Adrian Romero
ConservativeQ1 Data centers are a controversial part of America’s growing AI industry, supporting cutting-edge innovation and potential job creation, but raising issues of resource use and utility costs. New York now has a moratorium on data center construction. At the same time, state tax law grants tax exemptions to equipment and services used by data centers, which some proposed legislation would repeal. What do you see as the right balance of costs and benefits for new data center construction in New York, and how would your policies accomplish that balance?
New York should welcome responsible investment in artificial intelligence and data centers while protecting taxpayers, utility customers, and local communities. I do not believe Albany should pick winners and losers or impose broad restrictions that drive technology, investment, and jobs to other states.
My approach would be straightforward: allow data centers to be built where they make economic and infrastructure sense, but require developers to pay their fair share of the infrastructure and energy costs they create. New projects should not result in higher utility bills for ordinary families and small businesses.
I would support a predictable, transparent permitting process, strong local input, and infrastructure requirements for large data centers. Tax incentives should also be reviewed based on measurable public benefits such as jobs, investment, and tax revenue rather than being provided indefinitely without accountability.
New York should also pursue policies that increase reliable and affordable energy supply. If we want to attract AI companies and the jobs and investment that come with them, we need an energy policy capable of supporting that growth.
The goal should not be to stop AI development in New York. The goal should be to make sure technological growth happens responsibly, creates real economic opportunity, and does not shift its costs onto working families.
KEYWORDS: Economic Growth, Job Creation, Energy Reliability, Affordable Utilities, Taxpayer Protection, Ratepayer Protection, Private Investment, Local Control, Infrastructure Investment, Regulatory Accountability, Responsible Development, Technology, Limited Government
Q2 New York currently generates about 47% of its energy from low carbon sources including nuclear, hydropower, and wind and solar, with the remainder coming from combustion sources (natural gas, oil, biofuel, and solid waste). While New York committed to shifting to low-carbon energy sources and emissions reductions in passing the Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act (CLCPA), Governor Hochul recently moved to delay implementation of several components of the state’s climate law to December 31, 2028. As concerns about energy costs, reliability, and emissions grow, what energy sources would you prioritize, under what timeline, and what evidence would guide that decision?
New York’s energy policy should begin with three priorities: affordability, reliability, and reducing emissions. We should not pursue an energy transition on an arbitrary timeline if doing so makes electricity less affordable or puts reliability at risk.
I would support an all-of-the-above energy strategy that preserves and expands reliable sources of electricity, including natural gas where necessary, nuclear power, hydropower, and renewable sources such as wind and solar. I believe nuclear energy deserves particular attention because it can provide reliable, low-carbon electricity around the clock.
I would also support expanding energy production and transmission infrastructure while reducing unnecessary regulatory delays. New York needs enough reliable electricity to support families, businesses, manufacturing, and the growing demand from technologies such as artificial intelligence.
Rather than setting policy based solely on mandates or political deadlines, I would evaluate energy decisions using measurable evidence: electricity prices for households and businesses, grid reliability, emissions reductions, energy supply and demand, infrastructure costs, and the effect on jobs and economic growth.
My goal would be to reduce emissions without sacrificing affordability or reliability. New York should use technology and competition to determine how we reach that goal, rather than forcing taxpayers and ratepayers to bear unnecessary costs.
KEYWORDS: energy Affordability, Energy Reliability, All-of-the-Above Energy, Nuclear Energy, Natural Gas, Hydropower, Renewable Energy, Energy Independence, Grid Modernization, Lower Utility Costs, Infrastructure Investment, Technology Neutrality, Emissions Reduction, Economic Growth, Evidence-Based Policy, Ratepayer Protection
Q3 Young adults say that social media is their top source of science information, but acknowledge that it is less trustworthy compared to other sources. In addition, the widespread usage of social media and other sources of scientific information has resulted in the spread of misinformation that has spurred public education policies to curb it, such as a NYC vaccine misinformation legislation. What role should public education play in combatting misinformation and disseminating trustworthy, up to date scientific information to students and their families?
