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The Midterm Elections are approaching and Suffolk County Legislator, Susan Berland, has entered the race for New York State Senator.
Berland had been elected to the Suffolk County Legislature in November 2017 and took her oath of office in January 2018. During her time as Legislator, she has committed herself to address the pressing issues that Suffolk County is facing. Berland uses her position to help the quality of life of the constituents that she represents, according to her website.
“I just want to bring my 20 years of experience to help the people of this district and all of New York State,” Berland said.
In this Q&A, Berland discusses the pressing issues that the community is facing today and why she should be the New York State Senator.
Q: How will you handle gun safety measures?
A: “We need reasonable common sense gun control legislation,” she said. “I support all the measures that were put forth in NY State. As a former Assistant Attorney General I prosecuted parole violators and kept dangerous criminals off the street. I support the new stringent permitting process to own a gun, background checks, preventing those with convictions from owning guns and an ammunition database, and I don’t think body armor should be sold to any one but the police. We need to do whatever we can to make sure that guns are kept out of the hands of people who should not have them. I also received the Candidate Distinction from Moms Demand Action Gun Sense.”
Q: Who do you think will need more quality healthcare and how will you provide it?
A: “Seniors need quality healthcare,” she said. “I support our Medicare and Medicaid system and the CDPAP Program - Consumer Direct Personal Assistance Program, which under Medicaid allows family members, friends and chosen individuals to be paid for caring for their loved ones. I support capping the amount that seniors pay for prescription drugs and providing more adult day care centers.”
Q: How will you go on protecting the environment? What new methods would you be providing?
A: “I have a 20-year record of protecting the environment,” she said. “We need to continue a broad approach to protecting our environment and addressing climate change. I have saved thousands of acres of open space, supported sewage treatment plants, storm water run off projects, electric buses and rapid transit. In Huntington, we did the first oyster and clam seeding program, which are amazing tools to naturally clean the water. I am endorsed by the Sierra Club. I support the Environmental Bond Act.”
Q: How will you protect the right to vote?
A: “Well, I certainly would not support any efforts to limit people’s access to voting,” she said. “I support absentee ballots, early voting and the creation of on-line voting. We need to do all we can to encourage people to vote. It’s a right we have as Americans and we should all be able exercise it.”
Q: How will you help our small local businesses thrive and continue their success?
A: “I support the small business tax relief program, the acceleration of tax relief to middle class New Yorkers and the continued suspension of the state sales tax on gas prices at the pump,” she said. “A number of businesses were hurt during Covid, and we need to provide them the resources they need to continue their businesses and thrive.”
Q: What will you do about the abortion issue?
A: “I am a pro-choice woman, and I want to make it very clear that I am the only candidate in this race that will protect a woman’s right to choose,” she said. “I don’t think government has any place in the doctor’s office with a woman, her doctor and her family. In New York, many feel that our rights to reproductive autonomy and to make decisions regarding our own bodies are protected. But we also felt safe with reproductive health care rights a few months ago when those newly appointed to the Supreme Court stated that Roe was the law of the land. Today it is clear that the law of the land is only as safe as the elected officials in office. I am the candidate to protect those rights. I am endorsed by Planned Parenthood and Eleanor’s Legacy.”
Q: Why Susan Berland?
A: “I have 20 years of serving constituents,” she said. “Caring about the lives of New Yorkers, making a difference, drafting legislation to help people globally and helping people one at a time. I’d like to bring those 20 years of experience to the State Senate, to continue to make people’s lives better.”
