Politics & Government

Voter Guide 2010: Flanagan v. Bernstein

The two candidates for the State Senate's second district answer six questions from Patch.

State Sen. John J. Flanagan and challenger Ira Bernstein face off Nov. 2 to represent the Second State Senate district, which includes the towns of Huntington, Smithtown and portions of Brookhaven. 

Fast Facts

Bernstein, a former Commack Union Free School District teacher, wants to reduce government spending, add more jobs to Long Island and get adequate representation at the state level. 

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Flanagan, the incumbent candidate, wants to institute a state spending cap, allow local governments to decide on school district consolidation issues and increase tax incentives for businesses. 

The Exchange

Find out what's happening in Hauppaugewith free, real-time updates from Patch.

Patch posed the following questions to each candidate. Questions are in bold, and candidate responses are beneath them. 

How would you create local jobs in this sluggish economy?

Bernstein: I was a work-study coordinator at the Lake Grove Schools and think we need to see where the internships and jobs are. We need to give tax credits and incentives to employers to hire new people. I also encourage small business owners and people starting businesses out of their homes. 

Flanagan: New York has to provide real economic development incentives and tax credits for people who want to provide jobs. The regulatory structure at the state level needs to be overhauled and we should be working with local governments to create jobs in a timely and expeditious fashion. 

How would you get the state budget in line?

Bernstein: First, I would work to stop out of control spending. Then appoint independent commissioners to oversee all projects, including the off-track betting money, lottery funds and education aid to see if there is money that is being spent incorrectly. I think educational administrations should be better trained to determine the best way to spend their state aid. 

Flanagan: New York spends too much, taxes too much and fees too much. I support a state spending cap and think we need to look at state agencies and determine which ones should be overhauled and which no longer need to be in place. 

The tax burden on Long Island is driving young adults away. How would you solve this?

Bernstein: I signed a pledge for a spending cap sponsored by former Mayor Koch of New York City, which said there should be more contained costs. I also believe in better accounting and a transparent government. 

Flanagan: We need to give incentives for first time home-owners, of all ages, and take a look at tuition assistance programs to increase the access and availability of college educations at the SUNY and community college level. 

A project touting affordable housing in Huntington Station was voted down in September. Are these developments needed or is there another solution?

Bernstein: I watched that go on and believe it wasn't brought to the community properly. It should be intergenerational as well, to provide housing for young and old. I don't think the over-55 housing is the only option. 

Flanagan: Affordable housing is needed but these are primarily local decisions. If you plan it properly, these sorts of housing developments can benefit those living in and around the community. 

Where do you stand on the growing call for consolidation of school and special districts?

Bernstein: School districts should be consulted as a part of this process – perhaps we can consolidate bus and transportation costs. I also think there are too many administrators, we should put the money into teaching. I work closely with the Sachem Business alliance that helps students at Sachem East get into the community and speak with business owners. It's important to keep the young people on Long Island. 

Flanagan: We recently changed the law to simplify the consolidation of districts at the state level, which allows the districts interested in this to do it in a simpler way. The decisions should, however, be made at the local level. The state should provide guidelines and incentives. 

In your opinion, what's the biggest issue in your community now?

Bernstein: The biggest problem is property taxes and we need to look at real values when trying to assess the properties on the Island. The MTA tax has burdened the suburbs and we should have had some way of investigating the MTA to determine if they are spending their funds properly. We have to also have adequate representation in the State Senate for Long Island. 

Flanagan: It is a combination of taxes and jobs. Everywhere I go people have had it with the tax burden on Long Island. The state spending cap will contribute to solving this problem and we must also get more people in government to understand that it is the tax payers money they are spending, not their own


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