

  Calls for repealing the Urstadt Law, which limits NYC's ability to control rent increases.

  Calls for "a continuation and increase of the $50,000 SCRIE exemption when it sunsets in 2016." Four Freedoms Democratic Club Questionnaire

• Sanitation↓

  Opposes the 91st street marine waste transfer station and calls for the site to be part of an "East River Esplanade, from 59th to 120th Street. We are the only district without the kind of river access and greenery that's part of living in the rest of the city. And finishing the esplanade would be a job creator." DNA Info

Endorsements

Organizations: Americans for Economic Justice;

Individuals: NYS Assemblywoman Carolyn Maloney; Former Congressman Peter Kostmayer; Former President of the Roosevelt Island Residents Association Matthew Katz

Menegon (D)

On the Issues

Endorsements

Currently: Marketing Executive, Xerox Corporation

Previous Work: Commandant, Knickerbocker Greys

Education: Central Connecticut State University

On the Issues

*Source for David Menegon's issue stances, unless marked otherwise: Gotham Gazette Questionnaire

• Budget↓

  
  In addressing how to utilize NYS' multibillion dollar surplus, stated: "New York should invest in education, improvements infrastructure, and a transition to renewable energy and a 'green economy.'"
  

• Economy↓

  
  Supports a statewide minimum wage at $15.

  Stated that municipalities such as NYC should be able to set their own minimum wage.

  In addressing developing a NYS jobs program, stated: "New York should develop a jobs program to help the long-term unemployed find work and to make sure young people entering the job market have the technical skills employers need."

  "Businesses have lost up to 50% of their revenues due to construction. Businesses need assistance to have net incomes at pre-construction levels. I support real-estate tax credits to lower rents, and economic development grants to provide financial and technical assistance to small businesses located within the area where construction is taking place for the duration of construction." Four Freedoms Democratic Club 

  Supports "establishing tax-free sales zones and tax exemptions for small businesses." Campaign Website

  Supports priority granted to Roosevelt Island-based businesses and residents as job candidates at Cornell Tech. Campaign Website

  Supports priority hire for qualified candidates who have been unemployed for longer than six months. Campaign Website

• Education↓

  Supports implementing Common Core state standards with changes.
  Supports raising the cap on charter schools.
  Stated that government should pay for both location of charter schools in private space and for co-locations of charter schools in public school buildings.
  Supports statewide universal pre-kindergarten.
  In addressing how the legislature can ensure that adequate funding is distributed to all school districts to comply with the Campaign for Fiscal Equity decisions, stated: "The Common Core is designed to prepare America's students for success. In order to do that we need to make that all of New York's children get the resources they need. The legislature needs to appropriate funding for teacher training and set standards that will make sure every teacher is prepared to teach the Common Core."

  "Supports the construction or leasing of additional schools to reduce overcrowding

  Supports additional funding for CUNY and SUNY

  Supports protecting and expanding TAP [Tuition Assistance Program]...

  Supports an increased charter school cap, and increasing financial accountability and transparency of these publicly funded schools." Campaign Website

• Environment↓

  
  Opposes hydrofracking in NYS.
  In addressing whether municipalities should be able to decide, via zoning processes, whether hydrofracking occurs in their jurisdiction, stated: "Hydrofracking should be banned. If the State allows then municipalities should be able to decide whether hydrofracking occurs in their jurisdiction."

  Supports creation of "tax credits for owners of buildings, co-ops and condos to offset the high conversion costs to refit boilers to burn cleaner fuels.

  New York State needs to move away from natural gas and fossil fuels and fully embrace alternative energy sources – wind, water, solar, geothermal and biomass. Developing these resources will...result in the State's long-term prosperity, both by creating local jobs and saving billions of dollars in pollution-related costs. Although only 11% of the energy New Yorkers currently use for transportation, heating, industrial processes and electric power comes from natural resources, according to the NYSERDA and the U.S. Department of Energy, renewables have the potential to meet as much as 40% of the State's energy needs by 2030 and a full 100% by 2050. ...

  Supports closing Indian Point Nuclear power plant.

  Opposes natural gas drilling/hydrofracking in New York.

