For the last 18 years Sen. John Bonacic has failed families within the 42nd district by making bad deals through tax abatement programs and political influence that favors big business to the detriment of local communities. Bonacic has doubled down recently on intentions to undermine New York State environmental regulations designed to protect our health and environment. Bonacic's record shows a consistent history of compromising local communities, their health and environmental concerns, in order to deliver astronomical profits to mulitnational business interests and extractive fossil-fuel industries.

Case in point: the Millennium Pipeline Company, L.L.C, to which Bonacic has close, known connections, has for the last 10 years received tax abatements through the Sullivan County IDA to the tune of 10 million dollars. Millennium’s proposed Eastern System Upgrade which would site toxic compressor stations and related industrial uses in place of wild, intact Catskill forests, will result in 66 million dollars in Millennium-exclusive profits over another 10 years. These are corporate give-aways that significantly undermine our tax base, our communities, our families.  Further, they create little, if any, long-term sustainable jobs.

The Catskills cannot continue to tolerate these tax giveaways and increasingly cozy fossil-fuel relationships that are undermining local communities, our very health and safety. Pramilla Malick has a demonstrated record of service and advocacy in Sullivan and Orange Counties. She is not beholden to corporate interests, and will represent the communities of the 42nd district with honesty and foresight. We have a choice this election and now is the time to vote for change. We must defend the unique landscape and beauty of the Catskills, not let big business destroy it for the sake of industrial profit and special deals for corporate interests.

Stephen Metts

Smallwood, NY