Meet The Candidate: Reichlin-Melnick For State Senate District 38

NYACK, NY - New Yorkers will choose their representatives to the State Senate Nov. 3 in the 2020 general election.

In anticipation of the election, Patch asked candidates in the contested races to answer questions about their campaigns and will be publishing candidate profiles as election day draws near.

Elijah Reichlin-Melnick is seeking the open seat in the State Senate for District 38. His opponent is Republican William Weber. Reichlin-Melnick is running on the Democrat and Working Families party lines.

The district covers part of Rockland County plus one lone community on the east side of the Hudson River, Ossining.

Reichlin-Melnick, 36, is serving his second term as a Nyack Village Trustee. He began his career as a public school teacher in New Haven, Conn., which he called "the toughest job I have ever had."

He spent five years as a constituent service specialist and district representative for Rep. Eliot Engel and then Rep. Nita Lowey, then worked as executive assistant for former Orangetown Town Supervisor Andy Stewart, assisting in municipal management, constituent services, and policy development. He spent three years in the private sector working as the Senior Research Planner at Hudson Valley Pattern for Progress focused on government efficiency and policy research. In 2019, he became the legislative director for State Senator James Skoufis, who represents parts of Rockland, Orange, and Ulster counties.

Campaign website: www.ElijahforSenate.com

Check out Patch's full Q&A with Elijah Reichlin-Melnick:

Why are you seeking elective office?

I love the Hudson Valley. Growing up in Nyack, I know the beauty and opportunity that Rockland and Westchester counties have to offer. Fresh air, clean water, safe neighborhoods, and an excellent education for our kids - these are some of the many reasons why families choose to make their homes here. Our communities represent the American dream to so many families. These are the values of the Hudson Valley, and that’s what I’ll fight for as our next State Senator.
Although Rockland and Westchester remain wonderful places to live, our region faces many challenges. Property taxes are some of the highest in the nation. Rents are rising rapidly, and healthcare costs are an enormous burden on many families. We’re struggling to retain businesses. School districts like East Ramapo and Ossining aren’t getting the education funding they deserve. Commuters in Rockland lack access to convenient mass transit. And now at a time when people are struggling more than they have in nearly a century because of a pandemic and the ensuing economic crisis - it is time that we take a stand and fight for the people of Rockland and Westchester counties.

It is time that our representatives in state government do more to help residents of Rockland and Westchester. It’s time to make New York not just a beautiful and prosperous place to live, but an affordable one, too. It’s time to make New York work for everyone, not just the wealthy and the well-connected.

I started my career as an elementary school teacher. I’ve worked in the private sector as a regional planner and researcher into government efficiency. I’ve served our community as a staffer to a Town Supervisor and to two members of Congress. I’m currently an elected Village Trustee in Nyack and have been working as Legislative Director for State Senator James Skoufis.

Now, I’m stepping up to serve the people of the 38th District in Clarkstown, Orangetown, Ossining, and Ramapo as our next state senator, and fighting to make sure that New York works for everyone, not just the wealthy and well-connected.

The single most pressing issue facing our nation/state/community is _______, and this is what I intend to do about it.

The single most pressing issue facing our communities in Rockland and Westchester is the coronavirus pandemic. Over 200,000 Americans have died, and while New York has been able to limit the spread of the virus, the infection rate is now on the rise again locally and the cold weather will likely bring a second wave with it.

The most important thing we have to do right now is protect the health of our citizens. We also must provide economic relief to the thousands of New Yorkers who are out of work, and the thousands of small businesses who have been hit the hardest by fallout from the COVID pandemic. To fully cope with this public health and economic crisis, I believe we need bold action to help residents and businesses who are struggling through this unprecedented time.

It starts with providing universal free testing and treatment for coronavirus for all New Yorkers - because the quickest way to fix our economy is to get the virus back under control and stop the spread. We must eliminate income taxes on unemployment benefits to help the thousands who have lost their jobs. We must provide zero-interest loans and grants to small businesses to keep them afloat and to keep their staff employed. We must provide tax-breaks for local property taxpayers who are struggling to keep their homes, and we must make sure that billionaires in New York who have increased their wealth during the pandemic by unimaginable sums finally pay their fair share to help balance the budget. This is only the tip of the iceberg - you can read my full plan at elijahforsenate.com/covid19

What are the critical differences between you and the other candidate seeking this post?

