THOMPSON – Candidates running for the 100th District of the New York State Assembly and the 51st New York State Senate took the stage for a debate jointly hosted by Bold Gold Media Group and the Sullivan County Democrat at the Kartrite Resort and Indoor Waterpark on Tuesday, October 11 in preparation for Election Day.

More than 150 local residents attended the event, which gave an hour for each debate.

The debates were hosted and moderated by Bold Gold Media News Director Mike Sakell and Sullivan County Democrat Managing Editor Joseph Abraham.

Immediately following the debate between 51st Senate District candidates incumbent Senator Peter Oberacker and challenger Eric Ball, the candidates for the 100th New York Assembly District took the stage.

Running for the seat in the assembly are incumbent Assemblywoman Aileen Gunther and challenger Lisa LaBue.

A summary on stances
The candidates were asked a series of questions from the moderators, with the other getting an opportunity to give a response to their opponent after each question. Following their opening statements, the two began their debate.

Gasoline prices
New Yorkers and Sullivan County residents have faced increasing economic challenges within the recent past, which includes the prices at the gas pump. The candidates were asked if they were in favor of extending the current state moratorium on gas taxes.

Lisa LaBue stated she would be in favor of the extension for at least the next two years, saying that “we are in a crisis” and that people are leaving New York because it is becoming unaffordable to live in the state.

Assemblywoman Gunther said that she supported suspending the gas tax, accelerating income tax cuts for the middle class, new property tax rebate checks, eliminating sales tax on essential items, expanding child tax credit, and more.

“I know people are suffering across my district, I hear them each and every day,” Gunther said.

Roe v. Wade
Roe v. Wade was recently repealed by the United States Supreme Court. Candidates were asked to address what this means for New Yorkers.

LaBue said that it was codified into NY state law and that it has already been addressed.

LaBue claimed that the repealing of Roe v. Wade gave a sense of power back to the voter and representative dynamic.

“They didn’t take your choice away, they actually gave you a louder voice because now you can go to your representatives…and you tell us how you feel, and then we are supposed to take that position up in Albany,” LaBue said.

Assemblywoman Gunther spoke on her background and first-hand experience as an emergency room nurse of over 10 years, and that “abortion is part of healthcare.”

“I support the right to choose,” Gunther said.

Education
In a question from the audience, candidates were asked their stance on the New York Board of Regents Exams, and recent proposals to regulate private schools.

Assemblywoman Gunther said she is in favor of regulating private schools.
“I think that there should be checks and balances with the money that the state gives all schools across New York,” Gunther said.

LaBue disagreed with Gunther’s statement, saying that private schools in part exceed their public education counterparts.

“If there is going to be a standard, it should not come down from the bureaucrats, it should come from the private schools because they are doing better than we [public schools] are,” LaBue said.

Keeping business in New York
New York has seen recent economic hardships, causing displacement of residents statewide. Both candidates addressed the rapid number of people leaving New York in search of lower prices and affordable living.

LaBue stated that she is a small business owner, and that one step forward is to deregulate New York’s small business.

“We need to give businesses the space they need to grow,” LaBue said.
The incumbent Assemblywoman said that she supported small businesses and aimed to provide “top-notch education” and attain good paying jobs for Sullivan and Orange counties.

“We all want to lower our taxes, but we don’t want to lower all of the things that taxes bring to our communities,” Gunther said.

Opioid Crisis
Opioids and other illegal substances have been ravaging Sullivan County and beyond. Both incumbent Gunther and challenger LaBue spoke on the issue.

LaBue said that having been personally impacted by the opioid epidemic, there must be greater resources put towards the topic through rehabilitation, education, and enforcement.

Assemblywoman Gunther noted the importance of education and financial funding to address the topic.

“I think that we need to put more money into addiction issues, it’s a healthcare issue,” Gunther said.

Bail Reform
New York State bail reform legislation was introduced in 2019 and has become a major point of debate headed into Election Day.

LaBue said that bail reform is failing with deadly consequences, with repeat offenders causing negative and sometimes fatal repercussions to NY communities once back out on the street.

Assemblywoman Gunther concurred with LaBue, saying that there must be further work done on the idea of bail reform and although she voted against the initial bill, she is working to reform it.

Environmental Bond Act
On the back of the ballot on November 8 will be a vote on the Environmental Bond Act which, if passed, would ensure $4.2 billion for the entire state of New York to improve, protect, and maintain various environmental necessities.

Initially, LaBue stated she was unfamiliar with the proposed bond act. However, LaBue stated that the area needs more money set aside for the environment and that she does not want increased taxes for residents regarding the legislation.

Assemblywoman Gunther said she supports the act “wholeheartedly.”

Although Sullivan County is not guaranteed to receive any significant amount of money from this act, 35 percent of this money must be given to disadvantaged communities, of which parts of Sullivan County may be qualified for.

Election Day approaches
Following the conclusion of the debate, the candidates gave final statements and then exited the stage.

“I am doing this because of my children, because of our children, and because our state needs a change,” LaBue said.

In closing, Gunther said, “As an Assemblyperson, I got better with time...I worked hard as a nurse, I took care of my patients, and I will continue to take care of you.”

They both will continue to prepare for the final face off on the ballot on Election Day, November 8.