Lavine, Monteleone face off for N.Y. Assembly 13th district
This year’s race for the New York Assembly’s 13th District is between two attorneys, Democrat, Charles Lavine and Republican, Andrew Monteleone. Lavine, who has served as an assemblyman for over a decade, would like to continue his work for the North Shore. Monteleone won the primary on Sept. 13 and is hoping to win once again in the general election.
We asked both candidates a few questions to help voters make an educated choice on Election Day, Nov. 6.
Herald Gazette: Significant portions of your districts have suffered from a reduction in the number of jobs. What can be done at the state level to reverse this trend?
Charles Lavine: I have fully supported state efforts to stimulate the North Shore, regional and state economy resulting in the addition of over 1 million jobs and a low unemployment rate on North Shore and on Long Island. I support the governor’s Regional Development Councils and am very pleased that Long Island and the North Shore have received major monetary grants, including $10 million dollars to Village of Westbury which I am proud to represent.
Andrew Monteleone: New York must become a place that welcomes both businesses and the residents that those businesses would bring with them. It requires a massive overhaul of the state tax system. First, there would need to be tax concessions for newly formed businesses. Second, our property and income tax systems need to be overhauled completely. It will be impossible to bring businesses here long term, and in great numbers, without giving employees of those businesses the ability to live here comfortably. Currently, it would be illogical for new businesses to come to New York and deal with the suffocating regulations on business and the insanely high taxes that come with living here. In my opinion, this is the only solution that can begin to reverse this trend.
Herald Gazette: What can you do at the state level to help facilitate the economic development of the North Shore, and how should development be balanced against the area’s historical character?
CL: I have driven millions of dollars of state funding to our communities for public education, road work and protection of historic assets such as Raynham Hall, the North Shore Historic Society, the Holocaust Memorial and Tolerance Center and the Nassau County Fine Arts Museum.
AM: The best way to facilitate economic development in our area is to reduce regulations hindering businesses and to reduce the tax burdens placed on our area by property and school taxes, which serve to deter new business from coming to New York. The area’s historical character could be maintained easily by requiring community board approval for the introduction or expansion of businesses in the area. The most important thing to consider in business development is its impact on the environment and suburban nature of our area. We do not want businesses here that would pollute our aquifers, beaches and parks. We also do not want businesses here that would, by their nature, have a negative impact on crime and congestion.
Herald Gazette: What changes can you affect in Albany to help the North Shore deal with some of its environmental concerns, contaminated wells and the ecological health of the Sound, for example?
CL: I have consistently protected the environment by arguing for and voting for every environmental protection law, fighting against President Trump’s plan to remove environmental protections by serving on panels to protect the Long Island Sound and our aquifer and most recently, providing major grant to the City of Glen Cove to assist in protection of its wells.
AM: My main environmental concern would be the reduction of nitrogen pollution due to outdated septic systems and fertilizer applications. I would introduce a bill to study the impact our current system has on not only the Long Island Sound, but our fresh water aquifer system. I would then propose solutions based upon those findings that would incorporate protections from polluting businesses and upgrading our sewer systems.
Herald Gazette: Wt is your stance on gun legislation?
CL: I fully support all reasonable legislation to combat gun violence.
AM: New York has the strictest gun laws in the nation. I am in favor of the New York law requiring enhanced background checks and the seizure of guns from individuals convicted of certain crimes. I am however, against universal seizure of guns and rifles. Working in the criminal law field for almost 20 years both as a prosecutor and defense attorney, I feel that our gun laws are strong and should now be coupled with an emphasis on mental health reform. A great number of the state’s criminal population has severe emotional and mental health problems that, if confronted and dealt with on a medical level, would also greatly reduce the impact of gun violence in our society.
