The candidates in the competitive race for the 60th State Senate seat took part in a three-way debate Thursday night. Along with considerable mudslinging, some key issues were discussed.
Incumbent Mark Grisanti, who is running on the Independence Party line, squared off against Republican Kevin Stocker and Democrat Mark Panepinto in the WBBZ-TV studio.
One of the first questions posed was what role should the state and public sector play in a new Buffalo Bills stadium. Parts of downtown Buffalo and Orchard Park are in the 60th District.
Panepinto says talk of moving the stadium to downtown Buffalo is premature.
"The state just spent $125 million rehabbing Ralph Wilson Stadium," Panepinto said. W"e want to wait before we develop something downtown that's going to cost in excess of $1 billion."
Grisanti voiced concerns about plans he has seen for a stadium on the Outer Harbor.
"We have traffic issues if it's down by the waterfront. Going in and out along those routes, I think, would cause heavy congestion in those areas," Grisanti said.
Stocker said he's disappointed $130 million was just spent upgrading Ralph Wilson Stadium when there could an exciting new opportunity downtown.
"You can build up the University at Buffalo on Saturdays playing football games there. Sundays with the Bills. Where you build a children's museum, where you have convention center, you have shopping, where you make a stadium a downtown destination," Stocker said.
The candidates also weighed in on campaign finance reform, and the Women's Equality Act and gun control.