Republican congressional candidate Anthony Constantino proposed legislation to explore the efficiency of government software systems.
“It’s a concept of legislation,” he said, using a term President Trump has used.
The study would catalogue all of the software systems used in government and recommend ways to increase efficiency and reduce cost.
“I call it ‘Operation Overhaul,’” he said. “I want to try to propose it on ‘Day One,’” he said Sept. 26, during a campaign stop in Franklin County.
In a follow-up telephone interview on Sept. 28, Constantino said that the proposed project would compile information about software used by federal, state and local agencies.
Engineering and design consultants would then analyze the information and recommend ways to make processes more user-friendly and reduce costs.
Possibilities could include making it easier to file taxes online, report vehicle accidents or suspected crimes online, or submit Department of Motor Vehicles transactions, he said.
Recommendations would be optional for states.
Democratic candidate Blake Gendebien, contacted to respond, said the proposal sounds like a precursor to automating more processes.
“I’m all for government that works better. … When a veteran has a problem with their benefits or a retiree has a Social Security issue, they need a real person who can help, not a chatbot,” he said, in a statement.
Gendebien said many people in the North Country still do not have reliable internet access.
Constantino said he had not yet estimated the cost of the project, but it would be minimal, involving only about 100 engineering and design consultants.
Constantino discussed the legislation in a meeting with Franklin County Republican Chairman Jason Ellis and Franklin County Sheriff Jay Cook.
Constantino posted a nearly 13-minute video of the meeting on his campaign Facebook page.
Ellis had asked Constantino about bipartisanship.
Moving on from a discussion about immigration, Ellis said, “Your personality and your convictions, they play great to that. How about working across the (party) lines when you get down there and have to work with the Democrats?”
Constantino outlined the proposed legislation as an example of how he would do that.
“I think it’s a bipartisan issue,” Constantino said.
Constantino, an Amsterdam business man who lives in Edinburg, in Saratoga County, is running against Gendebien, a farmer from Lisbon, in St. Lawrence County, for the 21st Congressional District seat that is open because six-term U. S. Rep. Elise Stefanik, R-Schuylerville, is not seeking reelection.
Independent Christopher Schmidt, a day laborer from Hudson Falls, is running a write-in campaign.
Ellis reiterated that bipartisanship will be important, particularly if Democrats win control of the House.
“Depending on how these midterms go, you might be facing a challenge,” he said.
Constantino said that, ‘even though my rhetoric is on the aggressive side,” he can find common ground with Democrats by focusing on legislation that makes the world and the district a better place.
“I think when you present ideas that make the world a better place, it’s hard for the other side not to agree,” he said,
Gendebien alleged that Constantino does not have the right temperament to work across party lines.
“Anthony threatens reporters who write things he doesn’t like, and he’s tied up in multiple lawsuits. That isn’t someone who’s going to reach across the aisle,” Gendebien said.
State Conservative Party Gerard Kassar and Philip Perry, fiancé of Clinton County Republican Chairwoman Jerika Manning, have active separate defamation of character lawsuits against Constantino over accusations he made during the campaign.
Constantino said he does not think all Democrats are evil.
“Paul Tonko is elected, but I don’t think he hates America,” he said, referring to the longtime Democratic congressman from Amsterdam who represents New York’s 20th District. ”I don’t think Chuck Schumer hates America. He just has a different perspective.”
Constantino also talked about health care.
Telehealth, linking patients virtually with providers anywhere in the nation, is the answer to provider shortages in the North County and other rural areas, Constantino suggested.
A “remote system” in which providers can work from any location, would reduce cost and increase efficiency, Constantino said.
“I think 80% of health care issues can be solved over the phone. But we’re all just set in our ways,” he said.
Constantino claimed that an in-person visit is not always needed for a provider to diagnose and treat a condition.
“You don’t need to see a doctor for the flu. You don’t need to see a doctor for the common cold. … Everybody just saves time and money,” he said. “You don’t even need to go see a doctor for a sprained ankle.”
Dr. John Rugge, founder and retired former chief executive officer of Hudson Headwaters Health Network, said Constantino is on the right track, but is overestimating the potential of telehealth.
“I do think and agree that telehealth is important and it can reduce cost. But it is not a substitute for primary care,” he said, when contacted for comment.
Rugge said that local primary care providers develop relationships with patients and knowledge of their health history that is important to continuing care.
“This cannot be done just on a keyboard,” he said.
Asked In the follow-up telephone interview about diagnostic procedures such as a lab test for the flu and COVID, or an X-ray for a suspected sprain, Constantino said an X-ray is not needed to diagnose a sprain.
Rugge disputed whether a sprain could be diagnosed over the telephone.
“A telephone call to an orthopedist might not be enough where he can’t see and feel the injury.”
A remote provider could always suggest an in-person visit, if necessary, Constantino said.
Meanwhile, health centers and hospitals would be less clogged and could treat patients faster.
Rugge said Constantino should be credited with bringing ideas into the health care discussion.
“This is why we need all kinds of conversations across the aisle so we can share different ideas without attacks,” he said.
Constantino likened the remote healthcare concept to engineering and design consultants, who often work remotely.
“Doctors are sort of like an engineer for your body. The best engineer doesn’t necessarily live in your community,” he said. “So, my engineers aren’t in Amsterdam, New York. Some of the best engineers might be in Texas or someplace else. I want the best engineers to work on my problem.”
Constantino said he personally receives physical therapy from a provider who works remotely.
“Expanding telehealth is important, and I support it for things like mental health visits and follow-ups. But it should add to local care, not replace it,” Gendebien said. “You can’t deliver a baby over the phone, and many families here still don’t have reliable internet or cell service.”
Gendebien reiterated his position that Congress should restore Medicare funding cut under 2025 legislation known as “The Big Beautiful Bill.”