Meet The Candidates: Judy Griffin For Assembly

ROCKVILLE CENTER, NY — Nov. 3 is Election Day in the United States. And while the presidential race is dominating the headlines, there are many down-ballot races that are also incredibly important. These races will shape the makeup of Congress, as well as New York's Senate and Assembly.

Democratic incumbent Judy Griffin is facing challenger Patricia Canzoneri-Fitzpatrick for her seat representing the 21st Assembly District.

The 21st AD includes Lynbrook, Rockville Centre, Malverne, South Hempstead, Baldwin and parts of Freeport, West Hempstead, Oceanside, East Rockaway, Lakeview, Hewlett, Hempstead, Franklin Square, and Valley Stream.

Griffin has been representing the district since 2018. She is running for her second term. She used to work as the director of community outreach for state Sen. Todd Kaminsky.

She lives in Rockville Centre with her husband, and has four adult children.

Patch reached out to the candidates to get more information about them. Here's what Griffin said:

Why are you seeking elective office?

A main reason I ran two years ago was to give Assembly District 21 a strong and effective voice in Albany and secure well-deserved funding that was decades overdue. I was proud to do just that in my first term. In addition to securing record school aid last year, I was able to provide an additional $1.3 million to schools, municipalities and non-profit organizations across the district. As we find solutions to our fiscal crisis I will make every effort to deliver once again. As important I will continue being a voice for AD21 on policy and legislative issues.

The single most pressing issue facing our nation/state/community is _______, and this is what I intend to do about it.

Getting New York and the nation back on its feet. First and foremost, the many lives lost is a tragedy for our community, state and country. The economic impact and fiscal crisis that we are facing as a result is unprecedented. We still have not received the emergency aid we need from the federal government. All efforts must be made to explore and develop new and viable revenue streams that can fund schools, municipalities and health services. A mid-year fiscal report from Comptroller DiNapoli in mid-October, followed by a fiscal report from Gov. Cuomo, will provide essential information on alternative revenue streams in the event that the state has to act without any additional federal assistance.

In the likely event that we resume session in 2020, I am reviewing and considering legislation that can aid our small business community, safeguard essential workers, students, teachers and administrators across NYS and provide support to help the many residents of AD21 struggling with the negative impact of COVID-19.

Businesses throughout AD21 are hurting. I have been using a multi-pronged approach to advocate and address the needs of our small businesses. I successfully lobbied the governor to open bowling alleys, health clubs and malls. Now I am lobbying for the opening of movie theaters, comedy clubs and smaller live concert venues, and for an increased seating in restaurants now that our COVID-19 numbers have flattened. In my next term I will continue exploring ways that increased financial assistance can be provided. I would like to see more grants awarded to local small businesses. I am reviewing the viability for the New York Forward Loan Program to reduce red tape to expedite grants to small businesses. I co-sponsored a bill which was signed into law in June that establishes a state disaster emergency loan program to be administered by industrial development agencies for small businesses and small not-for-profit corporations. I will continue looking for ways we can help small businesses with rent payments beyond the moratorium due to end Oct. 20.

I will continue to work diligently on unemployment issues, advocate for tax and rent relief as well as helping to fund health insurance initiatives to assist those that lost their health insurance benefits due to job loss as a result of COVID-19. My office will continue with the individual assistance that proved vital throughout the height of the pandemic. My program for wellness checks on seniors gave my staff and I the opportunity to provide assistance quickly to some of our most vulnerable citizens.

I continue to be concerned with ensuring the spread of COVID-19 is minimized at our schools. I recently held a forum with administrators, teachers, PTA representatives from schools in AD21 on safely opening our schools as well as participated in multiple NYS Assembly hearings with NYS Departments of Education and Higher Educations.

What are the critical differences between you and the other candidates seeking this post?

I am a strong advocate for common-sense gun legislation, and in my first term I was proud to sponsor and pass a package of common-sense gun legislation, which included my first bill that became law. The new law prohibits school administrators from arming teachers or other school employees in K-12 schools across the state and ensures that only qualified and capable individuals, school resource officers, law enforcement and security guards are legally allowed to carry guns on school grounds. Additionally, I am a co-sponsor on pending legislation that would prohibit the manufacture and sale of untraceable ghost guns by requiring gunsmiths to serialize and register firearms and unfinished frames or receivers.

