Becker Challenging McCarthy in 4th Congressional District

Longtime incumbent Rep. Carolyn McCarthy, D-Mineola, is being challenged by Francis Becker, a Nassau County lawmaker and Lynbrook resident, for the 4th congressional district seat.

McCarthy was tapped to run as the Democratic nominee once again this year, while Becker was nominated by the Republicans and fended off two challengers in a September primary.

McCarthy has served in Congress since 1996, riding a gun-control platform to office after her husband was killed and son badly wounded in the 1993 shooting on the Long Island Rail Road.

The two have butted heads over Congress' recent decision to adjourn until after the November elections prior to making a decision on extending or allowing to expire the 2001 and 2003 tax cuts passed under the Bush administration.

Becker has served the 6th legislative district since the inception of the Nassau County Legislature 16 years ago. He is also a certified financial planner and is president of Becker & Associates Planning Services. 
    
Becker is well known in his hometown Lynbrook. He is a member of the Moms and Dads Club of Lynbrook High School and the Knights of Columbus, and is a former coach of the Lynbrook Titans football and lacrosse teams.

In the past several years, Becker has secured over $300,000 in county funds for streetscaping projects in Lynbrook that have served to improve the village's business community. 
    
Becker has a wife and three daughters.
    
McCarthy, a lifelong resident of Mineola, has served the 4th  congressional district since 1996. She is also a nurse, with over 30 years of experience.
    
In Congress, McCarthy serves as the chair of the Subcommittee on Healthy Families and Communities, where she has the opportunity on the federal level to do what she loves: helping children and families. She also serves on the Congressional Financial Services Committee. 
    
In 2008, McCarthy's National Instant Criminal Background Check Database Improvement Amendments Act, which makes it easier to identify people who are not allowed to buy guns, was signed into law. McCarthy also supported the creation and passage of the Wall Street Reform Act in 2010. 
    
McCarthy has one son and two grandchildren. 

Q & A With the Candidates

Patch: Many small business owners are struggling to stay afloat in these tough economic times. What can be done to help them?

Becker: Being the owner of a small business, I am facing the same challenges as many business owners on Long Island who, due to tough economic times, are just trying to get by and survive in this economy. 

The most important measure Congress can take to help small businesses and to create jobs is to extend the current tax cuts and not allow them to expire in January. If Congress does not act, they will allow the biggest tax hike in American history to occur. The last thing that should be done in a down economy is raise taxes. 

We hear a lot of rhetoric from my opponent and the Democrats in Washington who are in a tough position because they have demagogued the "Bush tax cuts" for years now. They say that they are only going to raise taxes on the "the rich," who they classify as those making over $250,000 a year. But on Long Island, with our high cost of living, high sales tax, high state income tax rates and high property taxes, making $250,000 doesn't exactly make you able to afford another 4 percent of your salary going to the federal government. Many of those making over $250,000 a year are small business owners who create jobs; they are entrepreneurs and investors that are going to invest in new businesses or grow businesses. 

The uncertainty created by not knowing whether or not this Congress is going to stop the tax hikes is killing growth and stalling recovery. My opponent chose to cast the deciding vote in favor of adjourning and go home without dealing with the expiring tax rates. She could have joined the 39 other Democrats who voted with the Republicans to stay in session and deal with this, but she did not.

McCarthy: Small businesses are the engine of our economy here on Long Island. If we are to have a strong, vibrant economy, we must ensure that our small business owners get the assistance they need to pull out of trouble.

I worked with my colleagues in Congress to pass — and the president has just signed into law — 16 new tax breaks for small businesses. These tax cuts will help small businesses hire or retain workers, make critical capital improvements, invest in research and expansion, provide health insurance to their employees and survive the economic downturn.

We also just passed and got signed into law the Small Business Jobs Act. It increases much-needed lending to small businesses, so that they may expand, hire and fuel the economy. It also keeps jobs in America by closing tax loopholes that reward corporations that ship jobs overseas.

We also just passed the HIRE Act, which provides tax breaks to companies hiring unemployed workers and spurs investment and renewed investment in infrastructure.

These tax cuts and lending programs are now law; now we need to make sure that Long Islanders actually take advantage of them. As we do with every federal issue, my district office here in the 4th congressional district is working to help local small business owners learn about these new benefits and cut through the red tape to take advantage of them if they qualify.

