By Michael Benjamin
http://stream.publicbroadcasting.net/production/mp3/wrvo/local-wrvo-931068.mp3
Albany, NY – The candidates for New York State Attorney General discussed a number of issues during their debate Monday, including a recent report from the state Investigator General that alleges misconduct by a number of state lawmakers in negotiating a racino contract in Queens.
The Democratic candidate, State Senator Eric Schneiderman (D-Manhattan), said he would prosecute the lawmakers involved in the negotiations if it is found that they broke the law. He said he previously was involved in efforts to expel a former colleague, Hiram Monserrate, from the state senate after charges were brought against him.
The Republican candidate, Richmond County District Attorney Dan Donovan, said Schneiderman should have known about the alleged misconduct on the part of his colleagues, and acted too slowly in condemning them.
The candidates also discussed whether or not New York State should be collecting taxes on Native American cigarette sales to non-Indians.
Donovan, the Republican, said the state should respect treaties establishing Native American sovereignty, unless it is found the treaties are being broken.
"If they are violating the laws," said Donovan, "if they are violating the tax laws and collecting the taxes when they're not selling cigarettes on sovereign land, then we'll enforce that law."
Schneiderman said it's not that simple.
"We have to collect taxes," he said. "People in the state are fed up with having to pay taxes when other people don't."
Schneiderman said if Native American retailers don't charge a sales tax on cigarettes, it's unfair to non-Indian businesses; but Donovan said the state has put non-Indian businesses in the position they're in by taxing them too heavily.
The full debate between Attorney General candidates Eric Schneiderman and Dan Donovan will air on WRVO Tuesday night at 7:00pm.