Kim Keiserman for Assembly District 16

Two years ago, Republican Daniel Norber won an extraordinarily tight race against incumbent Gina Sillitti to represent the 16th District. But Norber has decided not to run again, leaving the seat up for grabs.

Great Neck Republican David Hassid, who graduated from Stony Brook University last year, previously served as Norber's legislative director and then as a Town of North Hempstead legislative aide. Hassid, 23, supports state income tax changes proposed by Nassau County Executive Bruce Blakeman and argues that while significant funds go toward the Metropolitan Transportation Authority, the Port Washington Branch of the Long Island Rail Road hasn't reaped the benefits. He'd like to see stations revitalized and a "more meaningful investment," although he also expressed uncertainty about the MTA's current plan to extend the yard and tracks there, noting concerns about potential private property use. Similarly, Hassid said he wouldn't take a definitive position on the Propel NY Energy transmission line, saying, "We need to see the facts."

Community activist Kim Keiserman, a former high school social studies teacher who now serves on the North Hempstead Housing Authority board and the Baxter Estates Village Planning Board, correctly assesses some of the flaws in the state's school aid formula, noting that some districts' designation as high-wealth is "masking" other significant issues, such as the number of students with special needs or who are English language learners. The Port Washington Democrat said she'd like to determine why suggested formula changes have not been implemented.

Keiserman, 55, said that while she's not interested in raising taxes on the middle or upper middle classes, she would be "open" to the notion of doing so for the top 1% in order to meet the region's needs and address wealth inequality. And she'd like to see policies that address the housing inventory crunch, by allowing seniors to downsize and younger residents to buy their first homes. She hopes to address the district's water quality and sewering challenges, particularly in assisting businesses in hooking up. And she unequivocally supports the Port Washington rail yard expansion, but she's appropriately nuanced on her take on Propel. "The need is real," she said, adding there are legitimate questions that require answers.

Keiserman first ran for elected office in an unsuccessful bid against State Sen. Jack Martins two years ago. She has become a more thoughtful, knowledgeable and visionary leader since then, and she's certainly ready for Albany.

Newsday Opinion endorses Keiserman.