Several candidates discussed a range of issues important to constituents at a recent debate.
The event—held at the Hudson Valley Cerebral Palsy Association in Southeast, and co-hosted by the League of Women Voters and the Putnam County Chambers of Commerce—featured hopefuls running for the Putnam County Legislature, as well as New York State Assembly and New York State Legislature. Moderator Bruce Apar of Chase Media Group read questions that audience members submitted. Each candidate had 90 seconds to respond.
Here are the key closing points (in the order they answered) from 40th State Senate District candidates Greg Ball, the Republican incumbent, and Justin Wagner, the Democratic pick:
Ball Wagner- It has been a pleasure to be your state senator now for two years.
- A lot of candidates can promise all day long, and they do. Oh they do it so well. As your state senator, I have something called a track record. Repeal the MTA payroll tax, property tax cap, two balanced budgets—they're actually on time in my senate chambers.
- Two years ago when I ran, the Democrats said Greg Ball's never going to be able to work with anybody. Then this year I worked so effectively with this governor in a bipartisan way I almost had a primary. They said, 'You know what, he's working with this governor too much.'
- Albany has become an example of effective bipartisan leadership. And as nice as Justin may be, the last thing you want to do is to give another vote to the New York City spend-and-tax crowd that turned that chamber into a clown show.
- I will continue to work with this governor, I will continue to deliver for this district, and no matter who has picked up the phone the past three years—we've had political enemies, we've had people from communities I lost 80/20, Greg Ball has delivered for you, millions of dollars in grants, legislatively. Every day I have worked for this community.
- The choice is pretty clear. I think the choice is very clear, between pragmatic solutions and extremism.
- I'm running on a platform to move New York forward, and I heard Senator Ball mention the governor's name a lot, so let's talk about the governor real quick.
- The governor favors increasing our minimum wage. Senator Ball says no.
- The governor favors implementing health care exchanges to lower the cost of healthcare for small businesses. Senator Ball says no. The governor favors comprehensive campaign finance reform. Senator Ball says no. The governor favors the productive health act to keep New York a pro-choice state. Senator Ball says no.
- I don't know who this New York City Democrat he's talking about is. I grew up right here in the Hudson Valley, I know your values and I will work for you.
Read more about the debate by clicking on the following links:
