Democratic contest
Underdog Suozzi bares teeth at party choice Spitzer


GUILDERLAND — Without the backing of his party, Democratic gubernatorial candidate Tom Suozzi says he is appealing directly to the people of New York State in order to combat what he calls "the most dysfunctional state government in the country."

Suozzi sat down with The Enterprise at Guilderland’s Mangia restaurant in Stuyvesant Plaza last Wednesday to eat and to talk about why he belongs in the Governor’s Mansion instead of Attorney General Elliot Spitzer.

And yes — he plans on actually living there if elected.

Over a bowl of pasta, Suozzi outlined his proposals for running the state, changing its business climate, keeping residents here, and stopping suburban sprawl. He also expressed his frustrations with the current political mechanics of New York.

Coming fresh off of the debate with Spitzer, a day after a Siena poll showed him trailing Spitzer by over 70 points, Suozzi anxiously asked the two reporters dining with him what they thought of the previous night’s debate.

The pair thought it was a draw.
Suozzi, however, didn’t mince words in his presumption that he was the clear winner and that voters deserved more debates. He added that, out of nine debates, Spitzer only agreed to one, and that he would debate Spitzer "anywhere, anytime, on any issue."

Suozzi told The Enterprise that, even though he and Spitzer are both running on reform platforms, there is a real choice between the two Democrats.
"He’s been in Albany for the past seven-and-a-half years. Where’s the passion been"" asked Suozzi, taking a jab at Spitzer’s campaign slogan. "Elliot may be the ‘Sheriff of Wallstreet,’ but he’s only been a prosecutor. I’ve been a chief executive for the past 12 years."

He was a surprise winner in Republican-dominated Long Island.

Suozzi said executive experience is more important than judicial experience when it comes to managing a state like New York.

Suozzi has touted this political philosophy since his campaign’s inception.
"I can do it because I’ve done it," said Suozzi, comfortably quoting his campaign slogan.

Using his own Nassau County as an example, Suozzi said he took one of the worst-run counties in the nation and turned it around. Using a similar strategy, Suozzi says he can do the same for the state as a whole.
"I’m someone who’s been in public life," said Suozzi. "I understand how it works and I’m doing it."

While talking about his plans for the state, Suozzi invokes a sense of confidence despite poor poll numbers and little campaign funding. Suozzi has raised a little more than $9 million to date, compared to the $11 million Spitzer has raised in the past six months alone.

When the subject turned to his opponent, however, he took on a more beleaguered tone as he accused the attorney general of stealing his platforms on property-tax reduction and upstate job revival, issues that Spitzer has not addressed until recently, he said.

Hot-button issues

Saying that he grew up in a community much like Guilderland, Suozzi said he knows the issues that upstate New Yorkers face on a daily basis, including the rise of strip malls and disappearance of open space.
"I’m from one of the oldest suburbs in the country, and now we’re one of the most mature suburbs," said Suozzi. "You’ve got to stop the sprawl.
"How do you know I’ll do it" Because I’ve done it," said Suozzi

Suozzi said that Long Island is where NIMBY began. NIMBY is an acronym for Not In My Back Yard. Many residents want the economic benefits of having businesses in their town, but do not want to deal with reality of living next to it, or having to drive through it. It is term also used with municipal necessities such as landfills, water and sewage treatment plants, and power plants.

Hence the reference — not in my backyard.

Suozzi told The Enterprise his stance on "dividing issues" that he says are used to distract from the real issues, such as property taxes, upstate jobs, and government reform. Here is where he stands on some state-wide "hot-button" issues:

— He is against the death penalty in every way, shape, and form. He condemns the practice completely, citing personal religious beliefs;
— Again citing personal religious beliefs, he is against gay marriage. Suozzi said he believes same-sex couples deserve to enjoy the same rights, benefits, and privileges as heterosexual couples, but wants the state to adopt civil unions over marriage, calling it a "sacrament" that cannot be changed;

— He does not believe that United States should create a timetable for the withdrawal of American troops from Iraq;

— He believes that abortions should be safe, legal, and accessible to New Yorkers, but said that the state should try to limit the number of them;

— He is for the use of medical marijuana in New York, and, during last week’s debate, both he and Spitzer admitted to smoking marijuana at one time in their lives;

— He believes that the Indian Point Nuclear Power Plant should be closed;

— He believes that overall public schools are better than private schools; and

— No, he does not deny having Presidential aspirations.

