A nervous Ted Danz took on a well-polished Congressman Paul Tonko on Oct. 14 during a televised debate for the 21st Congressional District where the creation of jobs and the conservation of energy ruled the conversation.
The debate was hosted by WMHT with Times Union’s state editor Casey Seiler as moderator and a panel containing WMHT’s Matt Ryan, New York Public Radio’s Karen DeWitt and Fox23 News’ Walt McClure.
Republican challenger and Altamont business owner of Family Danz Heating and Air Conditioning, Danz, stressed his frustration numerous times throughout the evening regarding the failure of the federal government to correct economic situation.
We are the boss, we are the citizens, we are the people, said Danz during his opening remarks. `We need to turn this country around. It needs to be done by us. It needs to be done by the voters.`
Tonko, currently finishing up his first term in congress, has been a part of the New York political scene for sometime being an assemblyman for 24 years and President and CEO of the New York State Energy Research and Development Agency. He showed off his knowledge of the energy industry and backed up his support for the health care reform act that was passed last year, which Danz vehemently opposes and is seeking for its full repeal.
`It’s a strong foundation upon which to build,` Tonko said of the legislation as he listed off a list of improvements that should be made such as the eliminating the increase of paperwork for small businesses. `I believe that we need to take the 1099 requirement for our small business community and repeal that measure because we will find ways to produce the revenues that will enhance the package.`
On the stimulus package, Danz said he hasn’t seen the effects of the bill but knows a lot of money was spent with very little result and that it is taking money away from future generations.
`Unemployment is still up, debt is going through the roof again,` he said. `We spent a lot of money but I don’t see it. I don’t see the small guy getting a piece of it. I don’t see it helping small businesses at all.`
The Congressional Budget Office reported in August that the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act will add $814 billion to the nation’s deficit between the 2009 and 2019 fiscal years.
Tonko responded as he said jobs that would have been lost if the stimulus package were saved and added that it gave way to new technologies that were introduced to the health care, education, transportation and the energy industry.
`The Port of Albany, as a project, is one that stands out in my mind, is one that opens up to the entire region the opportunity to grow jobs and invest in technology,` said Tonko, `and transport the goods and the needs for industry in this region through a very strong investment in the Port of Albany.`
While both work or have worked in the energy field, Tonko preached energy efficiency as `a fuel of choice` and placing a cap on carbon as Danz referred to the theory of global warming as a `manufactured item.`
`Our country’s already suffering from enough fees, fines and penalties,` said Danz. `We’re going to lose our stimulus.`
The candidates went on to discuss issues such as former President George W. Bush’s tax cuts, gay marriage, education reform and thoughts on Republican Gubernatorial Candidate Carl Paladino and the campaign he’s been running.
Danz gave a very succinct answer, stating that while he doesn’t agree with some of the things he has said on the campaign trail, he does support Paladino for governor of the state. Tonko gave a more roundabout answer, listing off several issues the candidates should be focused on such as unemployment, education reform and energy instead and to ignore offensive comments made by Paladino.
`We need to grow a situation that begins and ends with respect,` he said. `I find such statements to be a setback.`
Danz went after Tonko for double dipping as he chastised him for receiving a New York state pension while earning a congressional salary.
`I do agree that Mr. Tonko does have a right to his $64,000 a year pension but I think it should be on hold until he’s no longer a congressman,` said Danz.
Tonko argued that the term `double-dipping` applies to someone who is taking money from the same system but said the federal and state are different from each other. He added that he collected his pension while he faced a 13 person primary for the 21st congressional district seat in 2007 and that there was a `level of uncertainty` as to whether he would win or not.
Danz admitted to his own inexperience on some issues during the debate, one of them being property taxes and mandate relief where he said, `I’m not an expert on every single issue that we can talk about tonight.“