AFFORDABILITY

When I asked District 9 residents what their top concern was, the overwhelming answer was taxes and energy costs — and I agree, they’re out of control.

We live in Westchester — a beautiful county with top-notch schools and great access to New York City. I’ve never minded paying a little more for quality of life, but what we’re paying now is simply unsustainable.

My opponent’s idea of affordability is to build more affordable housing. Mine is to make Westchester itself affordable — by scrutinizing our county budget, cutting waste, and controlling spending. We can lower property taxes by working with the state to reform the outdated system that taxes us on assessed value — essentially on unrealized gains — instead of on purchase price, we can pass a resolution requesting state authorization for a property tax levy cap for seniors in addition to eliminating school taxes for single family home owners 65 and older, 

On energy, Con Edison’s property taxes have skyrocketed from $8 million to over $1.3 billion. That burden is passed directly to us. I’ll push for reductions tied to lower delivery and usage charges, and I oppose forcing an all-electric mandate that we simply can’t afford — or support with our current infrastructure. I will also question the legality of their monopoly on energy. I addition our gas prices vary from station to station. I will question price gouging.

Finally, affordable housing should not be mandated. Each locality should determine its own needs. I will support workforce housing — for our police, teachers, first responders, local workers, and seniors who want the option to live where they serve.

That’s real affordability — practical, fair, and focused on the people of Westchester.