Policy Position Summaries - Domestic Challenges

The Economy

The federal budget must be brought under control. Deficits do matter. Those who advocate new programs must explain from where the funding will come.

Jobs and Trade Policy. I will vote on trade policy in a manner that supports job growth in upstate New York. It cannot all be done from Washington. State and local legislators must work to make New York a more business friendly environment, and a place that seniors won’t feel compelled to leave in their retirement years due to high taxes.

Agriculture. A good number of people in this area run family farms. During the campaign I look forward to talking to local farmers regarding the challenges they face.

Social Issues and Entitlements

Immigration. I am the son of Irish immigrants. As a first-generation American, I have a unique perspective on this issue. I support a comprehensive solution to problems related to illegal immigration. I believe we need to get control of our borders as a matter of national security, but would not support measures that would lead to the deportation of tens of millions of illegal aliens. It is in our strategic interest to encourage and facilitate economic development in Mexico, and shift manufacturing jobs from China to Mexico.

Health Care. We cannot accept having almost 50 million uninsured Americans. Universal health care is something whose time may have come, but it may require significant funding cuts into other federal programs.

Social security. Privatization is not a solution, but we must recognize that Social Security is essentially unfunded, and that action is urgently needed to fix it. If we are to save Social Security, in its basic form, the American people and the government must renegotiate the contract. Those in Congress who ignore these realities are not being straight with the American people.

Values. I grew up in a very religious home. I am the product of 16 years of Catholic and Jesuit education. My faith has guided me throughout my life, and it will continue to do so in the future. Religion is important to me, but I consider it very much a private and personal affair. I believe we are best served by keeping separate matters of the Church and matters of the State. In short, the wall between the two is best left high.

Infrastructure / Energy / Environment

Albany, Schenectady, Troy and Amsterdam are historic and great cities; revitalizing them is a worthy goal, and one that relates to our dependence on foreign oil. There have been studies that have examined light rail options in the capital district. A light rail system, using existing right-of-ways, may be viable option for the Capital District. High-density urban spaces can be made nice places to work and live. We ought to redesign the annual highway bill as a “National Transportation Infrastructure Bill”, and use monies to build traffic-relieving, energy-conserving, time-saving transportation systems.

Energy. Our dependence on foreign oil is a strategic liability. I consider this a matter of national security. We must address it and implement 21st century solutions. Columnist Thomas Friedman has repeatedly called for an “Energy moonshot.” Friedman is right.

Environment. By making the right decisions to fix our long-term energy problems, we will simultaneously be taking measures that will protect our fragile and threatened environment. I will not support drilling in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge (ANWR) Alaska. I view the oil there as a strategic reserve best left – for now - in the ground. We need to leap from the fossil fuels and 19th century energy sources to renewable, 21st century energy sources; a transformation that will check global warming.