Elections

Incumbent Skelos runs for 15th term

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Dean Skelos is running the 9th District in New York State Senate against newcomer Thomas Feffer (D-Lynbrook).

Skelos has been the Majority Leader in the senate since 2010. He is running for his 15th term in the senate.

Feffer did not respond to a request to participate in this Q&A. According to the Nassau County Democratic Committee, he has stopped campaigning for personal reasons.

The 9th Senate District contains all or parts of Elmont, Baldwin, Franklin Square, Atlantic Beach, Woodmere, Cedarhurst, Valley Stream, Malverne, Oceanside, Hewlett, East Rockaway, Long Beach, Island Park, Point Lookout, Inwood, Rockville Centre, South Hempstead, West Hempstead, Lynbrook, Lido Beach and Lawrence.

What do you feel is the biggest issue facing your district?

Skelos: Economic issues are the ones I hear about the most from my constituents. People want to have more job security. Families want their children to be able to stay in New York and enjoy the career of their choice. Small business owners want government to get out of their pockets and out of their way so they can grow and create new jobs.

In the past two years, I have worked with Governor Cuomo to pass two early budgets that cut state spending and reduced taxes. We also eliminated the job-killing MTA payroll tax on 80 percent of the businesses that paid it; cut taxes on manufacturers; reduced personal income tax rates on the middle class to the lowest level in 58 years; and made strategic investments in Long Island’s growing high-tech and bio-tech industries through the Regional Economic Development Council program and the New York Works infrastructure investment program.

Creating more private sector jobs is the solution to so many problems faced by every government at every level. It’s also the answer to many questions families discuss at their kitchen tables. Job creation will always be my first priority.

What do you think about state education funding?

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