NEIGHBORHOOD CHAT TRANSCRIPT
Thursday, April 26, 2001
Speaker: Assemblywoman Kate Murray
Thu Apr 26, 2001 07:53:10 PM> MODMSG MODERATOR: Welcome to our monthly chat session sponsored by Hofstra University and the Herald Community Newspapers. The Assemblywoman is now online.
Thu Apr 26, 2001 07:53:15 PM> SPEAKER SPEAKER_Kate Murray: I'd like to thank the Herald papers and Hofstra University for inviting me to participate in this unique program. I pride myself on being accessible to my constituents and this provides another unique forum to do just that. I look forward to answering questions about state issues and other issues that may be on people?s minds.
Thu Apr 26, 2001 07:54:43 PM> MODMSG Walter: Can you tell us about any major legislation you're working on concerning pollution?
Thu Apr 26, 2001 07:55:09 PM> SPEAKER SPEAKER_Kate Murray: Protecting the environment is an extremely important issue for me...
Thu Apr 26, 2001 07:55:44 PM> SPEAKER SPEAKER_Kate Murray:...one example of legislation that I am co-sponsoring involves MTBE, which is a gasoline additive...
Thu Apr 26, 2001 07:56:38 PM> SPEAKER SPEAKER_Kate Murray:...it was originally okayed by the federal government to clear our air, however scientific research has revealed that it is in fact a threat...
Thu Apr 26, 2001 07:57:25 PM> SPEAKER SPEAKER_Kate Murray:...to our water table. My legislation would create a panel to study the effects of MTBE on our water table and to direct the federal government to ban MTBE...
Thu Apr 26, 2001 07:57:35 PM> SPEAKER SPEAKER_Kate Murray:...and to assist in the clean up cost.
Thu Apr 26, 2001 07:57:38 PM> MODMSG Rosa: Are there any new programs in the works to make it more affordable for a young person to purchase a home in Long Island?
Thu Apr 26, 2001 07:58:07 PM> SPEAKER SPEAKER_Kate Murray: As the Ranking Republican member of the Assembly Housing Committee...
Thu Apr 26, 2001 07:58:21 PM> SPEAKER SPEAKER_Kate Murray:...I am sponsoring several pieces of legislation...
Thu Apr 26, 2001 07:58:51 PM> SPEAKER SPEAKER_Kate Murray:...which would not only assist low and moderate income individuals with attaining mortgages...
Thu Apr 26, 2001 07:59:21 PM> SPEAKER SPEAKER_Kate Murray:...but also in assisting first time homebuyers with their down payments. I understand how difficult it is...
Thu Apr 26, 2001 07:59:56 PM> SPEAKER SPEAKER_Kate Murray:...to enter the housing market on Long Island and I believe my legislation would go a long way in assisting individuals to attain the American dream.
Thu Apr 26, 2001 08:00:03 PM> MODMSG Rosa: Is politics a man's game in Albany? How many women serve with you in the Assembly, what's the partisan divide, and do you feel you get relegated to "women issues"?
Thu Apr 26, 2001 08:00:23 PM> SPEAKER SPEAKER_Kate Murray: This is a great question...
Thu Apr 26, 2001 08:00:42 PM> SPEAKER SPEAKER_Kate Murray:...currently, there are 20% of the members in the Assembly who are women...
Thu Apr 26, 2001 08:00:55 PM> SPEAKER SPEAKER_Kate Murray:...and approx. in the Senate are women...
Thu Apr 26, 2001 08:01:22 PM> SPEAKER SPEAKER_Kate Murray:...because there is a large difference in Democrat and Republican numbers in the Assembly...
Thu Apr 26, 2001 08:01:44 PM> SPEAKER SPEAKER_Kate Murray:...(98-52) there are more female Democrats than female Republicans...
Thu Apr 26, 2001 08:02:07 PM> SPEAKER SPEAKER_Kate Murray:...but I am proud of the fact that four of the eleven of the Nassau Assembly members are female.
Thu Apr 26, 2001 08:03:01 PM> SPEAKER SPEAKER_Kate Murray: With regard to issues, I have been on the Codes Committee since I was first elected in Feb. 98 as well as the Judiciary Committee, two Committees which in the past have been male dominated.
