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Onondaga County approaches a pivotal county executive election on Nov. 7 with two drastically different candidates fighting for the position. While incumbent County Executive Ryan McMahon (R) syncs experience and detailed vision, County Legislator Bill Kinne (D) stumbles over imprecise policy proposals.

At the Destiny Christian Center County Executive Debate on Sept. 5, Kinne outlined his three primary goals: improve housing and infrastructure, address the lead crisis and stop McMahon’s aquarium.

Kinne’s plans are vague visions, while McMahon has worked tirelessly for five years as County Executive and 18 years as a forward-thinking public servant.

At the debate, Kinne said that he and McMahon “disagree on pretty much everything,” yet he often credited the McMahon administration’s vast accomplishments. Kinne acknowledged that McMahon “did a pretty good job” on his COVID-19 response, and even expressed support for the Micron semiconductor factory – a massive win for Onondaga county championed by McMahon.

Kinne admits officials “have to have a plan” regarding infrastructure. McMahon clearly does.
In Sept. 2020, he secured $1.6 million from the Onondaga County legislature to create a new sewer system in Clay’s White Plains Business Park, the future site of Micron. Two years later, McMahon achieved the bipartisan investment of the century: a $100 billion Micron chip plant state officials project will create up to 9,000 jobs and an additional 40,000 supply-chain/construction jobs.

Sierra Zaccagnino | Design Editor

More infrastructure, workers and spending means more investment in the people of Onondaga County.

McMahon’s administration cut the county property tax rate by 15 percent since taking office. Even so, property taxes account for just $150 million of the county’s $1.4 billion budget.

Simply put, the county government runs on sales tax.

Kinne’s taxation plan is difficult to foresee, as he makes no promises in either direction, staying painfully indecisive.

“The goal is to never raise taxes, but I’m never going to say I’m not going to raise taxes, that would be foolish,” Kinne said.

Kinne’s last ditch crusade has failed to make waves: the aquarium.

Political agendas have complicated McMahon’s aquarium proposal with his legislation passing by only one vote. Questions surrounding an aquarium costing five percent of the annual budget surplus are more than reasonable.

Yes, it’s expensive, but worth it. In a feasibility study, the aquarium proved a reasonable investment, estimating half-a-million visitors and generating $12 million in economic activity annually.

But despite disagreements, there are common grounds.

Lead paint in old housing stock is a concern of both candidates. McMahon worked alongside Mayor Ben Walsh’s administration to funnel $8.7 million of flexible federal dollars toward youth blood level tests and home repairs.

During the debate, Kinne argued the administration’s program was too little too late, but conceded McMahon “took lead seriously and put money into it.”

Kinne told The Daily Orange that McMahon spends too much taxpayer money on needless legal fees. At the same time, he said he is prepared to pay lawyers and challenge lawsuits when he removes families from private properties containing lead paint despite having no clearly stated temporary housing alternative. Kinne professes that, “If you own a house (containing lead), you’ll either have to fix it up or tear it down. What do you want to do?”

Displacing families from their homes without a resettlement plan means Onondoga taxpayers should start saving up to fund the Kinne administration’s legal fees.

McMahon realizes the housing crisis is rooted in the fact that 30 percent of Syracuse residents are living in poverty. His solution? Career opportunities.

By increasing income eligibility for child care subsidies, outlined at the Destiny Christian Center debate, McMahon would allow parents seeking professional degrees to avoid punishment through ineligibility. Higher education leads to more jobs, income and housing affordability.

In Oct. 2022, McMahon issued an emergency order blocking certain Onondaga properties from housing migrant groups sent from New York City. While critics have taken issue with the policy, McMahon’s administration remains steadfast on welcoming as many migrants as supportable. In 2022, Onondaga County was responsible for 22.9 percent of New York state refugees and Special Immigrant Visas (SIVs).

Both candidates were present at town halls hosted by the Intro to Analysis of Public Policy course within Syracuse Maxwell School of Citizenship and Public Affairs. Dr. Richard Barton conducted a pre-town hall Google form survey of 166 undergrads, and found that 72.3 percent supported Democrat challenger Bill Kinne. After hearing both candidates, the vote flipped in McMahon’s favor with 68.4 percent of 152 respondents supporting the Republican incumbent.

McMahon’s results speak for themself. Voters value experience over partisanship, actions over words and vision over vagueness. Onondaga County should re-elect McMahon to county executive.

Election Day is Nov. 7, and early voting runs Oct. 28 through Nov. 6.

Ben Bascuk is a freshman double majoring in Broadcast and Digital Journalism and Policy Studies. He can be reached at bjbascuk@syr.edu.

Published on October 26, 2023 at 12:49 am