We could use more people like Dr. Brian Howard in the New York State Legislature. A true political outsider and life-long educator who formerly served as the superintendent of the Queensbury School District, Howard has made accountability and reform a central focus of his State Senate campaign, calling for campaign finance reform and changes to the state's controversial Common Core learning standards.
From WAMC Northeast Public Radio, June 4, 2014:
"Brian Howard is running for state Senate because he believes the political system needs to see some big changes."
"“I really believe that there are some individuals who are in politics who are poisoning it, and are setting the example that I don’t want the next generation to think is typical of politics,” said Howard."
""Howard has never served as a lawmaker, but spent his career as an educator and school administrator throughout the 43rd Senate district.""
"For six years he served as superintendent of Queensbury schools, and more recently as an interim superintendent in Troy and Berlin. He holds a doctorate in education from the University in Albany."
"Howard said his experience in the classroom will help the legislature make changes to New York’s oft-criticized rollout of the Common Core education standards."
"“I believe in standards – that’s fine. I believe in checking in on accountability, but there’s some easier ways of doing it. And I also think we have to address educational funding and inequities there,” said Howard."
"Howard said he has secured the Democratic nomination in Saratoga, Rensselaer, and Columbia Counties. He said he also expects the endorsement in Washington County."
"Another key issue he intends to address is the influence of money in politics."
"“If we don’t reform it, it’s such a corrupt system that we’re not going to have one person’s vote be equal to another person’s vote. So I think campaign finance has to be addressed,” said Howard."
Howard's progressive reform-oriented agenda stands in stark contrast to incumbent State Senator Kathy Marchione (R - Saratoga County), who currently represents the 43rd District, which includes most of the state's Upper Hudson Valley region, including eastern Saratoga County, southwestern Washington County, Columbia County and virtually all of Rensselaer County (with the exception of the Cities of Troy and Rensselaer). Marchione, a career politician who has spent a lifetime as a Republican Party hack, has been a controversial right-wing lightning rod ever since her primary defeat of popular moderate State Senator Roy McDonald (R) two years ago when she made extensive overtures to hard-core Tea Party Republican base voters who were galvanized by their anger over McDonald's support of LGBT rights and reproductive choice.
Over her past term in the State Senate, the hallmark of Marchione's legislation has been a major deregulatory bill (S.5166), which has come under fire from over 50 national and statewide consumer advocacy groups, including the publisher of Consumer Reports, for its attempts to overturn or weaken thousands of laws that protect the public health and wellbeing, as well as ensure workforce safety. In addition, Marchione is currently being investigated by the FBI as part of an ongoing probe of Halfmoon, New York elected officials and their contributors. Marchione's single largest donor, wealthy residential developer Bruce Tanski, was recently arrested and under probable indictment for concealing political contributions to Halfmoon Republicans through business associates.
Overall, after a term of divisive, polarizing right-wing representation by the current legislator, Brian Howard appears as though he certainly has the potential to become a thoughtful, pragmatic, moderate representative in the mold of previous area officials, including former State Senator Roy McDonald and would certainly be a breath of fresh air to Upper Hudson Valley residents. For more information on Brian Howard's State Senate campaign, you may visit his website, Twitter or Facebook pages.