McGrath: Make tax cap permanent

Christopher McGrath, the Republican candidate for the 9th Senate District, spoke to the editorial board of the Herald newspapers last Thursday and answered several questions.

McGrath, a Hewlett Harbor resident, is running against Assemblyman Todd Kaminsky (D-Long Beach) and Green Party candidate Laurence Hirsh, who lives in North Woodmere.

The special election will be held on April 19, the day of the presidential primary in New York state, for the seat vacated by Dean Skelos after his December conviction on corruption charges. The 9th District encompasses Atlantic Beach, Baldwin, East Atlantic Beach, East Rockaway, Elmont, the Five Towns, Franklin Square, Island Park, Lido Beach, Long Beach, Lynbrook, Malverne, Oceanside, Point Lookout, Rockville Centre, South Hempstead, Valley Stream and West Hempstead.

This is an excerpt of the interview.

Herald: Regarding legislators earning outside income, aren’t there possible conflicts of interest?

Christopher McGrath: You disclose conflicts of interest or you pay a penalty if you don’t. [Personally] there are no conflicts of interest, I don’t represent clients that sued state government. Being a legislator isn’t a full-time job. You are up in Albany 51-55 days until June.

Herald: You said previously you are in favor of term limits?

McGrath: My plan is to serve eight years. Term limits should be four two-year terms. The less time in office the less likely for corruption to happen. You avert building long-term relationships that could create an environment of corruption. I will be the poster child for term limits.

Herald: What is your plan for lowering taxes?

McGrath: I want to make the 2 percent tax cap permanent. I want people to pay less and give money back to the community. We should eliminate the Gap Elimination Adjustment (the money taken from school districts), cut the state personal incomes taxes on middle class families by 25 percent and exempt retirement from state taxes. There is a $3 billion surplus; no reason not have a tax cut.

Herald: How would you help secure the promised funding for Hurricane Sandy rebuilding and other district projects?

McGrath: We have a tendency after bad things happen to forget. We have to hold the state’s feet to the fire on behalf of the victims. You see other things such as 878 (the Nassau Expressway) that’s not finished. We have to stop the three-men in a room. I will be the fourth man.

Herald: Why are you supporting the education tax credit?

McGrath: I am a product of the Catholic school system up to sixth grade and my family couldn’t afford Catholic high school. The tax credit can also help decrease expenses for parents of yeshiva students.

Herald: What is your stance on the Common Core Learning Standards?

McGrath: I am opposed to the Common Core. And I don’t believe that teacher evaluations should be based on state tests. I am opposed to just having a Regents diploma. I’m in favor of having Regents and non-Regents diplomas.

Herald: A lot has been said to connect you with Dean Skelos.

McGrath: Dean Skelos was my state senator; he helped a lot of people. He did a very good job when he was there. I never worked for Dean Skelos or [did] my firm. I never went to lunch or dinner with him, and I never went to his house. He would get things for the kids for Inwood Buccaneers and Christmas Dream. There was no relationship, personal or business.

Herald: Why did you decline the invitations to the League of Women Voters forums?

McGrath: I wanted them taped, either audio or video, and the League said they didn’t do that. My opponent (Kaminsky) says different things to different people.

Next week: Excerpts from Kaminsky and Hirsh interviews.