Debate in Manhasset pits Martins vs. Haber and Israel vs. Lally

Republican state Sen. Jack Martins and his Democratic opponent, businessman Adam Haber, squared off Tuesday night in their second debate of the campaign for the 7th Senate District, clashing over abortion rights but finding common ground on fracking and term limits.

The event, hosted in Manhasset by the League of Women Voters of Port Washington-Manhasset, also featured the first debate between Democratic Rep. Steve Israel and his GOP opponent in the 3rd Congressional District, Mineola attorney Grant Lally.

Martins (R-Mineola), who is seeking a third term, told the crowd of more than 200 residents that he "works across the aisle to get things done," including balancing four consecutive budgets and increasing aid to schools in the district.

But, Haber, a member of the Roslyn school board, said he would use his business background to find savings in the state budget and prevent tax hikes.

"High taxes are destroying the fabric of the community," Haber said. "We can't keep going the way we're going."

As they have throughout the campaign, the candidates clashed on social issues.

Martins defended his vote against the Marriage Equality Act to allow same-sex marriages in New York and said he would vote against an expansion of abortion rights.

Haber, meanwhile, said he supported the act and would pass all 10 points in the Women's Equality Act, which stalled in the Senate earlier this year.

Haber said he would vote to repeal Nassau County's speed camera program and increase the statewide minimum wage to $11 per hour.

Martins said he voted for the county's speed camera legislation at the request of a bipartisan contingent of Nassau lawmakers and that he previously voted to increase the statewide minimum wage.

Martins and Haber found agreement on several topics. Both men said they support reforms to the Common Core education standards, backed term limits for senators and opposed fracking upstate.

Israel (D-Huntington), who was first elected in 2001, said he was a "relentless fighter for the middle class."

If re-elected he pledged to fight for more gun control measures, eliminate subsidies for oil companies and push legislation to allow college students to refinance their debt.

Lally said he would vote to repeal Obamacare, reduce corporate taxes and cut government regulation to "create a more business-friendly environment."

Lally called Israel "a yes-man and do-nothing for President Obama."

But Israel said he has broken ranks with Obama, fighting against tax hikes on the middle class and criticizing the rollout of the health care bill.

While they clashed fiercely on issues such as reproductive rights, the candidates agreed that a travel ban to the United States from West Africa is not necessary yet. But they disagreed about the right approach to combat the Ebola threat.

Lally said the government needs better planning and guidelines for people entering the country from West Africa, while Israel called for a "surge" of U.S. Centers for Disease Control monitors at international airports.

By Robert Brodsky

robert.brodsky@newsday.com@BrodskyRobert

Robert Brodsky is a breaking news reporter who has worked at Newsday since 2011. He is a Queens College and American University alum.