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59th State Senate District - Partnership Evaluation

In the 59th Senate District, Dale Volker is seeking re-election against current Erie County Legislator Kathy Konst. Volker, who has received the endorsements of the Republican, Independence and Conservative parties, has served in the Senate for 34 years. He says that his top priorities are job creation, lower property taxes lower business taxes. In addition, he states that making sure Western New York gets its fair share of school aid is also a priority.

Senator Volker states that the top issues facing employers in his district are property tax issues, workers comp, tort reform & energy issues. Volker currently Chairs the Senate Committee on Criminal and Civil Codes.

He states that we need more taxpayers, not more taxes.

• Voted “yes” on both the TIF Bill, which the Partnership supports, and "yes" on retiree health insurance protection legislation, which the Partnership opposes
• Scaffold Law has been a primary issue for Volker, and he currently sponsors legislation to repeal the law
• Most Volker views align directly with the Partnership on relevant issues

Senator Volker does carry the liability of being in an Albany that is perceived as being “broken” for so long.

Senator Volker’s opponent in the 59th Senate District race, Kathy Konst, is currently employed as the President & CEO of  the Lancaster Area Chamber of Commerce, in addition to serving as an Erie County Legislator. She is running on the Democratic line. She states that her top three priorities are Wicks reform, Taylor Law reform & reducing government waste. If elected, she would most like to serve on the Finance Committee and the Economic Development/Small Business Commerce Committee.

Not surprisingly because of her role with the Lancaster Chamber, Legislator Konst’s responses to the Partnership’s questionnaire directly align with the positions of the Partnership on relevant issues.

She believes that employers should support her campaign because she understands and has advocated for business for more than 10 years and that the current political climate is not working and she can bring positive change.

• In addition, during her time in the Erie County  Legislature, Konst has:
• Opposed apprenticeship law
• Supported Framework for Regional Growth
• Supported performance-based budgeting
• Opposed union hand-outs in exchange for contract negotiations
• Urged DOT cessation of Route 219 project
• Opposed 100% dedication of “bed tax” revenues to CVB for tourism marketing