LETTER TO THE EDITOR---4 QUESTIONS THAT EVERY CANDIDATE SHOULD BE ASKED
THESE QUESTIONS COULD RESULT IN SIGNIFICANT TAXPAYER SAVINGS...
To the Editor:
In the next few weeks candidates for state-wide office (and state legislative races) will spend time debating the issues. It's my hope that the following questions will be asked of all candidates running for office this year. I believe that the discussion of the following issues could result in significant taxpayer savings:
QUESTION 1: If elected, would you support state legislation that would eliminate pension padding? Should salaries of state and local employees be based on salary, excluding overtime?
QUESTION 2: Would you support a change in the state law that currently takes away the power of elected officials to set salaries of their employees? In some cases (police, fire-for example) local officials do not have the ability to unilaterally decide on salaries. When there is an impasse between the union and local officials concerning salaries arbitration panels can overrule local officials and impose salary hikes that result in unaffordable tax hikes. In the past arbitration panel awards have been very generous. These excessive increases make it more difficult for local officials to keep property taxes down. The threat of large arbitration awards may result in settlements that are higher than what normally would be awarded.
QUESTION 3: Last year the NY State Legislature provided voters with the ability to petition for a referendum for the consolidation of local governments and fire districts. Should voters have the ability to petition for a referendum to consolidate other levels of government? Which levels?
QUESTION 4: State mandates have resulted in higher property taxes. If you are elected would you promise not to vote for any mandate on school districts, county or local governments UNLESS the state fully reimbursed the entity for the cost of implementing the mandate?
I hope that the media and taxpayers will ask all candidates running for office this year to answer the above questions.
Sincerely,
PAUL FEINER
Greenburgh Town Supervisor
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1 comments:
Here are some questions for you when you run in 2011:
1. What happened to your opinion regarding term limits? You have now exceed Supervisor Veteran and your fame to claim back then was that he was in office too long and there should be term limits?
2. Would you vote to stop offering insurance buy-outs to part-time Town Council members? They are the only part-timers being offered buy-outs and the only part-timers who are provided with full health benefits for themselves and their families. This is costing tax payers too much money.
3. Would you vote to use in-house counsel to represent the Town in matters of litigation? They are well paid, well seasoned attorneys; why are we spending so much money on outside counsel when we have a full legal department?
4. Why are you adding personnel to the Court when you haven't addressed the last State audit regarding fraud and missing funds at the Court?
5. When are you going to retire?
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