CDR/RCIL Candidate Forum on Disability October 24, 2006

Introduction Approximately seventy-five people assembled for the CDR/RCIL annual Candidate Forum on Disability. Chris Hilderbrant gave brief welcome all to the guests, elected officials and candidates. Supreme Court Judge Evelyn Frazee was present, providing information and talking with folks in the audience. Chris Hilderbrant thanked David Atias, for agreeing to provide emergency interpreter services when the scheduled interpreter never arrived.

Gubernatorial Candidates Sean Hart, the gubernatorial representative for Eliot Spitzer was unable to attend, due to a campaign emergency.

Carmen Lonardo, representative for gubernatorial candidate John Faso, read a letter from Mr. Faso. In the letter, John Faso shared his vision for New York State, wanting to transform the economy so New York is a 'place people flee to a place people flock'. He expressed his commitment to enforcement and implementation of HAVA and supported the needs of people before institutions.

David Atias, representative for Green Party gubernatorial candidate Malachy McCourt, presented his party's position through the use of a story. The story told of a favorite restaurant frequented by him and his friends, which they have nicknamed I.H.O.M. (International House of Meat). This restaurant specializes in one thing-meat. He compared that to the standard fare of the Democrats and Republicans-two different kinds of meat. He then compared the Green Party to salad-green, healthful and important to a balanced diet.

He then condensed the Green Party platform of 10 Key Values down to a key theme of the Green Party: everyone should get what they need--- a livable wage, health insurance, housing and transportation. The Green candidate for Governor is Malachy McCourt and Allison Duncan for Lt. Governor.

Larry Knox, representative of the Working Families Party, identified his party as being supportive of progressive candidates. His party's strategy is to put pressure on the major party candidates they feel can be persuaded to do the right thing. Their issues are increased minimum wage, rolling back the Rockefeller drug laws, better schools, bringing troops home, universal health care and jobs. The Working Family Party supports Eliot Spitzer for Governor, David A. Paterson for Lt. Governor, Dan Maffei (25th district), Jack Davis (26th district), Louise Slaughter (28th district), and Eric Massa (29th district) for Congress.

Congressional Candidates Patty Larke, Senior Congressional Aide to Louise Slaughter, (Rochester, lake Ontario Shoreline to Niagara Falls), spoke about the Congresswoman's record of accomplishment in bringing funds to Monroe County for 'shot spotter' technology and restoring funding for lead paint abatement.

Candidate Question #1: SSI/SSD

Linda Fullerton posed the first question to the gubernatorial candidates: how can they fix the five month wait for SSD and the two year wait for SSD/SSI benefits? Patty Larke, legislative aide for Congresswoman Louise Slaughter, responded first, stating it was a complicated issue. First all the organizations that establish disability determinations (workman's Compensation, SSI, SSD, private insurance, etc.) do not honor, or agree with each other. Secondly, there is a staffing issue. There are not enough Administrative law judges to hear and make a determination on Social Security benefit hearings, so they are teleconferencing in from other areas.

Larry Knox, representative of the Working Families Party gubernatorial candidate Eliot Spitzer, felt the issue is a problem with the current administration's priorities.

Carmen Lonardo, representative for gubernatorial candidate John Faso, stated he could not speak on the topic, but would take her name and information, and John Faso would get back to her on the issue.

David Atias, Green Party representative for Malachy McCourt, stated that New York State government needed better check and balances. He felt most government officials in that area were only concerned about their job, and were not trying to help. He called for an overhaul of the whole system.

NYS Legislature Candidates

Joe Errigo, Assemblyman from the 130th district (Henrietta, Mendon, Perinton, Pittsford), introduced himself, and discussed his history of working on issues for people who are hard of hearing, through the establishment of note takers at NTID. He discussed his voting record on making playgrounds accessible. He supports HAVA and has supported several bills for disabled veterans.

Dan West, who is running against Joe Errigo, described himself as a 'bandy rooster' (fighter). He told of his action to pressure his town to make the library accessible. He feels all New York State should have health care. He also stated he would not vote for unfunded mandates from Albany, and supports funding for pre-K and college students to encourage them to stay and work in Monroe County.

Phil Fedele, candidate for the 134th District (Greece, Parma, Sweden) stated he has always helped people with disabilities. (He has two siblings who have developmental disabilities.) He also stated he is not 'up on disability issues' as he was not planning to run, just to 'hold the spot' for the Democratic Party. However he is in agreement with the platform of the Green Party and the Working Family party.

David Koon, Assemblyman from the 134th District, (Fairport, Webster, Penfield, Perinton), stated he is a strong advocate and has worked to expand EPIC to extend the program to those under 65. He is also sponsoring a Traumatic Brain Injury Fair on November 3rd at St. John Fisher College. He has supported or sponsored legislation for lead paint abatement, and lead jewelry removal. He will push the Lift Line boundary issue and the waiting list for subsidized housing.

Mark Johns, candidate for NYS Assembly 134th District, (Fairport, Webster, Penfield, Perinton) running against Mr. Koons, shared his personal history of having a father who was a double leg amputee form the war, in the 'pre-ramp days'. He stated this gave him some understanding of the burdens of people with disabilities. He stated politicians in NY make up to $95,000 a year and many are millionaires and lobbyist money controls everything. He is for term limits, campaign reform, and feels new voices are needed to change things. People can feel free to call or email him.

Question 2: The War in Iraqi vs. Funds for Social Services

A question was posed by Calvin Twoguns to the candidates about the validity of funds going to fight the Iraqi instead of funding human services and domestic needs.

Joe Errigo, Assemblyman from the 130th district, stated neither him nor David Koon were millionaires, and that he knew funds were being diverted from social programs to the war. He wants to focus on what he can do to better utilize the funds for human services, such as Medicaid. He feels the Medicaid look back period is a big part of the Medicaid budget issue. He feels long term care insurance is the answer.

