The Empire Page

Background: On February 1, Guilderland, NY businessman and two-time candidate for Congress, Warren Redlch announced his candidacy for Republican and Libertarian Party nominations for Governor of New York.

Empire Page:  You have announced that you are seeking the Republican and Libertarian nominations for the Governor of New York.  Some might view that as an odd combination.  The Libertarian Party also does not traditionally cross-endorse candidates from other parties and no Republican since Nelson Rockefeller has won statewide office without the Conservative Party endorsement. Which are you a Republican or a Libertarian?

Redlich: Both. Since the LP is not a "ballot-line" party in NY, you can be a member of both parties. I see myself as a libertarian Republican or perhaps a "Ron Paul Republican." In practice the GOP doesn't really have much in the way of ideology, as the Scozzfava debacle showed all too well.  

 

Empire Page:  Are you not interested in the Conservative Party line?  If not, where do your views diverge from the Conservative Party platform?

Redlich: I'm not interested in any of the three recognized third parties. The Independence Party is not really independent. The Conservatives pretend to be conservative but then they endorse someone like Pataki or Lazio. And don't get me started on WFP.  

 

Empire Page:  What prompted you to run for Governor and why do you believe you would make a good governor? 

Redlich: Friends in the LP asked me to run. I was vaguely thinking I might run for AG only on the LP line when they asked. Then I started thinking about the Governor's race and the state budget. The more I saw, the more motivated I got.

I would make a good governor because I'm not afraid to do what really needs to be done. The Governor has to say "no" to people. To save our state we have to eliminate whole state agencies. That means people lose their jobs. I've done that in my own business, and I would do it as Governor.

The typical politicians, including Paterson and Lazio, say they will "control spending." That means they take our money and spend it how they want to. I will cut spending. That means the government taking less of our money. I'm not afraid to tell people where I will cut spending - it's on my website - http://wredlich.com/ny.
 

Empire Page: In his State of the State address Governor Paterson proposed a package of "ethics" reforms including campaign finance reform, a revised Ethics Commission and term limits for legislators.  Where do you stand on the Governor's "Reform Albany Plan"?

Redlich: I'm opposed to the campaign finance rules. They always make it harder for challengers to challenge incumbents. The Ethics Commission will be just as empty as the Commission on Public Integrity, which I would eliminate. I don't have strong feelings on term limits one way or the other. But I would limit myself to only one term. There's not enough oxygen inside the Albany bubble.

 

Empire Page: The Comptroller issued a report today that states that Governor Paterson's budget proposal over-estimates projected revenues.  What would you do today if you were governor to balance the state's budget for 2010-2011?

Redlich: Eliminate a bunch of state agencies - see http://wredlich.com/ny/issues/cuts/. Cap public sector pay at $100K and pensions at $75K:
http://wredlich.com/ny/issues/pay-and-pension-caps/

There's more, but those are the two big ideas. When the head of a library makes $688K, it's time for things to change.
 

Empire Page:  In his budget message Governor Paterson states that New York is facing $60 billion structural deficit.  How would you address that long-term deficit?

Redlich: The proposals I mention would help a lot. I would also go through individual agencies and find more programs to eliminate. The key is finding programs that either do nothing, or very little for the amount they cost. There's a lot that can be eliminated.  

 

Empire Page:  It takes money to run a successful statewide campaign.  How much money do you need to raise in order to run a viable campaign for the GOP nomination? 

Redlich: I don't know and I don't worry about setting a goal. We'll raise as much as we can and be very careful how we spend it. I can assure you the money won't be going to consultants, as it seems to be in another campaign.

Empire Page:  If you do not get the GOP nomination, but are the Libertarian Party candidate, are you concerned that your candidacy could lead to the defeat of the GOP candidate?

Redlich: No.