  Supports tax incentives to homeowners and business to convert to solar and wind energy sources.

  Supports development of more green spaces/parks." Campaign Website

• Health↓

  
  In addressing challenges with the NYS Health Exchange rollout and the high cost of Medicare, stated: "The NYS health care exchange has worked better than the Federal system. Going forward, to improve the exchange we need to make sure that providers disclose more information to New Yorkers and offer more coverage for hospitals.

  To control the cost of Medicaid, we need to make sure New Yorkers are getting preventative care and have access to doctors so they do not continue to frequent emergency rooms. Preventive care will decrease the number of emergency room visits and if monitored correctly will reduce the cost of the Medicaid program."

  
  

• Immigration↓

  
  Would vote yes on the DREAM Act.
  Opposes non-citizen voting.
  Supports drivers licenses for undocumented immigrants.
  

• Infrastructure↓

  
  Stated that the biggest infrastructure needs in the district is: "the 2nd Avenue Subway. Budget surpluses should be used to help fully fund the 2nd Avenue Subway. That means planning and financing beyond the completion of the first phase of construction in 2016 that will extend the already Q line to 96th street."

• Sanitation↓

  Opposes the 91st street marine waste transfer station, and has stated that the only way to stop it at this point is for councilmembers to get involved.

  "Transporting garbage from pickup to final destination is the most cost effective solution synchronized with an aggressive recycling campaign." Four Freedoms Democratic Club

• Transportation↓

  
  In addressing road safety, and the appropriate approach to balancing the needs of pedestrians, cyclists, and drivers, stated: "The NYPD needs to enforce the rules of the road and make sure drivers respect cyclists and to ensure that cyclists obey traffic lights and watch out for pedestrians, particularly seniors."

  Proposes to work in the Assembly "to award the City the proper funding to help keep our roads, buses, and subways from falling into disrepair and prepare it for the rest of the 21st century." Campaign Website
  

Endorsements

Organizations: Four Freedoms Democratic Club; Sierra Club

Individuals: Sal Albanese

Seawright (D)

On the Issues

Endorsements:

Currently: Member, Community Board 8; Member, Board of Directors, CUNY Law School; Chair, Board of Directors, Feminist Press, CUNY

Previous Work: Labor Arbitrator, New York City Board of Education; Administrative Law Judge, Metropolitan Transportation Authority

Education: JD, CUNY Law School

On the Issues

*Source for Rebecca Seawright's issue stances, unless marked otherwise: Gotham Gazette Questionnaire

• Budget↓

  
  In addressing how to utilize NYS' multibillion dollar surplus, stated: "Fund needed programs that have been previously cut. As a public school parent, I understand the overcrowding in our school system and I will fight for more funding for our public schools. As the daughter of an aging parent, I understand the needs of seniors and will fight for more services."
  

• Economy↓

  
  Supports a statewide minimum wage at a living wage.
  Stated that municipalities such as NYC should be able to set their own minimum wage set to a living wage.
  In addressing developing a NYS jobs program, stated: "The economic development funds should be carefully targeted towards job creation. In particular, small businesses should receive their fair share to create more jobs. There needs to be clawback provisions to ensure accountability in job creation. Benefits for unfulfilled promises must be returned."

  "We need to approve and expedite state and federal grants to assist businesses that are being affected by the construction. There should also be programs to extend credit to affected businesses to help them pay their bills on a long term basis, building on programs available through the City and State economic development corporation." Four Freedoms Democratic Club

  "We need more middle school seats in the UES, additional resources to support our teachers, and we need to fight for smaller-size classes in public schools. ...I would request to be on the [Assembly's] Education Committee in order to be a strong voice fighting for additional resources and schools on the UES." DNA Info

• Education↓

  
  Supports implementing Common Core state standards with changes.
  Supports maintaining the cap on charter schools.
  Stated that government should not pay for location of charter schools in private space or for co-locations of charter schools in public school buildings.
  Supports statewide universal pre-kindergarten.
  In addressing how the legislature can ensure that adequate funding is distributed to all school districts to comply with the Campaign for Fiscal Equity decisions, stated: "Demand that full funding for the Campaign for Fiscal Equity decision be included in the state budget considering that New York is currently underfunded by $5.8 billion."