Thu Apr 26, 2001 08:03:43 PM> SPEAKER SPEAKER_Kate Murray: I don't look at issues necessarily from a gender perspective, but rather as to how they relate to my constituents and their lives.
Thu Apr 26, 2001 08:03:51 PM> MODMSG Walter: Can?t something be done about the disparity of sales tax on clothing between Nassau and Suffolk counties?
Thu Apr 26, 2001 08:04:09 PM> SPEAKER SPEAKER_Kate Murray: We in the State Legislature...
Thu Apr 26, 2001 08:04:52 PM> SPEAKER SPEAKER_Kate Murray:...have repealed the sales tax portion of clothing items under $110 and it is up to the individual counties to repeal their portion of sales tax as well.
Thu Apr 26, 2001 08:05:28 PM> SPEAKER SPEAKER_Kate Murray:...I am hopeful that as the Nassau County Legislature and Executive work their way out of their current financial difficulties...
Thu Apr 26, 2001 08:05:56 PM> SPEAKER SPEAKER_Kate Murray:...that the Nassau Legislature will adopt a repeal as well, so that we will remain competitive with Suffolk County.
Thu Apr 26, 2001 08:05:59 PM> MODMSG Esther: The use of school vouchers was a controversial issue during last November's election. Can you explain, simply, what the "voucher system" is and how you stand on this issue?
Thu Apr 26, 2001 08:06:43 PM> SPEAKER SPEAKER_Kate Murray: The voucher system is a system by which...
Thu Apr 26, 2001 08:07:08 PM> SPEAKER SPEAKER_Kate Murray:...public school dollars are allocated to parochial and/or private schools...
Thu Apr 26, 2001 08:07:36 PM> SPEAKER SPEAKER_Kate Murray:...in the NYS Assembly where I serve, the issue of vouchers has never been brought forth for a vote...
Thu Apr 26, 2001 08:08:04 PM> SPEAKER SPEAKER_Kate Murray:...instead the closest the Legislature came to dealing with this issue was through the Charter School...
Thu Apr 26, 2001 08:08:33 PM> SPEAKER SPEAKER_Kate Murray:...legislation which was enacted into law in December 1998....
Thu Apr 26, 2001 08:09:08 PM> SPEAKER SPEAKER_Kate Murray:...With Charter Schools, the dollars move with the child and so if a child opts to attend a Charter School...
Thu Apr 26, 2001 08:09:25 PM> SPEAKER SPEAKER_Kate Murray:...the per pupil allocation for that child goes to the Charter School.
Thu Apr 26, 2001 08:09:36 PM> MODMSG Troy: Assemblywoman Kate, what is being done to combat the rising price of gasoline in New York? Thank you.
Thu Apr 26, 2001 08:09:57 PM> SPEAKER SPEAKER_Kate Murray: Thank you for the question Troy...
Thu Apr 26, 2001 08:10:24 PM> SPEAKER SPEAKER_Kate Murray:...yesterday, the Republican Minority Conference of the NYS Assembly held a press conference...
Thu Apr 26, 2001 08:10:56 PM> SPEAKER SPEAKER_Kate Murray: to introduce legislation which would suspend the 4% state sales tax on gasoline from Memorial Day to Labor Day...
Thu Apr 26, 2001 08:11:38 PM> SPEAKER SPEAKER_Kate Murray:...in turn, it is our hope that localities will also suspend their sales tax for the summer, leading to a price decrease of up to $.16 per gallon...
Thu Apr 26, 2001 08:12:23 PM> SPEAKER SPEAKER_Kate Murray:...this will be a boost for NY tourism, 44% of total dollars comes during the summer months.
Thu Apr 26, 2001 08:12:25 PM> MODMSG Joanne: Can you explain the New York State college tuition savings program?
Thu Apr 26, 2001 08:12:41 PM> SPEAKER SPEAKER_Kate Murray: Another excellent question...
Thu Apr 26, 2001 08:13:07 PM> SPEAKER SPEAKER_Kate Murray:...this is an innovative program that was first introduced approximately two years ago...
