Republicans Debating Issues

The Gotham Gazette has transcripts for two debates that occurred on October 18.
The first debate was for Council District 5, between Dr. Joel Zinberg (Republican) and Jessica Lappin (Democrat). The transcript for the debate can be found here (CD5).

A Zinberg answer highlighted:

How would you manage health care in New York City?
Joel Zinberg: The problem of health care in New York is kind of a microcosm of the country. I think a good example of misguided attempts by the current City Council is the Health Reform Act they recently passed by overriding the mayor's veto. And this was termed by an editorial in the New York Times as such chop a block solution for local governments of what is indeed a national problem.

The council decided they were going to require... they start off with a very broad idea then they finally narrowed it down to large grocery stores and... they were going to require them to provide health care. I submit, and I think the Times agrees, that, number one, it's probably pre-empted by federal legislation. Number two, it's just a bad idea. A single locality cannot mandate something, then it puts itself at a tremendous disadvantage.

What we need to do in health care is we need to be innovative, we need to, for example, my idea for reforming Medicaid utilizing our resources so that we can save that $500 million and then actually use the $500 million for things like hiring more teachers, for firefighters or police, or, heaven forbid, letting people actually get health care with that $500 million rather than throwing it out the window. I think you also have to look seriously in involving the community in breast cancer screenings. I have done— I didn't just arrange for breast cancer screenings, I was there, I performed it as a public service, and I've done it for ten years. I ran the breast clinic at the city hospital. I was trauma surgeon at a city hospital. I know about disaster planning. This is something you need someone with real-world experience to approach.

The second debate was for Council District 4, between Patrick Murphy (Republican), Dan Garodnick (Democrat) & Jak Jacob Karako (Libertarian). The transcript can be found here (CD4).

A Murphy answer highlighted:

How do you propose the city address the projected deficit in the city’s 2007 and 2008 budgets? Are there new revenue streams you would propose? Are their specific inefficiencies or wasteful programs that you would seek to eliminate?
Patrick Murphy: This is clearly the most pressing issue that we will be facing in this city. I have spent a lot of time on this issue and looking through some of the recommendations. I think the Citizens Budget Commission, which is truly a non-partisan organization, has the right road map. We are looking at a $3 to $5 billion deficit in the out years. It could be more if have a little blip on Wall Street or in real estate; then we are in even more trouble.

Here is the issue: Budget growth is coming in four areas - current benefits to city employees, pensions, state-mandated Medicaid benefits, and debt, which continues to rise. Debt has gone up $10 billion in the last five years.

Here is what have to do: All of the things that have happened in the private sector in the last 20 years haven’t happened in the city sector. We have got to start moving from a defined benefit program to a defined contribution, 401K. Twenty-two percent of city employees will be new by that time, so we can do that without changing our promises to current employees. We have to start asking employees to pay for health benefits. That has been a challenge in the private sector, but people have done it. That would be a billion dollars right there. My road map is the Citizens Budget Commission’s. This is going to be a very difficult budget.

My advice to those voting this year. If you're independent minded and may vote for a Republican mayor, but balance it by voting Democrat for Council, just remember the City Council is 48 Democrat to 3 Republican. This imbalance in the Council gives more power to the Democrats when it comes to passing legislation. If the Democrats wish to pass legislation that you disagree with, if the Mayor vetoes it, it'll go back to the Council where only 36 "yes" votes are needed for a veto override. Electing a Republican in your district does more to the whole body of government. It'll create a stronger opposition voice who can form a coalition with moderate democrats to prevent liberalism running amok! Most registered Democrats in New York are moderate and not on the far left. Most Republicans are moderate to slightly on the right, without being right-wing extremists. Of the 51 seats, there are 32 seats with Republican candidates. The Council races that would have effective Republicans are districts 2, 4, 5, 6, 9, 13, 19, 20, 35, 38, 39, 43, & 46. That's just 13 seats added to the 3 we already have. That would make the Council what it should be in New York City. 35 Democrat and 16 Republican. It will still be a Democratic controlled Council with enough Republicans to make a difference. It's not expected that all will be won by Republicans, but if five or six can be added to the 3 givens, it's a start for real bi-partisan government.