Public education has an important role in helping students distinguish reliable scientific information from misinformation, but that role should be based on education rather than government censorship.
I would support teaching students how to evaluate sources, understand the scientific method, recognize credible evidence, identify conflicts of interest, and distinguish established scientific findings from legitimate scientific debate. Students should learn how to ask questions and think critically rather than simply being told what to believe.
Schools should rely on qualified scientists, medical professionals, peer-reviewed research, and established public-health institutions when providing scientific information. At the same time, parents should have transparency about what their children are being taught and access to the underlying sources and materials.
When it comes to public-health issues such as vaccines, families should have access to clear, current, evidence-based information from qualified medical professionals. Government should make reliable information accessible without turning schools into vehicles for political messaging.
My goal would be to give students the tools to navigate social media and the internet intelligently: teach them how to recognize misinformation, verify claims, compare credible sources, and make informed decisions. A scientifically literate citizen is better equipped to think independently and make responsible decisions for themselves and their families.
Q4 Pesticides are widely used in food production to help manage pests and support crop yields, but ongoing debates over their safety have raised questions about their long-term use and led to proposals to restrict certain pesticides. What data and evidence will you use to weigh the role of these products in food security against safety concerns when shaping policy on their use in New York agriculture?
New York should protect the safety of consumers, farm workers, and our environment while also protecting farmers’ ability to produce an affordable and reliable food supply. I would not support blanket pesticide bans that are based on politics rather than sound evidence.
My policy decisions would be guided by peer-reviewed scientific research, toxicology and epidemiological studies, pesticide residue testing, worker-exposure data, environmental impacts, and the effectiveness and availability of safer alternatives. I would also consider the economic impact on New York farmers, including whether restrictions could reduce crop yields, increase food prices, or put New York agriculture at a competitive disadvantage.
Where a pesticide is shown through strong, credible evidence to present an unacceptable risk, appropriate restrictions or removal should be considered. But where products meet established safety standards, farmers should be able to use them responsibly according to the law and product labels.
I also support expanding Integrated Pest Management, which uses monitoring, prevention, targeted treatments, and less-risky alternatives before resorting to broader pesticide applications.
The standard should be simple: protect public health, protect our farmers, and base decisions on the best available evidence and not fear, politics, or one-size-fits-all mandates.
KEYWORDS: Food Safety, Farmers, Scientific Evidence, Responsible Regulation
Q5 New York has the second largest international student population of any U.S. state, the majority of which study in STEM fields. The federal government is pursuing largescale changes to student visa approval, including increased visa denials, revoking existing visas, restricting travel from certain countries, and decreasing student visa durations. How, if at all, should New York respond to federal visa changes affecting international STEM students and researchers, and the resulting projected changes in the scientific workforce supply?
Immigration and visa policy are primarily federal responsibilities, and New York should respect that authority. At the same time, New York should make sure our universities, research institutions, and businesses can compete for talent while putting American workers first.
I would support policies that strengthen STEM education and workforce development for New Yorkers, expand internships and apprenticeships, and help employers find qualified workers here at home. Where federal visa policies affect New York’s universities and research institutions, the state should work with those institutions and the federal government to understand the economic and workforce impacts.
International students and researchers can contribute to innovation and economic growth, but New York’s priority should be developing a strong domestic STEM workforce so we are not unnecessarily dependent on foreign talent.
The goal should be a competitive workforce that creates opportunities for New Yorkers, protects national security, and allows New York to remain a leader in science, technology, and innovation.
KEYWORDS: American Workers, STEM Education, Workforce Development, Innovation, National Security
Q6 Extreme weather events are increasingly impacting farmland and food supplies across NY, including up to 30 million dollars in damages to farmer livelihoods. This has prompted the USDA to designate 30 counties in New York as Natural Disaster Areas. What policies, if any, would you support to help farmers adapt to and prepare for increasingly erratic weather?
