Galef Releases Results of January 2013 Constituent Survey

By Staff | May 5, 2013

Constituents agree on many issues, are divided on others

Assemblywoman Sandy Galef has released the results of her most recent constituent survey, citing that 695 constituents responded to various questions regarding early voting, plastic bag taxes, gun safety and medical personnel apologies, among other issues.

“I rely on these surveys to get a better understanding of the issues that are important to my constituents,” Galef said. “I found it intriguing that respondents were very split on some of the issues, while on others almost everyone seemed to agree upon a particular path to take. Discussions about how to move forward with these topics will be continuing in the Legislature, so it is very useful to have received this input from those who live in my assembly district.”

Some of the questions showed a general consensus among the respondents. Even though the survey came out around the same time as the legislation in regard to gun control was passing the Assembly, 69 percent of constituents responded that they support the placement of additional measures regulating both guns and ammunition. On Jan. 15, Gov. Cuomo signed into law the New York Secure Ammunition and Firearms Enforcement Act, or SAFE Act, the most comprehensive gun safety law in the United States at the time.

With regard to medical personnel apologizing for errors without the apology being considered an admission of guilt, 65 percent of constituents agreed such apologies should be excluded in medical malpractice lawsuits, and Galef has introduced Assembly bill A4071 to do so.

The results show that 64 percent of the constituents would support allowing voters in New York state to cast ballots up to a week or two before Election Day. Many respondents commented on this issue, supporting the increased accessibility to voting that this proposal would offer.

Two questions on the survey received an overwhelming amount of favorable support. Eighty-eight percent of constituents agree with Galef that the statute of limitations for victims of child sexual abuse should be extended from five years to 10 years. Eighty-nine percent of those that responded are in favor of the creation and maintenance of an automobile driver next-of-kin registry. This would allow those who obtain driver’s licenses to provide the New York State Department of Motor Vehicles with emergency contact information that can then be used to contact next-of-kin in the event of an automobile accident that either kills or injures the driver. In order to direct the Commissioner of the DMV to establish such a registry, Galef has introduced Assembly Bill A6694.

Most of the questions yielded results that showed a clear majority opinion of the respondents. This was not the case for the issue of allowing voters that are not registered with a specific party to participate in primary elections. According to the results, only 49 percent are in favor of New York allowing this. Another topic on which respondents are much divided is that of adopting a program to impose a 5-cent fee for single use carryout bags at stores and supermarkets, with the revenue then going towards state parks and historic sites. A majority of 58 percent are opposed to such a program being implemented.

“I have distributed the full results of my survey to my Assembly and Senate colleagues and will continue working with them to pass legislation that will benefit both the communities within my Assembly District and the entire state. I appreciate all of the responses that I received. It is essential to receive such feedback from my constituents so I am aware of the issues that are important to them and can represent them well in Albany,” Galef concluded.

New York State Assemblywoman Sandy Galef, April 2013

I received 695 responses to the Constituent Questionnaire on the back of my January Newsletter and I thank those of you who submitted these responses. I value your input, as it allows me to better address the pressing issues of today during the legislative process. Here are the percentage results for both yes and no responses:

Question	In Favor	Opposed
1. Many states in the U.S. have early voting opportunities to encourage greater voter participation. How would you feel about New York State allowing voters to cast a ballot up to a week or two before election day, which would include a Saturday and a Sunday?	425 / 64%	237 / 36%
2. Other states allow voters not registered with specific parties to participate in primary elections. Do you think New York should allow this?	331 / 49%	347 / 51%
3. Should we adopt a program which would impose a 5 cent fee for single use carry out bags at supermarkets and stores, revenue from which we would use to fund state parks and historic sites?	280 / 42%	380 / 58%
4. Many medical personnel, such as doctors and nurses, are afraid to apologize for an error or bad outcome regarding a patient because it can be used in lawsuits as an admission of guilt. Would you support a law that excludes such apologies as admissions of liability in medical malpractice lawsuits?	409 / 65%	220 / 35%
5. Should we extend the statute of limitations from five to ten years for victims of child sexual abuse to file claims against their abusers?	593 / 88%	82 / 12%
6. Some states maintain an automobile driver next-of-kin registry so that the next of kin are contacted if the driver is injured or killed in an automobile accident. Would you support legislation that would allow those obtaining a driver’s license to provide the New York State Department of Motor Vehicles with emergency contact information in case he or she is injured in an automobile accident?	599 / 89%	71 / 11%
7. In light of the tragedy of Newtown, CT, do you believe the state needs to put in place additional measures regulating guns and ammunition?	457 / 69%	205 / 31%

The following are some of the comments on my survey that I received from constituents in relation to various issues:

Gun Control Comments

Ban private ownership of assault weapons
Ban large magazines/limit number of rounds
Enforce current laws
Go after criminals, not law-abiding citizens
Tougher restrictions should be applied to handguns
More extensive background checks
Ban or tax assault weapons
Ban pistols
Ban ammunition for banned weapons
Longer wait periods for purchasing firearms
Strengthen registration procedures
All weapons must be kept in vault
Tougher sentences for gun-related crimes
Station employee at school entrance, possibly with use of a buzzer system
Hunt down unregistered gun owners
Enforce registration/background checks at gun shows
No sales at gun shows
Strict licensing
Re-registration every year/periodically
Make purchase of guns public knowledge
Hunters cannot own more than 3 rifles or shotguns
Ban handguns
No more than 1 box of bullets per month per costumer
Ammunition should be registered when bought
Ammunition should be limited, and taxed
Register all firearms
Don’t need more laws
New tax on buying guns
Alert police if gun owner has more than 1 gun
Restrict concealed weapons
More money and effort into mental health issues
Close gun show and private sale loopholes
Require higher-level license for assault weapons and high-capacity magazines
Ban gun ownership for people with mental health issues
Institute background checks for purchases of ammunition
Ban individuals under 19 from purchasing guns
Limit number of guns private households can own
Improve databases of guns/gun owners across state agencies
Require fingerprinting of all gun buyers
Limit gun and ammunition purchases as much as possible
Restrict sale of ammunition to specifically licensed entities (NOT sporting goods stores)
Limit gun purchases to 1 per year
Stricter punishment for gun trafficking
Restrict hunting within one mile of public space, including in the Adirondacks