WNED AM 970
by Chris Caya

BUFFALO (WNED) - Democrat Andrew Cuomo and Republican Carl Paladino are not the only candidates in the New York Governor's race. The ballot in November will also include Green Party Candidate Howie Hawkins.

Hawkins proposes taxing the rich in what he calls a "Green New Deal." It includes a living wage for the minimum wage, single payer health care and fully funded public schools.

"We've had 30 years of tax cuts," said Hawkins. "If [the state] had just kept the money, we would have had a $7 billion surplus instead of a $9 billion deficit."

Hawkins' plan also includes public investment in a green industrial policy that would create jobs, a ban on hydrofracking and putting an end to the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan.

Hawkins was in downtown Buffalo today to challenge Paladino to a debate.