While I have years of experience crafting policy, finding potential tax savings for residents, and helping solve problems for people in our community, my opponent has never been elected to public office, or been responsible to the public in any way.

I have directly outlined my priorities and identified specific ways I will address key issues as our next State Senator. I have concrete plans to achieve my goals and I know how to pass laws in Albany - because I have helped do it before working as the Legislative Director for State Senator Skoufis. My opponent has only made himself clear on one thing - that he opposes the progress that we have made in New York State since electing a Democratic majority to the State Senate. At a time when healthcare, women’s reproductive rights, and the environment are at stake in a right-wing Supreme Court, New York must continue to protect our rights and freedoms.

I have also received far more endorsements (more than 90) from current and former elected officials, community leaders, labor unions, and grassroots organizations - including 19 major labor unions representing millions of workers and working families across the state of New York.
I have a plan to help New York rebuild and recover from the COVID pandemic, deliver tax relief for property taxpayers, and fully fund our public schools - and I have the experience to get it done from day one.

Describe the other issues that define your campaign platform

Education - As a former public school teacher, I know the importance of education funding. Schools across the 38th district are struggling to find the funding they need to provide students with the education that they deserve. New York State has continually failed to deliver on its promise to fully fund the Foundation Aid program that is supposed to guarantee fair funding to all of our school districts. I will fight for fully funding foundation aid so we can make sure the kids in our community get an excellent education without needing to further raise property taxes on local taxpayers.

Property taxes - Property taxes in Rockland and Westchester Counties are some of the highest in the country. I strongly support maintaining the property tax cap that limits the growth of property taxes and will protect the STAR program from any changes or reductions. Since the bulk of the property tax bill for families in the 38th Senate District goes towards school district taxes, my plan to direct more state funds to local school districts means property taxpayers will get a break. I will also fight for a state fund to help local governments find ways to share services and consolidate operations to save money for taxpayers. And at a time when so many people have lost jobs or seen their hours cut back, I believe we need a comprehensive state plan to help people who could be in danger of losing their homes to eviction or foreclosure after the current moratoriums on evictions and foreclosure expire.

Environment - There is no greater threat to our long term future than climate change. If we don't take this threat seriously, rising temperatures and rising sea levels will ruin ecosystems, damage our agricultural production, and cause hundreds of billions of dollars in flood damage in New York over the coming decades. In 2019, New York passed the most aggressive climate legislation in the nation, the Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act (CLCPA). I believe that we must move quickly to implement the provisions of the CLCPA and provide new funding to develop renewable energy sources and protect coastal communities (including the Hudson River coastline) from the worst impacts of rising sea levels. We don't have to choose between a cleaner, more sustainable future and economic growth--a green economy will be a prosperous economy.

What accomplishments in your past would you cite as evidence you can handle this job?

My extensive record in state, local, and federal government working for other elected officials and understanding the way the process works, serving as an elected Village Trustee in Nyack, and my background in regional planning and policy research have all prepared me for this job. I am ready to fight for the people of Rockland and Westchester on day one in Albany.

The best advice ever shared with me was:

Treat others the way you'd like to be treated. I always try to live by the golden rule.

What else would you like voters to know about yourself and your positions?

I’m a pragmatic progressive who believes government exists to protect our quality of life, and to ensure safe neighborhoods, clean water, good roads and mass transit, and a well-funded education for our kids. Government exists to serve the people, and improve all our lives. That’s what I’ll fight for.

I believe you shouldn't go into politics unless you enjoy working with people and truly want to help them. I'll always have an open door policy and make myself accessible to anyone with questions or concerns. Representing the residents of the district I grew up in would be the greatest honor of my life. I ask for your support in the General Election on November 3, or through early in-person voting between October 24 - November 1, or by mail at absenteeballot.elections.ny.gov. If you need more information about my positions or want to reach me to ask a question please visit my website (www.elijahforsenate.com) or email me at elijah4senate@gmail.com.