NEW YORK STATE — Two candidates are on the ballot for the New York State Senate’s reconfigured 50th District. Incumbent John Mannion is running on the Democratic and Working Families lines. Challenger Rebecca Shiroff is running on the Republican and Conservative lines.
The redrawn 50th District includes the Onondaga County towns of Camillus, Cicero, Clay, DeWitt, Geddes, Manlius and Salina as well as portions of Oswego County.
Election Day is Tuesday, Nov. 8. Polls are open from 6 a.m. to 9 p.m.
Early voting began Saturday, Oct. 29. Visit ongov.net/elections/early-voting.html for more information or contact the Onondaga County Board of Elections at 315-435-8683.
John Mannion (DEM, WOR)
How will your professional and personal experiences serve you in government?
For 28 years, I was an AP Biology and Chemistry teacher. I had to work with students from a variety of different backgrounds and skill levels. I also had to conduct myself in a professional manner to control the classroom and maximize learning. As first ever chairperson of the Senate Standing Committee on Disabilities, I am tasked with advancing legislation and budget priorities to assist some of our most vulnerable. Many of my former students had disabilities and I saw the great strides they made, with appropriate support.
What are the top concerns or issues constituents have expressed to you? How do you plan to address these issues?
As a lifelong Central New Yorker, I know that property taxes are an ongoing concern. Since my time in office, we have enacted two initiatives related to property tax relief. I plan to continue this initiative.
Additionally, I know our history of innovation, but also of job loss. I was proud to be co-prime sponsor of the Green CHIPS Bill that was signed into law. This bill provides incentives for semiconductor chip manufacturers, if they utilize green energy, meet their job numbers and commit to community investment. We are now not just going to make semiconductor chips in this country or this state, but with Micron’s announcement, right here in Clay.
Finally, assuring an education, including universal pre-K’s expansion into Upstate is something I advocated for and won. This will help provide our children with an education so they can compete with anyone.
With large companies such as Micron and Amazon investing in Central New York, what is your plan to encourage smart development, preserve CNY’s natural resources and protect homeowners from high real property taxes?
I was proud to sponsor legislation that allows for the incentives to draw Micron here, but it is contingent upon utilizing clean energy. The incentives are received after the manufacturer meets their employment and energy goals. This investment is the largest of its kind in the history of New York State and with this robust investment, the state, county and municipalities should receive enough revenue to keep property taxes in check.
The pandemic has deeply impacted students’ academic performance and mental health. What is your plan to help address these issues?
The NYS Legislature has already provided schools with funds to add additional school counselors, social workers and school psychologists. Additionally, we added over 100 state facility run inpatient beds to help with this crisis.
When it comes to issues such as bail reform and gun ownership laws, what can New York State do to balance individual rights with public safety?
In the past legislative session, we made adjustments to criminal justice laws, giving judges more discretion, making more crimes bail eligible, addressing the reoffending issue before trial occurs and adding stiffer penalties to gun trafficking crimes.
Regarding gun laws, I defend the second amendment and will move towards legislation that is as similar as possible to the past concealed carry law which was working, was widely popular and strict a balance between safety and individual rights.
Rebecca Shiroff (REP, CON)
How will your professional and personal experiences serve you in government?
My experiences as a mother, business owner, and county employee have given me a personal connection to the issues affecting Central New York. I will be a strong voice for the families and workers of 50th Senate District because I have been in their position and know the struggles they face. I believe my experiences in managing a successful business and working for the Onondaga County Office of Economic Development have given me the skills necessary to be an effective legislator for CNY. I am willing to work with colleagues on either side of the aisle to best serve CNY.
What are the top concerns or issues constituents have expressed to you? How do you plan to address these issues?
Public safety and inflation have overwhelmingly been the key issues expressed by constituents I have spoken to.
I believe fixing our public safety issue begins with ending the pro-crime atmosphere created by Albany. We need to eliminate cashless bail reforms, restore discretion to our judges, and support law enforcement in their mission to keep our streets safe. For far too long, Albany has signaled to New York’s criminal element that their actions will go unpunished. I plan to put our law-abiding citizens first and restore safety to our community, which begins by repealing bail reform.
I believe fixing our state’s economic struggles also begins in Albany. The legislature’s failure to balance the budget and address deficit issues represents how the state government has left New Yorkers behind. We need to reign in reckless spending, cut red tape and once again make New York an attractive place to do business.
With large companies such as Micron and Amazon investing in Central New York, what is your plan to encourage smart development, preserve CNY’s natural resources and protect homeowners from high real property taxes?
While at the Onondaga County Office of Economic Development, I spent over a year working countless hours on this project. I am incredibly proud of this work, and I believe it has been an essential first step in creating jobs and restoring economic prosperity in New York. I am a strong advocate of protecting our environment and going green whenever possible. However, it is paramount that we strike a balance between our responsibility to preserving NY’s natural resources without undercutting necessary non-renewable energy industries and workers who are already facing financial hardship.
The pandemic has deeply impacted students’ academic performance and mental health. What is your plan to help address these issues?
As a mother whose two children were in school during the pandemic, I experienced firsthand how it impacted our kids. This has been a core issue of my campaign since day one.
Our kids’ well-being must be prioritized. That begins with ensuring our kids receive in-person education and are supported by their teachers and counselors. Investing in mental healthcare services is crucial, especially as the issue continues to worsen.
When it comes to issues such as bail reform and gun ownership laws, what can New York State do to balance individual rights with public safety?
Protecting individual rights begins with having a transparent government that is held accountable by the people. Corruption has run rampant in Albany for far too long, and if we are going to protect individual rights, then that must be addressed.
We should not be encouraging lawlessness and placing convenience for criminals over the safety of our law-abiding citizens. Our justice system has become a revolving door and recidivism has become the norm. Individual rights are not served by making the law something optional to follow. Only law-abiding citizens are paying the price for these pro-criminal policies.
