Everyone is a winner.
For those who did not, or could not watch the televised debate between Democrat Kathy Hochul and Republican Lee Zeldin on Tuesday there won’t be another chance.
The Spectrum News NY1 debate held at Pace University in Manhattan featured crime and safety, economic issues, and former President Donald Trump.
“We need to repeal cashless bail, we need to repeal the Halt Act, and raise the age, and less is more,” Zeldin said, striking first on the issue. “We need to make our streets safe again. I’m running to take back our streets and support, unapologetically, our men and women in law enforcement.”
The incumbent Hochul clung to existing gun reform measures at the state level, as methods to reduce overall crime. This has been refuted by many, as illegal guns remain the most-critical issue in violence across the state – including cities like Rochester and Syracuse.
Moving on to the economy, Hochul pointed to property tax rebates, a currently suspended gas tax, and Micron bringing 50,000 jobs to Central New York.
Zeldin argued that the state’s effort thus far to stop the stream of population loss in New York has failed. He said bringing down taxes and finding new ways to create more jobs is the only way to reverse the statewide trend.
The Buffalo Bills were a topic of debate, too. Specifically, the tax breaks the Pegula family would receive to build a new stadium. Hochul defended efforts to retain the Bills, noting that the state could have lost its Western New York NFL franchise.
Zeldin didn’t buy it.
“They’re not leaving,” he said. “Giving a multi-billion dollar owner of a football team all of these tax dollars – which isn’t yours as Governor. You’re actually supposed to be a steward of the money.”
Election Day is November 8th. Early voting kicks off this weekend.
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