Thu Apr 26, 2001 08:13:39 PM> SPEAKER SPEAKER_Kate Murray:...it was the first in the Nation. New Yorkers can save up to $5,000 per individuals and $10,000 per couple each year...
Thu Apr 26, 2001 08:14:12 PM> SPEAKER SPEAKER_Kate Murray:...for a designated beneficiary. The individual or couple may deduct the total savings off the gross income on their NYS tax returns...
Thu Apr 26, 2001 08:14:30 PM> SPEAKER SPEAKER_Kate Murray:...thus the NY adult and the child beneficiary both win under this program.
Thu Apr 26, 2001 08:14:35 PM> MODMSG LannyU: How is the downturn in the economy affecting planning for next year's budget?
Thu Apr 26, 2001 08:15:18 PM> SPEAKER SPEAKER_Kate Murray: As you may know, this is the 17th year that NY will have a late budget...
Thu Apr 26, 2001 08:15:48 PM> SPEAKER SPEAKER_Kate Murray:...while it is troubling that the budget is late there are some real differences between the Senate and Assembly.
Thu Apr 26, 2001 08:16:19 PM> SPEAKER SPEAKER_Kate Murray:...principal among the differences is the amount of revenue that we will place in the so-called "rainy day fund"...
Thu Apr 26, 2001 08:16:57 PM> SPEAKER SPEAKER_Kate Murray:...currently, only 2% revenue can be placed in the "rainy day fund", however Governor Pataki and the State Senate want to increase that fund to 5%...
Thu Apr 26, 2001 08:17:41 PM> SPEAKER SPEAKER_Kate Murray: so that if we experience a down turn, by which by all indicators is going to happen we will avoid the horrendous situation NYS found itself in...
Thu Apr 26, 2001 08:18:04 PM> SPEAKER SPEAKER_Kate Murray:...in 1990 when at mid-year school district's state funds were pulled back...
Thu Apr 26, 2001 08:18:32 PM> SPEAKER SPEAKER_Kate Murray:...thereby creating havoc not only with the school districts but with many agencies who depend on state funding...
Thu Apr 26, 2001 08:19:15 PM> SPEAKER SPEAKER_Kate Murray:...a larger "rainy day fund" would help avert that disaster. That is one of the major differences in the year's budget negotiations.
Thu Apr 26, 2001 08:19:26 PM> MODMSG maureen otoole: Tell us about the EPIC pharmaceutical program
Thu Apr 26, 2001 08:19:45 PM> SPEAKER SPEAKER_Kate Murray: One of my favorite programs...
Thu Apr 26, 2001 08:20:11 PM> SPEAKER SPEAKER_Kate Murray:...this program was initiated legislatively by Senator Dean Skelos 15 years ago...
Thu Apr 26, 2001 08:20:40 PM> SPEAKER SPEAKER_Kate Murray:...when practically no one in government was talking about the high costs of pharmaceuticals...
Thu Apr 26, 2001 08:21:06 PM> SPEAKER SPEAKER_Kate Murray:...for seniors. Last year, we doubled the income eligibility requirements for the program...
Thu Apr 26, 2001 08:21:36 PM> SPEAKER SPEAKER_Kate Murray:...thereby doubling the number of seniors who will be eligible. Now seniors 65 and older...
Thu Apr 26, 2001 08:22:01 PM> SPEAKER SPEAKER_Kate Murray:...with an income of $35,000 per individual or $50,000 per couple are eligible...
Thu Apr 26, 2001 08:22:35 PM> SPEAKER SPEAKER_Kate Murray:...with these new income guidelines, approximately 250,000 NY seniors will be able to take part in the program.
Thu Apr 26, 2001 08:22:38 PM> MODMSG Nicole Goldkranz: Assemblywoman Murray, I was wondering what actions you have been taking to decrease the sale and use of cigarettes in NY, especially among young people?
Thu Apr 26, 2001 08:23:35 PM> SPEAKER SPEAKER_Kate Murray: The use of cigarettes amongst our young people is a troubling phenomenon. Everyday 3,000 young people...