Assembly District 21 is almost evenly split between Democrats, Republicans and unaffiliated voters. My understanding of this affords me the opportunity to reach out and represent all constituents in AD21 while being aware of opposing viewpoints. My door is always open and I am always willing to listen, learn and take action.

In recent months, we have experienced a struggle between community and law enforcement. We need to focus on constructive ways we can address and resolve this complicated issue. Effective and lasting change will happen with a multi-pronged approach. First, all stakeholders need to be at the table. The climate in our country has made effective communication difficult. Despite these barriers I have worked hard to keep the lines of communication open with law enforcement and members of the community. During heated negotiations in Albany about pressing criminal justice issues, I was in constant contact with all parties having a stake in our discussion and I will keep these lines of communication open.

I would like to state clearly that I strongly oppose defunding police departments. I will oppose any reductions in law enforcement personnel whether the initiative comes from a local government or if it comes before me in the Assembly.

Describe the other issues that define your campaign platform.

Holding the line on taxes. Middle-class and low-income families on Long Island are overburdened with taxes. Our seniors are also affected and it makes it harder for them to stay in their homes. This is why I voted to make New York’s 2% tax cap permanent, never voted to raise taxes and voted against new tax increases 55 times. The tax cap has shown progress, but that progress only impacts future increases. We need to alleviate the burden that existed before the cap. I am sponsoring and supporting several bills that increase STAR exemptions, expand income eligibility and establish an age where property taxes would freeze.

Second, Industrial Development Agency (IDA) reform is a key component in efforts to control property taxes. There is some merit in assisting large business start-ups and providing tax exemption incentives for projects that help our economic development growth. But, wherever exemptions are granted, those unpaid taxes are passed along to all other taxpayers in order to keep municipal budgets balanced. Cutting spending on community services is one way. Ensuring that everyone pays their fair share is another.

Supporting our schools is another priority. In the 2019 budget, I secured a record $198 million in funding to schools in the 21st District. Providing our schools with the support they need is crucial to keeping New York vibrant, dynamic and thriving.

When schools shut down because of the pandemic, I acted. I made sure payments of state aid continued when schools fell below the 180-day threshold required by law for schools to be open. I am also co-sponsoring a bill to make sure that religious and private schools can receive state funding despite not meeting the 180 day threshold.

Another way to help schools is by giving them a seat at the table when there are large reassessments. Currently they do not have a say in the assessment process. Further, they are prohibited from saving large amounts in reserve to plan for overreaching tax increases that will be reversed, and are then responsible for returning the overage amount. This process creates an erratic budgeting condition that directly impacts taxpayers who are often left to fill in the gaps. This can be avoided by allowing schools a seat at the table.

Finally, it is essential that we demand accountability in service and rates of our utilities. One of the first things I did when I got to Albany was to initiate a meeting with the chairman of the NYS Public Service Commission and his executive staff to ask why Long Island pays some of the highest utility rates in the country and to explore ways to alleviate this unacceptable burden. After the storm this summer, I participated in hearings to understand why service failed in so many ways and also to demand accountability and repercussions for failures in service. I will continue advocating for improvements in service, oppose rate hikes, and call for overhauls where necessary.

What accomplishments in your past would you cite as evidence you can handle this job?

While my children were young, I dedicated myself to being an active and engaged volunteer in the schools and community. When they were older I became an Integrative Health Coach and founded my own business and a Corporate Wellness Business with partners. Immediately prior to being elected in 2018, I was the director of community outreach and senior advisor for Sen. Todd Kaminsky. I was the first woman elected to represent AD21 and the first Democrat since 1974. I am proud to finally give this district a voice in the Assembly. In my first term the Assembly dealt with some of the most controversial and challenging issues we have ever faced, including COVID-19. Despite these challenges I gained the endorsement of virtually every major law enforcement and labor union organization as well as several first responder and grass roots organizations locally and across NYS.

The best advice ever shared with me was:

My parents always valued and encouraged kindness, love, inclusion and laughter. My husband and I have followed suit and always encouraged our children to listen to one another, be open with their feelings and extend a hand to those in need. Open and effective communication within a family is vital and in turn this extends to our friends, workplace and community at large.

What else would you like voters to know about yourself and your positions?

I work diligently for this district from morning to midnight. This position is a huge responsibility that I dedicate myself to full time. I do not have another job or practice. My main professional priority is representing the people of the 21st Assembly District.

This article originally appeared on the Rockville Centre Patch