Albio Sires, the incumbent congressman and former mayor of West New York, will face off on Nov. 2 against Republican newcomer Henrietta Dwyer as well as Anthony Zanowic, an Independent candidate, and Maximo Gomez Nacer, a representative from the Gravity Buoyancy Solution, for the seat representing the 13th Congressional District in Washington.
The 13th district covers four counties, including a majority of Hudson County municipalities like Guttenberg, Hoboken, Union City, Weehawken, and West New York, as well as parts of Bayonne, Jersey City, and North Bergen.
While candidates from the two major parties have been heavily gunning for publicity on their respective platforms, Zanowic and Nacer have thus far remained under the radar.
Earlier this month Dwyer invited Sires to participate in a debate, however Sires declined.
Last week The Reporter spoke to candidates from the two major parties to see where they stand on the issues.
On the economy
Sires said that small businesses are the engine that drives the economy and the $720 million that Congress recently provided for the Small Business Administration, which includes new loan guarantees, will free up capital and allow small businesses to grow while creating hundreds of thousands of jobs.
He also believes that transportation and infrastructure are critical to creating jobs and improving the economy, and to that end he supported more than $64 million in investments to enhance the safety, security and efficiency of highways, transit, rail, aviation, and environmental infrastructure.
The 13th District covers four counties, including a majority of Hudson County municipalities like Guttenberg, Hoboken, Union City, Weehawken, and West New York as well as parts of Bayonne, Jersey City, and North Bergen.
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Sires voted for the Small Business and Infrastructure Jobs Act to spur investment in local rebuilding projects and help small businesses grow and also supported tax credits for taxpayers through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act.
Dwyer, on the other hand, sees the role of government in the economy as one of “getting out of the way.”
“We need government without a doubt,” she said. “But we do not need them tinkering around in the private sector, every time they do they destroy it.”
Dwyer believes that it’s not the governments’ job to create jobs, but rather to create the policies that will foster an environment for the creation of jobs.
But in the environment as it stands in the country right now, she said, businesses are too frightened to do just that.
“They are not willing to spend money,” said Dwyer. “They are hoarding money just as we are as consumers; they have no clue what their expenses will be next year, they’re unassured in terms of their taxes, and have no idea what healthcare costs will be.”
Dwyer’s aiming to change that by voting to reduce taxes for individuals and small businesses alike and also by supporting a “tax holiday” for payroll taxes which would allow a smaller percentage of taxes to be taken out of people’s paychecks for about a year or so to allow consumers to have more money in their pocket to stimulate the economy.
On healthcare
Dwyer said she is not a proponent of government health care, however she feels that Medicare and Medicaid (two existing government health care programs) should be saved.
As for those individuals ineligible for either of those programs but still in need of affordable insurance coverage, Dwyer said that’s where the private sector should be involved.
“The insurance industry is the only industry exempt from competition,” she said. “We need to have the market work for us, not against us. Companies should compete for our dollar.”
Dwyer said she supports being able to purchase insurance across state lines and would also like to see a nationwide discussion on tort reform.
She emphasized, however, that she is not for stopping lawsuits, which she said can be a reasonable way to sue for an injustice, but said that if doctors could stop practicing “defensive” medicine it could change the way doctors treat patients and how health care services are offered to the public.
Earlier this year, Sires supported the passage of health care reform, which he said will improve, extend, and help families and small businesses afford coverage within the district. He also said that the reform will improve Medicare, provide millions of dollars in new funding for community health centers, and reduce the cost of uncompensated care for hospitals and other health care providers.
On education
Sires said he believes that education is the cornerstone of opportunity and during his time in Congress he has supported various efforts to improve access to a college education because a college degree is as important today as a high school diploma was a generation ago.
In an effort to make college more affordable for families, Sires has supported the College Student Relief Act of 2007 and the College Cost Reduction and Access Act, both of which will cut the interest rate in half on certain federal student loans over the next few years.
He also supported the States Fiscal Stabilization Fund of $39.5 billion dollars which will be used by states and local governments to prevent cutbacks in school staff and modernize schools.
If re-elected to another term, Sires said he will work to improve No Child Left Behind, reform student loans, and encourage students to study STEM, or Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math, so that the United States will remain competitive in the 21st century and beyond.
For Dwyer, a major concern in education is making sure that what happened to the housing market doesn’t happen to education.
“What I’d like to see is the students who are prepared be given the opportunity,” she said. “I don’t think we should haphazardly give money out; that’s what we did in the housing market and that proved not to help.”
