Han Khon To
RepublicanQ1 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?
I would favor a predictable permitting framework rather than an indefinite blanket prohibition. Large projects should demonstrate that adequate electric capacity, water, transmission, local infrastructure are available; disclose projected resource demands, mitigate costs they impose on the grid and host communities. Tax incentives should be tied to measurable public benefits such as permanent New York jobs, workforce training, energy efficiency, infrastructure investment with periodic review to determine whether the incentives are producing value for taxpayers. The goal should be to keep New York competitive in AI and advanced technology while protecting ratepayers and ensuring that growth is supported by the infrastructure needed to sustain it.
KEYWORDS: AI:Data centers
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 needs an energy strategy that reduces emissions while keeping electricity reliable and affordable. I would support an “all of the above “ low carbon approach that preserves and where feasible, expands reliable nuclear and hydropower, while adding wind, solar, storage, transmission and other technologies where they are cost effective and technically sound. The timeline should be driven by measurable readiness rather than by retiring dependable generation before replacement capability, transmission, storage and reliability resources are actually operating. Natural gas may remain necessary during the transition to maintain reliability during periods when demand is high or intermittent resources are unavailable. I would rely on independent reliability assessment, system demand forecasts, total consumer costs, lifecycle emissions, project performance, New York’s actual progress in building generation and transmission. Climate goals matter, but the transition must also keep the lights on and avoid imposing unaffordable energy costs on families and businesses.
KEYWORDS: Energy/climate
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 should help students learn how to evaluate information, not tell them what political conclusions to reach. Schools can strengthen scientific literacy by teaching students how the scientific method works, how to distinguish peer reviewed evidence from unsupported claims, how to evaluate sources and statistics and how scientific conclusions can change when better evidence becomes available. When schools provide public health or scientific information to families, it should come from clearly identified current sources and should distinguish established evidence from areas of legitimate scientific uncertainty. Students should also learn responsible digital and media literacy so they can recognize manipulated content, misleading statistics, and misinformation online. Trust is strengthened through transparency. Public institutions should explain the evidence behind their guidance, disclose uncertainty and corrections and encourage questions rather than treating scientific discussion as a partisan issue.
KEYWORDS: Trust in science
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?
Pesticide policy should be based on risk, exposure and credible scientific evidence rather than treating every product or agricultural use as identical.I would consider peer reviewed toxicology and epidemiology, environmental monitoring effects on pollinators and water quality, occupational exposure, Federal and state safety assessments and real world application data. At the same time, policymakers should examine what a restriction would mean for crop yields, food prices, farm viability, pest resistance, whether safer and economically practical alternatives are available. Integrated pest management, precision application, farmer education, targeted restrictions can reduce unnecessary exposure without automatically eliminating tools farmers may need. When evidence shows that a particular use presents an unreasonable risk and viable alternatives exist, restrictions may be appropriate. Where evidence is uncertain, New York should continue monitoring, research and consultation with farmers, scientists, public health experts, environmental specialists before imposing broad mandates.
KEYWORDS: Public health/agriculture:pesticides.
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 is primarily a federal responsibility, but New York has a strong interest in maintaining a world class scientific and technology workforce. International students and researchers contribute to universities, laboratories, hospitals, startups, others employers across the state. New York should work with universities and employers to identify workforce shortages, provide accurate guidance to affected institutions and students, advocate to federal officials for visa policies that are predictable, timely, secure, merit based. National security and research integrity concerns should be taken seriously, but legitimate students and researchers should have clear rules and fair processes. At the same time, the state should strengthen its own stem pipeline through SUNY, CUNY, community colleges, apprenticeships, Research partnerships and career pathway so New Yorkers are prepared for the scientific and technical jobs being created here.
KEYWORDS: Jobs & workforce: international stem students and researchers.
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 before disasters occur rather than relying on emergency assistance afterwards. I would support targeted, accountable programs that help farmers improve drainage and water management, irrigation and water storage, soil health, erosion control, backup power, crop protection, other infrastructure that reduces losses from floods, drought, heat and severe storms. Existing resilience programs should be evaluated by measurable outcomes and made accessible to small and family farms, not only operations with the resources to navigate complicated grant processes. The state should also strengthen agricultural weather information, extension services, emergency planning, coordination with federal crop insurance and disaster programs. Investments that reduce repeated losses can protect farmers, strengthen New York’s food supply and lower the long term cost of disaster recovery.
KEYWORDS: Agriculture/environment : extreme weather.
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 help law enforcement locate stolen vehicles, identify vehicles connected to serious crimes and respond to public safety threats. But a useful tool should not become a system for unrestricted tracking of people who are not suspected of wrongdoing. I would support statewide rules defining permissible law enforcement uses, access controls, audit logs, cybersecurity standards, retention limits for data that is not connected to an investigation, clear rules governing sharing with other agencies and private vendors. Access should be tied to legitimate public safety purposes and appropriate legal process with emergency exceptions where necessary to protect life. New York should also require transparency about agency policies and meaningful penalties for misuse. The objective should be to preserve the legitimate investigative value of ALPR technology while protecting privacy and preventing indiscriminate surveillance.
KEYWORDS: AI/public safety: ALPR data.
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 treat recurring wildfire smoke as a public health preparedness issue. The state should continue improving real time air quality monitoring and forecasting and make warning easy for schools, employers, local governments, health providers, families to understand and act upon. Preparedness should include plans for distributing high quality masks during severe smoke events, improving filtration in school and other public building where feasible, identifying clear air spaces for vulnerable residents, and providing clear guidance for children, older adults, outdoor workers, people with respiratory or cardiovascular conditions. The state should also collect health and exposure data so future decisions are based on New York specific evidence because smoke crosses borders, New York should coordinate with neighboring states, federal agencies and Canadian authorities on forecasting and emergency communications.
KEYWORDS: Environment/public health: wildfire smoke.
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?
New York’s universities, hospitals and research institutions are major contributors to biomedical discovery and the state’s innovation economy. I support stable, competitive federal research funding that rewards scientific merit, protects taxpayers, includes strong safeguards for research integrity, security and accountability. As a state senator, I would work with New York’s congressional delegation, universities, hospitals, research employers to document how federal funding changes affect ongoing research, jobs, clinical innovation, New York competitiveness. The state should also examine targeted partnerships that leverage private investment and state resources in areas of strategic importance. New York cannot realistically replace the scale of federal biomedical research funding, so state policy should focus on maintaining a competitive research environment, retaining scientific talent, ensuring that limited state dollars complement rather than simply substitute for federal support.
KEYWORDS: Science funding: NIH and New York research.