Thu Apr 26, 2001 08:24:02 PM> SPEAKER SPEAKER_Kate Murray:...begin smoking for the first time despite the aggressive anti-smoking campaigns that have begun...
Thu Apr 26, 2001 08:24:30 PM> SPEAKER SPEAKER_Kate Murray:...legislatively Senator Fuschillo has introduced legislation banning the sale of cigarettes via the Internet...
Thu Apr 26, 2001 08:25:03 PM> SPEAKER SPEAKER_Kate Murray:...this is one of the most egregious loop holes in our laws...
Thu Apr 26, 2001 08:25:27 PM> SPEAKER SPEAKER_Kate Murray:...in addition Senator Marcellino has introduced legislation banning the sale of herbal cigarettes...
Thu Apr 26, 2001 08:25:50 PM> SPEAKER SPEAKER_Kate Murray:...in addition we have to aggressively enforce the laws that we have...
Thu Apr 26, 2001 08:25:56 PM> SPEAKER SPEAKER_Kate Murray:...amongst our retailers.
Thu Apr 26, 2001 08:25:59 PM> MODMSG Fintan: Assemblywoman Murray: What is your position on protecting Long Island's South Shore?
Thu Apr 26, 2001 08:26:22 PM> SPEAKER SPEAKER_Kate Murray: I am proud of my environmental record...
Thu Apr 26, 2001 08:26:41 PM> SPEAKER SPEAKER_Kate Murray:...and in the past 3 sessions it has been rated amongst the highest in the legislature...
Thu Apr 26, 2001 08:27:12 PM> SPEAKER SPEAKER_Kate Murray:...I am involved in the South Shore Estuary Council and recently it has released preliminary draft of a plan...
Thu Apr 26, 2001 08:27:30 PM> SPEAKER SPEAKER_Kate Murray:...that will integrate land preservation, wet lands preservation...
Thu Apr 26, 2001 08:27:56 PM> SPEAKER SPEAKER_Kate Murray:...air and water pollution reduction plans. This plan will be vetted amongst all of the...
Thu Apr 26, 2001 08:28:17 PM> SPEAKER SPEAKER_Kate Murray:...environmental groups and municipalities on the Island for public comment...
Thu Apr 26, 2001 08:28:46 PM> SPEAKER SPEAKER_Kate Murray:...and it is my sincere wish, that an integrated plan that will preserve out land water and air can be adopted...
Thu Apr 26, 2001 08:29:04 PM> SPEAKER SPEAKER_Kate Murray:...and put into action to preserve our beautiful Island.
Thu Apr 26, 2001 08:29:08 PM> MODMSG joan emanuel: how will the communities surrounding Roosevelt be effected should their school district continue to decline?
Thu Apr 26, 2001 08:30:07 PM> SPEAKER SPEAKER_Kate Murray: In the Herald Papers last September I submitted a letter to the Editor setting forth my position on this extremely troubling situation...
Thu Apr 26, 2001 08:30:30 PM> SPEAKER SPEAKER_Kate Murray:...where Commissioner Mills' proposal to disbanded Roosevelt...
Thu Apr 26, 2001 08:31:13 PM> SPEAKER SPEAKER_Kate Murray:...come to fruit to commission four of the receiving communities would be within my Assembly District...
Thu Apr 26, 2001 08:31:24 PM> SPEAKER SPEAKER_Kate Murray: Bellmore, Merrick Freeport and Baldwin...
Thu Apr 26, 2001 08:31:49 PM> SPEAKER SPEAKER_Kate Murray:...As such I have spoken with many parents from those districts and I have received 100% ...
Thu Apr 26, 2001 08:32:14 PM> SPEAKER SPEAKER_Kate Murray: feedback from those parents that they would not like to see Roosevelt children in their districts...
Thu Apr 26, 2001 08:32:35 PM> SPEAKER SPEAKER_Kate Murray:...first, I believe this is a civil rights issue for the Roosevelt children...
Thu Apr 26, 2001 08:33:00 PM> SPEAKER SPEAKER_Kate Murray:...Our State Constitution requires that the Government provide reasonable basic education to all children...
Thu Apr 26, 2001 08:33:19 PM> SPEAKER SPEAKER_Kate Murray:..I interpret that to include having an education in one's own community.
