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.