New York should help farmers prepare for unpredictable weather without burdening them with unnecessary regulations or higher costs. Farmers are often the first to experience the economic consequences of drought, flooding, extreme temperatures, and severe storms.
I would support expanding access to crop insurance, disaster assistance, and low-interest financing for farms that need to repair or improve infrastructure. I would also support investments in drainage, irrigation, water storage, soil conservation, and other practical measures that help farms withstand extreme weather.
Government programs should be targeted, transparent, and focused on measurable results. New York should also work with the federal government, agricultural organizations, and researchers to make sure farmers have access to useful weather data, agricultural technology, and new farming techniques.
Our goal should be simple: protect New York’s food supply, help farmers remain financially viable, and give them the tools and flexibility to adapt without imposing unnecessary government mandates.
KEYWORDS: Farm Resilience, Disaster Assistance, Agricultural Infrastructure
Q7 Law enforcement agencies across New York have contracted with Flock to install Automated License Plate Reader (ALPR) cameras as a public safety tool. The technology is receiving pushback over concerns over privacy and data sharing, resulting in city councilors in Syracuse voting to remove Flock cameras. What are your views on accessibility and utilization of ALPR data by local and federal law enforcement, and what legislation, if any, would you propose governing how ALPR data is collected, stored, shared and retained?
Automated License Plate Readers can be an important tool for law enforcement to investigate crimes, locate stolen vehicles, and protect public safety. At the same time, government should not collect or retain Americans’ location data indefinitely without clear rules and accountability.
I would support legislation establishing clear limits on how ALPR data is collected, stored, accessed, and shared. Data should be collected for legitimate public-safety purposes, retained only for a defined period, and access should be limited to authorized law-enforcement personnel. Sharing with other agencies, including federal agencies, should follow transparent legal standards and appropriate oversight.
I would also support strong cybersecurity requirements and penalties for unauthorized access or misuse of ALPR information. Law-abiding New Yorkers should not have their movements permanently tracked simply because they drove past a camera.
The goal should be to give law enforcement the tools they need to keep communities safe while protecting individual privacy, due process, and constitutional rights.
KEYWORDS: Public Safety, Privacy Rights, Data Security, Due Process, Law Enforcement Accountability, Constitutional Protections
Q8 Smoke from Canadian wildfires in recent summers has pushed New York air quality to unhealthy levels. The long-term consequences, if any, of these wildfires are unknown: Short-term data show a rise in asthma-related emergency department visits during smoke events, though some studies suggest the increase is comparable to that seen on high-pollen days. With extreme wildfire seasons projected to become more frequent as global temperatures rise, what measures, if any, do you think New York should invest in to prepare for future smoke events?
New York should focus on practical preparedness rather than costly mandates. I would support investing in real-time air-quality monitoring, public alerts, clean-air shelters, and support for schools and vulnerable residents during severe smoke events. We should also improve coordination with local and federal agencies so communities can respond quickly when air quality becomes dangerous. Our priority should be protecting public health while using taxpayer dollars responsibly.
KEYWORDS: Public Safety, Air Quality, Emergency Preparedness
Q9 New York is the second largest recipient of funding from the National Institutes of Health (NIH). Proposed federal budgets would significantly reduce NIH funds going to New York hospitals, universities, and research institutions. Where do you stand on the proposed changes to NIH funding levels, and what steps, if any, would you take to address their potential effect on New York’s research sector?
Federal research funding should be focused on projects that produce measurable public benefits, while avoiding unnecessary bureaucracy and waste. I would oppose cuts that undermine promising medical research, but I also believe NIH funding should be accountable and results-driven. New York should work with federal leaders to protect high-value research, strengthen partnerships with the private sector, and ensure taxpayer dollars are producing meaningful scientific and economic results.
KEYWORDS: Medical Research, Fiscal Responsibility, Innovation