2020

Abortion

What is your stance on abortion?
- Pro-choice

Gun Control

Should there be more restrictions on the current process of purchasing a gun?
- Yes

Gay Marriage

Do you support the legalization of same sex marriage?
- Yes

LGBT Adoption Rights

Should gay couples have the same adoption rights as straight couples?
- Yes

Climate Change

Should the government increase environmental regulations to prevent climate change?
- Yes

Planned Parenthood Funding

Should the government continue to fund Planned Parenthood?
- Yes

Mandatory Vaccinations

Should the government require children to be vaccinated for preventable diseases?
- Yes, but only for deadly contagious diseases

Marital Rape

Should marital rape be classified and punished as severely as non-marital rape?
- Yes

Pre-Existing Conditions

Should health insurers be allowed to deny coverage to individuals who have a pre-existing condition?
- No

Police Body Cameras

Should police officers be required to wear body cameras?
- Yes, this will protect the safety and rights of police officers and citizens

Religious Freedom Act

Should a business be able to deny service to a customer if the request conflicts with the owner’s religious beliefs?
- No

Drug Price Regulation

Should the government regulate the prices of life-saving drugs?
- Yes, and we should socialize medicine and healthcare

Gender Identity

Should "gender identity" be added to anti-discrimination laws?
- Yes

Armed Teachers

Should teachers be allowed to carry guns at school?
- No

Government Mandates

Should health insurance providers be required to offer free birth control?
- Yes

Immigrant Children

Should adults that are illegally attempting to cross the U.S. border be separated from their children?
- No

Taxes

Should the U.S. raise taxes on the rich?
- Yes

Mental Health

Should the government increase funding for mental health research and treatment?
- Yes

Border Wall

Should the U.S. build a wall along the southern border?
- No

Student Loans

Do you support increasing taxes for the rich in order to reduce interest rates for student loans?
- Yes

Minimum Wage

Should the government raise the federal minimum wage?
- Yes

Muslim Immigrants

Should Muslim immigrants be banned from entering the country until the government improves its ability to screen out potential terrorists?
- No, banning immigrants based on their religion is unconstitutional

Muslim Surveillance

Should local police increase surveillance and patrol of Muslim neighborhoods?
- No, targeting Muslims is unconstitutional, racist, and incendiary

Paid Sick Leave

Should businesses be required to provide paid leave for full-time employees during the birth of a child or sick family member?
- Yes

Immigration Healthcare

Should illegal immigrants have access to government-subsidized healthcare?
- Yes, if they pay taxes

Immigration

Should children of illegal immigrants be granted legal citizenship?
- Yes, if they were born here

Mandatory Military Service

Should every 18 year old citizen be required to provide at least one year of military service?
- No

Deporting Criminal Immigrants

Should immigrants be deported if they commit a serious crime?
- Yes, as long as it is safe for them to return to their country

United Nations

Should the U.S. remain in the United Nations?
- Yes, and use the U.N. peacekeeping forces to protect our interests

Drug Policy

Are you in favor of decriminalizing drug use?
- Yes

Foreign Lobbying

Should foreign lobbyists be allowed to raise money for American elections?
- No, foreign interests should not be able to buy the influence of our politicians

Obamacare

Do you support the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (Obamacare)?
- Yes, but a mandatory single payer system would be even better

Marijuana

Do you support the legalization of Marijuana?
- Yes

Electoral College

Should the electoral college be abolished?
- Yes

Corporate Tax

Should the U.S. raise or lower the tax rate for corporations?
- Raise

Fracking

Do you support the use of hydraulic fracking to extract oil and natural gas resources?
- No

Foreign Elections

Should the government attempt to influence foreign elections?
- No

Single-Payer Healthcare

Do you support a single-payer healthcare system?
- Yes, this system guarantees healthcare for everyone

Immigrant Assimilation

Should immigrants be required to learn English?
- No

Sanctuary Cities

Should sanctuary cities receive federal funding?
- Yes

NATO

Should the U.S. remain in NATO?
- Yes

Alternative Energy

Should the government give tax credits and subsidies to the wind power industry?
- Yes

Military Congressional Approval

Should the President be able to authorize military force against Al-Qaeda without Congressional approval?
- No

Confederate Flag

Should states be allowed to display the Confederate flag on government property?
- No, it is a symbol of racism, separatism and treason

Voter Fraud

Should a photo ID be required to vote?
- Yes, this will prevent voter fraud

Net Neutrality

Should internet service providers be allowed to speed up access to popular websites (that pay higher rates) at the expense of slowing down access to less popular websites (that pay lower rates)?
- No

Plastic Product Ban

Should disposable products (such as plastic cups, plates, and cutlery) that contain less than 50% of biodegradable material be banned?
- Yes

Euthanasia

Should terminally ill patients be allowed to end their lives via assisted suicide?
- Yes, but only after a psychological examination to show they fully understand this choice

Paris Climate Agreement

Should the U.S. withdraw from the Paris Climate Agreement?
- No

Government Spending

Should the government make cuts to public spending in order to reduce the national debt?
- No, increase taxes on the wealthy instead

Skilled Immigrants

Should the US increase or decrease the amount of temporary work visas given to high-skilled immigrant workers?
- Increase

Universal Basic Income

Do you support a universal basic income program?
- Yes

Medicare Drug Prices

Should the federal government be allowed to negotiate drug prices for Medicare?
- Yes

Safe Spaces

Should universities provide "trigger warnings" and "safe spaces" for students?
- Yes

North Korea Military Strikes

Should the U.S. conduct military strikes against North Korea in order to destroy their long-range missile and nuclear weapons capabilities?
- No, we must use every diplomatic option first

Minimum Voting Age

Should the minimum voting age be lowered?
- No

Military Spending

Should the government increase or decrease military spending?
- Decrease

Solitary Confinement for Juveniles

Should prisons ban the use of solitary confinement for juveniles?
- Yes, and we should create more social programs to help prevent and rehabilitate criminals

Syrian Refugees

Should the U.S. accept refugees from Syria?
- Yes

Affirmative Action

Do you support affirmative action programs?
- Yes

Common Core

Do you support Common Core national standards?
- No

Foreign Assassination

Should the US assassinate suspected terrorists in foreign countries?
- No

Safe Haven

Should cities open drug "safe havens" where people who are addicted to illegal drugs can use them under the supervision of medical professionals?
- Yes, drug abuse should be treated as a health issue, not a criminal issue

Dakota Access Pipeline

Should the government stop construction of the Dakota Access pipeline?
- Yes

GMO Labels

Should producers be required to label genetically engineered foods (GMOs)?
- Yes

Criminal Voting Rights

Should convicted criminals have the right to vote?
- Yes, except for felons convicted of murder or violent crimes

Criminal Politicians

Should a politician, who has been formerly convicted of a crime, be allowed to run for office?
- Yes, as long as it was not a felony, violent, financial, or sexual crime

Mandatory minimum prison sentences

Do you support mandatory minimum prison sentences for people charged with drug possession?
- No

Nuclear Energy

Do you support the use of nuclear energy?
- No, we should invest in cleaner alternatives such as wind, hydroelectric, thorium, and geothermal

Drug Trafficking Penalties

Should drug traffickers receive the death penalty?
- No, I do not believe in the death penalty

Space Exploration

Should the government fund space travel?
- Yes

Cuba

Do you support President Obama’s move to lift the trade and travel embargo on Cuba?
- Yes

Charter Schools

Do you support charter schools?
- Yes, but not at the expense of funding public schools

Prison Overcrowding

Should non-violent prisoners be released from jail in order to reduce overcrowding?
- Yes, but they must perform community service on a daily basis

Public Transportation

Should the government increase spending on public transportation?
- Yes

Bitcoin

Should the government classify Bitcoin as a legal currency?
- No

New York Gubernatorial Election 2018 Political Courage Test

Abortion & Reproductive

1. Do you generally support pro-choice or pro-life legislation?
- Pro-choice

2. Should abortion be legal when the pregnancy resulted from incest or rape?
- Yes

3. Do you support the prohibition of public funds for organizations that perform abortions?
- No

4. Other or expanded principles
- I strongly support a women's right to choose and advocate for the full protection of choice.

Budget, Spending, & Tax

1. Reducing state employee salaries AND/OR pensions?
- No

2. Instituting mandatory furloughs AND/OR layoffs for state employees?
- No

3. Reducing benefits for Medicaid recipients?
- No

4. An income tax increase on any tax bracket?
- No

5. Other or expanded principles
- My aim is to make the NY Medicaid program more efficient. Currently it is 76% more costly than the national average; I will increase the quality of care at New York?s hospitals while cutting out abuse, fraud and waste that remains a significant factor; and strengthen an existing cap on New York?s Medicaid spending, which remains among the highest in the country, which would provide the $2.5 billion needed to execute the takeover.

Campaign Finance & Government Reform

1. Do you support any limits on campaign contributions to state candidates?
- Yes

2. Do you support the regulation of indirect campaign contributions from corporations and unions?
- Yes

3. Do you support the use of an independent AND/OR bipartisan commission for redistricting?
- Yes

4. Do you support requiring a government-issued photo identification in order to vote at the polls?
- No

5. Other or expanded principles
- I propose to limit outside compensation of statewide officials and state legislators to 25% of their salaries and ban anonymous campaign contributions that circumvent donation limits (the ?LLC loophole?).

