Woerner, Catalfamo vie for 113th State Assembly seat
New York’s 113th Assembly District seat is on the ballot this year.
Incumbent Carrie Woerner, a Democrat, has held the seat since winning initially in 2016 and is seeking to be re- elected to her second term. Her challenger DaveCatalfamo, is a Republican, member of theWilton Planning Board and served as a senior official in former NewYorkGov. George Pataki’s administration.
The two candidates recently outlined their respective policy positions with the League of Women Voters.
BothWoerner and Catalfamo listed out their top three priorities starting Jan. 1, 2021.
“My first priority is helping get people back to work, and getting businesses reopened, and by making it easier for small businesses to thrive and grow. I work industry by industry, identifying the regulation that keeps them from growing and then I introduce/pass legislation to fix that. I have done this with U-Pick operations, with insurance agencies, withmassage therapists. I will continue to do that work,” Woerner remarked.
“My second is ensuring that healthcare is available in all communities. Too many of our rural towns are without doctors and dentists. For people who are transportation challenged, like the elderly, the absence of local healthcare means they are not getting healthcare. Technology like telehealth can make a significant difference — but only if the insurance companies reimburse for that care and only if we have adequate broadband coverage,” Woerner continued.
“My third priority is broadband. Every household must have the infrastructure to support remote learning and work from home,” Woerner added.
“Reverse the disastrous Bail Reform Law, restore respect for the rule of lawand our first responders,” Catalfamo stated.
“Rebuild our economy through advancing an aggressive COVID Recovery Plan including Normal Now - Quick Tests Taskforce for reopening schools, restaurants and gyms, redeployment of capital to provide high- speed broadband infrastructure, slash onerous job-killing occupation licensing requirements, create a Retail Extension Program to help small businesses bring their goods and services online, enhance the Qualified Emerging Technology Company program to allow investors a tax credit up to 40% of their qualifying investment in upstate startups, freeze tuition for SUNY and community colleges for the duration of a student’s enrollment, Build New York back and create shovel readyprepermitted sites for reshoring critical industries, establish the Mom and Pop Protection Act - to prevent discriminatory treatment in the future,” Catalfamo explained.
“Reclaim democracy in New York by ending the Governor’s emergency power,” Catalfamo added.
Candidates were also asked to express their view on election law reforms, including proposals for sameday registration and no- excuse absentee balloting.
“While I would support no- excuse absentee voting, the fundamental challenge we face is restoring confidence in the security of our electoral process,” Catalfamo remarked.
“I would support the modernization of our voting technology to safe, secure, and transparent blockchain technology,” Catalfamo noted.
“I have supported noexcuse absentee balloting when it has come to the floor for a vote, and I will continue to support it,” Woerner said.
“I would like to see how the reforms that we have already enacted impact voter participation before we take on additional reforms,” Woerner added.
Finally, the candidates offered their stances on whether or not they support efforts to replace the Joint Commission on Public Ethics (JCOPE) and Legislative Ethics Commission with a new independent agency.
“I think sunshine is the best disinfectant. I think a truly independent ethics commission is necessary and I am a co-sponsor on the legislation that would create such a body,” Woerner remarked.
“A successful democracy depends on citizens having faith in their government and in their elected officials,” Woerner continued.
“An independent ethics commission would provide citizens with the surety that wrong-doing on the part of an elected or appointed official will be investigated