Meet The Candidate: Byrne For State Assembly In District 94

HUDSON VALLEY, NY - New Yorkers will choose their representatives for state Assembly 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.

Kevin Byrne is seeking re-election to the New York State Assembly in District 94. His opponent is Democrat Stephanie Keegan. The district covers Carmel, Mahopac, Putnam Valley and Southeast in Putnam County and Yorktown and Somers in Westchester.

Byrne, 35, has represented the district four two terms. He is running on the Republican, Conservative, Independence, SAM-NY and Rebuild Our State lines on the ballot.

Prior to elected office he served as a regional director for the American Heart Association, deputy district director to a former U.S. Congresswoman, and as an EMT for Westchester EMS. He served three terms as president of the Kent Volunteer Fire Department and as an appointed member of the Putnam Valley Town Planning Board from 2009-2011.

Campaign website: www.Byrne4NY.com

Check out Patch's full Q&A with Kevin Byrne:

Why are you seeking elective office?

I first ran for office in 2016, because I felt we were losing a generation of New Yorkers and said I would lead the charge for change. Since 2011, our state has led the nation in out-migration and lost over 1 million New Yorkers who fled to other states. Just this past year, New York was ranked in Rich State. Poor States. as having the worst economic outlook of any state in the country. I have been leading the charge for change, because we can and must do better as a state. I strongly believe in giving back and in public service. Standing up for our communities and for responsible public policy is one way I get to do that.

Since elected, I’ve been proud to advocate for reforms to make our state more affordable, accountable, and honest. We’ve made some progress by working effectively with colleagues across the aisle to do things like allowing judges to strip taxpayer funded pensions from corrupt politicians, but much more work is needed. As COVID-19 continues to disrupt all our daily lives, we must be mindful as we reopen sectors of our economy and get people back to work, that we must do so safely and responsibly. Before the virus hit our state, far too many people fled New York for better opportunities elsewhere. We must reverse this decline and we cannot let this virus make our state’s existing problems even worse.

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

The most pressing issue facing New York is defeating this virus and rebuilding our economy. Prior to COVID-19 hitting New York, our state government had relied for far too long on fantasy budgets that consistently ended in record deficits. That and other problems did not go away when the virus forced our state to go on “Pause.” High taxes and out-of-control government spending that existed prior to the pandemic are making it even harder for the state to recover. As your Assemblyman, I will continue to support all our first responders and front line workers combatting the pandemic, to protect our seniors and most vulnerable populations, and continue to stand against tax increases that compel more of our neighbors to flee the state. I will work to promote sensible economic growth and job creation that benefits all New Yorkers.

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

Leadership. Action. Results. I have a proven record of getting things done for this district, and I do so by working effectively with colleagues from across the political spectrum. It’s no secret that I am only 1/150 Assembly members in the state. Still, despite the odds, I have developed a reputation for working collaboratively with representatives regardless of our differences on unrelated issues. It starts with treating people with respect and simply being honest about my record, my positions, and my plans for the future. This is one of the primary reasons I received so much support from 3rd party and independent voters, and why I will be appearing on five different ballot lines including: Republican, Conservative, Independence, SAM-NY, and Rebuild Our State.

Like many New Yorkers, I do follow local, state, and national news, but I rarely chime in on national politics because New York State has plenty of problems on its own that need to be addressed in order to better itself.. Serving in the Assembly is about serving our community in Albany, not Washington D.C. It seems our opposition and other political leaders sometimes tend to forget that. They would rather spend time discussing President Trump’s latest tweet. That simply takes time away from our state lawmakers and candidates discussing the real issues we all face at here at home.

We’ve continued to engage with members of our community at numerous virtual and in-person events each year in every town we represent. These forums are important for those interested in learning about the actual policy we discuss and vote on in the Assembly. Rather than simply reading a headline, it’s important to read the full text of a bill as its implementation effects our fellow New Yorkers.

We have also hosted Shed the Meds events, sensory friendly movies for children with special needs, and worked with residents to make our community a better place to live. All residents, including our opposition, are welcome at these events and forums.

Describe the other issues that define your campaign platform

a. Reducing the tax burden. I’ll fight to reduce the crushing tax burden so New Yorkers can keep more of their hard-earned tax dollars. My record shows I have voted against every state tax increase proposed in the NYS Assembly and I will continue to embrace every opportunity to provide tax relief for the hardworking men and women of the 94th Assembly District.

Learn more about my record and ideas on how to reduce the tax burden at http://www.byrne4ny.com/issues... and http://www.byrne4ny.com/catego...

b. Job creation. We have to fix our economy and grow jobs here in New York. That means we also have to think beyond the COVID-19 Pandemic as well. We have to welcome new businesses; treat the businesses that are here better; and respect our citizens’ pocketbooks, not use them as “cash cows” for wasteful state spending and costly mandates.