Party favors

When asked if his running against a high-profile, favorably publicized, and well-liked fellow Democrat was damaging or causing dissent amongst his party, Suozzi quickly answered, with a not-so-subtle hint of agitation.
"I’m not getting any support from the party," Suozzi said. "For the past seven-and-a-half years, Elliot has only put out good press on himself."
Suozzi said that, within the party, some people have quietly told him that he is doing the right thing, but that he is receiving no outward political support. That is why, he said, he is going directly to the people for support to avoid becoming what he calls his opponent — an "Albany insider."

Suozzi is no stranger to running a campaign without his party’s support. Becoming the first Democrat executive since 1917 in Nassau County, Suozzi ran against the county’s Democratic chairman to win his seat in 2002 after being mayor of Glen Clove.

He didn’t receive party support then, and he hasn’t received it for his gubernatorial run. Suozzi says he runs his campaigns on the will of the people and good ideas rather than through party favors.

Accusing Spitzer of closed-door Albany politics, Suozzi said an outsider is needed to clean the corruption in New York and that his opponent has yet to deliver on past promises of aggressively pursuing government reform.

Suozzi charged Spitzer with failing to use his influence and position to go after political corruption with the same tenacity that he used uncovering Wallstreet corruption.

Suozzi said he has a proven track record as the executive of Nassau County when it comes to reform, citing 11 bond upgrades in the county under his administration. Continuing, Suozzi cited a projected $428 million budget deficit in his county for 2004, which he says he turned into a $78 million dollar surplus.

The secret, said Suozzi, was cutting spending, condensing the county’s workforce, capping Medicaid, bidding competitively, and bringing jobs to the area.

Reducing the number of unfunded mandates handed down by the state, which then have to be financed at the county level, is also an important issue that needs to dealt with, according to Suozzi.

The state of business
"If New York State was a business, it would be a $113 billion dollar business with 191,000 employees, and it’s going bankrupt," Suozzi said. "The customers are fleeing to the competition."
Running a county with an operating budget of $2.4 billion and a population larger than seven states, Suozzi said executive managing experience is on his side, adding, "It’s no small-time job."
Suozzi is balancing his job as county executive with campaigning for governor, an endeavor he describes as "very difficult."

New York’s business climate is driving away businesses, jobs, and, most importantly, New York residents who are seeking those jobs, said Suozzi. The population of New York, primarily residents in the 18- to 35-year-old bracket, has been steadily decreasing in recent years, he said.
"We have the most hostile business climate in the nation," said Suozzi. "We shouldn’t be providing incentives for anything but high-skill and high-tech industries"Green industry as well."

Lowering the cost of doing business and being a more competitive state in the business market should be New York’s number-one priority, aside from a much-needed reduction in property taxes, said Suozzi.
"You want to get downtowns refilled" You want to stop sprawl" You want to stop the development of open space" Then you need to make things more economically attractive," said Suozzi. "No economic program works well without being a part of an overall vision."

Economic programs and business incentives do not address the problems of New York’s poor business climate, said Suozzi, who added that other states are reaping the benefits of New York’s failures.
"One of the biggest problems is property taxes. I’m going to lower property taxes," Suozzi said. "I proved that I’m a government reformer."

The high cost of energy is another problem for New York businesses.
"The only way to reduce energy cost is to increase supply and conservation," said Suozzi. "New York State should be a world leader in creating an environmental model for fossil fuels."
Suozzi said he plans on creating an economic task force with regional "czars" who will communicate directly with the governor on business issues facing their area. Then, he said, all levels of government officials, including federal and state legislators, can come together in order to assess what is necessary for the overall growth of each area. Suozzi said this will allow for the pooling of resources and give an overall direction for the state’s future.

An old-fashioned business plan with a list of future goals and benchmarks is what the state needs, said Suozzi.
Saying that he did not take on a life in politics to make friends because there is no such thing as a "friend" in the profession, Suozzi told The Enterprise that he wants to return New York to its Empire State status.
"If you want a friend in politics, then get a dog," Suozzi joked.