Interview
with Nassau’s 13th District Democratic Assemblyman, the Honorable
David Sidikman.
BACKGROUND
Age
69; married with two children and nine grandchildren. Assemblyman since
February 1992; formerly an attorney in private practice. Graduate of New
York University Law School and undergraduate degree from Lehigh
University. Resident of Old Bethpage for 35 years and originally from
Brooklyn.
MEDICAID
Medicaid
started with Rockefeller and it was a public policy position to have
healthcare for those less fortunate.
As it has evolved, 50% Federal-25% New York State and 25%-local,
it’s only recently that we have been hit with high costs and that the
local burden has become intolerable. In 1994 the New York State
Assembly’s position was that any growth dollars in long-term care
should be carried by New York State. Governor Pataki vetoed it. There is
a Bill in the Assembly that caps all future Medicaid growth by having
New York State pay for it. The Medicaid Family Health Plus Program was
created in 1999. The Assembly position (including my position) was that
the State should pay for it. The Governor rejected that position. This
year, we passed a program that beginning on Jan 1, 2005, the State will
pick-up one-half of the Family Health Plus Program, which is worth $6.2
million to Nassau County and in 2006, everything will be picked up by
the State, and this will save Nassau $20 million over the two years.
ELECTIONS 2004
Chuck
Schumer wins the Senate seat handily and Mills, his opponent, is an
unknown. I’m
looking
forward to a John Kerry victory in November in a close one. Four more
years of George Bush would be a disaster for Americans and his policies
are very difficult to deal with.
RE
GLEN COVE
I have procured over
$6 million for the City in funds. This includes road improvement,
waterfront development and a recent $250k grant for the library
extension. When I was first elected, small cities couldn’t vote on
their school budgets. I co-sponsored legislation that helped Glen Cove
(under former Mayor Suozzi) obtain the right to vote on their budgets.
Every grant application that the former Mayor applied for I supported. I
have helped to fund EMS, Lucille Cutler’s Adult Literacy Project, Bill
Richardson’s EOC and La Fuerza Unida.
GOVERNOR
PATAKI
I
served on the Governor’s task force on the Election Law Committee. I
had Assembly hearings across the State. He’s a hands-off Governor
whereas Mario Cuomo was always at the Capitol. We can never find Pataki
when we need him.
SUCCESSES
AS AN ASSEMBLYMAN
Obtaining
road monies, school monies and helping to see that 60-70 Assembly Bills
were turned into law. Included in the Bills were: a law for victims to
make an impact statement at the time of Parole, to ensure health
decisions for people under the care of the Association for Retarded
Children, and obtaining a traffic signal at Jericho High School. I have
quietly funded many projects in the Villages across the 13th
Assembly District.
FAVORITE
ACTRESS, INTERNATIONAL CITY, BOOK AND TV NEWS COMMENTATOR
Emma
Thompson, Prague, DaVinci Code and Tom Brokaw
MINOR
PARTIES
The
Independent and working Families parties attracts people of compatible
interests. In my district alone, 15,000 people are registered voters
without party affiliation. They are truly the “independent” voters
and have an affinity for the minor parties.
NORTH
HEMPSTEAD (Westbury, New Cassel)
I’m
working to get the Leeds Star Program into Westbury schools. This is
additional education for students that need to supplement their
education. I helped to obtain money for Mildred Little’s Environmental
Advocacy Group.
PERSONAL
& FAMILY GOALS
I
am working hard for my re-election and may stop in to see a Broadway
show periodically, if I have time. I am still an avid reader of history
and hope to see my seven grandchildren that live in Israel sometime next
year.
|