In addition to correlating minimum GPA requirements with student loan approvals, Dwyer also wants to place higher standards on educational programs by ensuring that only accredited programs receive federal funding.
“Schools that offer accredited programs are where the student actually finds a future,” she said. “I want to make sure students receive biggest bang for the buck possible, [then] become employed, pay taxes. When they pay taxes, the water rises and it raises all boats.”
On infrastructure
One of the major infrastructure projects on the horizon for the 13th Congressional District is the ARC (Access to the Regions Core) project, which would construct two tunnels below the Hudson River and double transit service between New Jersey and Manhattan, but which was recently halted by Gov. Christopher Christie due to budgetary concerns.
Dwyer said that although she would like to see the project completed, it should be in a way that doesn’t bankrupt the state or keep commuters stuck in mud or traffic for the next 15 years.
“We need a project that’s going to work for us and is going to come in on budget for us,” she said. “We have to get those costs in line with what we can afford and what we need to have for the next 20 years.”
Additionally, Dwyer is in support of increasing the clearance on the Bayonne Bridge, citing it as a regional economic opportunity.
A member of the House Transportation Committee, Sires said that raising the clearance on the Bayonne Bridge to 215 feet (which would ensure supertankers and super large container ships will be able to fit under the bridge and reach the facilities in Port Newark/Elizabeth) is one of his main priorities.
According to Sires, the retention of the 250,000 jobs associated with Port Newark/Elizabeth, is the biggest job issue in the district and the loss of these jobs would be a “catastrophe.”
He has previously said that terminating the ARC project would have countless negative ramifications on the economy in both the short and long term, as well as halt mass transportation progress across the Tri State area.
Sires said he is also championing Complete Streets policies, which ensures that transportation agencies design and operate the entire right of way to enable safe access for all users by using simple adjustments such as sidewalks, bike lanes, special bus lanes, accessible transit stops, and improved crosswalks.
On women’s issues
For Sires, making sure women receive equal pay for equal work is a top priority. Sires pointed to his vote for the Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act, passed by Congress, which gives women the right to seek legal redress for wage discrimination and also his support of the Paycheck Fairness Act, which deters wage discrimination by closing loopholes in the Equal Pay Act.
Sires added that in recognition for his various efforts on women’s issues (including the introduction of National Girls and Women in Sports Day and support of initiatives on women’s health issues) he received a 100 percent score from the American Association of University Women.
The bipartisan organization scores members of Congress based on their voting record and co-sponsorship of the organization’s priority legislation.
On the topic of equal pay, however, Dwyer resents the sentiment of “pity” that is given to women’s issues.
“I think that women are a force to be reckoned with,” she said. “We are not victims, we are leaders. And if you do not let us through the front door, we’ll find a side door.”
Dwyer said that when women realized they were not being given equal pay, many went out and took matters into their own hands.
“It was wrong and unfair, sure,” said Dwyer. “However, women didn’t sit home and cry, ‘They’re not paying us, make legislation.’ We went out and created our own businesses and now we have an army of women owned businesses. I refuse to look at my gender as a victim.”
How are the candidates planning on using their power as an elected official to change your life?
“They’ll know they’ll have a congresswoman who will work for them,” said Dwyer. “Who will come back and walk the streets and talk to them. When I say I’m going to work for the people, it’s true. ‘Para Su Servicio’ or ‘At Your Service’ – that’s my motto.”
Dwyer said she would hold town hall meetings to get input from her constituents and would also like to bring back the Ronald Reagan/Tip O’ Neal approach to politics.
“We may battle during the day, but we’re friends later on,” she said. “We have a drink and a civil conversation, that in and of itself really changes the tone in Washington. We need to have a bipartisan effort to make this country work.”
Sires said he is proud and humbled to be the congressman representing the 13th Congressional District and if re-elected he will continue to work hard for constituents by protecting existing jobs and creating new jobs, providing for better health care, fighting for women’s equal pay, and ensuring that the education, transportation, and infrastructure needs of his constituents are provided.
Making an educated vote
Residents are urged to learn more about their choices for Congress by contacting the respective campaign offices of the candidates. For additional information on Albio Sires, visit www.sires.house.gov; for information on Henrietta Dywer, visit www.dwyer4congress.com; for information on Anthony Zanowic visit http://azforcongress.com; a website for Maximo Gomez Nacer could not be obtained by press time.
Lana Rose Diaz can be reached at ldiaz@hudsonreporter.com.