94th State Assembly District: Steve Katz vs Andrew Falk

The redrawn 94^th State Assembly District seat is being contested by Republican incumbent Steve Katz and Democratic challenger Andrew Falk.

Katz, 59, who also is running on the Conservative and Independence lines, is seeking a second two-year term. A veterinarian, he resides in Mohegan Lake.

Falk, 45, who also has the Working Families line, is an attorney who has never held elected office. He resides in Patterson.

The 94^th Assembly District includes Yorktown, Somers, Carmel, Patterson, Putnam Valley and Southeast.

Steve Katz

Katz said he is committed to bringing “honesty and integrity” to Albany as a citizen legislator with a businessman’s approach to help create jobs.

“I’m sorry to say we haven’t accomplished either one yet,” he said. “I’m trying to save my state. My first priority is to restore confidence for the people of the state of New York that our government is not corrupt.”

One of his first tasks if reelected will be to demand the resignation of Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver, who Katz said has created a hostile working environment for women by allegedly using taxpayer money to protect legislative staff accused of sexual offenses. “This is a five-alarm disgrace,” he remarked.

If returned to Albany, Katz said he would submit bills calling for term limits for legislators and leadership positions and abolishing all taxpayer funded slush funds for leaders, including the governor, and resubmit legislation for unfunded mandate relief.

“I have seen how Albany works. I have come up with a plan to save New York $150 million a year,” he said. “Our government in New York is a house of cards.”

Katz said he voted against increasing the minimum wage because it’s an unfunded mandate that will hurt businesses. He also opposed equal pay legislation, although he added “I am for women’s rights on every level,” and is in favor of hydrofracking, which he maintained will provide thousands of jobs and “can be done in a safe manner with strict oversight.”

On the Indian Point nuclear power plants, Katz said it’s “irresponsible” for anyone to discuss closing the facility unless there’s a suitable replacement that can provide 25% of the electric for New York City and the Hudson Valley.

Because of his profession, Katz said he was probably the most well liked legislator since “both Democrats and Republicans have pets.” Meanwhile, he maintained Falk “would be a stooge for Sheldon Silver and do whatever Silver tells him to do, like every other Democratic assemblyperson there.”

Andrew Falk

Falk said he decided to run for office to be a representative of the middle class.

“It’s not about me. I feel my message is the most important thing,” Falk said. “I pride myself in being a straight shooter. His priorities are out of sync with the rest of the 94^th Assembly District.”

Unlike Katz, Falk said he supports an increase in the minimum wage and equal pay legislation. He also pointed to Katz opposing funding for Planned Parenthood as an example of his record regarding women’s rights.

“I’m proud to be pro-choice. I think it’s public health,” said Falk, a former EMT. “I will always put our families first.”

Falk said one of his top priorities would be relieving local governments and school districts of unfunded mandates.

“When Albany has a good idea, Albany has to fund it,” he stressed. “We have push down legislation from Albany that’s forcing us to make decisions. We need to all work together. It should not be state vs county vs the towns and school districts. That’s a failure.”

Falk opposes extending the license for the Indian Point nuclear power plants an additional 20 years and faults all levels of government for not planning ahead for its closure. He is also against hydrofracking.

“At some point Indian Point is closing,” he said. “It’s an opportunity for New York to be a leader in renewable energy. We can do better.”

Falk said he is running to win. “I don’t feel well represented in Albany. I’m ready to roll up my sleeves and get to work. I’m not afraid of working hard. This is the hardest thing I have ever done in my life. It’s a tremendous undertaking,” he said.