  "We need more middle school seats in the UES, additional resources to support our teachers, and we need to fight for smaller-size classes in public schools. ...I would request to be on the [Assembly's] Education Committee in order to be a strong voice fighting for additional resources and schools on the UES." DNA Info
  

• Environment↓

  
  Opposes hydrofracking in NYS.
  Stated that municipalities should not decide, via zoning processes, whether hydrofracking occurs in their jurisdiction.
  

• Health↓

  
  In addressing challenges with the NYS Health Exchange rollout and the high cost of Medicare, stated: "New York State needs to lead in educating consumers so the public continues enrollment. I will support measures to make the program truly affordable including better oversight of the Department of Health and financial Services. Long term health care options need to be improved. Medicaid providers need to be closely monitored to find ways to reduce costs incurred to the government."
  

• Immigration↓

  
  Would vote yes on the DREAM Act.
  Opposes non-citizen voting.
  Supports drivers licenses for undocumented immigrants.
  

• Infrastructure↓

  
  Stated that the biggest infrastructure needs in the district are: "Transportation, including the subway, bus and tram system in the 76th District are overburdened and in need of improvements. We must keep the Second Avenue subway construction on schedule and ensure full service of the F train, even on weekends and holidays. The elevators that service the stations, particularly on Roosevelt Island, must be kept in good repair."
  

• Sanitation↓

  Opposes the 91st street marine waste transfer station, and supports turning the site "into a Riverside Park for all citizens to use! Work to put on the Governor's agenda. Would utilize my access to prominent City leaders. Would work closely with existing coalitions to suggest alternatives that are environmentally sound, including the use of waste transfer facilities in the region in less populated areas." Four Freedoms Democratic Club

• Transportation↓

  
  In addressing road safety, and the appropriate approach to balancing the needs of pedestrians, cyclists, and drivers, stated: "Stronger enforcement of the rules of the road for drivers, bicyclists and pedestrians."
  

Endorsements

Organizations: 32BJ Service Employees International Union; 1199SEIU; East Side Democratic Club (ESDC); Jim Owles Liberal Democratic Club; Retail Grocery Store Union; Retail, Wholesale and Department Store Union (RWDSU); Communications Workers of America (CWA), District 1; Communications Workers of America (CWA), Local 1180; Working Families Party (WFP); Local #46 Metallic Lathers Union and Reinforcing Iron Workers; New York Professional Nurses Union; NOW-NYC; NY State NOW organization; Eleanor's Legacy / Eleanor Roosevelt Legacy Committee NY; Empire State Pride Agenda; Stonewall Democratic Club; Bricklayers and Allied Craftworkers Local 1 and Local 7; Gay and Lesbian Independent Democrats; Progressive Caucus Alliance; Te94pxts PAC; UAW District 9; Women's Campaign Fund

Individuals: NYC Comptroller Scott Stringer; NYC Public Advocate Tish James; Manhattan Borough President Gale Brewer; NYS Senator Brad Hoylman; NYS Senator Liz Krueger; NYS Senator José M. Serrano; NYS Assembly Member Barbara Clark; NYS Assembly Member Dan Quart; NYS Assembly Member Walter Mosley; NYS Assembly Member Robert Rodriquez; NYS Assembly Member Deborah Glick; NYS Assembly Member Daniel O'Donnell; NYS Assembly Member Nily Rozic; NYC Council Member Ben Kallos; NYC Council Member Dan Garodnick; NYC Council Member Corey Johnson; NYC Council Member Helen Rosenthal; LGBT Activist Edie Windsor; Roe v. Wade Attorney Sarah Weddington; Former Chair NYS Democratic Party Judith Hope; Community Activist Dr. Elaine Walsh; Congresswoman Carolyn Maloney; Former Assemblymember Peter Grannis

Garland (R)

On the Issues

Endorsements

Currently: Business Management Consultant

Previous Work: US Commerce Department; Candidate, NYC Council (D-5, 2013)

Education: Georgetown University School of Foreign Service; MBA, University of Pennsylvania Wharton School; MA, Foreign Affairs, University of Pennsylvania

On the Issues

• Economy↓

  Proposes "elimination of the City portion of sales taxes on merchandise purchased in stores along the [2nd Avenue] construction corridor, and...a moratorium on state sales taxes until construction is completed."

