Mary Finneran

Mary Finneran was born in Corning, New York. She earned a high school diploma from Corning-Painted Post West High School, a bachelor's degree from Syracuse University in 1988, and a graduate degree from Syracuse University in 1993. Her career experience includes working as an educator and welder. As of 2024, Finneran was affiliated with New York State United Teachers, the New York Progressive Action Network, and the Working Families Party.[1][2]

Who are you? Tell us about yourself.

I am an environmental and social justice activist and organizer. I was a secondary art teacher for 25 years, during which I was K-12 department chair for 12 years at Coxsackie Athens CSD, the work included finalizing a huge budget, advocacy, for my fellow art teachers, and working with guidance on schedules. Also served at least 12 years on the NYSUT local executive committee, 6 of which I served as building union rep. advocating for teachers and making certain labor statutes were followed. I also formed several student clubs, some not art related, including a county wide student leader development club.

I served 5 years on the Cairo Public Library Board and am the current chair of the Cairo democratic committee. I'm a member of several social justice environmental groups including serving on the board of the Sierra Club Atlantic Chapter executive committee. I'm Chair of the NY progressive action network (NYPAN) environmental committee, and on the coordinating committee of Bethlehem Neighbors for Peace.

I've a BFA in Education and Fine Art, summa cum laude, and an MFA in ceramics, both from Syracuse University.

My work advocating both for my fellow workers and for the needs of all locally, regionally and beyond, including rallying and lobbying with legislators, has lead me to the decision that I need to be in office to get things done, I need to be able to write , cosponsor, and vote on the legislations that need to get passed for the good of all.

Please list below 3 key messages of your campaign. What are the main points you want voters to remember about your goals for your time in office?

Life: Our home is having it’s life destroyed by energy combustion, consumerism, and waste. We must stop the sources of climate change, the fossil fuel industry, militarism, the massive over production and now energy sucking data and crypto mining centers. PLUS the waste from all this producing pfas laden sewage sludge being spread on our fields (our food). We need to give new life to stuff instead of throwing away! repair, reduce, reuse, repurpose!

We need to pass many legislations to save our lives and all life on this planet.Liberty: the bill of rights amendments designed to protect our Liberties are being smashed, first, second, fourth and more in this country with the most recent assaults from ICE and the threat of martial law. Globally the US has always touted themselves the vocal advocate for human rights, but we are actually perpetuating human rights violations not only here, but around the world via our “diplomacy” and investments, the middle east being a prime example among others. We must create laws that not only protect our liberties, but legislation that stops the funding of violence.Pursuit of Happiness: People should not have to decide between food and water, shelter, heat, or healthcare needs because of cost. We must tax the rich to meet all the needs of the people. And remember human needs include the capacity to enjoy life not just survive. In other words “the pursuit of happiness” is a human need, and we must assure that households are not overburdened to the degree that they cannot have all needs satisfied.

What areas of public policy are you personally passionate about?

I am passionate about climate legislations, especially protecting and enforcing the CLCPA, laws to curtail the use of fossil fuels, especially natural gas, We must continue to develop and expand alternative energy, solar, wind, geo and hydro (I'm excited about the ASAP act especially), utility rate cases mandate overhauls. I'm passionate about protecting the poor and marginalized, continuing prison reform measures, and the NY Health Act., so critical these days.

What organizations or individuals have endorsed your campaign?

1. Working Families Party, 2. NYPAN, 3. Third Act Upstate, 4. Cairo Democratic Committee, 5. Eleanor's Legacy (shared endorsement), 6. Gail Shaffer, former NYS Secretary of State, and assembly member, 7. William Reinhardt, Albany County Legislator, 8. Merton Simpson, Albany County Legislator, 9. Douglas Bullock, former Albany County Legislator, 10. Elliott Adams former mayor of Sharon Springs (Schoharie County) and former national president for Veterans for Peace, 11. Theodore Banta III, Former Cairo town Supervisor, (Greene County).

Who are you? Tell us about yourself.

I am a social/political/justice and environmental activist. To have the opportunity to truly serve NYS and use the experience I've gained by lobbying in the legislature and perusing many of the laws, motivates me to run for office providing me with opportunities to truly help this district and all of NY, not only by strengthening environmental and climate laws critical to agricultural districts, and the planet's survival, and the huge tourist industry here, but by strengthening health access for all, including women’s health, by strengthening affordable housing access for all, by helping build up much needed infrastructure here, and by being a stronger voice for the rural upstate residents who I’ve always fought for but whose voice is often marginalized in Albany, including many rural BIPOC and LGBTQ people .

Please list below 3 key messages of your campaign. What are the main points you want voters to remember about your goals for your time in office?

The true meaning of the word "existential" in the phrase existential climate crisis is that our way of life and life other than human will cease to exist without action. We must be sure that climate policy like the CLCPA, Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act, which mandates a curtailment of green house gas emissions, is strengthened by other bills. The rural community is most impacted by climate chaos due to farms and tourism, and transitional help for these industries must be legislated. We must be certain that the forests and trees that are our greatest carbon sinks aren't sacrificed for renewables siting, and that along with farmland, parking lots, brown fields , and roofs, etc. are equally sited.People's needs over corporate greed. Healthcare, housing, utilities, and food are all needed for survival. For the industries that provide human needs to profit, especially inordinately, at the expense of the human rights to have these needs met, is untenable. Health insurance companies should be limited to elective health services, not for profit public health care like the NY Health Act needs to be legislated. Legislation controlling housing and rental costs, needs to ensure that homelessness is reduced vs. on the rise. Changes in food distribution could significantly cut many high costs. Utility rate cases need transparency thus exposing how the utilities profit while the rate payers are forced to choose between needs.Working family needs, the rights to jobs, economic parity, sustainable income for all. Basically taxing the rich is mandated in order to achieve true economic parity. Bills like removing the rebate on stock exchange tax is one step to help. Certifying truly equitable educations which will allow all access to better jobs and

What areas of public policy are you personally passionate about?

