CHANNEL 44 NEWS: U.S. Senate Candidates Face Off in Only Hoosier Debate

Evan Bayh, Todd Young and Lucy Brenton faced off in their first and only debate. They’re vying for the seat currently held by Senator Dan Coats.

The first question of the debate came from a Chesterton teacher asking about political divisiveness and how each candidate has worked across the aisle. Democrat Evan Bayh cited his work with a Republican State Senate to pass the 21st Century Scholars Program to help students afford school. Republican Todd Young spoke about Obamacare and repealing the 30 hour provision in the House to restore the 40 hour work week. Libertarian Lucy Brenton acknowledged she has never held office but says as a mom of ten, she knows how to deal with childish behavior like what can be found in Washington, D.C.

Brenton says, “I will tell you there is no more peace making and cross the aisles then what comes along when you’re looking at a fight between a 16-year-old and 14-year-old so I’d like to bring that experience to Congress because quite frankly sometimes our congressional members act like children and sometimes they should probably be put in a corner.”

The candidates also addressed the issue of climate change. Brenton says she is not convinced climate change is real. Young says it’s a global issue and not a Hoosier one. He attacked Bayh saying he supports taxes that would hurt manufacturing and farming. Bayh says it’s just not true. His plan includes investing in wind and solar energy and clean coal generation to help the mining industry.

Bayh says, “We should emphasize ethanol which unfortunately Congressman Young has voted against. But, I don’t think we should have the cap and trade system and I don’t agree with the clean power plan. That’s something I disagree with Mrs. Clinton on. I think those things would be harmful to Hoosier consumers.”

On the topic of sending additional troops and humanitarian aid to to places like Iraq, Syria and Afghanistan, Bayh says he is committed to defeating ISI and taking back terrorist strongholds. Brenton called the war illegal saying it should be stopped and only humanitarian aid should be sent. Young touted his time in the military and says he has proposed a resolution to pool NATO resources to come up with a strategy.

Young says, “Some of the components to a strategy will involve flying more sorties, loosening the rules of engagement so that we can kill more of the terrorist on the ground and establishing save zones so we can address this humanitarian crisis on the ground rather than leading to a refugee crisis but in Europe and here in the United States.”

The candidates also addressed dealing with Russia, gun rights and Social Security.

While each candidate had an equal share of air time, both Bayh and Young payed little attention to the Libertarian candidate acknowledging her only once each during the debate.

The Kentucky League of Cities presented those awards at Tuesday night’s city commission meeting.

City Manager Bill Parish was named City Employee of the Year and Owensboro joined Hopkinsville and Paducah as the 2016 Enterprise Cities Award winners.

Parish is being recognized for distinguished performance to improve the local community.

The enterprise city awards are given for city projects or programs making a big impact on their communities.

Owensboro won for Strategic Use of Public-Private Partnerships to bring things like the International Bluegrass Museum to the city.

Parrish has been with the city of Owensboro for 15 years.

The city has also attracted high profile events like the Owensboro Air Show, that drew some 50,000 people.

They are a nonprofit organization started by an Indianapolis mother whose son died of a heroin overdose.

The organizations founder says, before EPD receives the kits, their officers will go through training on how to use them in the beginning of November.