Howard Mills in NY Senate debate

On Abortion: Supports a woman’s right to choose

MILLS: I’m socially tolerant and O’Grady is in this race for one reason and one reason only: I support a woman’s right to choose. She’s an anti-choice candidate. She’s running a one-issue, anti-choice campaign. I support a woman’s right to choose.

O’GRADY: Everybody believes in freedom. What Howard doesn’t believe in is the freedom for the unborn. They don’t have any rights as far as he’s concerned, and that’s why I’m in this race in order to give a voice to those who would not have any voice.

Source: 2004 NY Senate Debate on WABC Oct 17, 2004

On Civil Rights: Supports equal rights minus the use of marriage for gays

Q: Would you support or oppose a ban on same-sex marriages? And why?

A: I do support the federal Defense of Marriage Act. I do believe that marriage is between a man and a woman and that it should be kept that way. And I would fight to keep it that way It is a critical cultural, religious concept in our society. I do support civil unions, and I do support equal rights minus the use of marriage for same-sex couples. This is an issue that really highlights why I am being criticized by some in this campaign. I do agree that the Defense of Marriage Act was good legislation. I would support it. Marriage is between a man and a woman. And I will do everything that I can as a US senator to keep the law that way. But we do have to express tolerance and support for same-sex couples as well.

Source: 2004 NY Senate Debate, excerpted in NY Times Oct 17, 2004

On Homeland Security: Homeland security should not be normal pork-barrel spending

MILLS: New York ranks below Wyoming on a per capita basis in homeland security monies. All homeland security monies should be allocated on a risk-assessment basis. It should not be normal pork-barrel spending as usual. We’re not getting enough.

SCHUMER Sen. Clinton and I got a fund past the Senate, that would give New York a very fair share. In the first year, we got a good share. Then it slipped, mainly because the Bush administration was not fighting for us. But we’re going to get those funds back.

Source: 2004 NY Senate Debate, excerpted in NY Times Oct 17, 2004

On Principles & Values: Plans to serve a full term

Q: If you are elected or re-elected in November, do you plan to serve a full term?

O’GRADY: Yes.

SCHUMER: The only thing on my radar screen is to be a good senator. But I never say never.

MILLS: Yes.

Source: [Xref O’Grady] 2004 NY Senate Debate, excerpted in NY Times Oct 17, 2004

On Tax Reform: Supports cutting capital gains and dividend tax

I support cutting capital gains and dividend tax. I have a $36 billion middle-class tax cut. I call for eliminating the alternative minimum tax entirely for anyone earning under $100,000 a year. I call for raising the age of childhood deduction from the current 14 years of age and younger to 17 years of age and younger. It’s a truly middle-class tax cut. It will help the middle class in this state and all of America and will help stimulate the economy. Source: 2004 NY Senate Debate on WABC Oct 17, 2004

On Technology: Mass transit is critical to the city of New York

We have lost money since Schumer went to Washington in every federal category from homeland security, where we currently rank below Wyoming on a per capita basis, to federal transportation and mass transit money. Mass transit is critical to the city of New York, and Schumer voted to cut the Federal Transportation Act by $2.1 billion. That hurts New York City; that’s why I’m running. Source: 2004 NY Senate Debate on WABC Oct 17, 2004

On Technology: Favors building a stadium for the New York Jets

Q: Do you favor building a stadium on the West Side of Manhattan for the New York Jets?

O’GRADY: No.

SCHUMER: Build the No. 7 line first.

MILLS: Yes, I do.

Source: 2004 NY Senate Debate, excerpted in NY Times Oct 17, 2004

The above quotations are from New York Senate debate, Sen. Charles Schumer (D) vs. Howard Mills (R) vs. Marilyn O'Grady (Const.), Oct. 17, 2004 on WABC. Click here for other excerpts from New York Senate debate, Sen. Charles Schumer (D) vs. Howard Mills (R) vs. Marilyn O'Grady (Const.), Oct. 17, 2004 on WABC. Click here for other excerpts by Howard Mills. Click here for a profile of Howard Mills.
*Howard Mills on other issues:*
Abortion Budget/Economy Civil Rights Corporations Crime Drugs Education Energy/Oil Environment Families Foreign Policy Free Trade	Govt. Reform Gun Control Health Care Homeland Security Immigration Jobs Principles Social Security Tax Reform Technology War/Peace Welfare
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Page last updated: Feb 19, 2019