Education-(Teresa Kurtz)

The Republican candidate running for governor of New York State, Rob Astorino, has strong views on the education system in New York. He wants to remove high stakes tests that determine students' grades and evaluate teachers in ways other than the grades of their students. I think this is fair and should be done because a good test score shouldn't be equated with intelligence, a student might have cheated. Also a bad test score shouldn't be equated with intelligence, a student might have had a bad day or have test anxiety. If Rob Astorino wins the gubernatorial election and removes high stakes tests, students will respond greatly. They will learn for intrinsic purposes, instead of learning the information for a test and then forgetting it all. Astorino wants students to learn for themselves without so much weight on assessments.

Cuomo Education (Ysabelle Francis)

Cuomo believes that for there to be a good economy in the future, the current younger generation should have a fulfilling education. One of the first things he did was, "we formed the new New York education reform Commission; they have called for a full day Pre-K, extending school days and for performance pay." (http://governor.ontheissues.org/Governor/Andrew_Cuomo_Education.htm) He also wants to increase the technology in schools. On the issue of the teacher evaluation system, he said he would implement a 4% budget increase if schools submitted a teach evaluation test, "We want to keep in the model that in order to get the additional aid, you have to continue the evaluation process." (ontheissues.org) In wanting to increase the education reform, he said "This starts with the increasing the charter school cap from 200 to 460." Cuomo being a strong supporter of charter schools believes charter schools, in order for the cap to be increased charter schools should't be limited by school district and "arbitrarily limiting the number of charter schools that can operate in a district." He also said, "we should continue to allow SUNY to have shared authority for approving charter schools with the Board of Regents. "

Social Issues (Celina Santin)

           The democratic governor of New York, Andrew Cuomo states the following: Under Governor Cuomo’s leadership, New York enacted the SAFE Act, one of the toughest and most comprehensive gun control measures in the nation.  The SAFE Act prevents criminals and the dangerously mentally ill from buying guns by, among other things, requiring universal background checks on gun purchases, increasing penalties for illegal gun use, mandating life in prison without parole for anyone who murders a first responder, and strengthening the state’s ban on assault weapons and high-capacity magazines.  He also launched Gun-Involved Violence Elimination (GIVE) Initiative to provide $13 million to local law enforcement agencies to address gangs and guns using the latest data, technology, and evidence-based strategies. (andrewcuomo.com) I support his position on this because I want more gun regulations because without them, I believe the neighborhoods would be more dangerous. The SAFE Act ensures the safety of communities by stopping the ill from having their 

Andrew Cuomo's Success on Taxes (Celina Santin)

                The current governor, Andrew Cuomo has wanted since 2010 to bring New York into a
financial Renaissance due to the lack of trust between the people and the government, and the highest
unemployment rate of 850,000 in New York since the Great Depression. Since his term as governor
began, "New York’s property taxes have been held to an average growth rate of just over two percent  during the past two years, less than half the rate of growth over the previous ten years.  And with the Governor’s recently enacted tax plan, homeowners will have their property taxes frozen and then cut over the next few years. New Yorkers are now paying the lowest middle class income tax rate since 1953.   And to create jobs, the State has the lowest corporate tax rate since 1968 and the lowest manufacturer’s tax rate (zero) since 1917." (Andrew Cuomo). He has truly tried to make his state better, employment rates have gone up, as well, and people have been earning more money and having new jobs. Also, tax rates being lowered have augmented to the amount homeowners which is truly helping the community. 

To Green or Not to Green (Stephanie Thomas)

Rob Astorino has clearly stated his opinion and plans on renewable energy. Astorino believes in renewable recourses for New York state, but he will approach converting from oil to clean energy through different means. Astorino wants to invest money in tax breaks to families who convert from fossil fueled energy to clean renewable sources. I do not personally believe that this is the answer but it can give businesses incentives to switch over to clean outlets. Astorino and I have conflicting views on fracking, Astorino believes that fracking will benefit the economy by creating jobs, investing money to the state, and becoming energy independent. I disagree with fracking, it harms the environment and can poison us. The state should invest in clean energy instead such as windmills and solar panels.

