By Howard Koplowitz
Although state Sen. Serphin Maltese (R-Glendale) and City Councilman Joseph Addabbo (D-Howard Beach) are running against each other in a hotly contested election, the two lawmakers were civil during a candidates' forum last week in Howard Beach.
During the event, sponsored by the Howard Beach Civic Forum, Maltese and Addabbo were told they could not refer to each other or their responses would be cut off as they answered questions on five topics: the economy, quality of life, education, health care and transportation.
But while the two legislators were cordial — Addabbo applauded Maltese after the senator gave his opening statement and the two opponents shook hands for photographers at the end of the debate — it did not stop the councilman from being critical of Maltese.
Addabbo kept pounding on the argument that the city does not get its “fair share” from Albany under a Republican-controlled state Senate and sends more money to Albany than it receives in state funding.
“We need someone who could fight for you up in Albany — get your fair share,” the councilman said. “The old 'business as usual' just doesn't work anymore.”
In his closing statement, Addabbo said Maltese's campaign was putting out negative attacks against him, but that he would keep running positive ads.
“I'm going to stay positive — that's what you deserve,” he said.
Maltese brought up his nearly 20 years of experience as a senator, arguing that he secured millions of dollars in state grants for the district.
“Seniority means a difference in the Senate,” he said.
Maltese said he authored 239 “Maltese Laws,” including one that increases penalties for driving while intoxicated and Megan's Law, which set up the state registry for sex offenders. He said this year alone he has been the prime sponsor of 700 bills.
The senator said he is the only legislator from the city sitting on the Senate Higher Education Committee and he helped secure $616 million in extra education money for the city in 2007 and an additional $646 million this year.
“What we try to do is get every nickel that we can,” Maltese said, noting that state funding for the city has increased by 97 percent in the last 10 years.
But Addabbo said city funds for education have increased by 8 percent, while Long Island has gotten more than a 30 percent increase.
“We still are not getting our fair share,” he said.
When the debate turned to economics, Addabbo argued that government expenses and Medicaid fraud should be cut instead of increasing taxes.
The councilman criticized a state budget that he said increased spending when there was a deficit.
“How can you increase spending and not have the money to pay for it? You don't increase spending when you have a deficit, you cut government. This spending has been out of control. We need to stop it.”
Maltese also said government waste and spending needs to be curtailed, and suggested revenue could be raised by taxing cigarettes sold on Native American reservations.
The senator said video lottery terminals slated for Aqueduct Race Track in Ozone Park would also help the state increase revenues.
In his closing remarks, Maltese said the debate “energized us as candidates” and again emphasized the grants he has given to organizations, including millions of dollars for libraries.
Reach reporter Howard Koplowitz by e-mail at hkoplowitz@timesledger.com or by phone at 718-229-0300, Ext. 173.
