02/18/2008
Staatsburg resident aims to oppose Miller
By Hugh Reynolds , Political editor

KINGSTON - Jonathan Smith of Staatsburg has announced his candidacy for the Democratic nomination to challenge seven-term incumbent Republican state Assemblyman Joel Miller of the town of Poughkeepsie.

The candidates immediately clashed over the $125,000 Smith has raised for his campaign. Miller, citing a $12,000 contribution to Smith's campaign, said it is illegal under state law for an individual to contribute more than $3,800 each to a primary and general election campaign.

Smith, noting that he received two $12,000 contributions from his parents, said the limit for family members under state law is $13,800. "I'm surprised that Joel Miller, being a member of the Assembly Campaign Finance Committee, doesn't know that," Smith said.

He said he is raising money in anticipation of a primary and for the general election.

In addition, Smith said he has donated $30,000 of his own money to his campaign, reasoning, "If I don't show faith in myself, how can I ask others to contribute?"

Miller said his campaign for the 102nd Assembly District seat will be "competitive," but did not offer financial specifics. He said several fund-raisers are planned after he formally declares for re-election in mid-March.

Smith, 31, is a Vassar College graduate who formerly operated a children's education company in Manhattan. A resident of Staatsburg for seven years, he and his wife, Catherine, have a 5-month-old daughter. Smith is currently in the business of acquiring, restoring and selling old homes.

Miller, 64, considers himself a full-time assemblyman since his retirement from dentistry in 2002. A native of New York City, he moved to Dutchess County in 1969 to open his dental practice.

Smith, who worked as director of volunteers for U.S. Rep. John Hall, D-Dover, in his successful run for Congress in 2006, has raised more than $125,000 for his campaign. A founding member of "Stop the Sprawl" in Hyde Park, he has been endorsed by the town Democratic Committee.

Smith also serves on the town's Board of Assessment Review, the Hyde Park Visual Environment Committee and the Economic Development Committee of the Hyde Park Chamber of Commerce.

Both candidates see school tax reform as a key issue facing the state Legislature this year. Smith favors legislation offered by Assemblyman Kevin Cahill, D-Kingston, that would levy a 15 percent surcharge on the wealthiest wage earners in the state to finance a shift in school taxes from property to income taxes.

Miller said he also favors taxing the wealthy to finance education, "but not so much as to drive people from the state." He supports legislation recently filed in the state Senate that would phase in a change from property tax to income tax over a five-year period.

"But first we have to address a school cost inflation rate of over 7 percent a year," Miller said. "It doesn't really matter what the source of funding is unless we can get spending under control."

Smith presents himself as a "progressive Democrat" who will work to relieve legislative gridlock in Albany and effect reform.

"Joel Miller sits on the (Assembly) Education Committee and we have a failing education system," he said.

Miller said he first advanced education finance reform in 1996.

The 102nd Assembly District encompasses the towns of Hyde Park, Clinton, LaGrange, Poughkeepsie, Wappinger and Fishkill. The term of office is two years, with a base salary of $79,500.