A Q&A with Congresswoman Carolyn McCarthy

Carolyn McCarthy, 66, is currently serving her 7th term in the U.S. Congress as a representative of 4th Congressional District. The district includes Baldwin, East Meadow, East Rockaway, Elmont, the Five Towns, Lynbrook, Floral Park, Franklin Square, Garden City, Hempstead, Malverne, Mineola, Carle Place, New Hyde Park, Oceanside, Rockville Centre, Roosevelt, Uniondale, Valley Stream, West Hempstead, and Westbury. She is widowed and lives in Mineola.

Q: What is your plan if re-elected?

McCarthy: “Immediately my top priorities are to continue working on improving the economy, to help get my constituents back to work, to help curb the nation’s housing crisis, as well as to create an energy plan which makes us less dependent on foreign oil.”

Q: What is your position on cutting taxes?

McCarthy: “Any tax extension legislation we pass should include an increase in the income threshold to better reflect my constituents, and the cost of living on Long Island. If that is not an option, I would support an extension of the current tax cuts set to expire, in an effort to allow for further increase in economic recovery. Long term, I favor comprehensive tax reform, including a cost of living index for income taxes as a more accurate assessment for taxes, especially my constituents.”

Q: Any words on your plan

to stimulate jobs?

McCarthy: “Congress has worked diligently to improve the employment outlook ... we passed the Small Business Jobs Act, which will spur economic growth and create new jobs by encouraging the development of American small businesses. We also passed a measure, which provides much needed money to fund New York State and our school districts, which in turn has created more jobs. As well as the HIRE Act which provides tax breaks to companies hiring unemployed workers and spurs investment and renewed investment in infrastructure.”

Q: Any thoughts on the U.S.

dependence on foreign energy?