ASSEMBLYMAN McDONOUGH Legislative Survey

EDUCATION

Recent problems in Long Island school districts highlighted the need for the recently enacted School District Fiscal Accountability Act this year. This law requires an audit function within individual school districts; mandates financial oversight, accountability and fiduciary responsibility training for trustees, members or voting members of boards of education; and external and internal annual audits. Should school district audits, expenditure reports, budgets and meeting minutes be made available to the public in a timely manner?

Person #1 check box Yes check box No check box No opinion
Person #2 check box Yes check box No check box No opinion

If voters reject a school district budget, should the board of education be allowed to resubmit its budget to voters for a second vote?

Person #1 check box Yes check box No check box No opinion
Person #2 check box Yes check box No check box No opinion

If voters reject a school district budget, should the district still be allowed to increase its tax levy to cover expenses related to the rate of inflation?

Person #1 check box Yes check box No check box No opinion
Person #2 check box Yes check box No check box No opinion

Should school board members be held more accountable for excessive school district budgets that would increase taxpayer responsibility?

Person #1 check box Yes check box No check box No opinion
Person #2 check box Yes check box No check box No opinion

State aid for education in 2005-06 was $16.2 billion, including $6.1 billion for New York City schools. The Campaign for Fiscal Equity successfully argued in court that New York City schools are inadequately funded. Should Long Island and upstate taxpayers be forced to bear the majority of the tax burden of providing an additional $23 billion over the next five years for New York City schools?

Person #1 check box Yes check box No check box No opinion
Person #2 check box Yes check box No check box No opinion

HOUSING

Working families and young professionals are leaving Long Island in search of affordable housing. Do you support the Long Island Workforce Housing Incentive Program that would require local governments set aside 10 percent of newly constructed subdivisions as affordable housing for working families?

Person #1 check box Yes check box No check box No opinion
Person #2 check box Yes check box No check box No opinion

SAFER COMMUNITIES AND QUALITY OF LIFE

Do you support civil confinement, a policy of keeping the most dangerous of convicted sex offenders (who have served their prison sentences) confined to mental-health facilities if they are deemed a threat to offend when released?

Person #1 check box Yes check box No check box No opinion
Person #2 check box Yes check box No check box No opinion

Should the state’s Sex Offender Registry (www.criminaljustice.state.ny.us or toll-free (800) 262-3257) require stricter compliance for photo updates, address changes and inclusion of all levels of sex offenders?

Person #1 check box Yes check box No check box No opinion
Person #2 check box Yes check box No check box No opinion

Unlicensed and uninsured drivers are growing concerns on Long Island roads. Would you favor increased fines, loss of driving privileges, seizure of motor vehicles and jail for repeat offenders?

Person #1 check box Yes check box No check box No opinion
Person #2 check box Yes check box No check box No opinion

The state Court of Appeals ruled the state’s death penalty unconstitutional. Do you support reinstatement of the death penalty as a form of criminal punishment?

Person #1 check box Yes check box No check box No opinion
Person #2 check box Yes check box No check box No opinion

The Long Island Power Authority (LIPA) and FPL Energy have proposed building an energy-producing wind farm four miles south of Jones Beach that would provide clean, efficient and affordable energy for Long Island residents. Are you in favor of LIPA and FPL Energy building the offshore wind farm?

Person #1 check box Yes check box No check box No opinion
Person #2 check box Yes check box No check box No opinion

JOBS

New York created 72 Empire Zones statewide to promote job creation and community development. Nassau County is set to designate its first zone. Companies that create new jobs and locate in these zones enjoy tax credits and other benefits. Should the state continue to support the Empire Zones program?

Person #1 check box Yes check box No check box No opinion
Person #2 check box Yes check box No check box No opinion

The high cost of doing business on Long Island is the main reason many small businesses fail. Should the state provide a lower tax rate for small businesses with 10 or fewer employees?

Person #1 check box Yes check box No check box No opinion
Person #2 check box Yes check box No check box No opinion

OPTIONAL QUESTIONS
Respondent #1 check box Male check box Female Age: check box 18-34 check box 35-54 check box 55+
Respondent #2 check box Male check box Female Age: check box 18-34 check box 35-54 check box 55+

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Contact Assemblyman McDonough:
533 Legislative Office Building • Albany, NY 12248
(518) 455-4633
3000 Hempstead Turnpike, Suite 110 • Levittown, NY 11756
(516) 731-8830

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