Op-Ed
Q: N.Y. Governor: Spitzer or Faso?
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John Faso is a tough reformer that actually follows through on his campaign promises. Unlike his challenger, who openly accepts gifts from special interests while skirting issues because they may be too politically weighty, Faso is more than willing to speak his mind in an effort to better serve the people of New York. Thus, while Eliot Spitzer sees to only serve special interests and himself, John Faso will work tirelessly to improve the lives and well-being of the citizens of the state.
First and foremost, John Faso is keenly aware of the problems facing upstate New York, as he’s actually lived here. Born in Long Island, Faso decided to stay within the state for his undergraduate schooling, attending SUNY Brockport before eventually receiving his law degree from Georgetown Law. From there, he returned to upstate New York and won a seat on the New York State Assembly in 1986. After becoming minority leader, Faso left the Assembly and focused on revitalizing and stabilizing the economy of Buffalo.
This heightened sense of economic reform will continue into his term as governor. The Faso economic plan is based on economic responsibility and good sense. Headlined by a reconstruction of tax brackets, John Faso’s plan for economic change would reduce taxes by up to 25 percent. For a single individual making $35,000, a position that many current seniors may face in the near future, that’s an extra $949 of your hard earned money. A cap on school property taxes at 4 percent will be instituted when Mr. Faso is elected, halting the increasing property taxes that are crippling towns like Ithaca and forcing businesses to relocate. In an effort to generate up to $1 billion dollars worth of revenue, John Faso supports the repeal of the death tax, allowing wealthy families to stay and spend their money in New York.
John Faso recognizes the importance of cultivating and maintaining businesses in New York. In order to compete in a shrinking world, New York must improve its relationships with businesses in order to fruitfully participate in our global economy. His plan to eliminate the Corporate Franchise Tax will stop punishing companies for success and save them $300 million dollars. He will also end the Truck-Mileage Tax, encouraging businesses to travel through New York when transporting their products.
John Faso means what he says about Medicaid. While his opponent boasts of a tough stance on Medicaid fraud, he failed to mention that 65 percent of the money Spitzer claims to have recovered actually came from a single case spearheaded by the Department of Justice. While Republicans appreciate Mr. Spitzer’s attempt to ride on the coattails of the Bush administration on this issue, we as voters would like to see real aggression toward Medicaid corruption. Scott Vaderhoef, Faso’s choice for lieutenant governor, has a strong background of fighting corruption as county executive for Rockland County. While Eliot Spitzer’s plan for Medicaid “reform” will cost taxpayers a staggering $8 to $16 billion dollars, the more comprehensive plan for actual change outlined by John Faso will save the state $10 billion after four years.
New York is one of the primary targets of terrorism, and John Faso is more ready to protect this state than his opponent. Unlike Spitzer, John Faso is brave enough to take a stand on homeland security, voicing his support for current federal efforts to aid the intelligence community. He also recognizes the importance that the private sector can play in the War on Terror, offering to more effectively distribute a tax credit for employers who promote terror preparedness. Can we really afford to have a governor who is too worried about political fallout to take a stance on our security?
Security starts at home, and Faso recognizes the need for tough immigration policy. He is a strong advocate for increasing the security when applying for drivers’ licenses to make it more difficult for terrorists to acquire false forms of identification. While this measure seems uncontroversial, Spitzer has refused to voice his opinion on the matter.
John Faso is also a man of ethics, although the same cannot be said of his opponent. As attorney general, Spitzer was representing the interests of the citizens of New York against the Oneida Indian Nation of Wisconsin over land that would be used to build casinos. Yet, just days after using the private jet of Richard Fields, one of the attorneys representing the Nation, Spitzer sought to dismiss the claim. Call me old-fashioned, but attorney generals should not be jet-setting around on the plane of someone specifically seeking to go against the interests of New York state voters. He has yet to offer to pay for the full cost of travel; maybe another interest group can foot that, too? Spitzer has openly worked against women being informed about both sides of the debate on abortion. In 2002, he issued subpoenas to 11 of 24 crisis pregnancy centers in New York state, claiming that they were attempting to coerce women into not having abortions.
Meanwhile, John Faso used his position in the New York Assembly to lead an effort to defeat partial-birth abortion. He believes that parents have the right to know if their child is seeking an abortion. Recognizing the complexity of the current debate, Mr. Faso is against using taxpayer money to support abortions through Medicaid. Thus, while one man used his position to go on a witch hunt of pro-lifers, John Faso sought to limit the number of abortions in an effective manner.
So this Tuesday, when you hear these two men debate the issues most crucial to the state that many of us have adopted as home, just remember who is serving your interests, and who is serving his own.
NY Governor - Faso by Knockout
Bravo!! Great position column based on thoughtful analysis, candidates' public actions of record and potential instead of old and tired cliches. Thanks.