2012 Endorsement Questionnaire Mike Amodeo

Mailing Address: Amodeo for Senate PO Box 95 Buffalo, NY 14201 Campaign Headquarters 6000 South Park Ave., Suite 100 Hamburg, NY 14075 info@amodeoforsenate.com Phone: 716-712-6520 Fax: N/A

Party Affiliation: Endorsed Democratic candidate for State Senate - 60th District Additional Lines: No other party lines being sought at this time. 1. Why are you seeking this office? I want to serve as our State Senator so I can help implement progressive policies in New York State that create good-paying jobs, protect the environment and guarantee equal rights for all citizens. I believe these issues are the most important in the district for which I am running. 2. Why are you seeking the endorsement of Stonewall Democrats of WNY? Support from the Stonewall Democrats of WNY is an important indicator among donors, volunteers and voters that a candidate is a supporter of LGBTQ rights and has progressive values. As the progressive candidate in the race, it is important to my candidacy to have your organizations endorsement. 3. What three issues do you consider to be most important to the people served by the office you seek, and how have you/can you use said office to benefit these issues? For each issue: a) Provide an example of specific action you have previously taken - either as a public official or as a private citizen - to bring about positive change to this issue; and b) Specify what additional action in regard to this issue you intend to propose if elected to the office you seek. Issue 1 - Economic Development: The most important issue facing our community is the continued economic recovery. As an attorney with a degree in economics, I understand the challenges facing small businesses. I am also a member of the Hamburg Chamber of Commerce. If elected, I would work to reform our broken economic development programs that cost too much money and create too few jobs. Issue 2 - Education: One of the top priorities of in New York State is improving public education. I have worked on this issue as a member of the Sunrise Rotary Club of Hamburg, helping raise money for scholarships and giving awards to students that

improve their grades. If elected, I would work to close corporate tax loopholes to provide more funding to the classrooms and early childhood education. Issue 3 - Housing: A priority for the district, particularly on the west side of Buffalo, is housing. As a member of the Buffalo Volunteer Lawyers Project, I did pro bono work on many In Rem Tax foreclosure defense cases. If elected to the State Senate, I will work on legislation that helps improve our urban neighborhoods and stabilizes property values. 4. What three civil rights issues do you perceive to be the most important to the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer (LGBTQ) community? For each issue: a) Provide an example of specific action you have previously taken - either as a public official or as a private citizen - to bring about positive change to this issue and how your past actions would help you be an effective and productive advocate for equality; and b) Specify what additional action in regard to this issue you intend to propose if elected to the office you seek. Issue 1 - Bullying: One of the most important issue facing the LGBTQ community is bullying. As a college football player, I often heard my teammates use derogatory terms on the football field and the locker-room. When I was captain of the team, I made my feelings known to my teammates that that type of language was inappropriate and would not be tolerated. I believe this set an example for my teammates and helped foster a more inclusive atmosphere. If elected to the State Senate, I would help fund programs that teach tolerance in our schools. Issue 2 - Marriage Equality: Marriage equality was a great victory for all New Yorkers. My campaign for State Senate, if successful, will help ensure it is upheld. My opponent in this Democratic primary, Chuck Swanick, has accepted the endorsement of the National Organization for Marriage, and over $20,000 in funds from those wishing to overturn the long-overdue legislation. Additionally, as our Senator, I will strongly oppose any version of DOMA in New York. Issue 3 - Discrimination: I also believe discrimination is a major issue. Although I have not been involved in discrimination directly, I have strong convictions on this issue. I would work to pass GENDA legislation. 5. Stonewall Democrats of WNY strongly believes that candidates have a responsibility to provide voters with truthful, fair and clean campaigns for public office and to conduct themselves in a manner conducive to a civil, issue-oriented debate with their fellow candidates. Will you pledge to conduct your campaign accordingly? Yes. 6. If endorsed by the Stonewall Democrats of WNY, will you list the endorsement on all applicable campaign literature (i.e., all literature listing any endorsements)? Yes. 7. If endorsed by the Stonewall Democrats of WNY, will you attend a LGBTQ community forum to introduce endorsed candidates? Yes.

8. What are you doing or what will you do to advocate for greater LGBTQ representation and empowerment at the ballot box and in elected office locally? I would support LGBTQ candidates for elected office and for an increased role in the local Democratic Committee. I would not support candidates that are anti-equality. 9. Would you seek endorsement of or advertise on any homophobic websites? No. 10. Have you advertised on, supported or intend to advertise on such websites for your election or reelection? No. 11. If you currently advertise on such media, will you cease to do so as not to financially support hate speech against LGBTQ persons. N/A 12. Are you willing to meet with members of the LGBTQ advocacy community to discuss how you may be an even stronger advocate for LGBTQ civil rights? Yes. 13. Do you support the Marriage Equality Act, which is now law in New York State? Do you support full, federal marriage equality which will allow the federal government to recognize LGBTQ marriages and provide their due civil rights and protections accordingly? Yes. Yes. 14. HIV/AIDS remains one of the major national crises of our times. As a candidate for the state legislature, do you support proper and continued finding of the NYS HIV Uninsured Care Programs which provide vitally needed treatment drugs approved by the US Food and Drug Administration to low-income patients in New York? Yes.

Legislation A5039/S6349 - Gender Expression NonDiscrimination Act A10712/S7740 - Prohibits bullying and cyberbullying in public schools New York State Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA)

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