Q & A: Anthony Como

At Forest Hills Patch, we're all about helping inform your decision-making, which is why we've put together a survey for local candidates for office.

Today, we're taking a look at Anthony Como, who's running on the Republican ticket for state Senate District 15.

Como's opponent, incumbent Democrat Joe Addabbo Jr., declined to fill out our questionnaire.

 1.    What's the most common concern you've heard from constituents this year?

Throughout the past several months, I have spoken with thousands of voters and the most common concern I hear from people is that New York is becoming increasingly unaffordable.

New Yorkers are suffering because our representatives are addicted to spending. People and jobs are fleeing our state for better opportunities elsewhere.

2.   What programs would you eliminate/reduce to help curb the state's multi-billion dollar deficit?

Reforming Medicaid must be a top priority for getting our massive budget deficit under control. New York spends $52 billion dollars per year on Medicaid—more than California and Texas combined.

It's a vital program for uninsured New Yorkers, but it's permeated with fraud and abuse. Cracking down on fraud would reduce costs an estimated $2-5 billion per year. That would amount to real savings to taxpayers.

2a. Which state programs should be totally off-limits for cuts?

We need to do a massive line-by-line audit of the state budget to determine what costs are necessary, what the state is wasting money on and how we can get more value for the taxpayer's dollar.  Once that is evaluated, the areas of the budget that should take precedence are:

- adequately funding our schools

- providing people with access to quality healthcare

- public safety

3. What do you believe your role is in helping grow the economy in your district?

New York has the notorious distinction of having the worst business climate in the country. High taxes and burdensome regulation are strangling small businesses.

As senator, I will work to cut taxes, including the job-killing MTA payroll tax, and provide incentives for employers, such as a $2,500 tax credit for each new job created. 

4. Given the state government's gridlock, what's one way you think you can help break Albany's current cycle of dysfunction?

I'm proud to be endorsed by former New York City Mayor Ed Koch as a "Hero of Reform," and I have proposed a series of measures that will help to root out corruption and end the dysfunction in Albany.

We need to end the process of having "three men in a room" decide what legislation gets voted on and require more disclosure to the public. I also strongly support term limits for legislators.

5. List one program or piece of legislation you think would be vital to your district in the coming years that you'd like to spearhead over a two-year term.

If I am fortunate enough to be elected to the senate, I will immediately work to restore the STAR property tax rebates that were eliminated by my opponent. New Yorkers pay the highest property taxes in the country and many seniors and people on fixed incomes relied on those rebates to make ends meet.

Providing property tax relief will have a tremendous impact on the residents of my district.