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Hawley releases 2017 survey results -- cut taxes, repeal SAFE Act, fight DREAM Act, improve business climate

By Billie Owens

Press release:

Assemblyman Steve Hawley (R,C,I-Batavia) today released the findings of his 2017 Legislative Survey that offered constituents an opportunity to answer questions and provide feedback on a host of state issues from ways to increase business activity to taxes and the DREAM Act.

“I am so pleased to have once again conducted a legislative survey to gain insight into the needs and concerns of our community and look forward to using that input to shape the legislation I introduce and my policy platform moving forward,” Hawley said. “Things like cutting taxes, improving our business climate, repealing the NY SAFE Act Upstate and fighting against the DREAM Act are top priorities of my constituents and certainly mirror what I am fighting for in Albany.”

The results offer clear evidence that many Western New York residents believe New York is headed in the wrong direction and that lowering taxes and ethics reform were the most important issues to constituents at 43.4 percent and 30.2 percent, respectively.

“As I have said for many years, New York’s leadership continues to funnel money and resources into Downstate-centric initiatives, which leaves Upstate to fight for scraps, and that is unacceptable. I look forward to conducting a similar survey next year and am accessible year-round to meet with constituents or groups here in the district or in Albany to hear their concerns,” Hawley said.

Other highlights of the survey include 64.1 percent of respondents in favor of abolishing the wasteful START-UP NY program, 58.9 percent in favor of cutting red tape and unnecessary regulations for small businesses and 66.1 percent in support of the division of New York into two separate states. 

To see survey results, click here.

Tim Miller

Does anybody have a scan or PDF of the survey? I'm very interested in how the questions were worded.

And were the surveys sent to all constituents? Were they sent to select few (chosen by Hawley's office/compatriots), or a limited yet random group?

Jun 2, 2017, 2:24pm Permalink
C. M. Barons

The survey is anything BUT comprehensive. It dwells on hot button issues, overly simplified closed-end questions and multiple choice questions that fail to include the best answer. It didn't even ask about the proposed single-payer health insurance (although it has passed the Assembly). It didn't mention the nuke power plant bail out. A very disappointing survey. Most of the questions pertained to issues that wouldn't even make my top ten concerns list.

Jun 2, 2017, 3:23pm Permalink
Christopher Putnam

We cant feed the people we already have in our country. I see commercials everyday, "20 % of kids wake up and go to bed hungry" blah blah blah
We cant house and employ all the people we have, why the hell would we give dreamers anything?
Fix our domestic problems and f the rest of the world.
Its pretty simple, put population controls in place, or watch people you care about starve.

Jun 3, 2017, 12:11am Permalink
Tim Miller

Thank you, Ed.

"The DREAM Act is a proposal funded by taxpayers which would provide college tuition assistance to the children of illegal immigrants." No - the Dream Act gives states the OPTION of offering in-state tuition to those students. "Would provide" declares it automatically costs taxpayers. Hawley either lied, or at the very least is being deceptive.

"New York ranks as one of the worst states in which to conduct business each year, with high taxes and expensive regulations cited as the primary reasons. What is the best way New York can improve its business climate?" - No leading question there...

"Should New York be divided into 2 separate states?" - seriously? Why waste time on that?

Overall, though, not horrible - especially when compared to pre-election phone "polls" I've received ("what is your opinion that Candidate A gives 20% of his earnings to his church, while vile Candidate B uses Black Lab puppies as hockey pucks?"). I am pleasantly surprised.

Jun 5, 2017, 10:46am Permalink
Scott Chismar

Just another silly puff piece by Hawley that says nothing. Ridiculous. Again, he claims that Downstate has all the power and WNY gets the crumbs. Well, what are we doing sending him to Albany? By his own admission he can not solve any problems.

Jun 6, 2017, 3:34pm Permalink

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