To Green or Not To Green-(Teresa Kurtz)

Personally with respect to the issue of fracking, I'm not completely sure where I stand, similar to the stance of New York State's current governor, Andrew Cuomo. Fracking can be defined as "the process of extracting natural gas from shale rock layers deep within the earth"(what-is-fracking.com). Fracking is a fairly new strategy to extract from the earth high concentrations of natural gas. It is done by drilling water, sand, and chemicals deep into the earth. In a positive view, fracking can provide thousands of jobs and the United States could potentially be less dependent on other countries for energy resources. Negatively, fracking disrupts the naturals habitats of animal wildlife and can be potentially harmful by contaminating the water supply with chemicals. Until there is substantial research done and evidence to show the harms of fracking, I can't say with which side I stand on. Cuomo is intelligently not picking a side on fracking not only because there isn't enough research, but also to appeal to both the Democratic and Republican parties.

Hawkins: To Green or not To Green? (Celina Santin)

Howie Hawkins, as an advocate of the environment, believes in renewable resources and is against Hydraulic fracking and claims that Cuomo is completely for fracking.

"I met with homeowners who have seen their land and property values destroyed. The people I met with have to buy water that is brought in because their well water is no longer potable. And drilling continues in the area, despite a court order that Cabot Oil must stop their operations there. This is an area that was at one time calm and peaceful, and now it's completely industrialized." If Governor Cuomo gives the green light for Fracking, does he have a plan on how to deal with cleaning up contaminated water systems like those we saw last week in Pennsylvania?" said Howie Hawkins. (howiehawkins.org)
He believe that tracking has more cons than pros, especially polluting our finite amount of water,  with it's chemicals. In Pennsylvania, he has seen how it has affected people so far and does not want tracking to be approved. He also doesn't believe that pennsylvania's fluids should be disposed of in new york. 
"The center piece of the Hawkins for Governor campaign is the Green New Deal, which sets a goal of transitioning to a 100% clean, renewable energy system in New York by 2030. Clean energy is also the path to full employment and affordable power. A study by Stanford and Cornell professors shows that a 15-year a transition to 100% clean renewables would create 4.5 million new jobs and cut electric power rates in half."(howiehawkins.org)
I agree with Hawkins with his green deal, new renewable energy is really important and it he says that it would provide us with a substitution of a pro for tracking: new jobs. New jobs are important, especially in a short amount of time. I agree with Hawkins completely with Fracking because I think it's too dangerous because we do not have the money to fund it and we cannot afford to spend more than needed, and because of the contamination it can cause in water. Also, I do agree with his plan as candidate to increase renewable resources  because there would be no pollution, new jobs, and because we can be more independent and efficient. 

Green Energy Plan (Ysabelle Francis)

Andrew Cuomo on the Energy/Environment/Fracking

Energy

Cuomo's energy plan consists of clean energy proposals. He wants to put $1 billion into the NY Greenbank which will " leverage public dollars with private sector matched money to spur the clean economy." He wants to focus attention on solar potential. He wants to reduce the use of fossil fuels. There will also be a "letter to Congress supporting renewable energy tax credit."(http://governor.ontheissues.org/Governor/Andrew_Cuomo_Energy_+_Oil.htm)

Environment

He wants to implement a water policy plan to protect environment and business interests (http://governor.ontheissues.org/Governor/Andrew_Cuomo_Environment.htm) 

He also wants, "to make a U-turn on the development highway and focus once again on developing our cities and our existing suburbs with more sustainable long-term approach. That means restoring our abandoned industrial sites to productive uses, encouraging inner-city development rather than subsidizing sprawl, and developing balancing development with preservation."

Fracking

Cuomo is avoiding whether he is for or against fracking and this is a direct quote from Capital New York, "My point has been: I’m not going to make the decision emotionally. I want to make the decision based on information...let’s get a study...being done now by the health commissioner and the environmental commissioner...Study how fracking has worked in other states...go through the myths or problems, depending on your point of view...make a decision based on the science, not on how many protesters." (Capital New York)

Social Issues (Stephanie Thomas)

 Andrew Cuomo is a good candidate for New York State, yet I disagree with his stance on gun control. I believe that citizens have the right to have guns for protection and security.  I agree that there should be strict laws for only the mentally ill and criminals but not for people who are qualified to have guns and use them merely for protection or recreational purposes. Everyone should be allowed to have a gun for protection and security if they so desire. Andrew Cuomo believes that the penalty for owning an illegal gun should be raised as well, believing that this would make New York streets safer. In my opinion, criminals are going to obtain guns through other "off the books" means. Enacting stronger laws to control gun distribution or even making guns completely illegal will only make innocent people more vulnerable and unable to protect themselves.

