League of Women Voters of New York Education Foundation
Albany County, NY November 7, 2006 Election
	Neil D. Breslin Answers Questions Candidate for State Senator; District 46

The questions were prepared by the League of Women Voters of the Capital District and asked of all candidates for this office.
Read the answers from all candidates (who have responded).

Questions & Answers

1. "007" accounts, better known as member items, account for $200 million in tax payer dollars doled out to individual legislators each year. These pork barrel funds are not covered under New York State's Freedom of Information Laws. Do you support efforts to make the distribution of these funds public record?*

I am in favor of disclosing Albany's discretionary funds to the public. The sponsor, recipient, amount and intended purpose of such monies should be disclosed prior to the approval of the state budget. Releasing this information would shed light on government spending and force legislators to become more fiscally responsible.

2. Legislative district boundary lines are drawn by the legislators themselves and are tied directly to the advantages of party politics. Would you support the establishment of an independent commission as a more open and ethical way to create districts?*

I completely support establishing an independent commission for redistricting. The power of drawing districts must be taken away from majority party legislators who tend to create districts partial to their party or an incumbent. Districts must be drawn to ensure that elections remain fair and competitive.

3. The Assembly has passed legislation that would allow New York State to buy drugs in bulk from drug companies and pass on the savings to low income and uninsured citizens in the form of an Rx discount card. Do you support this legislation? Why or why not?*

I am fully supportive of S.5029A. New Yorkers have long since been selective when purchasing medicines due to rising costs. The passage of this legislation is imperative to help millions of uninsured and inadequately insured New Yorkers to afford prescriptions and properly maintain their health.

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Responses to questions asked of each candidate are reproduced as submitted to the League. 

• Original answers for a published Voters Guide were limited to 50 words and are presented as submitted. Candidates have since been invited to supply answers of any length for the Web.

Read the answers from all candidates (who have responded).

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Created from information supplied by the candidate: October 26, 2006 14:31
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