We continue our series of conversations with candidates running for office.
During this segment, we talk with Harry Bronson, who is seeking re-election in the New York State Assembly. We discuss his platform and priorities for District 138.
Our guest:
- Harry Bronson, candidate for New York State Assembly, District 138
Key issues raised by candidate during "Connections" appearance:
- Bronson and Dawson addressed the challenges that poverty presents in the Rochester region. Bronson talked about the passage of the Child Poverty Reduction Act, which has a goal of reducing child poverty by 50% over 10 years, and the state's investment in the Rochester-Monroe Anti-Poverty Initiative. He said RMAPI has had some successes but acknowledged that poverty is a complex issue with many factors involved, including "decades of racism in the city and in our area." He said RMAPI is "trying to tackle those kind of things," and he believes continued investment is worth it.
- On education, Bronson said he strongly supports public education and will continue to fight for additional funding. Parents have the right to send their children to other types of schools, he said, but he believes public education is a "collective way of educating all of our children."
- Regarding state funding for asylum-seekers, he said he's proud that he supported it. "Asylum-seekers are not illegal," he said. "We have a process in place, and some of these folks are following that process. This is about humanity. ... When we're talking about migrants, I want to see their humanity first, and I want to offer them opportunities. We can provide for our citizens and also provide for people who are migrating here."
- On public safety, Bronson said the numbers of all types of crime in our area are going down significantly, indicating that investments in law enforcement and programs and services that help young people see alternative paths are working.
- While addressing bail reform, he said actions have been taken to give judges "the discretion that law enforcement asked them to have." He also said: "We offered bail as a possibility when there's more than one accusation of an offense. We allow judges now to look at the criminal history of an individual, what the actual charges and things of that nature."
- Bronson acknowledged there is still "a lot of work to do" when it comes to public safety, though, and he said they need to continue funding and using the programs that have been put in place to prevent crime. He also said young people need opportunities, and people need to be fully employed with good pay.
- He said as chair of the Assembly's Labor Committee, if he is re-elected, much of his work is going to focus on assuring good pay, benefits and safe workplaces for workers. "That's important," he said, "because it will address the inflation issues that many of our families are facing." He also said he would work on apprenticeship programs and other workforce programs, being "intentional to make sure we're including those individuals who have been on the economic sideline and workforce sidelines for far too long."
*Note: Bronson’s opponent, Tracy DiFlorio, did not respond to multiple invitations to join a conversation on this program.
You can read more about this race and others you'll see on your ballot in the WXXI Local Elections Guide.
