There has been an ongoing debate during the 126th Assembly District race about who deserves credit for securing funding to help Auburn and Owasco protect its drinking water from harmful algal blooms.
Assemblyman Gary Finch, a Republican, says he played a role in acquiring that state funding. Cayuga County Legislator Keith Batman, his Democratic opponent, disputes that. Batman contends he, along with other local officials, successfully advocated for the money.
To back up his argument, Batman claims that Finch voted against the budget bill that authorized $2 million for the city of Auburn and town of Owasco to install filtration systems and protect drinking water supplies from blue-green algae toxins.
