Gubernatorial hopeful Astorino meets with Dutchess GOP

Improving the state's business climate, repealing Common Core learning standards and giving the go-ahead to fracking are three priorities of state gubernatorial candidate Robert Astorino.

Astorino, 47, the Republican Westchester County executive, met with local GOP leaders and supporters Thursday evening at a political fundraiser for Dutchess County Executive Marc Molinaro. The event, which was not open to the press, included a scheduled roundtable discussion with Molinaro and Astorino at Christos restaurant in the Town of Poughkeepsie. Both county executives spoke briefly with a reporter outside the restaurant, prior to its start.

"Today's an opportunity for us to have a little dialogue with local business owners and residents," Molinaro said.

About 100 people were expected, he said.

Astorino said he is running for governor because he feels "very strongly that New York state is losing, and losing badly," in terms of jobs, spending, debt, taxes, its business climate, economic outlook and corruption.

"We can do so much better," he said.

Astorino said other states have opted out of the controversial Common Core learning standards and he would do the same, if elected governor.

"It's a federalization of education," he said "The standards should be raised — there's no question about that — but there are different ways to raise standards."

The state and local school boards should have the power to set and raise standards, he said, "and that has been taken away by Common Core."

When asked about a recent boom in crude oil and its transportation along the Hudson River, Astorino said the state needs "good standards to make sure the transportation is safe," but it should also explore extracting natural gas, via fracking.

"We should be moving forward with that," he said. "Thirty other states are doing it."

Millbrook resident Wayne Nussbickel, 56, said he came to hear the roundtable discussion and support Molinaro. Nussbickel, who is president and CEO of N&S supply in Fishkill, said his concerns are taxes and business climate. "I really think the state is due for a change and I think Rob Astorino has great leadership. I want to know him a little better so I can support him 100 percent," he said.

Emily Stewart: 845-437-4882; estewart@poughkeepsiejournal.com; Twitter:@estwrt