  "Talk of taxing the rich to help the middle class, though it may sound popular to the vast number of New Yorkers who struggle to make ends meet, is not a responsible policy position. Those at the top end of the income spectrum, though in a position to pay more in income taxes through a progressive taxation system, will find creative ways to avoid doing so. Already, there are many such individuals who keep a residence in New York City but keep their permanent residence elsewhere in order to avoid the high tax burden currently in place. Economics and common sense indicate that those most able to contribute to New York City's tax base will continue to emigrate and find creative ways of avoiding taxes if the tax burden continues to climb."

  Proposes "to increase the pool of taxable income rather than raising taxes and ultimately diminishing revenue" and "to create a better balance of industries in a private sector that still relies too heavily on financial services, which has undergone fundamental shifts in its business model in the past five years."

• Education↓

  Proposes for a short-term solution to school overcrowding that "synagogues, churches and other public facilities throughout the district that are predominantly empty during school hours on weekdays" should "be employed as interim school facilities. This would also provide a source of income for non-profit organizations that may be struggling financially."

  Proposes for the long-term solution school overcrowding to "advocate for comprehensive public school facilities in future large scale development projects as a requirement of developers seeking the 421–A abatement. He will also fight for the delivery of that space to be 'finished' and include appropriately dedicated space for physical education. In other parts of the city, developers have delivered 'raw' space for public schools, which has done little to alleviate the financial burden on the Board of Education."

• Housing↓

  "[A] significant portion of affordable housing is being held and retained by individuals whose economic circumstances have vastly improved, or who are even wealthy. This is not the purpose of affordable housing. There should be periodic means testing to prevent such exploitation, allowing those with modest incomes to have access to those units."

  Proposes to "work with developers seeking to build in the 76th Assembly District to more effectively implement the current provisions of 421-A tax abatement program... [to] increase the percentage of affordable housing units throughout New York City." 

• Policing and Criminal Justice↓

  "New York City's drastic reduction in crime over the last twenty years has been the result of good policy and hard work by 'New York's Finest.' Bad policy in the next four years can easily reverse this progress. David wants to ensure that all abuses of "stop-and-frisk" are quickly identified and eliminated; however, he believes the policy should continue as an effective tool of crime reduction."

• Sanitation↓

  Opposes the 91st street marine waste transfer station, and plans to "propose legislation banning dumps from all residential communities throughout New York City. ...He will lead the charge in the City Council to ban Transfer Stations in all residential communities, not build new ones."

• Transportation↓

  Proposes a "residential parking permit program to resolve [residents' difficulty finding street parking]. Those who pay income tax in New York City should be able to acquire residential street parking permits, as they currently do in Brooklyn and in long-standing programs in Washington, DC, Boston and Chicago."

  Proposes "to work with the Department of Transportation to better time light signals and improve traffic flow" by the Ed Koch Queensboro Bridge.

  Proposes "to initiate a program to allot taxicabs for peak vs. non-peak hours. ...[T]here is an abundance of empty taxis available when they are not needed (during non-peak hours), but few to none during commuter rush hours. David's plan is ration taxis based on need at various times of day, and not have excess vacant taxis creating additional pollution and traffic during non-peak hours."

  Supports bike lanes and CitiBike but calls for better enforcement and education surrounding biking laws and pedestrian safety.

  Proposes "that avenues serving as major commercial routes be maintained and repaved more frequently and proactively," to address noise pollution resulting from trucks and cargo.

  To address infrastructure concerns regarding the construction of the Cornell-Weill Technology Center on Roosevelt Island, plans to "propose legislation that only awards New York City taxpayer dollars to contractors using barge transportation for all construction materials associated with the project."

  Proposes "to more proactively enforce the current terms of the [2nd Avenue] construction contracts and seek out potential amendments that will aid in restoring quality of life in the neighborhood surrounding the project."

Endorsements

Organizations: 

Individuals: