New York State Assembly, District 94

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1 2007 AARP Voters Guide New York State Assembly, District 94 How to use the AARP Voters Guide: Be sure to vote on May 1. Here s how this Voters Guide works. AARP asked key questions about issues important to our members and their families of each major candidate for this race. Each candidate was allowed up to 125 words to answer each question. AARP did not edit or modify those answers. The candidates were asked to check the support or oppose circles. The candidates may have chosen not to check a circle. In addition, AARP has provided a summary of our position for each of the issues. Pass this guide on to friends and family. Share your views with the candidates. Ask for clarification from any candidate whose answer seems unclear. Inside: Cell Phones 2 Long-Term Care 3 Prescription Drugs 4 Property Taxes 5

2 Cell Phones Do you support or oppose a state law that would provide consumer protections and information disclosure for cell phone users? Contract cancellation 15 days after first month s bill without penalty Contract cancellation 15 days after first month s bill without penalty Contract cancellation 15 days after first month s bill without penalty Disclosure of cell phone s enhanced 911 capabilities Disclosure of cell phone s enhanced 911 capabilities Disclosure of cell phone s enhanced 911 capabilities. Disclosure of all costs and estimated bill prior to contract signing Disclosure of all costs and estimated bill prior to contract signing Disclosure of all costs and estimated bill prior to contract signing AARP surveys have shown that cell phone users age 65 and older purchase cell phones for security in case of an emergency. AARP supports state legislation to provide more information and consumer protections for cell phone customers. AARP believes cell phone companies should: disclose all fees, surcharges and the total cost of the service before a customer signs a contract; allow consumers to cancel their contract within 15 days of receiving their first bill without penalty; and provide detailed coverage maps of where the phone will work and where the phone has enhanced 911 capabilities. As older New Yorkers increasingly buy cell phones for safety and security reasons, AARP advocates for legislation to provide consumers with the information needed to make an informed purchase. As a retired NYPD Sergeant, Matt Brennan is an AARP member also. He considers himself to be a moderate and advocate for the middle class working person who lives pay check to pay check. With the political landscape in a constant state of flux, currently both major political parties seem to be unduly influenced by their extreme wings. Election is Tuesday May 1 st 6AM 9PM mark your calendar memo your cell phone 2 New York State Assembly, District 94

3 Long-Term Care Do you support making the long-term care system in New York more responsive to the preferences of New Yorkers to remain in their homes as long as possible? A shared approach to providing health care coverage. A shared approach to providing health care coverage. A shared approach to providing health care coverage. Supports Opposes Supports Opposes Supports Opposes The preservation of access to affordable long-term care services under Medicaid The preservation of access to affordable long-term care services under Medicaid The preservation of access to affordable long-term care services under Medicaid Supports Opposes Supports Opposes Supports Opposes The providing of services to family caregivers The providing of services to family caregivers The providing of services to family caregivers Supports Opposes Supports Opposes Supports Opposes The need for long-term care services is likely to increase in coming years as New Yorkers age. Unfortunately, our nation lacks a comprehensive longterm care system to serve our growing older and disabled population. Longterm care services today are generally uncoordinated, fragmented, and costly. In New York, long-term care services and funding are heavily focused on nursing home and other institutional care settings. AARP supports reforms to the long-term care system that promote consumer independence, allow individuals to remain in their homes by receiving home care services or in home like settings such as assisted living as long as possible, permit consumer choice to the maximum extent possible, and maintain a strong role for government in protecting the health and safety of consumers receiving long-term care services. The Baby Boomer generation faded after A two million per year birth rate dropped well below one million. We should have had another baby boom beginning in However we put that off until 1990 where the birth rate went back up to two million live births per year. This next generation is now reaching the work place. However the entry level jobs we had as children are taken by an illegal immigrant workforce. They could save Social Security, Medicare, and Medicad if we give them a chance to become industrious. I propose a $500 tax deduction for people who employ teenagers. New York State Assembly, District 94 3

4 Prescription Drug Affordability What efforts do you support to make prescription drugs more affordable and accessible to New Yorkers? New York State bulk purchasing of prescription drugs New York State bulk purchasing of prescription drugs New York State bulk purchasing of prescription drugs Reporting of drug company gifts to doctors. Reporting of drug company gifts to doctors. Reporting of drug company gifts to doctors. A ban on the sale of doctor s prescribing practices A ban on the sale of doctor s prescribing practices A ban on the sale of doctor s prescribing practices While the costs of prescription drugs continue to skyrocket, AARP is fighting to make them more accessible and affordable. AARP continues to support the state s pharmaceutical assistance program - EPIC. AARP supports allowing the state to bulk purchase prescription drugs, reducing costs to the state, and providing discounts to those with no or incomplete prescription drug coverage. AARP supports reforming drug industry sales practices. AARP believes drug companies should report what gifts they are giving to doctors and also supports banning the sale of prescription drug data that identifies physicians and the drugs they prescribe to their patients. Both these practices are frequently used to convince doctors to prescribe new, high cost brand name drugs when just as effective but less expensive drugs may be available. Matt Brennan served a two year enlistment in the USMC from with a tour overseas in the far east. He has protected foreign borders it is about time we protect our own. Illegal immigration is the number one problem facing us today. This is bankrupting our health care system along with education, criminal justice, etc. The states must force to federal government to take action. Police officers are deputized as federal marshals for bank robberies and drugs. Why not immigration? A New City woman was murdered by an illegal immigrant. If elected I will address this issue! 4 New York State Assembly, District 94

5 Property Taxes What efforts do you support to alleviate property tax burdens? Property tax relief to protect loss of home Property tax relief to protect loss of home Property tax relief to protect loss of home Linking property taxes to owners ability to pay Linking property taxes to owners ability to pay Linking property taxes to owners ability to pay Property taxes are the single most burdensome tax for many low-income and older people, affecting them directly as homeowners and indirectly as renters. AARP supports broad tax reform that would help reduce reliance on property taxes and shift it to other revenue sources. AARP also supports policy changes, such as STAR, Enhanced STAR and property tax deferral, to further alleviate property tax burdens that directly impact people s ability to remain in their homes. Matt Brennan graduated New York University in 1980 with a B.S. in Finance. Homeowners pay for the public school system. Every year our September school tax bill grows. We could probably eliminate our September school bill entirely under the Irv Feiner Plan a three or four percent surtax on NYS income could pay school budgets. We could probably cut our January tax bill in half by eliminating the ability of towns and villages to tax. This level of government has pillaged and plundered the tax payers. Taxation should be allowed by counties or municipalites of certain size. Ex.: county police, county building departments, etc. We pay for a duplication of services. A vote for Matt Brennan is a vote for integrity and common sense! New York State Assembly, District 94 5

6 AARP is making a difference whether it s fighting for affordable health care or working to ensure retirement security for all Americans. But we can t do it without you. Sign up for free updates and action alerts from AARP. We ll keep you informed about what s really going on in the White House, Congress, and your state legislature. Visit or fill out the form below. Thank you for participating in the AARP 2007 Election Project! FIRST NAME INITIAL LAST NAME ADDRESS APT. # CITY STATE ZIP CODE (for example: your @provider.com) PHONE NUMBER Please mail form to: AARP 2007 Special Election Project AARP New York One Commerce Plaza, Suite 706 Albany, NY Visit About the AARP 2007 Election Project: AARP has launched the non-partisan 2007 Election Project, and with your help we can make sure our voices are heard in We don t endorse any specific candidate or party. We just care about issues and with your help we ll make sure candidates take clear stands on the issues so people can make choices that reflect what s important to them. Visit

7 AARP is nonpartisan and does not own a political action committee (PAC), endorse political candidates, or contribute money to political parties or political candidates campaigns. AARP educates the public about issues of concern to older Americans and their families through voter guides, issue workshops, and candidate forums. For more information contact: AARP New York One Commerce Plaza, Suite 706 Albany, NY (866)