Republican candidate Marc Molinaro joined Radio Catskill’s Patricio Robayo to discuss his campaign for New York State Assembly District 102, his experience in local, state and federal government, and the issues facing rural communities ahead of the November election.

Molinaro is running against Democratic candidate Janet Tweed, a physical therapist and Village of Delhi trustee, for an open Assembly seat covering Greene and Schoharie counties and portions of Albany, Delaware and Otsego counties.

Molinaro previously served in the New York State Assembly, as Dutchess County executive, in the U.S. House of Representatives representing New York’s 19th Congressional District, and as administrator of the Federal Transit Administration.

During the interview, Molinaro discussed his background in public service, which began when he was elected to local government as a teenager. He said his experience at multiple levels of government has shaped his approach to addressing the challenges facing communities across upstate New York.

Molinaro, who lives in Catskill, said his decision to run is driven by concerns about affordability, government spending and the impact of state policies on families, farmers and small businesses.

Affordability was a major focus of the conversation.

Molinaro said rising utility costs and property taxes are among the most pressing concerns facing residents of Assembly District 102.

He criticized aspects of New York’s climate and energy policies, arguing that state mandates and subsidies for large-scale renewable energy projects have contributed to higher utility costs.

Molinaro said he supports including renewable energy in the state’s energy mix but believes policies should be revised to reduce costs for consumers and give local governments more authority over energy development.

He also called for reducing certain taxes and surcharges on utility bills.

On property taxes, Molinaro argued that New York places too many financial responsibilities on counties and municipalities, including costs associated with Medicaid and other state programs.

He said Albany should assume more responsibility for those expenses rather than passing them along to local taxpayers.

Healthcare was another major topic.

Molinaro discussed the challenges facing rural hospitals and healthcare providers, including staffing shortages, financial pressures and limited access to medical services.

He called for expanding telemedicine, supporting rural health clinics and improving reimbursement rates for healthcare providers.

Molinaro also emphasized the importance of community-based mental health and substance use treatment.

He highlighted the Dutchess County Stabilization Center, a program developed during his tenure as county executive that provides around-the-clock mental health and substance use crisis services.

Molinaro said similar programs should be expanded across New York to connect patients with appropriate treatment while reducing reliance on emergency departments and jails.

The conversation also addressed differences between Molinaro and Tweed on healthcare policy.

Tweed supports the New York Health Act, which would establish a statewide single-payer healthcare system.

Molinaro said he opposes the proposal, raising concerns about its cost, implementation and potential impact on existing services for people with disabilities.

Instead, he called for improvements to the current healthcare system, including broader insurance coverage for mental health and substance use treatment and reduced regulatory burdens on rural healthcare providers.

Agriculture and farmland preservation were also discussed.

Molinaro criticized changes to state labor requirements affecting farms, arguing that they have increased operating costs and created additional challenges for agricultural employers.

He said the state should continue providing financial relief to farmers and consider how proposed legislation and regulations would affect agricultural operations.

Molinaro also discussed his previous work preserving farmland in Dutchess County and called for programs that help farmers access new markets, equipment and agricultural processing facilities.

He proposed expanding opportunities for New York institutions, including schools, to purchase agricultural products from upstate farms.

Land use was another focus of the interview.

Molinaro expressed concerns about state policies that allow certain renewable energy projects to move forward despite local opposition.

He said municipalities should have greater authority to establish zoning and development plans that reflect their communities’ priorities.

Molinaro argued that state government should provide financial and technical assistance to help communities develop comprehensive plans addressing farmland preservation, housing, economic development and natural resources.

He also discussed the potential impact of data centers and other large developments on rural infrastructure and local land-use decisions.

Public safety was another major topic.

Molinaro criticized New York’s bail reform laws, arguing that changes are needed to provide more opportunities for early intervention while addressing repeat offenses and violent crime.

He also expressed concerns about the state’s Raise the Age law and called for changes to how certain cases involving young offenders are handled.

Drawing on his experience in Dutchess County government, Molinaro discussed the importance of law enforcement training, crisis intervention, mental health services and alternatives to incarceration.

He also supported greater coordination among local, state and federal law enforcement agencies, while saying those agencies should follow constitutional and legal requirements.

When asked why voters should choose him over Tweed, Molinaro pointed to his experience in government and his record of working across party lines.

He said lowering the cost of living, improving public safety, protecting rural communities and making state government more accountable would be priorities if elected.