Crime & Public Safety

1. Do you support capital punishment for certain crimes?
- No

2. Do you support the legalization of marijuana for recreational purposes?
- Yes

3. Should a minor accused of a violent crime be prosecuted as an adult?
- No

4. Do you support the enforcement of federal immigration laws by state and local police?
- No

5. Do you support replacing the cash bail system with a supervised release system for misdemeanor charges?
- Yes

6. Other or expanded principles
- I believe the following items are essential reforms that are needed in New York State:1. Eliminate the cash bail system; 2. support legislation to create a Speedy Trial law and mandate defendant releases if deadlines are not met by prosecutors; 3. ensure early, automatic and open discovery for criminal cases; and4. commit to expanding pre-arrest diversion programs across New York State.

Economic

1. Do you support state government spending as a means of promoting economic growth?
- Yes

2. Do you support lowering state taxes as a means of promoting economic growth?
- No

3. Do you support reducing state government regulations on the private sector?
- Yes

4. Do you support expanding access to unemployment benefits?
- Yes

5. Do you support requiring welfare applicants to pass a drug test in order to receive benefits?
- No

6. Do you support an increase of the minimum wage of New York ?
- Yes

7. Other or expanded principles
- Economic development in New York has been based on pay-to-play giveaways that have engulfed the governor?s office in investigations. Economic growth that has occurred in and around New York City may have boosted the state?s overall job numbers but the reality is that growth upstate lags at half the national rate. I will abolish the Empire State Economic Development Corporation?s giveaways that cost taxpayers $4 billion a year and replace the Regional Economic Development Councils with regional boards that work collectively to identify investments that hold the biggest benefit for residents.

Education

1. Do you support adopting federal education standards in New York ?
- Yes

2. Do you support state funding for charter schools?
- Yes

3. Should immigrants unlawfully present in the United States who graduate from New York high schools be eligible for in-state tuition at public universities?
- Yes

4. Should students' standardized test scores be used to evaluate teacher performance?
- Yes

5. Other or expanded principles
- I have been a supporter of Race to the Top and initiated education reforms in Syracuse, while I was Mayor. My concern is that current federal policies may serve to lower New York State educational standards and every effort must be made to help all counties in the state attain the best educational opportunities for students. This includes facilitating online course options in school districts that do not have many AP or technical training classes.

Environment & Energy

1. Do you support state funding for the development of renewable energy (e.g. solar, wind, thermal)?
- Yes

2. Do you support state government regulations of greenhouse gas emissions?
- Yes

3. Do you support increasing state funding for clean drinking water initiatives?
- Yes

4. Other or expanded principles
- No Answer

Gun

1. Do you generally support gun-control legislation?
- Yes

2. Should background checks be required on gun sales between private citizens at gun shows?
- Yes

3. Should teachers be allowed to bring guns into the classroom?
- No

4. Should a license be required for gun ownership?
- Yes

5. Other or expanded principles
- No Answer

Health

1. Should the state government increase funding for treatment facilities to combat opioid abuse?
- Yes

2. Do you support Medicaid expansion through New York 's health care programs?
- Yes

3. Do you support requiring individuals to purchase health care insurance?
- Yes

4. Do you support legislation that grants citizens the right to choose to die through euthanasia?
- No

5. Do you support eliminating religious exemptions for vaccinations?
- Yes

6. Other or expanded principles
- There must be a better effort to increase awareness with statewide programs empowering local leaders, government officials and first responders with information and talking points to educate communities on the opioid crisis. There needs to be a more concerted effort to facilitate and open safe needle disposal sites without criminal proceeding and it is essential that there is adequate funding to have naloxone widely available--not just for law enforcement, but for community leaders trained to administer it.

Social

1. Do you support the inclusion of sexual orientation in New York 's anti-discrimination laws?
- Yes

2. Do you support the inclusion of gender identity in New York 's anti-discrimination laws?
- Yes

3. Do you support greater efforts by New York state government in closing the pay gap between men and women?
- Yes

4. Should New York permit localities to adopt "Sanctuary City" immigration policies?
- Yes

5. Other or expanded principles
- No Answer

Legislative Priorities

In the following area, please explain in a total of 100 words or less, your top two or three priorities if elected. If they require additional funding for implementation, please explain how you would obtain this funding.
- If elected, my administration's top three priorities will be to enact ethics reform and clean up Albany?s culture of corruption, invest in our state's crumbling infrastructure, and abolish wasteful economic development agencies. To learn more details about my policy platform, please visit www.minerforny.com and follow on Twitter @MinerForNY