Long Islanders react to first and only debate in governor's race
Long Islanders are now reacting to the debate and say many of these issues are important to them as they prepare to cast their ballots.
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Gov. Kathy Hochul and Nassau County Executive Bruce Blakeman went head-to-head in a debate Tuesday night and discussed many key issues, including affordability and ICE enforcement.
Long Islanders are now reacting to the debate and say many of these issues are important to them as they prepare to cast their ballots.
As for affordability, both Hochul and Blakeman agree that New Yorkers are struggling with the rising costs of gas, groceries and utilities.
Hochul pointed to some initiatives from her term, like sending $200 rebate checks to qualifying residents for utility bills.
"Bruce Blakeman's county, Nassau County, is listed as the lowest number of housing units almost in America being built. No wonder he brags about the fact that the average housing price, or the median housing price is $900,000," Hochul said during the debate.
Blakeman pointed to his record as county executive, saying he's never raised property taxes in Nassau County and he promises if elected, to continue to cut costs.
"If you bought a house four years ago in Nassau County for $600,000 it's not worth 850k because of my policies," Blakeman said.
Long Islanders say any relief would help, especially with utility bills.
"Winter is coming and it's not going to get any easier, so something's got to get done along the way," says Ron Lagnado, a Plainview resident.
The candidates clashed when it came to ICE enforcement.
Blakeman said working with ICE has made Nassau safer, pointing to violent crimes involving a man accused of killing one woman in Valley Stream and another in Island Park.
"If you cooperate with federal law enforcement, it makes for a safer community. That's what I did. Kathy Hochul has taken this ability away," Blakeman said during the debate.
READ MORE: BLOG: Gov. Hochul, Nassau County Executive Blakeman face off on issues impacting New Yorkers
"To say nothing happened in Nassau County, tell that to the man who had his head rammed into a wall by ICE agents and was knocked unconscious say that to the family of a man who died in your custody," Hochul said during the debate.
Long Islanders say this is an issue they are watching closely.
"We've seen a spike in some crimes with some immigrants that are undocumented. I don't think everybody's bad, but I think we can do a little better on that but I also think we can do better on ICE reform," says Paul Williams, a Huntington resident.
Data centers and artificial intelligence were also a big topic.
Hochul said New York is the first nation to have a one-year moratorium on building new ones, including in Islip and the Town of Brookhaven. She says if a host community wants one, the facilities would need to bring their own power.
"I am going to make sure that if they come here and a host community wants them, that number one, that community gets substantial benefits," Hochul said.
Blakeman said he opposes a statewide data center moratorium and questioned Hochul's plans.
"You put a ban in because you said that you needed time to figure it out. What have you been doing for the last four years? This is the fastest growing industry in the world," Blakeman said during the debate.
One Long Islander tells News 12 he can see both sides to the data centers.
READ MORE: Hochul and Blakeman face off in first and only gubernatorial debate
"By trade I'd probably be helping build them," says Williams. "I see both sides of it but on one end too it does provide work for a lot of working families, especially for people in construction."