Social Issues (Teresa Kurtz)

Andrew Cuomo, the current governor of New York is a supporter of same-sex marriage. This is an issue on his platform that I completely agree with and I wouldn't vote for a candidate who had opposing views with concern to gay marriage. Cuomo isn't all talk and no walk on this matter. In 2011, Governor Andrew Cuomo proudly signed the bill legalizing same-sex marriage in New York(nytimes). If Cuomo is elected again as governor, he will surely act towards more gay rights because he knows that it's 2014 and it's time that everyone should have equality no matter their sexual orientation.

Social Issues (Ysabelle Francis)

Andrew Cuomo

Andrew Cuomo's stance on several different social issues (abortion, gun control, immigration, and gay marriage) is highly favored.

Abortion

Cuomo wants to protect a woman's right to choose he said "Let women make decision: pregnancy, adoption, or abortion." (http://www.ontheissues.org/Governor/Andrew_Cuomo_Abortion.htm) He will fight for the Reproductive Health Act, which protects the "fundamental right of reproductive freedom and a woman's right to make private health care decisions." (Ontheissues.org) He also supports federal abortion funding. 

I agree with Cuomo's stance. Women should have the right to choose what they do with their body. If the pregnancy is from an unsafe situation or traumatic event, then they should be able to choose what they want.

Gun Control

Cuomo wants to put a gun policy out that doesn't take guns away from people. His 7-point agenda is as follows, "Enact the toughest assault weapons ban in the nation period." 

"He wants to close the private sale loophole with federal background checks."

"Ban high capacity magazines."

"Tougher penalties for illegal gun use, guns on school grounds and violent gangs." 

"guns away from the mentally ill."

"Ban direct internet sales of ammunition in New York."

"Create a State NICS check on all ammunition purchases."

Cuomo feels strongly about this. He owns a Remington shotgun so he knows what it's like to want to own a weapon for safety. He says it is a "sign of our nation's fiercely defended independence and self-reliance." (http://www.ontheissues.org/Governor/Andrew_Cuomo_Gun_Control.htm)

I agree with his stance because he doesn't want to completely remove guns altogether.

Tax Plan (Stephanie Thomas)

Hawkins has a different tax plan the his competitors, focusing his energy on a tax break for the ninety-five percent of New Yorkers and keeping the one percent with the regular tax payment,  "By restoring the more progressive tax structure New YorkState had in the 1970s, we could increase revenues by about $30 billion a year. 95% of New Yorkers would get a tax cut by having the top 5% and particularly the top 1% pay the taxes they used to pay. $30 billion would add more than 20% to New YorkState's $140 billion budget. " I agree that a progressive tax will be beneficial for everyone except the top one percent, because it gives the lower classes more money to invest in businesses, buying property, and overall spending in general. Hawkins tax plan is exciting for everyone except the top one percent because they lose in this plan, the have to give more money to the government then the rest of the population. The richer half like getting tax breaks, so they probably will not support Hawkins or his plan. The rest of the New York population would benefit from Hawkins tax plan.

Candidate's Experience (Celina Santin)

Andrew Cuomo and Rob Asterino are running for governor of New York State this coming election. Both candidates have their own experiences, before Asterino was County Executive of Westchester and in politics, Asterino had a career in radio; he was station manager and program direction of The Catholic Channel. Asterino first got into politics when he was elected as a member of Mount Pleasant Board of Education when he was twenty one years old, he has been in politics since. While Asterino does have experience in politics I do not think has has as much as Andrew Cuomo. Coumo has already served one term as New York State Governor, he is obviously familiar with the position, and has undoubtedly changed New York State for the better. With his transformation of the state Cuomo has accomplished a lot while being in office, for example he has lowered taxes, created a job reform plan during office, and lowered the unemployment rate all over the state. That is why I believe that Andrew Cuomo has more experience in office then Robe Asterino.     

