Governor – General Election 2014

Astorino is currently the County Executive of Westchester County. He previously worked in the radio industry, most recently as a Station Manager for ESPN New York. He is running for governor to: hold spending at the current level or lower for four consecutive years; lower personal income and business taxes; reform the regulatory process to attract businesses; enact an Executive Order that places a moratorium on unfunded mandates; and replace the Common Core with locally devised educational standards. Astorino cites his record as Westchester County Executive as evidence of his effectiveness, stating that he has not increased the county budget, and achieved this through bipartisanship with the Democratic legislature. He also notes his issuance of 250 vetoes in his first two years in office to hold the line on spending and voice his opposition to what he describes as bad public policy. On education, he supports electing the Board of Regents through local representation. Astorino is troubled by those leaving the state due to high taxes and a lack of jobs, especially in Upstate New York. He supports hydraulic fracturing, if done safely, to bring jobs to the state and create cleaner energy.

On reform, Astorino cites his work to establish greater transparency through the county’s Board of Contracts, and his institution of term limits at the local level. Astorino’s top reform proposal is term limits for state offices. He supports expansion of pension forfeiture for all public officers convicted of corruption, which would build upon the reforms enacted in 2011 that applied only prospectively to public officials. He opposes the constitutional amendment on redistricting, Proposal 1, stating he believes a more independent system is preferable; when asked for an alternative, he cited possible judicial involvement in appointments. He does not support most campaign finance reforms, believing that funding will seep into the system even under public financing, which he does not support. He believes that disclosure is the best way to change behavior rather than contribution limits or public funding. He also says that public funding could be undermined by union in-kind contributions. On election reform, he formulates there is no need to reduce barriers to voting, as low turnout is due to voter frustration because of a lack of qualified candidates running, and cites voter fraud as a reason to not enact measures such as election day registration. He cites his support for term limits as a means to address the Citizens Union issues he opposes.