Learn more about my record and ideas on how to create jobs at http://www.byrne4ny.com/issues... and http://www.byrne4ny.com/catego...

c. Putting an end to public corruption: I helped pass ethics reform that strips taxpayer-funded pensions from corrupt politicians. I voted in favor of campaign finance reform that closed the LLC loophole. I have consistently honored my obligation to be honest about what I do and why I do it, and will continue to do so.

Learn more about my record and ideas on how to combat corruption at http://www.byrne4ny.com/issues... and http://www.byrne4ny.com/catego...

d. First responders: I’ll do all I can to assure that our dedicated first-responders have the resources and support they need from the state.

In the first year of my first term, after years of failed attempts from prior politicians, I helped lead the fight to successfully expand sorely needed cancer coverage for our volunteer firefighters. I also ensured that our front-line workers received additional resources and support throughout the pandemic, and will continue to do so.

Our first responders work hand-in-hand with law enforcement, making our communities and our state safer. In the past two years, bad policies like “no-bail” and eliminating other long-standing protections for our first responders were forced through Albany with little to no input from first responders. We must roll back these dangerous policies and accomplish reform the right way, with all stakeholders at the table. I will continue to fight against other proposals that exist to disarm peace officers and worsen an already broken parole board that has demonstrated an increased tendency to let cop-killers out on parole.

With your support, I’ll continue my service as a staunch advocate for the men and women in blue, fighting for their health and safety as much as they fight for ours.

Learn more about my record and ideas on how to support our first responders at http://www.byrne4ny.com/issues... and http://www.byrne4ny.com/catego...

e. Drug Crisis: The federal government already designated Westchester and Putnam counties a High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area. I’ll continue to do all I can to fight the scourge caused by drug trafficking.

As your Assemblyman, I worked tirelessly to prevent and treat addiction. We passed the Drug Take Back Act to make it easier to safely dispose of expired/unused medications. We expanded access to Medication Assisted Treatment and increased available bed stays for in-patient treatment. We hosted numerous Shed The Meds events, and over the past 4 years, safely disposed of nearly 3,000 pounds of expired/unused medications.

Still, more work is needed. I will continue: to work towards providing additional education to remove the stigma and the fear of seeking help; to support law enforcement and first responders with funding for life-saving training courses and Narcan for overdoses; to support local drug treatment courts that provide positive pathways to recovery; and to support prosecuting drug traffickers aggressively and relentlessly, passing “Laree’s Law” that would allow heroin dealers to be charged with homicide if a buyer dies of an overdose.

Learn more about my record and ideas on how to combat addiction and the drug crisis at http://www.byrne4ny.com/issues... and http://www.byrne4ny.com/catego...

f. Veterans: I’ll continue my efforts to be a tireless advocate for our veterans. Since elected, I’ve successfully worked across the aisle to: expand benefits for combat veterans who continue to serve our state, protect and expand funding to support the PFC Joseph P. Dwyer Peer to Peer program, establish specialty courts to assist veterans, and ensure LGBT veterans receive the state benefits they are owed from a grateful state. I’ve also worked diligently with colleagues in local government to honor our local military heroes. In fact, the first bill I passed dedicated a section of state roadway in Yorktown in memory of Army Major Clayton Carpenter.

Our veterans must have the compensation and recognition they have earned from a grateful nation. We can never fully repay our veterans, but we must do all we can to honor and respect their service and sacrifice.

Learn more about my record and ideas on how to stand up for our veterans at http://www.byrne4ny.com/issues... and http://www.byrne4ny.com/catego...

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

In my first two terms, I introduced and passed 19 pieces of legislation, more than most of my colleagues within my Assembly class regardless of political affiliation. Each of my bills passed with sweeping bipartisan support. To date, 16 were signed into law by Governor Andrew Cuomo. I have demonstrated my ability to work across party lines and remain focused on achieving real results for the people rather than focus on divisive partisan bickering. I have consistently protected taxpayers, including voting 51 times to protect taxpayers from nearly $43 billion in tax increases; promoted pro-business laws that helped welcome new businesses and the jobs they create to the region; and have consistently fought for working men and women across Westchester and Putnam counties. That’s why I remain incredibly proud of the long list of endorsements our campaign has received, including more than 30 different police, business, healthcare, labor, and first responder organizations. More details on our endorsements may be viewed at http://www.byrne4ny.com/catego...

The best advice ever shared with me was:

“Be prepared” and “Never stop learning.” I’ve heard this numerous times throughout my life and have repeated it many times over to school aged children (and some adults). It should be true for all of us.

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

I believe in leadership, action, and results. I care deeply about public service and giving back. It has been an incredible honor serving as your state Assemblyman these past four years. We’ve gotten a lot done, but there is still so much more to do. We’re facing unprecedented challenges as a state and as a nation. Now, more than ever, we need experienced, responsible, battle-tested leaders serving us in government. I remain eager to serve, and ask you consider re-hiring me as your Assemblyman with your vote this upcoming election.