If Howie Hawkins had O.J. Simpson's agent . . .
Syracuse Post-Standard
Political Notebook
March 23rd, 2007
Syracuse Green Party activist Howie Hawkins - whose idealism has pushed him to run for office nine times for five different offices - seriously considered jumping into this year's wide-open race for Onondaga County executive.
In the end, he chose to run for a Syracuse common council seat instead.
But what if Hawkins were to write a book - ala O.J. Simpson - saying that he's not running for county executive, but here's how he would run the government if he did.
A recent discussion with Hawkins suggested what might've been on his plate:
- Adopt a fairer tax system. Hawkins advocates replacing property taxes with a county-wide income tax.
- Limit economic development benefits to firms that use 'Green' technology and provide living wages to workers. That means cutting subsidies to big retail projects with lots of minimum-wage, no-benefits jobs.
- Promote sustainable environmental practices and support alternative energy projects.
- Pursue public power as a cost-efficient alternative to National Grid.