David Koon, Assemblyman from the 134th District, stated that NYS Legislators have not control over funds for the Iraqi War. He stated the US had a balanced budget until George W. Bush was elected--it has been downhill since. He also feels if Medicaid can reduce fraud and waste, it will be more cost effective.

Phil Fedele, Assembly candidate from the 134th District, feels a change in Congress will force the President to change the situation in Iraq. This will result in a shift of funds to domestic programs he also feels that winning candidates supported by the Green, Working Family and Democratic Parties will send a message the administration that things have to change.

Question #3: CDPAS Funding for Staffing

Another question was asked by Cindy Stover, about the reduction on overtime for CDPAS staff and how the funding for this New York State Medicaid funded program has been restructured. None of the New York Legislature candidates or incumbents present (Koon, Errigo, Fedele, Morelle) could answer the question.

Question #4: Accessible, Affordable, Integrative Housing

Shelly Perrin posed a question, about the candidate's position on the need for accessible, affordable, integrative Housing

Additional candidates arrived and were seated. The moderator, Chris Hilderbrant, gave them the opportunity, to speak on their positions regarding disability related issues.

Willa Powell candidate NYS Senate 56th District, stated she is sensitive to the issue and that there should be a housing registry to match people needing housing with existing housing.

Joe Morelle, Assemblyman 132nd district, stated there needs to be tax incentives for affordable housing. He also feels it will be a big cost savings to government if more people are independently living in the community, in improved housing situations.

Question #5: United We Ride and/or Improved Paratransit Services

Karyn Walsh posed a question regarding plans around the implementation of United We Ride and/or improved paratransit services?

Joe Morelle, Assemblyman 132nd district, stated any transportation company that tells people to find another job instead of change transportation routes is not a solution.

Willa Powell, candidate for NYS Senate 56th district, stated the basic transportation service structure is being eroded-it is four times worse for people with disabilities. The hollowing out of the urban centers creates a transportation system that is not adequate. Whatever services that would be good for able-bodied, would be good for people with disabilities.

Joe Morelle, Assemblyman 132nd district, responded to the inquiry regarding United we Ride, by stating the solution is a coordination of existing services. He feels RGRTA needs greater sensitivity to the issues of people with disabilities. He has found limited success in trying to communicate with them. He stated he needed to research the United We Ride program. He states the change in the Governor's office will result in changes in Commissioners on all public authorities. He also predicts there will be a change in one of the federal legislative houses (Senate/House of Representatives) as well.

Additional candidates arrived and were seated. They, too, were given the opportunity by the moderator, Chris Hilderbrant, to speak on their positions regarding disability related issues.

Willa Powell, candidate for NYS Senate 56th district, shared her educational background, and learning about deaf culture, attending RIT in the 1990's. She stated if elected, there 'would be a learning curve'. She does not know a lot about disability. She worked for a bank that made their ATM's accessible while she was there (she didn't work on the project). She stated her opponent (Senator Joe Robach) has outspent her, $500 to every $1 she has spent. Only four seats are needed to change the New York State Senate from Republican to Democrat.

Joe Morelle, Assemblyman for the132nd district, commended Chris Hilderbrant for being such an effective advocate. He also mentioned his visit to the CDR Drop In Center, and how enjoyable it was. He is chairman of the local Democratic Party and will focus his efforts on reforming EEOC, quoting the famous phrase 'justice delayed is justice denied'. Assemblyman Morelle feels everyone should have the opportunity to contribute and to participate.

Joe Robach, NYS Senator for the 56th District, pledged to represent any part of the community and to represent everybody. He cited his work to increase funding for the City of Rochester, and funding for the Rochester Cit School District. Senator Robach affirmed his commitment to people with disabilities: he has a sister who receives OMRDD services and a child who is hard of hearing, so he knows about advocating personally. He has a history of supporting disability issues, such as housing, and transportation. Senator Robach suggested that alternative funding models such as being delivered to seniors would also be applicable and helpful for people with disabilities. He pledged to continue his level of service if he is re-elected.

Eugene Saltzberg, candidate for NYS Senate 55th district, has been an election inspector. He understands the issue of voting machine accessibility. He also has a father who is 90% deaf, and understanding the challenges, stating you 'handle what happens'. He encourages acceptance of people with disabilities, through legislation.

Closing Chris Hilderbrant thanked all participants of the Candidate Forum, and encouraged them to mingle with the audience, providing opportunities to better explain their platforms and answer individual questions. Chris also gave a special thanks to David Atias, Green Party representative, who pinched hit, as interpreter.

Accessible Materials Were Provided By:

Joe Errigo Dan West John Faso Joe Morelle

Braille CD Large print Braille

Candidate Contact Information:

John Faso Eliot Spitzer Green Party of Monroe County Supreme Court Judge Evelyn Frazee Working Family Party (local contact) Willa Powell Joe Robach Joe Morelle Dan West Phil Fedele David Koon Mark Johns Joe Errigo Louise Slaughter Eugene Saltzberg

http://www.johnfaso2006.com/home/ http://www.spitzerpaterson.com/ http://www.gpomc.org/ http://www.reelectjudgefrazee.com mailto:larryknox@gmail.com (585-442-8360) http://www.joerobach.org/ http://www.morelle.com/ mailto:Dan@WestforAssembly.com (585-334-0971) mailto:lfedele_2000@yahoo.com http://assembly.state.ny.us/mem/?ad=135 http://www.markjohns.org/ http://www.joeerrigo.com/re-elect.html http://www.louise.house.gov/ mailto:esaltzbe@rochester.rr.com