Syracuse, N.Y. — The handling of the city’s recently finalized budget produced frequent — and at times heated — disagreements at a debate Thursday for Syracuse mayoral candidates.
The three candidates in Syracuse’s Democratic mayoral primary met on a debate stage for the first time since the city lawmakers slashed $16 million from the 2025-26 city budget, which they finalized on Monday.
Two of the candidates, Common Councilors Pat Hogan and Chol Majok, defended the council’s actions and blasted Mayor Ben Walsh for proposing a plan with a 2% tax rate increase and a $27.1 million deficit. The other candidate, Deputy Mayor Sharon Owens, chastised her opponents for what she described as a reckless and secretive process…