An Interview with NYS Senate Candidate Robert Cohen

Scarsdale’s own Robert Cohen is challenging veteran Suzi Oppenheimer for her seat in the NYS Senate. Oppenheimer has represented the 37th district for 25 years and Cohen thinks it’s time for a change. Scarsdale10583 posed some questions to the candidate to help you to get to know him and learn about his views on local, county and state issues. Here is what he had to say:

Were you previously engaged in politics?

While I have always had an interest in politics, this is my first run for public office. In Scarsdale I have been active in the community for many years, including with the fire department and with the Judicial Advisory Committee.

What made you decide to run for public office?

Like a lot of people, I look to Albany and I don’t like what I see. There seems to be no end to the increases in taxes and spending, but important programs still suffer cuts. Businesses are being taxed out of the state. Residents are being taxed out of their homes. The partisan gridlock is at an all time high. I think it is time to get rid of the career politicians responsible for the situation we are in and bring some new ideas to Albany. I have a unique skill set and viewpoint that comes from a successful career in the private sector, where Albany-like shenanigans lead to bankruptcy.

How has your life changed since you became a candidate for NYS Senate?

Truthfully it has been great. Most candidates say that they have less time for their family while they are campaigning and for me it has been just the opposite. My two daughters have been handing out literature with me at train stations, volunteering in the office, and going door to door together, my son has been doing the website and has been helping research the issues and my wife, who was the Senior VP of Finance for the Americas Region of British Airways, is the campaign treasurer and has been attending events with me. I am happy to be spending more time with them and to have had such a great team.

If elected, how would you begin to reform State Government?

Albany needs to get its house in order. That is why I support term limits to guarantee fresh ideas from new representatives. Career politicians, like my opponent who has been in the Senate for over 25 years, have had their chance, and clearly, they have failed. I also feel that member item ‘pork’ spending should be eliminated because taxpayers should not be expected to support a petty cash drawer for legislators to help them get reelected. I believe that legislators and their spouses should disclose all outside income, so we can be certain that there are no financial conflicts of interest. Lastly, I support the creation of a non-partisan commission to redraw legislative district lines. Legislators should not be allowed to determine who votes for them, the voters should choose their legislators.

The state needs to do a better job of prioritizing and reining in spending. The budget finally passed by the Legislature, with the support of my opponent, increases taxes by $4 billion, but somehow cuts state aid to schools by $1.4 billion. Something is amiss here.

Do you believe there is redundancy between the NYS Assembly and the NYS Senate? Do we need to run both bodies?

This system is modeled after the federal level (House and Senate), which was set forth by the Constitution. The State Senate and Assembly has provided checks and counterweights to the Executive and Judicial levels. Also the Senate and Assembly have provided balances against each other. If we were to do away with one or merge them then we would be without that balance. Certainly there are many ways for the Legislature to save taxpayer dollars and become more efficient, but I don’t believe dissolving one chamber would be in the best interest for democracy.

What is your opinion on the role of Westchester County Government – do you believe their work could be consolidated with municipal governments?

Consolidating Westchester County Government is certainly something that needs to be looked at. We are the highest taxed county in the nation and certainly something needs to change. We must be careful while making any changes to ensure that services that people rely on are still being provided.

You now have the endorsement of both the Republican and the Independent parties…in your view, why did you receive the Independent Party endorsement and how many voters are registered as Independents in this district?

While I do not speak for the Independence Party, I think I may have appealed to them because I am a new, independent voice without ties to the Albany establishment who can bring new ideas to the Legislature. There are a number of independent-minded voters out there who are, like me, are disappointed in some aspects of both parties, and I think my candidacy may appeal to them.

How would you bring more job growth to Westchester?

New York has long had a reputation as a bad place to do business and the rejuvenation of our economy needs to be a top priority and a long-term project.

I am proposing refundable tax credits for R& D and manufacturing to attract innovators and industrialists back into the state. We can also take advantage of new technologies by strengthening funding for university research programs in energy, green technology, medicine, and other promising areas of economic growth. We need to make it easier for investors to cut through the red tape with regulatory and tax reforms. Lastly, we need a plan to modernize our dated infrastructure, which hurts both consumers and businesses by making basic utilities more expensive.

The final budget just passed in Albany raised taxes by $4 billion and includes not one initiative for job creation. In fact, it cancelled more than $1 billion in business tax credits. That’s not a way to attract new business.

What is the MTA payroll tax and why do you believe it should be repealed?

The MTA tax was enacted last year to address the MTA budget gap. It charges employers throughout the 12-county MTA service area 34 cents for each $100 of payroll. My view is that it should be repealed because this is the wrong approach at the wrong time. This is not just a tax on business, but on charities, sole proprietorships, hospitals, and schools as well. The MTA is a huge bureaucracy and a top-heavy organization with many six figure salaries. The legislature should not have taken away from our children’s education because this organization can’t get its act together. This tax discourages growth, discourages hiring at a time when we are over 9% unemployment, discourages salary increases and affects everything from a 1 person business to the largest employer in the state.

If elected, how do you hope to effect change for Scarsdale and Edgemont residents?

I’ve lived in this community for over 20 years and your problems are my problems. Westchester residents pay some of the highest taxes in the nation. Albany’s relentless spending is compromising our quality of life, crippling our state's competitiveness, and clouding our children's future. My first priority will be to get state spending on a diet.

I also want to rein in the out-of-control property taxes that are making it very difficult for families to stay in their homes. We need to enact a property tax cap while keeping our priorities straight and making sure that Albany is sending school districts our fair share. The budget that just passed, and my opponent voted for, increases state spending and taxes, but cuts aid to education.

How can readers get involved in your campaign?

You can visit my website at www.bobcohen2010.com. There you can find details about my plans to reform Albany, cut spending, and cut taxes. You are always welcome to email the campaign at info@bobcohen2010.com, or give us a call at 914-948-3003.

Anything else you want to add?

If I am elected you will have a more active, involved State Senator that is in tune with Scarsdale. I will be hands-on in dealing with issues and solving problems of every size and I will work in a nonpartisan manner to get the job done.