Katz Looks to Earn Third Term in Assembly
PROVIDED BY KATZ STAFF
Although one state lawmaker announced last week he was calling quits, another declared his intent to run for reelection.
State Sen. Greg Ball caught the headlines with his decision to not run for any public office, but that didn’t did stop Assemblyman Steve Katz from announcing his bid for reelection.
At a press conference Thursday, Katz formally stated his decision to run for a third term in the Assembly, even if it didn’t come as much of a surprise. Katz accepted the endorsement from the Putnam County Republican Committee and when Democrat and challenger Andrew Falk attacked Katz when he announced to run for the 94th district, Katz defended himself as if he was seeking another term.
Katz represents parts of Westchester and Putnam Counties.
In an interview last Friday, Katz said he was running again because of “unfinished work.”
“I don’t want to leave certain things that I was involved in unfinished and the same token I think I’ll be able to accomplish that in the next few years,” he said. “Quite frankly as a citizen legislator this is what we’re suppose to do.”
Katz said he would like to see NY Assemblyman and Democrat Sheldon Silver “thrown out” as the speaker of the assembly and also mentioned his continued effort to disband the SAFE Act, a series of gun control laws wildly unpopular with Republicans and especially in Putnam.
He also brought up a controversial topic, medical marijuana, and his desire to see it become legal in New York. He said medical marijuana would bring in additional revenue but more importantly, it would help patients that face seizures, posttraumatic stress disorder, anxiety and other medial issues.
“These are things that the majority of other states have recognized and we seem to be locked in post-1937 days,” Katz said. “I think that’s very sad for the people of our state.”
And Katz did what he usually does—and that was rail against other lawmakers up in Albany. He said the two biggest roots of corruption in the state capital right now are lack of term limits and campaign funding uses. He argued too many legislators are more interested in their own political futures rather than legitimate work.
He also said members in the assembly don’t have to convene in Albany for more than a couple of months each year. During that time, they could solely focus on the “vital business of the State of New York.” He claims by meeting only two months, lawmakers would be saving $165 million a year in taxpayer money.
“What a waste,” Katz said emphatically. “What a scandal.”
“This is a scandal to have us up there for six months of the year, unless you want to just openly say we’re here for the economy of Albany, we’re not here to make laws,” Katz said. “It’s an embarrassment the things we vote on each day.”
Falk, his opponent for the second straight election cycle said there is a discord between what Westchester and Putnam families want, and what Katz is offering.
“I’ve been out in our community talking every day with families and small-business owners and I keep hearing the same thing: People serving in government aren’t listening.” Falk said in a statement. “We need good jobs. We need lower taxes. We need more opportunities so our children and grandchildren can stay here and raise their families. There is a disconnect between what Westchester and Putnam families care about and what the politicians are focused on. I want to bridge that gap and be their strong voice in Albany working for them. I think we are all looking forward to change in the November elections.”
Katz has been embroiled in controversy that might follow him into this election season. Katz was stopped by a state trooper on the New York State Thruway for speeding on March 14, 2013 and charged with possession of marijuana. Katz took a plea deal and paid a $75 fine and ordered to perform 20 hours of community service.
He said he hopes it doesn’t affect voters.
“I know that I’ve apologized, I know that I’ve gone out of my way to give back to the people of my district,” he said. “They have my heart and soul in everything I do.”
