Governor’s Debate Review
by Julianne Thompson
Contributing writer

Come November, New York State will have a new governor, and Tuesday night’s debate at Depew High School offered two high quality candidates in Republican John Faso and Democrat primary challenger Tom Suozzi. Elliot Spitzer was conspiculously absent. Both men were wholly in agreement that the State Legislature is dysfunctional, and that Albany is out of touch and in serious need of reform. Cutting property taxes, reducing spending, reforming Medicaid and unshackling upstate by making Albany accountable to taxpayers were among the items discussed and agreed upon. They also spoke about the pitfalls in laws that govern public employee unions and the strain such laws impose upon the private sector. In particular, they agreed on the need to reform the Taylor Law, Triborough Amendment and Binding Arbitration laws, as well as Wick’s Law which mandates separate contracts in the construction of schools, when a contract exceeds an amount that hasn’t risen in 40 years. John Faso proposed that Wick’s Law be abolished altogether. Both candidates agreed the over 700 unelected, self-appointed “Authorities” (The Thruway Authority, Transportation Authority, etc.) need to be all but abolished, as they will have incurred a combined debt of $54 billion by 2007.

Tom Suozzi elaborated on the need to halt unfunded mandates, or things Albany requires towns and municipalities to provide, without providing the means to pay for them. He spoke of consolidating services within the educational system, and using $5 billion in savings from waste in other areas of government, to funnel it into an equitable distribution to schools throughout the state. He also emphasized the need to eliminate Medicaid fraud and abuse, and provide universal healthcare. Tom Suozzi.com explains that in 2002, Nassau was rated the “worst run” county in the nation. Since he became its County Executive, the county’s bond rating has been upgraded 11 times in less than three years, more than any other municipality in the nation. Nassau County is now rated in the “A” ranks by Moody’s, Fitch and Standard and Poor’s for the first time in over 12 years. He insists that “I can do it, because I’ve done it.”

John Faso came out very strong on reforming Worker’s Compensation, Contractor Liability laws and overbearing regulations that cause New York to be an extremely hostile business climate. He supports Charter Schools, believing them to be essential in securing a quality education, and ensuring accountability. JohnFaso2006.com notes that as a former leader of the State Assembly, and a consistent advocate to reform Albany’s notoriously secretive budget process, he advocates adopting a constitutional amendment to permanently ban back-door borrowing by state authorities and the legislature without voter approval. He reaffirmed his committment to exposing “shadow governments”, and expounded upon the enormous and inequitable influence of high paid lobbyists.

Both candidates are committed to addressing the soaring utility rates, and Suozzi spoke of a implementing a massive marketing campaign to institute a comprehensive energy plan committed to conservation.

Much laughter was heard when Moderator and Canisius College Professor Kevin Hardwick asked if either one could think of a good idea from another candidate. John Faso answered that in Elliot Spitzer’s 1998 bid for Attorney General against Dennis Vacco, he had insisted, “Debate me, anywhere, anytime,” something Spitzer now refuses to do. Both men agreed Spitzer is abdicating responsibility and acting cavalierly by not showing up for the debate, and that as AG, Spitzer has gone after corporate fraud, but never once has gone after the extensive abuses in government. Suozzi quipped that Wall Street has never raised our taxes.

New Yorkers have an unusual opportunity to vote for either of two great quality candidates in November, instead of “the lesser of two evils.” Democrats simply need to get out and vote on Primary Day, September 12th.