CT SOP 0831 58debateThe four Democratic candidates for State Senate in the 58th district, representing South Buffalo and neighboring towns, held a debate today that will air on our YNN Buffalo station tonight at 7pm.

The two favorites in the race are considered to be incumbent Senator Bill Stachowski and Erie County legislator Tim Kennedy. Right off the bat the two took shots at each other on the issue of SUNY empowerment.

Sen. Stachowski has claimed that there is a framework of a deal in place for the bill. But Kennedy called it a “phantom framework” and suggested that no one knows what is happening with the bill, including University of Buffalo President John Simpson, who announced he is retiring yesterday.

Sen. Stachowski shot back by saying the deal is being negotiated right now. He went on to say the plan will contain several things previously reported including an agreement on tuition increases with a TAP match. He also said that President Simpson was well aware of the current framework.


Also on hand for the debate was Michael Kuzma, a senior legislative aide to Buffalo Common Council President and NARAL Pro-Choice New York’s endorsed candidate, and businessman Thomas Casey.

Both said they wouldn’t necessarily support the SUNY Empowerment bill. Kuzma raising concerns about increasing tuition, and Casey suggesting he’d have to review the bill more thoroughly before committing to supporting the plan.

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