Bill Kinne worked for 24 years in the Onondaga County Legislature before an unsuccessful run for Onondaga County Executive in 2023. During that race, Kinne said he would retire from politics if he lost.
But Kinne is back and running in the Democratic primary to represent the legislature’s 15th District. Kinne and Bennett have previously faced each other when Kinne won a 2021 Democratic primary for the same legislature seat.
The 15th District seat will be vacant because Legislator Maurice “Mo” Brown is running to represent the New York State Assembly’s 129th District, a seat long held by incumbent William Magnarelli. Brown and Jo Bennett, Kinne’s primary opponent, are running as part of an “affordability slate.” You can read more about Bennett here.
Editor’s note: Central Current accepted responses to its question-and-answer series in written form.
Central Current: As a legislator, how do you plan to make housing more affordable in Onondaga County?
Bill Kinne: I believe it is paramount that this be a collaborative process. The county and the state need to be included, and have to come up with a plan that includes the private sector as well as the non-profits, such as Home Headquarters, Jubilee Homes, A Tiny Home for Good, and the Landbank to name a few.
CC: What’s one thing the county could do that it isn’t currently doing to prepare Central New York for Micron’s arrival?
Kinne: We could, while we work out a long range plan, like I mentioned in my first answer, Jump start housing
CC: The Democratic caucus has set transparency as one of its top priorities. In your capacity as a legislator, what is one way you’d like to make the county more transparent?
Kinne: I believe that we need to at least try to get the citizens involved. We could try to have four night meetings a year out in the community.
CC: The Democratic caucus has a majority for the first time in decades. Do you think the majority has done enough with the power it has? Why or why not?
Kinne: Yes I do, but it has taken longer than I hoped. Part of the problem can be traced directly to the County Executive in its refusal to let the majority in the legislature pick the Legal Counsel they wanted.
CC: In local public hearings, constituents have raised concerns about the environmental impacts of Micron and wastewater treatment. Do you believe the county has done enough to protect our water resources? If not, what’s one specific thing you would change?
Kinne: In all honesty I am not sure, I have heard different things. If I am elected I certainly plan to examine this issue, as I believe it to be critical to our community.
Read more of Central Current’s coverage
Sean Kirst: Pat Murphy, World Series-winning manager, played sandlot baseball as a kid. What about you?
Murphy and childhood friends, in the summer, gathered for pickup baseball every day. We’re looking for your memories of the same ritual.
Agencies launch lead-safety training for Onondaga County tenants
Housing advocates hoped to empower tenants dealing with lead in their homes.
Sean Kirst: In Pat Murphy’s baseball triumph, old friends revel in a childhood dream that never died
At 10 or 11, Murphy dreamed of World Series glory from the old Nichols Field in Eastwood. More than 55 years later, with close buddies in the house, he brought it home.
Onondaga County gives $4 million to Clay neighborhood to connect to public water
Residents currently use well water which they are unable to drink. The town of Clay will now look for additional funding to complete an estimated $7.5 million project to connect the community to public water.
Syracuse, stakeholders kickstart new initiative to combat lead crisis. What does it look like?
The Lead Big Table will see government officials, health experts and community organizations come together to brainstorm ways in which they can eradicate lead from the community.
