By Cindy J. Roth
Republican Robert Barra is proud of his record of legislative accomplishments and constituent services. Democrat Vincent Grasso says he'll bring energy and new ideas to the job and be more effective in an Assembly currently controlled by his party.
Grasso charges Barra has been ineffective for the last two years in the state legislature.
"Our area suffers from a lack of efficient leadership," said Grasso. "Barra serves in the minority. His issues aren't being heard. What he's able to do is severely limited and I don't see him overextending himself to make those things happen."
Barra, however, said his record shows loud and clear that his voice is being heard in Albany. The freshman legislator, in a Democrat-controlled assembly, prime sponsored eight bills, most of which deal with tax exemptions for local municipalities. He also cosponsored seven others, including bills that required public schools to have cardiac automated external defibrillators and establishing local library funding districts,
"I passed 15 bills that became law and that's kind of unprecedented for a freshman Republican in the Assembly," said Barra. "I asked people who have been around 20, 30 years, 'Has anyone ever gotten this many bills passed?' and no one could remember ... anyone who ever came close."
One thing the two men facing off in the Nov. 5 election agree on is the major campaign issue, education.
Education
This past year state legislators have faced harsh criticism for the array of unfunded state mandates handed down to school districts. Coupled with only small increases or, in some cases, reductions in state aid funding, many local school districts had to pass stripped down budgets and faced teacher layoffs and service cuts.
Barra said he is most proud of legislation he helped pass dealing with flex-aid to school districts. Last year when the flex-aid category was altered to include 13 other previously separate categories, school districts became more free to spend the money as they deemed fit, but
most from a smaller pot. When originally proposed
the flex-aid category included public and private excess cost needs, which goes to paying for special education
programs. Barra said being on the Education Committee he was able to get the public and private excess cost
needs taken out of the flex-aid category and funded accordingly, a large area of contention for school districts last spring.
"I was able to help children with special needs ... get the attention they deserve and need and that's one of the things I'm most proud of," said Barra.
Grasso said when it comes to education there must be more responsibility in government. The Democrat challenger said it is critical that a balanced budget gets passed on time every year and that unfunded state mandates should not be allowed to pass.
"Unfunded mandates are simply shifting the tax burden," said Grasso.
Grasso also said he would want to enact an "effective education now" bill that would call for the use of all lottery money designated for education to be used in area schools.
Varying platforms
Beyond education, the two candidates have very different issues they would focus on once in, or back in, office. Barra wants to put his strength behind healthcare reforms; Grasso on the criminal justice system.
Barra is looking to expand Child and Family Health Plus to reach more families and the EPIC program to reach more senior citizens. His proposals would require new legislation that would expand income limits so more people can access these programs.
"Our population is growing older and living longer, but we have to take into consideration there are more needs now," said Barra. "That's one of the things we really have to be concerned about and we have to improve steadily."
Grasso's focus on the justice system, which he says is doing an ineffective job, would propose that first time offenders be required to develop vocational and life skills prior to release. He also said he would demand tough, punitive sentences for criminals who are repeat offenders and force corporate criminals to pay both financially and with jail time.
"We need to target low-level offenders to get to the root of the problem," said Grasso.
Future vision
Grasso's vision for the future of the district is one where the area evolves into a mature urban community.
"Our area is a changing community and we have to keep an eye on it," said Grasso. "Our roads are becoming congested. We're taking urban problems and answering them with suburban answers. Eventually people are going to move out. My vision is to turn back the clock while looking toward the future. Fixing the damage that is done while not becoming extremist about it."
For Barra, his vision is simple: improving quality of life. Barra said he would continue to help local villages and towns upgrade their parks and fields with state grants and he will support incentive programs to encourage business owners to hire more employees.
Constituent services are a key role in improving quality of life and Barra said he will continue to fight for the district like he did in Lynbrook this summer after the death of a young boy on a stretch of Long Island Rail Road track behind Wilcox Alley. Barra, who had battled with the railroad to have a fence installed while he was a Lynbrook Village Trustee following the death of two teenagers in that same area in 1994, said this was one of his greatest accomplishments this year.
Barra said he will continue to be visible in the community and maintain an open door policy for anyone who has a problem or recommendation for improving the community they live in.
"Our work is cut out for us, but I'm willing to fight the fight," said Barra.
The 14th Assembly District includes Baldwin, Lynbrook, Oceanside, Rockville Centre, Valley Stream and parts of Hempstead, Hewlett and Malverne.
Stats:
Vincent Grasso
Age: 29
Residence: Valley Stream
Education: Graduated from SUNY Stonybrook in 1997 with a degree in business administration and political science
Community Involvement: Member of Gibson Civic Association and Village of Valley Stream Ethics Board
Political Involvement: Community representative for County Executive Thomas Suozzi and for Congresswoman Carolyn McCarthy
Occupation: Chief Registrar at Nassau County Board of Elections
Family: Married Mary with whom he has a five-month-old daughter, Isabella
Robert Barra
Age: 42
Residence: Lynbrook
Education: Graduated from Hofstra University in 1982 with a degree in communication/journalism
Community Involvement: Member of Kiwanis Club, Lynbrook environment concerns committee, former coach of Lynbrook Titans lacrosse team.
Political Involvement: Lynbrook Village Board Trustee from 1991-1997. Hempstead Town Council, 1999. Sen. Dean Skelos' Chief of Staff starting in 1986. Current member of the New York State Assembly.
Family: Married to Celeste with whom he has two daughters, Alexandra, 10 and Erica, 5.