Patch: Nassau residents, like most Americans, are concerned about their job
security. Those that don't have jobs have found it difficult to find one. What is your plan for creating and sustaining job growth on Long Island?

Becker: The uncertainty created by "Obamacare" has exacerbated the business climate on Long Island. No one, not the media, not your congressman, can tell you or explain to you how it is going to effect you as an individual or as a business. We know "Obamacare" is full of more red tape for small businesses and more
taxes. Businesses are not going to add employees when they are going to be penalized by "Obamacare" regulations and mandates. We need to repeal the law in its entirety and start over with real reform.

Cutting taxes on new businesses, stopping the out of control spending and creating an all-of-the-above energy policy where all sources of energy are explored, are several policies that, along with my other two points from above, will help create the conditions necessary to get our economy moving again and will foster the creation of private sector jobs. 

McCarthy: I've helped pass legislation that has saved and is creating jobs across the country and here on Long Island. The 16 new small business tax cuts and small business lending programs we just passed and signed into law (described above) will make it easier for companies to retain their current employees and hire new ones. With these tax cuts and loans in place, my office is now working to make sure that small businesses in my district learn about and actually receive them.

I will continue to support programs that reduce the burden for local businesses and make it easier for them to retain and hire employees. I will also continue to support the development of green jobs and research. Long Island was once the nation' s leader in technical innovation, with a thriving aerospace workforce. By encouraging partnerships between government and academic institutions and small businesses, and continuing to fight for federal assistance for small businesses and education, Long Island can once again be an innovation and jobs leader in an emerging green economy.

Patch: How will you address the issue of high property taxes in your district?

McCarthy: Property taxes fall entirely under local jurisdictions, with members of Congress not having a vote on the matter. We must hold local elected officials who don' t work to reduce the property tax burden accountable at election time. My opponent has voted for a property tax increase in the Nassau County Legislature. Like all elected officials, he should be judged on his record, not his rhetoric.

I will continue to bring federal funding back into my district to fund programs so that local governments have help and we may keep property taxes in check. I also support a homeowner's ability to write off local taxes.

I also support a temporary extension of the current income tax cuts as an immediate way to relieve the tax burden on Long Islanders while we continue to fight our way out of recession. For the long run I support comprehensive income tax reform that is based on regional cost of living. If our property taxes on Long Island are taken into account and compared to those in other parts of the country, Long Islanders would be able to count on a more fair tax structure that relieves this burden on them.

Becker: Fixing the assessment system will help over time to lower the county's property tax system, but clearly there are tough decisions ahead that have to be made regarding services in order to lower property taxes.

Once again, other revenue sources generated by strong economic activity and business climate also can lower the pressure on property taxpayers. Getting our economy growing and creating jobs again is my top priority.

Patch: Many young people are leaving the 4th congressional district for less expensive places to live. How will you address this "brain drain?"

Becker: We want our young people to stay here and raise their families but Long Island has a very high cost of living. Even if you can afford to buy a house, you may not be able to afford the taxes on the house. 

I think the solution is a great business climate where good paying jobs are available. Lowering taxes across the board will also help keep our youth.

McCarthy: Reducing brain drain begins with affordable housing. Affordable housing begins with property tax relief, which comes from local government but can also come from federal funding designed to relieve burdens on local governments and on individuals. That includes millions of dollars I've helped secure in HUD funding for its Neighborhood Stabilization Program, which purchases foreclosed homes at low cost and rehabilitates them into housing that young people and first-time homebuyers can afford.  

There are also very recent federal programs that are beginning to make housing more affordable such as the Making Homes Affordable program, legislation designed to save, rehabilitate and build new affordable housing complexes and mortgage reform legislation designed to keep people in their homes. The cost of living in Nassau County is among the highest in the nation and accordingly I will continue to fight for our fair share of funding from programs like these.
 
Much of our brain drain comes from not just the high cost of living, but a lack of academic and employment opportunity here on Long Island. While we are very proud of our colleges and universities, their potential can always take them further with the right partnerships and support from the federal government. That includes making it easier for local students to afford college, and encouraging government to tap the vast pool of intellect and talent in our local colleges and universities.

Finally, we must stay vigilant and continue to support the employment measures we've undertaken, such as our 16 new tax cuts for small businesses, new lending for small businesses and closing tax loopholes for companies that ship jobs overseas.

