To read more about Ian Phillips’ opponent, John Lemondes, click here. To read more of Central Current’s 2024 election coverage, learn how to register to vote and more, click here.Ian Phillips is the Democratic candidate running for New York’s 126th Assembly District, which spans parts of Onondaga and Cayuga counties, including Auburn. A lifelong resident of the area, Phillips serves as regional political organizer for New York State United Teachers and president of the Auburn School Board. His campaign focuses on education, job creation, affordable living and environmental issues, such as combating harmful algal blooms in local lakes.Phillips, 40, is running to unseat Republican incumbent John Lemondes. Phillips has raised more than $243,000 in this race and received a $175,000 matching grant through the state’s new public financing system.Early voting begins Oct. 26, which is also the deadline for voters to register to vote. Election Day is Nov. 5.Editor’s note: Phillips’ responses were sent to Central Current via email. What’s one thing you plan to do if elected to help bring Micron to fruition?I think the state needs to do more to work with the local and federal governments to clear impediments to construction. There will certainly be impacts to the areas near construction, and those should be mitigated as best as possible. But with the amount of prosperity for our region at stake, we need everyone at the table working to find solutions, not throwing up barriers.What’s one thing you plan to do to make Micron a boon for everyone?We need to prepare the next generation for the jobs that are coming, both in our K-12 schools and local colleges, but also with adult-focused workforce development. (This isn’t) just for Micron, but for the secondary industry that will grow alongside it.Should Micron be unionized?I would support efforts by the workers to unionize at Micron if they choose to do so.  I am glad to hear that Micron has worked well with the building trades as unionized workers prepare to construct the facility.Since the law was changed in 2019, Raise the Age has become a lightning rod topic. Do you think it should change? What should change about it?Raise the Age is well intentioned, but we need to hold parents accountable for (offenses committed by) 12-, 13- and 14-year-olds.  Because of these unintended impacts, some child offenders are not being held meaningfully accountable. Some are becoming more emboldened and committing more serious crimes, putting both the community and themselves at greater risk.Do you think New York State has enough tools to boost affordable housing? How would you add to those tools?Housing costs are a complex issue, with problems in the market at the lowest end, the affordable middle and at the market rate level.  We need to increase supply at each segment through a mix of affordable housing building, low/no interest loans for down payments for those serving their community in areas of shortages — think police, nursing, teaching — and in so-called “pro-housing communities,” removing the red tape on new construction.Do you support the right to counsel in housing court?I need more information. This has not come up in my district on any of the thousand of doors I’ve visited.Phillips did not respond to a follow-up email giving him more information on right to counsel. Do you support the Equal Rights Amendment? Do you support codifying abortion rights?Yes and yes. I am a lifelong Central New Yorker, from Auburn, the hometown of Harriet Tubman, William Seward and Lucretia Mott Osborne — fighting for equal rights is in the soil and air here. I will do my best to make those that fought for our rights in previous generations proud.What would you do to fight energy rate hikes affecting working families?We need an active discussion about New York state pushing back against rate hikes. Public utilities are meant to be regulated, and we need leaders who will fight back against their monopolistic impulses.How will you make sure that taking construction on the I-81 viaduct doesn’t worsen health outcomes for residents that live near it? We need to make sure the mistakes of the past are not repeated. With the changes to I-81, I believe this will significantly lessen the health impacts to the surrounding communities. I will be sure to monitor the construction and make sure we all benefit from these changes and that no one community is negatively impacted.The post 2024 election Q&A: Ian Phillips looks to flip NYS Assembly’s 126th District appeared first on Central Current.