Candidates debate for last time before election

Katz and Street were calmer than usual in debting issues like crime, schools and taxes. Standing side by side at twin podiums, mayoral contenders Sam Katz and John Street were calm and non-confrontational yesterday evening when they met in the election season's final debate at Drexel University. As the election clock rapidly ticks away and November 2 looms, the candidates have become increasingly forceful and aggressive for the past few days, each trying to pull ahead in a race that the polls show as dead even. But there were no barbs, catcalls or even raised voices yesterday, as Street, a Democrat, and Katz, a Republican, carefully stuck to their standard campaign statements on education, public safety and economic reform. Effectively, it was a lull in an otherwise stormy campaign. During the hour-long event -- broadcast live at 7 p.m. on WPVI-TV -- the candidates fielded questions from an anchor for Channel 6 and a panel of four local experts. The debate was sponsored by the Greater Philadelphia Chamber of Commerce, the League of Women Voters and WPVI-TV. Still glowing from his endorsements by The Philadelphia Inquirer and The Philadelphia Daily News, Katz confidently repeated his key campaign goal of cutting the wage taxes, drawing people and business back into the city and running the city like a business. Street -- who will be getting a supportive visit from big guns President Clinton and Sen. Edward Kennedy (D-Mass.) tomorrow -- calmly focused on his longtime experience as City Council president and partnership with outgoing Mayor Ed Rendell, stressing that he has the necessary inside knowledge of city politics. While the candidates have similar views on many economic and neighborhood issues, one stand-out difference is education -- a key focus of yesterday's debate. Katz reiterated his support for school vouchers, but was quick to add that he wants overall education reform. "My support for vouchers is secondary to my responsibility as mayor," Katz said, adding that he plans to head to Harrisburg to negotiate for more school funding. But Street attacked vouchers, saying "they will do grave damage to public education." He added that what the schools need is more funding and a leader like himself to procure it. The wage tax issue came up again, with Katz coming under fire for not disclosing the way he plans to cut the wage tax and what he plans to do if his proposal fails. Katz said that even if he cannot cut taxes from the current 4.6 percent to his goal of 4.0 percent, he will still be able to get them below the 4.45 percent goal set by Rendell and Street. Street pointed out that he himself is the candidate with experience dealing with city taxes, having balanced several city budgets. He added that he will continue Rendell's "responsible" five-year plan for the city. Another issue addressed by the moderator was Street's support among Democratic city politicians. Until yesterday he had not been endorsed by Council Democrats and opponents have been chalking it up to his oft-criticized people skills. Street brushed the notion aside, saying that the Democratic Party was firmly behind him. Katz returned by listing his own various endorsements from both sides of the fence, including his support from Democratic primary losers John White and Happy Fernandez. "I will be a bipartisan mayor that puts Philadelphia first," he said. The candidates also discussed gun control. Katz said he would have an "aggressive police presence" on the streets while he fights for "stiffer gun laws." But Street took a stronger approach, saying that he will join several other large cities in suing gun manufacturers. After all was said and done, both candidates took what seemed to be a sigh of relief. Street, leaning toward Katz, placed a hand on his shoulder and smiled. "No more debates," he said.

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