Patch: In your opinion, what do you think is the most pressing issue facing 4th congressional district residents? What do you propose to remediate that problem?

McCarthy: The difficult economy, due to a high tax burden and shortage of employment opportunities, is the most pressing issue for residents of the 4th congressional district.

See my remarks above on property taxes, income taxes and the economy for my proposals on how to address this problem.

Becker: The most pressing issue is the economy and jobs.

Patch: Americans want to know that Washington is working for them. How will you help Congress achieve that goal? 

Becker: I think having responsive and accessible representatives in Washington is one way to show the American people that we are working for them. I think part of the reason there is so much anger at incumbents this election cycle is that Washington wasn't listening to the American people. The American people didn't want the stimulus, they didn't want "Obamacare," they didn't want cap and trade, they didn't want more spending, more debt, more taxes. 

Washington didn't listen and passed these horrendous job-killing bills which sunk us into more debt and exacerbated the recession. I hope to be able to maintain the same level of responsiveness to my constituents in the 4th  congressional district as I have been with my legislative district. 

For example, with the issue of FEMA redrawing the flood zone maps, the people of the 4th congressional district on the South Shore were crying out for help to fight the bureaucratic mess that has hit these households hard. My opponent has been silent on this issue. This is unacceptable. This is an issue that as congressman I will resolve for my constituents.

McCarthy: Americans don't just want to know that Washington is working for them; they deserve to know. The federal government exists to serve the people and must not only deliver, but do so with complete transparency and accountability.

America has been in its worst recession in decades, but thanks to courageous, politically difficult decisions made by the current Congress, we have been able to avoid a complete collapse of our economy. We are not out of trouble yet, and unemployment and tax burdens remain high and disproportionate, but we are also now starting to see the signs of a recovery and must not give up our aggressive efforts.

As described above, we have passed legislation that will help ease the burden for those individuals and businesses that are struggling financially and have fallen on hard times. With this powerful new legislation now in place, I will now work hard to bring transparency to our work – to educate my constituents on the new opportunities that are available to them. The new tax cuts, the new lending programs, the new funding for local programs – I will help my constituents, as I always have, cut through the red tape and actually receive the benefits they qualify for. That is the kind of one-on-one, personal representation that my office has always prided itself upon and our doors are always open to help you.

We must also hold these new programs we are putting our faith in accountable. The programs must deliver what they promise. This will require close and transparent monitoring, and the courage to end programs that don' t work and expand those that do.

Finally, we must communicate more simply the laws and programs that we are deliberating and passing, openly seek feedback from our constituents and be responsive to that feedback. We must use every technological tool available to achieve that as well. Only then can we be a government of the people, by the people and for the people.

Patch: Why are you a better candidate than your opponent?

McCarthy: I voted to close tax loopholes for corporations that ship jobs overseas and helped pass legislation that is saving and creating jobs here at home. My opponent has voted to raise property taxes and signed a pledge that he will give tax breaks to corporations including those that ship jobs overseas.

I believe in bringing federal funding – which includes tax dollars that we give to Washington – back to the district to fund worthy projects in local communities. My opponent rails against what he derides as earmarks while defending no-bid contracts his family has received from county government.

I am a national leader on gun control and keeping our communities and our police officers safe. My opponent will be a reliable pawn for the NRA and will put our communities and police officers at risk. I support a women's right to choose, in private consultation with her family and her doctor without government interference. My opponent would like to abolish that right and interfere with a woman's relationship with her family, her doctor and her body. I'm known for working with both sides of the aisle to get things done. My opponent is running with the unqualified and divisive Carl Paladino, and consistently opposes everything our president is trying to do. My opponent's message ("No") is negative, divisive and devoid of substance.

Becker: I have experience as a small business owner, I am a certified financial planner, and I am a legislator for 14 years. I know the issues facing Long Island families and business. My opponent has been a rubber stamp for policies that hurt Long Island. She had opportunities to stand up for us but she decided to vote with Nancy Pelosi. I will not be a rubber stamp, I will promote and vote for policies that will get our economy moving again and I will fight for Long Island families and businesses.

The 4th congressional district encompasses East Meadow, the Five Towns, Lynbrook, Garden City, Lakeview, Malverne, Mineola, a portion of North Bellmore and North Merrick, Rockville Centre, Salisbury and several other areas. Election Day is Tuesday, Nov. 2.