Climate urgency. Power/energy, Education, Healthcare including more than adequate access, and health rights to ones own care, housing. Civil rights of all kinds, including the rights of nature. Strengthening and enforcing the Greene Amendment to the NYS Constitution, including the right to clean air, water, and food. by giving due consideration to the Great Lakes Bill of rights according to Rep. Burke, “We have shown ourselves abysmally unwise and abundantly foolish to think the Great Lakes and its complex hydro cycles could filter the enormity of our toxic assault on its watershed." Maintaining good farm policies including NOT allowing for the use of sewage sludge on farmland, proven to be laden with PFAS and other toxins.

Who do you look up to? Whose example would you like to follow, and why?

St. Francis of Asissi, instrument of peace. Helen Keller.

Is there a book, essay, film, or something else you would recommend to someone who wants to understand your political philosophy?

Lao Tse's "Tao te Ching", "Climate Change and State Consent" by Thomas Christiano, The film "Little Big Man", the film "the Matrix" (only the first one).

What characteristics or principles are most important for an elected official?

Honesty, integrity, astuteness, tolerance, tenacity. Creative problem and critical thinking skills. The willingness and ability to listen to constituents and colleagues whilce maintaining a capacity to discern true needs and necessary actions. An ability to conceive of legislation that would improve the lives of the constituency and state. The willingness to change the status quo for the betterment of the district and state. An ability to convince and persuade colleagues in order to move one's legislation forward.

What qualities do you possess that you believe would make you a successful officeholder?

Broad range of understandings of issues. Compassion and concern. Critical and astute. Tenacious. Dry sense of humor.

What do you believe are the core responsibilities for someone elected to this office?

The constituents of the district are the prime responsibilities, including the non voting voices, children, some incarcerated, also including, perhaps, the non human constituents and elements of nature. Seeking areas that need change and revision in active laws. Again conceiving and writing legislation, and also supporting/cosponsoring legislation that would be beneficial to the constituency. Knowing the district including it's critical needs and unique character. Making every effort to understand what is key and critical to individuals, and communities in the district. Trying to find common ground within disparate communities.

What legacy would you like to leave?

One of hope that the planet will be healed.

What is the first historical event that happened in your lifetime that you remember? How old were you at the time?

The assassination of JFK. I was 7 years old and remember being told by crying nuns to go home early and arriving home to a sobbing mother in front of the television.

What was your very first job? How long did you have it?

Other than baby sitting the first job I had was cleaning Ingersoll Rand documents damaged by a flood in Painted Post NY. Included many diagrams for machinery. The job lasted about two months.

What is your favorite book? Why?

the first book that comes to mind is "The Left Hand of Darkness" by Ursula leGuin.

What was the last song that got stuck in your head?

I don't want to remember so it doesn't get stuck again!

What is something that has been a struggle in your life?

A belief that I'm not taken seriously due to a "cute" demeanor.

What do you believe is the ideal relationship between the governor and state legislature?

One in which the governor, the executive, executes the laws agreed upon and passed by the houses upon due consideration of its merits and not due to any political motivation or personal belief. It needs to be one in which the wishes of the constituency by way of their elected representatives, is heeded. The governor is a check but should not be an X as often seems to be the case.

What do you perceive to be your state's greatest challenges over the next decade?

Climate, drug addiction, incarceration, pollution, inequity.

Do you believe that it’s beneficial for state legislators to have previous experience in government or politics?

At times, if experience was truly a good teacher.

Do you believe it’s beneficial to build relationships with other legislators? Please explain your answer.

Absolutely, legislators must have relationships in order to have proper feedback on ones own bills, in order to build sponsorships, in order to pass laws.

Is there a particular legislator, past or present, whom you want to model yourself after?

Jen Metzger. outside this state, Dennis Kucinich maybe Bernie Sanders.

Are you interested in running for a different political office (for example, the U.S. Congress or governor) in the future?

Not likely.

Should the legislature oversee or grant the use of emergency powers?

only with oversight.

What is the first bill you would introduce if elected?

Stop biosolid use (sewage sludge) on farmlands.

What organizations or individuals have endorsed your campaign?

Working Families Party, New York Progressive Action Network, Mountain Top Progressives, others pending and hopeful...

What committees interest you?

Environment, Energy, Health, Education, Agriculture.

What are your views on financial transparency and government accountability?

Financial transparency and accountability needs to be present in both corporations and governments. In NYS Corporations are mandated by charter to serve the people and this needs to be accounted for regularly and transparently. To use an example of how, why and where transparency and accountability are needed is in the utility rate cases in which collaboration between the Public Service Commission (PSC)and various utilities is kept confidential from all except those who can afford the time to be present in the rate case meetings, normally virtual. That these cases are confidential to a large degree is a disservice to the rate payers who have no ability to know how the rates they are paying are being used, and may benefit only the utilities who can write how rates can be used to increase their profits for their share holders. The PSC upholds this confidentiality which may not be in the public service but to expedite the cases or other reasons.

Would a state ballot initiative process be good or bad for your state?

Depends on the initiative.