Barrett, Kelsey discuss SAFE Act, Common Core, fracking

The SAFE Act, the role of government in spurring the state's economic engine, Common Core learning standards and what to do about power lines were just a few of the issues candidates for the state's 106th Assembly District sparred on.

Incumbent Assemblywoman Didi Barrett, D-Hudson, and her challenger Michael Kelsey, a Republican Dutchess County legislator for District 25, spoke of standpoints on issues during an Editorial Board session with the Poughkeepsie Journal on Tuesday afternoon at the Journal headquarters on Civic Center Plaza in the City of Poughkeepsie.

"I believe a lot of the time when government gets involved, we're choosing the winners and losers," said Kelsey, in regard to the state's economic strategy. Instead, it should loosen regulations to improve the business climate, he said.

Barrett differed.

"I feel the state has a very important role," she said, adding she wants to make sure sectors such as tourism, agriculture and the environment have the resources they need, so the area is less dependent on IBM.

Minimum wage

Barrett supports Gov. Andrew Cuomo's proposal to eventually raise the state minimum wage to $10.10 an hour. Kelsey didn't disagree, but said the state should also look at a lower "training wage" for high school students.

Energy

Kelsey likened local rate-payers being charged more in the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission's new capacity zone to the Metropolitan Transportation Authority payroll tax, in that both benefit New York City. Instead, nuclear, solar, natural gas and other power sources should be cultivated, he said.

Burying new large electrical transmission lines underground is cost-prohibitive, he acknowledged, "but so is the impact to people's houses."

Barrett said the new capacity zone is the "most ridiculous thing I've ever heard" — to tax people in order to get producers to make more. And of building huge transmission lines though the area, she said, "This is not the future of energy."

She said more high-tech options should be developed instead.

As for fracking for natural gas, Barrett said she would only be in favor of it "when I can be absolutely confident that our water, our air, our soils, our food are going to be completely safe."

Kelsey said there are reputed people on both sides who offer different opinions, and that it should be decided by "local control ... the people who are going to be impacted the most."

Common Core

"The implementation was horrible. It still is horrible," said Kelsey, who favors doing away with Common Core altogether.

Barrett said that while the "implementation was abysmal," Common Core standards were established by states working together so students would be college- and career-ready.

Since its rollout, several changes have been made, such as banning state assessments for kindergarten through second grades; schools also must post on their website a parents' bill of rights.

"I think there's a workable solution," she said.

Albany

Both Barrett and Kelsey disagreed with Cuomo's decision to disband the Moreland Commission to Investigate Public Corruption.

"We have to address the way our legislators are elected," said Barrett, who favors public financing of campaigns.

Kelsey said he is not in favor of tax dollars being used for political mailings and advertisements.

In addressing corruption, Barrett said she favors removing public pensions of politicians found guilty.

Kelsey said it would require an amendment to the state constitution to reduce the pensions of convicted politicians. He also favors reducing pension levels in education.

"The price and cost of education to our taxpayers is too high," he said.

SAFE Act

Kelsey would seek to repeal the SAFE Act, which imposed restrictions on gun owners in the state in the wake of the 2012 Newtown, Connecticut, mass shooting. Mental health services are a better way to address the issue, he said, and cited a lack of beds at facilities for the mentally ill, particularly for youth.

Barrett said, as a mother, she stands by her vote in favor of the law.

Best work

Working to secure funding so the county could repeal an energy tax and a tick-related bill awaiting Cuomo's signature are two things Barrett said she is most proud of.

Kelsey cited as two things he is proud of: Getting a property-tax break passed for low-income disabled homeowners that is the same for seniors and veterans and maintaining funding for mental health clinics.

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

ELECTION COVERAGE

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VIDEO

To see a replay of this editorial board session, go to www.poughkeepsiejournal.com/

Didi Barrett

Born: Sept. 17, 1950, in New York City

Party: Democratic

Residence: Hudson, Columbia County

Personal: Married to David Barrett, two children, ages 22 and 25

Career: Assemblywoman, former journalist, director of publications for the American Folk Art Museum in New York City, consultant to non-profits

Michael Kelsey

Born: April 15, 1978, in the City of Poughkeepsie

Party: Republican

Residence: Salt Point

Personal: Single, no children

Career: Attorney, Dutchess County legislator for District 25, adjunct professor at Marist College since 2008