Maher takes on Gonsalves in Legislature

Norma Gonsalves is running for reelection to represent the 13th District. The Republican from East Meadow was first elected in 1997. She is running against Pat Maher, a Democrat from East Meadow. Maher is an elected Democratic committeewoman, former director of marketing and community outreach for an assisted living facility, and former director of development and community relations for a not-for-profit health care foundation.

The 13th Legislative District includes East Meadow, Salisbury, North Merrick, and parts of North Bellmore and Levittown.

Herald: Nassau County is facing a $300 million deficit. What specific steps should the county take to fill that budget gap?

Maher: As a new county legislator, I would stop “rubber-stamping” the millions of dollars in “sweetheart” contracts that my Republican opponent continues to approve. Do we really need to spend $5 million-plus in outside legal fees when we have a full staff of county attorneys? Do we need to spend $2.4 million for an outside appraisal firm when we have an assessment department? Any taxpayer can give you the answer –– no. But, at the same time, my opponent voted to lay off 700 employees and might vote for an additional 1,100 employee layoffs. And how will they spend the money? They will hire more fat-cat cronies through outside contracts or direct appointment, like the recent hiring of the $174,000 financial adviser. Those employees fired will find themselves in pre-foreclosure within six months, unable to contribute to the economy and will become a statistic on the unemployment line. The sales tax income will fall, property taxes will go up, and the budget deficit will only increase. We must create jobs to help boost the economy. I propose business tax incentives for companies that hire and retain new employees in Nassau County. Above all, I will only approve healthy and sound spending and stop wasteful spending.