Candidate Answers to CU: Michael Miller for NY Assembly District 38 – 2020 Primary

Name:  Michael G Miller
Office Sought: New York State Assembly District 38
Party Affiliation(s): Democrat
Age: 59
Education: CUNA Mgmt School @UGA
Occupation/Employer: ny state assembly
Previous Offices, Campaigns and Community/Civic Involvement:
NYS Assemblyman
Website: MILLERFORASSEMBLY.NYC
Twitter: @ASSEMBLYMANMIKE
Facebook: MIKE MILLER/ ASSEMBLYMAN MIKE MILLER

 

CANDIDATE QUESTIONS

Please state whether you support or oppose the following reform measures. If you wish to elaborate on your answers, you may do so in the provided space at the bottom of this page.

 

Ethics

  1. Replace the Joint Commission on Public Ethics and the Legislative Ethics Commission with an effective and independent enforcement body (S594A/A1282A).
    Support
  1. Limit outside compensation earned by state legislators and statewide officials to 25% of their salaries and eliminate stipends.
    Support

 

Elections and Voting

  1. Do you support or oppose the following changes to the state’s current registration and voting system?
    1. No-excuse absentee voting (second passage of constitutional amendment)
      Support
    2. Election Day voter registration (second passage of constitutional amendment)
      Support
    3. Re-enfranchisement of people on parole automatically through legislation, without requiring a Certificate of Good Conduct or Relief
      Support
    4. Automatic voter registration, unless the potential voter opts out
      Support
    5. Mandating poll sites on college campuses
      Support
  1. Reform the special election process, utilizing a nonpartisan special election for state legislative seats and eliminate delays in filling vacancies.
    Support
  1. Reduce the vote threshold to become a registered party back to 50,000 votes and keep the gubernatorial election as the qualifying election, and reduce the petition requirement for independent candidates back to 15,000 signatures.
    Support

 

Campaign Finance

  1. Amend the state’s public campaign financing system, approved in the 2021 budget, by
    1. Drastically reduce campaign contribution limits
      Support
    2. Set even lower contribution limits for registered lobbyists and those who do business with the state
      Support
    3. Move the campaign finance matching program to be administered by an independent, nonpartisan body outside of the NY Board of Election
      Support
    4. Simplify the matching system by making both in- and out-of-district donations eligible and by eliminating the three different tiers for matching
      Oppose

 

Budget Process

  1. Require full disclosure of grants and contracts issued by the state, including the budget lines from which the spending is made and reporting on the results of each grant or contract over a certain amount.
    Support
  1. Provide for effective online disclosure and itemization of spending from elected officials’ lump sum appropriations, including reporting on potential conflicts of interest and how the funds are spent.
    Support

 

Police Accountability

  1. Repeal Civil Rights Law, Sec. 50-a, which shields from public view the disciplinary records of police officers, correction officers, and firefighters.
    Oppose

 

Election Administration

  1. Restructure the state Board of Elections to abolish the strict two-party division of governance and operation and put in place professional, nonpartisan administration.
    Support
  1. Empower the attorney general to investigate and prosecute election law malfeasance and cases of public corruption.
    Support

 

Home Rule

  1. Make mayoral control of city schools permanent, with a governance system that provides for accountability, transparency, parent engagement, and democratic participation.
    Support

 

Court Reform

  1. Simplify and consolidate New York State’s court system by passing the Chief Judge’s proposed constitutional amendment to modernize the courts.
    Support

If needed, you may elaborate below on your positions on the previous questions. You may also provide additional information on any actions that you have taken or plan to take to advance your positions on these issues.

 

RESPONDING TO THE COVID-19 OUTBREAK

Government under the COVID-19 outbreak

  1. Adopt technological solutions and provisions that will allow the New York State legislature to convene and vote remotely if needed.
    Support
  1. Provide public access to observe and participate in government proceedings, in meetings that would be public under the New York Open Meetings Law, via live and recorded video available on government websites.
    Support
  1. Implement immediate programs to facilitate absentee voting for all New York voters as long as the widespread contagion risk of COVID-19 continues, under current state constitutional limitations. This includes electronic submission of absentee ballot applications without a wet signature and a public information campaign.
    Support
  1. What are your concerns regarding the use of emergency powers during this crisis, and how do you think NY government can maintain public accountability standards at this time?
    Abuse of power. Full disclosure.

 

Serving the public under the COVID-19 outbreak

  1. What are the biggest challenges in your district in dealing with the coronavirus outbreak?
    There are many. First is the failure of the unemployment system. We received several hundred calls from constituents needing help. We have a contact that is working on these cases as they come in. Getting masks, gloves, hand sanitizer was an issue we were able to overcome and help constituents. Helping constituents feed their families was a big issue. Directly funded purchase of food for constituents as well as partnering with several community groups to buy and deliver food. Fighting with City and Dept of ED to provide real Helal food and not just peanut butter and jelly and hummus.
  1. What are the appropriate roles of city, state, and federal governments in a crisis such as this?
    To combat the spread of the virus and provide financial help to constituents.
  1. How will you help your future constituents, residents and businesses, access potential funding from the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act, or any other future government relief funds?
    We are available 24-7 to help anyone navigate issues they have.

 

CAMPAIGN PROMISES MADE TO VOTERS

What are the top five promises you are making to the voters during the campaign?

Campaign Promise 1
We have not started campaigning as of yet because of this crisis. Helping constituents get through this is my top priority.

Campaign Promise 2
Working 24-7 to serve this district.

Campaign Promise 3
Polling the district on big issues so I can vote as they want and not impose my views on issues.

Campaign Promise 4
Keeping my role as assemblyman my only job as I have for my time in office. 24-7.

Campaign Promise 5
Supporting bills that put people first and include them in the process. Fight for additional education aid, senior services and veteral services.

 

ETHICAL REPRESENTATION OF CONSTITUENTS

Citizens Union believes that all New Yorkers deserve to be represented by officials who work for the public interest and honor the public trust. With the corruption conviction of recent legislative leaders, we seek to endorse a candidate who will demonstrate that she/he will honor the full commitment of the oath of office, and always represent the public interest above all else.

Please tell us how you have and would continue to conduct the political affairs of this office in an upright manner, and maintain the public trust.
I gave my word and upheld that word when I first was elected to office. I gave up my Real Estate License when elected because I felt this job needed to be my only job. Being the Assemblyman from the 38th District is an honor and privilege and deserves my full attention. Although the GGG’s complain that this job is part time, I am a full time assemblyman. I opened my office 7 days a week if constituents need to see me on the weekend. My phone is on 24 hours a day and my office phone is forwarded to my cell after hours. I have not been on vacation since elected. My office door is always open to anyone coming into the office.

The community came to me to urge me to run for this seat and their trust is of the utmost importance to me. I attend all local community meetings when not in Albany and I am represented at all meetings and events. I took politics out of this job and put people first.

I fight for the local issues, the quality of life issues to make sure my constituents have a beautiful place to live.

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