Kim Norton is running for House Seat 29B against incumbent Fran Bradley. I write about three issues: fiscal responsibility, stewardship of health care and support for education.
Bradley supported the causes of the current financial crisis: huge property tax reductions without the tax reforms needed to prevent the deficits we now face. Norton has pledged to work toward balanced tax reform, reduced expenditures and realistic budget forecasts.
Bradley is chair of the Health and Human Services Finance Committee. Under his watch, the Legislature made huge cuts in health and human services. Meanwhile, the $451 million trust fund for tobacco prevention, established as part of the historic tobacco settlement was completely gutted and transferred to the general fund. Likewise, the $70 million Health Care Access Fund, paid by the so-called "sick tax," was gutted, both for the sake of a one-time fix for the budget shortfall. Kim Norton has pledged to better represent the health care and prevention needs of Rochester and the state.
Lastly, Bradley supported drastic cuts in funding for public education, including special education and aid to low-income students. The $4 million budget cuts required of Rochester public schools are the result of budget cuts Bradley supported. Norton is experienced in education finance and has worked tirelessly to maintain the state's commitment to educational excellence.
Kim Norton will represent us better in each of these issues.
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Paul; D. Scanlon
Rochester;