Thu Apr 26, 2001 08:33:53 PM> SPEAKER SPEAKER_Kate Murray: Secondly, the taxpayers of the "recipient" communities also have the right to have a say...
Thu Apr 26, 2001 08:34:22 PM> SPEAKER SPEAKER_Kate Murray:...over their own school districts. The Commissioner and Board of Regents have recently propose a plan...
Thu Apr 26, 2001 08:35:00 PM> SPEAKER SPEAKER_Kate Murray:...which would provide strict State oversight and control over the Roosevelt School District...
Thu Apr 26, 2001 08:35:25 PM> SPEAKER SPEAKER_Kate Murray:...this is in contrast to the prior State control which was strictly partial in nature...
Thu Apr 26, 2001 08:35:49 PM> SPEAKER SPEAKER_Kate Murray: I believe that we need to give the State one last chance with greater controls before we give up...
Thu Apr 26, 2001 08:36:18 PM> SPEAKER SPEAKER_Kate Murray: on Roosevelt and disperse its children to other communities. They deserve better.
Thu Apr 26, 2001 08:36:21 PM> MODMSG Julius: What is your positon on gay and lesbian marriges and adoption in NY?
Thu Apr 26, 2001 08:37:02 PM> SPEAKER SPEAKER_Kate Murray: I have proudly supported gay rights/anti discrimination measures...
Thu Apr 26, 2001 08:37:23 PM> SPEAKER SPEAKER_Kate Murray:...in the NYS Assembly. I believe I have a 100% voting record in this area...
Thu Apr 26, 2001 08:37:48 PM> SPEAKER SPEAKER_Kate Murray:...I believe that gay people should have the ability to adopt children. However, I am still formulating...
Thu Apr 26, 2001 08:38:23 PM> SPEAKER SPEAKER_Kate Murray:...an opinion on gay marriage. At present, there is no pending legislation to my knowledge on this issue...
Thu Apr 26, 2001 08:38:32 PM> SPEAKER SPEAKER_Kate Murray:...in the NYS Assembly.
Thu Apr 26, 2001 08:38:34 PM> MODMSG Stephanie: When do you think in this age of the Internet the state can provide more services online, like Dept of Motor Vehicle services, to avoid waiting on those endless lines?
Thu Apr 26, 2001 08:39:24 PM> SPEAKER SPEAKER_Kate Murray: Absolutely, at present, I believe the DMV is exploring various methods...
Thu Apr 26, 2001 08:39:48 PM> SPEAKER SPEAKER_Kate Murray:...to involve the Internet. At this time courts are accepting electronic signatures...
Thu Apr 26, 2001 08:40:16 PM> SPEAKER SPEAKER_Kate Murray:...so I am hopeful that the DMV can likewise come into the 21st Century and streamline procedures for New Yorkers.
Thu Apr 26, 2001 08:40:18 PM> MODMSG Julius: what actions are being taken to decrease the purchases of firearms by kids?
Thu Apr 26, 2001 08:41:04 PM> SPEAKER SPEAKER_Kate Murray: Currently Governor Pataki has a 5-point plan to decrease gun violence and to increase...
Thu Apr 26, 2001 08:41:32 PM> SPEAKER SPEAKER_Kate Murray:...gun interdiction. One point in the plan would raise the min. age for gun purchases from 18 to 21...
Thu Apr 26, 2001 08:41:53 PM> SPEAKER SPEAKER_Kate Murray:...I am certainly in favor of these reasonable measures.
Thu Apr 26, 2001 08:42:06 PM> MODMSG joan Emanuel: what is your role as in redistricting?
Thu Apr 26, 2001 08:42:43 PM> SPEAKER SPEAKER_Kate Murray: There is a bi-partisan re-districting commission which works full-time on this issue...
Thu Apr 26, 2001 08:43:09 PM> SPEAKER SPEAKER_Kate Murray:...redistricting occurs once every ten years and we are expecting the commission?s report in the immediate future...
Thu Apr 26, 2001 08:43:27 PM> SPEAKER SPEAKER_Kate Murray:...thereafter both the Senate and Assembly draft their own plans...
