State Senate Rematch Set Between Serino and Gipson
Sue Serino – Republican
State Senator Sue Serino can certainly acknowledge her first two years in the state legislature have flown by, but during her first term in office she believes she’s delivered for constituents in the 41st district.
After almost two decades of Putnam Valley residents waiting, Serino said she was able to get the funding–$24 million- -for the Taconic Street Overpass project that is expected to start in a couple years. Local officials from both political parties have lauded Serino for locking down the money.
If the GOP senate didn’t fight to get equitable funding between the MTA and Department of Transportation, that money wouldn’t have come to Putnam Valley, Serino, of Hyde Park, noted.
“Something that’s been a problem for 20 years I think is a huge accomplishment that I was able to do,” Serino said. “And I’m really proud of it.”
Serino said her approach to Lyme disease funding has been personal, noting her own son was bit by a tick and doctors couldn’t diagnose it correctly right away. Serino secured $1.2 million both years for Lyme disease.
As the Aging Committee chairperson that works on senior citizen issues, Serino said she ensured that the Elderly Prescription Insurance Coverage program got funding and she’s fought against elder abuse, calling it a top issue for her. Serino was able to get $500,000 for a program that would further help elderly that might be abused mentally, physically, or even financially.
“It’s really important to make sure our seniors are taken care of,” she said, noting there is a transportation pilot program in the works so seniors can get around easier.
Serino said she’s been one of the most vocal advocates against Common Core. She believes the standards are moving further away from Common Core’s original intentions and has commended state education commissioner Maryellen Elia for her work.
By getting input from a committee Serino put together from local education stakeholders, she was able to relay that to the senate GOP conference and get results. She believes revisions have allowed tests to be more catered to the age and the student’s ability especially if that student has a disability.
“I think we’ve made some really good changes,” Serino said. “They pretty much are talking about going back to the drawing board. From talking to Commissioner Elia, it sounds like that’s what they’re doing so the Common Core we know is going to cease to exist.”
Serino said she was part of a GOP conference that scooped up more education aid than originally slotted for local schools in Governor Andrew Cuomo’s budget and the money taken from schools because of the Gap Elimination Adjustment was returned in one year, instead of two years like Cuomo wanted.
Serino stressed her seat is important to keep the senate in Republican control and place a check on Cuomo and the assembly that is mostly Democrats. She noted the GEA came from a Democratic state senate.
Serino wants to keep fighting for ethics reform, like stripping convicted lawmakers of pensions and putting in place term limits. By having term limits, it would result in fresh ideas, she said.
Serino, a small business owner, fears if there is a dramatic pay increase for state lawmakers and a deal that includes stopping all outside income, it would lead to politicians that never want to leave office and “foster corruption.”
Serino said taxes are the lowest rate in 70 years the STAR and Enhanced STAR are both fully funded, which is important for seniors. To get more jobs, the state needs focus on infrastructure needs for certain communities, she noted.
Serino wants to continue to ensure the quality of life can improve for residents in the state.
“I really care,” Serino said. “I absolutely love what I do and I think it’s important. I think people know that by speaking to me.”
Terry Gipson – Democrat
After being out of public office for two years, Terry Gipson is laser focused on two priorities as he goes forward with his rematch against current state Senator Sue Serino.
Gipson, looking to represent the 41st district again, believes it’s critical to get big money spending out of New York politics and figure out a way to tackle sky high property taxes.
When addressing the large amount of money spent on state races, Gipson said he’s seen up close how it has created barriers like reducing the cost of living, properly funding public education, and protecting residents against Lyme disease and bad drinking water. Gipson wants to enact legislation that would “severely limit” corporate cash into state races.
“I’ve seen evidence that it needs to change if we expect to make progress,” Gipson, of Rhinebeck, said.
Talking taxes, Gipson noted residents could no longer afford to live his district. He doesn’t believe lawmakers are taking property taxes seriously enough and vowed to be a leader on this issue. In order to do so, there needs to be a different way schools are funded.
“If we’re not looking at ways of reducing our school taxes than we’re not looking at ways to seriously reduce the cost of living.” Gipson said, arguing he’s the most determined person running in the state to reduce taxes.
Since Gipson has been out of office, corruption has continued to rock the state capitol. He wants to see the LLC loophole closed and noted it would only occur if a Democratic majority took over the state senate. He also believes in term limits and argued many lawmakers that are not part of the modern age are still in Albany controlling funds.
During his two-year stint in the senate from 2012-14, Gipson said he was proud of being part of a coalition that presented different options to fund public education that would make it fairer to property owners. Gipson also noted providing money for infrastructure needs like a new playground at Kent Primary School and securing $1 million to explore putting an overpass at the intersection of the Taconic State Parkway and Pudding Street in Putnam Valley.
On Lyme disease, Gipson said he brought attention to the state defunding money from research for the disease and then tripled funding in his term.
When asked how he thought Serino had done, Gipson said he wasn’t running against her, but the entire state government system. Gipson doesn’t believe she’s taken a leadership role, like most of her colleagues.
“I’m running against a system that I believe has really failed all New Yorkers, all Hudson Valley residents, regardless of the party,” he said.
Gipson is for closing the Indian Point power plant and believes the process is already underway even if nobody is admitting it. Because of its location and age, it’s a danger to the Lower Hudson Valley. Gipson wants the state to offer those employees jobs that would focus on alternative energy use like solar and wind.
Gipson pointed to how unaffordable it is to live and start a business in New York. Prospective business owners would rather start a business in a state like Florida or Texas, he noted.
The state still needs to replace Common Core with something more effective, Gipson added.
Gipson wants to secure more money for infrastructure to deliver clean drinking water and he would like to see mass transit dealt with in a more affordable and safer way.
“I have a proven track record of being a leader at the local level and state level and in my community as a volunteer and business owner,” he said. “I have a track record of delivering results and being wiling to engage my constituents on a one-on-one basis and try my best to solve their problems.”