Taxes-(Teresa Kurtz)

Rob Astorino, the republican running for governor of New York State, has a very concrete stance on taxes. Living in New York is very expensive, especially from all the taxes we pay. Astorino believes that New Yorkers shouldn't have to pay such hefty taxes. He says that if he is elected, he will cut taxes enormously. Astorino wants to set the rate to "4 percent for income under $200,000"(wben.com). I agree that in the state of New York taxes are rough and many people can't support themselves off their salary after taxes. But we need to realize that our tax money goes to public works, the board of education, and infrastructure; all are important to us and that make our lives better. Cutting taxes means cutting money that goes to these things. So I disagree with Rob Astorino's tax plan because in the end, we are only hurting ourselves with low taxes.

Rob Astorino Tax Plan (Ysabelle Francis)

Rob Astorino's tax plan involves, "He’ll deliver bold reforms to New York’s antiquated tax code and regulatory system, cut spending in real terms and reduce the cost of doing business in New York." (robastorino.com) Alongside that, Astorino plans to "... approve clean and reliable natural gas exploration on day one, so we can lower electric rates," and "rebuild our infrastructure and work with the private sector to form public-private partnerships...attack high property taxes by providing real mandate relief to our local governments." (robastorino.com)
Astorino's tax plan is to essentially cut taxes for businesses and the state. This will help the create job growth and business growth, but it doesn't help the state as a whole. The state has eight tax brackets, topping at 8.2% and he wants to cut it down to only two brackets. Astorino said his tax plan will cost anywhere from $5 billion to $6 billion dollars, but Matt Wing a spokesperson for Cuomo's campaign said it would cost $10 billion and he "has no real plan to pay for it." (Wing) 
Astorino plan is extremely costly, possibly too costly for the economy right now. Ten billion dollars for a  tax plan to help the economy seems counter productive, especially when the likelihood of success in some areas, such as cutting the bracket and completely removing the estate tax, is so low.  

Cuomo Job Plan (Ysabelle Francis)

Andrew Cuomo's Job Plan

Andrew Cuomo, after four years as governor, has implemented plans to increase job growth in New York. He says his focus is on the business and economic development in the state. In an effort he created, Regional Economic Development Councils. He had created 10 of these regional economic development councils to provide local input into economic development, and "he authorized four Las Vegas-style casinos upstate."(Newsday) He has, "... has awarded more than $2 billion for job creation and community development, the Regional Councils have produced innovative plans and implementation agendas, state officials said." (Troyrecord.com)

Astorino's Economic Plan (Celina Santin)

                  
The republican candidate for governor, Rob Astorino has been creating new jobs in Weschester County in New York since 2010 and has been successful with 30,000 jobs. He is pro-business and wants to save jobs from large companies, like the PepsiCo Inc., saving 900 bottling jobs. (robastorino.com) For the creation og new jobs, "Regeneron, a Major bio-tech firm, will create 400 new full-timne jobs over the next few years with $100 million investment in Weschester." (robastorino.com). He will be able to make jobs that are well-paid for this section of New York, and he will be able to spread this throughout the rest of the state. One of Astorino's big goals is to reduce taxes, telling "The business group that the state budget would be reduced by more than $13 billion if he were to apply a 3.4% cut over 4 years, a reduction rate he said he achieved during his first four years as county executive". (online.wsj.com) He is indeed trying to create jobs that can really benefit someone, giving them more than a living wage, and reducing taxes.

Cuomo's Economic Plan (Teresa Kurtz)

Before the democratic candidate Andrew Cuomo became governor, the economy of New York was unarguably shaky and unnerving especially to the poor and middle class. "New York State was suffering from devastating job losses and the flight of businesses. The state government, once a national model, was a national disgrace."(andrewcuomo.com). While Cuomo was governor, he created strategies to make jobs for unemployed New Yorkers. At this point, the unemployment is down to 6.7%. An important and successful strategy is increasing tourism. With tourism, people come to New York, spend their money that goes into our economy. Also tourism promotes jobs for New Yorkers such as tour guides and hotel workers. Cuomo can create unique plans to better New York State's economy.

Hawkin's Job Plan (Stephanie Thomas)

Howie Hawkins, candidate of the Green Party, has plans to improve jobs for the people of New York and create new ones. Hawkins wants to raise minimum wage from eight dollars to fifteens dollars. Hawkins believes that the minimum wage is unlivable and that it must be raised to benefit the people and the economy of the state. "As governor, I would use the Wage Board to raise minimum wage to fifteen dollars an hour" (Hawkins) Also Howie Hawkins wants to create jobs in green Pubic Works to benefit the environment and the economy. In addition, Hawkins wants more jobs in public services to meet each communities needs. Even though Hawkins plan is impressive, it is too ambitious for someone coming into office for the first time. I would rather him propose a modest, yet rational job plan that could be attainable in the next couple of years.