Thu Apr 26, 2001 08:43:44 PM> SPEAKER SPEAKER_Kate Murray:...and after a period of public comment on those various plans...
Thu Apr 26, 2001 08:44:02 PM> SPEAKER SPEAKER_Kate Murray:...negotiations take place, much like for the budget and for legislation...
Thu Apr 26, 2001 08:44:14 PM> SPEAKER SPEAKER_Kate Murray:...between the Senate the Assembly and the Governor.
Thu Apr 26, 2001 08:44:16 PM> MODMSG LannyU: How do you feel about the state Regent's Exams as a reliable measure of student performance?
Thu Apr 26, 2001 08:44:49 PM> SPEAKER SPEAKER_Kate Murray: In 1999, I was named Chair of the Assembly Minority Task Force on Education Standards...
Thu Apr 26, 2001 08:45:14 PM> SPEAKER SPEAKER_Kate Murray:...and held 17 roundtable discussions with teachers, parents administrators and business representatives...
Thu Apr 26, 2001 08:45:55 PM> SPEAKER SPEAKER_Kate Murray:...about the Standards. While there was a broad consensus that we nee to be more academically rigorous...
Thu Apr 26, 2001 08:46:22 PM> SPEAKER SPEAKER_Kate Murray:...in our schools, there is a serious feeling amongst teachers and parents that the current testing...
Thu Apr 26, 2001 08:46:51 PM> SPEAKER SPEAKER_Kate Murray:...does not necessarily measure a child's true abilities...
Thu Apr 26, 2001 08:47:23 PM> SPEAKER SPEAKER_Kate Murray:...I believe the Regents, who are the ultimate arbiters of Educational Policy in NY...
Thu Apr 26, 2001 08:47:46 PM> SPEAKER SPEAKER_Kate Murray:...must seriously evaluate and review the first round of tests given...
Thu Apr 26, 2001 08:48:28 PM> SPEAKER SPEAKER_Kate Murray:...I believe the tests will be modified to reflect a more diverse measure of performance.
Thu Apr 26, 2001 08:48:31 PM> MODMSG MODERATOR: The following two questions, on a related topic, will be the last for the evening........
Thu Apr 26, 2001 08:48:37 PM> MODMSG Julius: Will you ever run for Congress?
Thu Apr 26, 2001 08:48:40 PM> MODMSG Walter: So what's on the political horizon for you after the NYS Assembly?
Thu Apr 26, 2001 08:49:01 PM> SPEAKER SPEAKER_Kate Murray: In the three years that I have held public office...
Thu Apr 26, 2001 08:49:11 PM> SPEAKER SPEAKER_Kate Murray:...I have found that you never say never...
Thu Apr 26, 2001 08:49:27 PM> SPEAKER SPEAKER_Kate Murray:...to opportunities and if the situation arises...
Thu Apr 26, 2001 08:49:41 PM> SPEAKER SPEAKER_Kate Murray:...where another position is available...
Thu Apr 26, 2001 08:50:04 PM> SPEAKER SPEAKER_Kate Murray:...I would like all things in life weigh the pros and cons of that situation. With that being said...
Thu Apr 26, 2001 08:50:19 PM> SPEAKER SPEAKER_Kate Murray:...I love my job as a State Representative.
Thu Apr 26, 2001 08:50:55 PM> SPEAKER SPEAKER_Kate Murray: I would like to thank everyone who joined me on-line for their insightful and interesting questions...
Thu Apr 26, 2001 08:51:15 PM> SPEAKER SPEAKER_Kate Murray:...if you did not get through, I would encourage you to call me so that we can discuss your issues...
Thu Apr 26, 2001 08:51:34 PM> SPEAKER SPEAKER_Kate Murray: I would like to thank again the Herald and Hofstra University.
Thu Apr 26, 2001 08:51:50 PM> SPEAKER SPEAKER_Kate Murray:...and my typist Kim for her great work.
Thu Apr 26, 2001 08:51:56 PM> MODMSG MODERATOR: Thank you very much, Assemblywoman Murray, for joining us this evening and taking the time to share your views on New York State politics. Thanks again and goodnight.
