Last week, we sent out six questions to every candidate running for state Senate in the 31st and 33rd districts. Only Gustavo Rivera and Dan Padernacht, both running in the race for the 33rd state Senate seat against incumbent Pedro Espada Jr., replied by press time. The questions, and their answers, are below.

Each candidate’s initials are initials preceded each of their answers.

Those candidates who have not yet replied will have a chance do so for publication in next week’s edition.

Q.Are you for or against repealing vacancy decontrol? Why? If so, what do you plan on doing about it if elected? If not, what, if any, tenant legislation do you support or will you propose?

GR I strongly support repealing vacancy decontrol and all the other tenants rights legislation bottled up in Albany since Pedro Espada Jr. became chair of the Housing Committee. It’s clear why he has blocked these needed reforms: Espada is a puppet of the real estate lobby. They finance his campaigns, and they write the legislation he’s tried and failed to pass — like his phony “rent freeze” bill which only benefits landlords in the long run. I am the only candidate in this race who pays rent and the only one committed to fighting for tenants — today and always.

DP I would not repeal vacancy decontrol at this time but I would increase the threshold amount. There are 3 reasons: (1) Vacancy decontrol gives landlords an incentive to improve the quality of the housing stock. (2) The money that landlords spend on individual apartment improvements means money, and jobs, to local businesses. In our economic time, we need stimulus. (3) The majority of the 33rd Senate District, and the State of NY, has market value rents below the $2,000 amount, so the effect of decontrol is limited.

Q.What would you like to see at the now-vacant site of the old Stella D’oro factory? Would you insist that if a company moves into the space that it provide living wages to workers?