A promise from Field to advocate for all

Having an ability to work in a bipartisan fashion is the key, the Democrat said, and she’s been doing that successfully for years as a Plainview water commissioner — and last year as president of the Nassau Suffolk Water Commissioners Association. 

“The role I’m going for in this political climate is highly polarized, and there’s a lot of finger-pointing,” she told reporters at a recent Herald Roundtable session. “I’ve never seen politics so dirty as it is today. We need to elect leaders that are able to put that noise aside and try to get work done in all the critical areas.”

The Old Bethpage resident has knocked on doors for voters from both parties — something Field says other candidates aren’t doing. She especially targets inactive voters, many who may have become disillusioned in government, but might start seeing it more positive once they meet her.

“The biggest secret sauce to bringing political parties and people together, I learned from my father,” she said. “He always said you have two ears and one mouth. Listen.”

She doesn’t support “defunding” police. In fact, law enforcement needs more funding and help than ever before, she said, as do courts and the mental health system. 

Field supports a bill sitting in the senate to more universally divide school taxes. Long Island pays the highest percentage of their school taxes, she said. If this bill were to pass, homeowners wouldn’t pay more than 50 percent of their school taxes because there are other districts paying much less. And schools would receive the same assistance as they always have. 

There needs to be a “circuit breaker” on taxes for young people and the elderly — a cap on their taxes. 

Field doesn’t support multifamily housing unless it already exists. Those worried about big developers changing the landscape of their neighborhoods wouldn’t have to worry with Field in Albany, as she pledges to keep talks open with developers to ensure there’s clarity on what they are planning in terms of commercial real estate. 

“When elected, it’s important to have open communication with them to see what benefits Long Island and homeowners,” she said. “I will make sure commercial stays where commercial is, and the development doesn’t impinge on our homes and open spaces.”

Field supports strict gun laws, although she stressed that she doesn’t support taking guns away from responsible owners. 

“I work on data and facts, and not myths and headlines in newspapers,” she said. “It’s really important we keep everyone safe.” 

The gun laws in New York are practical and feasible, she added. But it’s important that ghost guns are not available to anyone. 

She does worry about mental health, however, a crisis she describes as a struggle. She’s spent years advocating for families and children to have access to such services. 

“They should be available at every single school,” she said. “What’s happening now is they are sharing social workers, psychologists and counselors. Funding needs to be provided for every school to address this. Teachers shouldn’t become social workers. They should be teachers.”

She supports women’s reproductive rights, and wants to codify those rights into the state constitution. And the state should be a safe haven when it comes to protecting the choices made by women. 

Although she is a Democrat, Field says voters should not think of party when they vote. They need to look at who will do the most for their district, and who will better listen to their needs. 

“Being in the majority, I would be able to bring things back for New York,” Field said. “Being in the minority, you don’t have that opportunity. I’m not a career politician, but my experience as a two-term elected commissioner has given me an understanding of how legislation works."