Skelos: cutting taxes, regulations key to growth

Senate Majority Co-Leader Dean Skelos, a Republican from Rockville Centre, is running for his 16th term as representative of the 9th Senate District. He is being challenged on the ballot by Democrat Pat Gillespie.

Skelos has been the majority leader in the senate since 2011. He held the title briefly in 2008 before Democrats took control and he became minority leader. In the last term, he has teamed with senate Democrats to create a majority coalition. He currently chairs the senate’s Rules Committee.

The 9th Senate District includes Baldwin, Rockville Centre, Oceanside, Island Park, Long Beach, East Rockaway, Lynbrook, Malverne, West Hempstead, Hewlett, Woodmere, Cedarhurst, Lawrence, Inwood, and parts of Valley Stream, Elmont and Franklin Square.
Gillespie could not be reached to participate in this Q and A.

What do you think is the most important issue facing the district right now?
Skelos: We need to continue to reduce taxes and regulations to help small businesses grow, succeed and create new jobs. That will ensure strong main streets and downtowns that are the heart of so many of our communities. In addition, we must ensure that NY Rising moves in a positive direction to help businesses, homeowners and localities that are still struggling to recover and rebuild from Superstorm Sandy.

If re-elected, what would be your top priority?

Skelos: My priorities are cutting state taxes to help businesses create jobs, providing more property tax relief to hardworking families, and ensuring our schools have the resources they need to provide the highest quality education for our children.

Do you support Ballot Proposition 1?
Skelos: I support this proposition, which was approved by the Legislature with bipartisan support because it reforms the process of drawing district lines by creating an independent commission. This will prevent partisan gerrymandering and increase public input into the reapportionment process.


How do you respond to criticism from school districts that the Tax Cap hurts their ability to teach students?