Candidate's Experience-Ysabelle Francis

Governor Andrew Cuomo

Andrew Cuomo, political candidate for the Democratic Party in the New York Gubernatorial Election, seems to have a much brighter and fitting background than one of his candidates, Rob Astorino. Cuomo was elected as the 56th governor of New york State in 2011. At his inauguration, New York was according to his election website "...suffering from devastating job losses and the flight of businesses."
"Governor Cuomo set out a transformational plan to restore New York to greatness and has spent three and half years making that plan a reality."
According to his election website, "Cuomo first practiced law as an assistant district attorney in Manhattan. He has also worked as a partner in a New York City law firm and was of counsel at Fried, Frank, Harris, Shriver & Jacobson." He got his B.A. from Fordham University and his J.D. from Albany Law School. His father was also the 52nd New York State Governor.  Prior to his election he worked as the New York Attorney General for four years. He was the state's top legal officer and restored public trust in government. Under Clinton he was also the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development. In 1986, he  made the Housing Enterprise for the Less Privileged, "which became the nation’s largest private provider of transitional housing for the homeless."  

Rob Astorino

Is the Westchester County Executive and is fluent in Spanish. He, " cut the county tax levy every year he has served, and he has reduced overall spending in the county by 5.2%." Before working in the county office, he had a successful career in the radio industry. He was station manager and program director of The Catholic Channel on Sirius-XM Satellite Radio. He helped launch ESPN Radio in New York and is the senior producer. At 21, he was a member of the Mount Pleasant Board of Education. He served 12 years as a councilman on the Mount Pleasant Town Board. He has a B.A. in Communications from Fordham University and minored in Spanish and Political Science. "In 2001, he studied in Barcelona, Spain, and received a Spanish Immersion Diploma from the Enforex School of International Studies."

Between the two, Cuomo is the better choice because he has more experience in legal office and is currently governor, so he must ahve been doing something right to be elected.

Candidate's Experience (Teresa Kurtz)

For the 2014 governor's election, Cuomo and Astorino are candidates with the largest following of New Yorkers. Cuomo is the head of the democratic party while Astorino is leading the republican party. They each have experiences unique to themselves that would help drive their actions as governors. Before Cuomo was elected governor, he showed various traits such as leadership and justice by being New York's Attorney General. As the attorney general, he accomplished a lot including reforming the student loan industry(a grandiose issue for young individuals recently), uncovering health insurance fraud, and ending corruption in New York's pension system. During Clinton's presidency, Cuomo served as secretary of Housing and Urban Development. While he was secretary, he made efficient reforms while also saving money. This shows that he is not only active in social programs, but also that he is economically savy. In my opinion, Cuomo is better qualified for governor because he has experience in governing New York and bringing justice to issues that matter to us today like health insurance fraud. The republican candidate, Astorino, has not done much to suggest he is qualified to be the governor of New York. He has worked in the radio industry for The Catholic Channel, served in the Board of Education and the Board of Legislators, and received impressive schooling.While these are all positive things that highlight his intelligence and connection to the people, I feel Astorino just doesn't have the initiative or thirst for justice that Cuomo proves to have.    -Teresa Kurtz

Candidate's Experience-Stephanie Thomas

The two candidates that I chose were Howie Hawkins from the Green Party and Rob Astorino from the Republican Party. Both candidates have there pros and cons. Astorino has been involved in politics since he was twenty one years old. Astorino is currently serving a second term as County Executive in Westchester; he was also very successful in gaining crossover votes. Even though Astorino might be a good candidate, I think that Howie Hawkins is the better candidate out of the two. Howie Hawkins has been an experienced organizer in a wide variety of movements for peace, workforce, justice and the environment since 1967. Hawkins is actually the co-founder of the Green Party.Hawkins is active in different organizations like "US Labor Against the War" and "Labor Campaign for the Single Payer Healthcare."  Organization is very important to lead the state of NY. Howie Hawkins is very invested in his community and has built strong roots in NY. I believe he is the best candidate and that he has a lot of life experience and wisdom