The second St. Petersburg mayoral debate, hosted by the League of Women Voters, differed sharply from the first. Without the opportunity for candidates to challenge one another, voters received a more focused look at where the field stands on issues ranging from electric rates and affordable housing to redevelopment and growth.

Cheaper Electricity

Candidates largely split between those willing to explore alternatives to Duke Energy and those skeptical that the city should take on an electric utility. Maria Scruggs argued the city should have been evaluating its relationship with Duke Energy years ago.

Mayor Kenneth Welch attempted to demystify how electric rates are set, stating that rates are designated by the Public Service Commission (PSC), so the city’s impact is small. However, he also mentioned that his administration is already working with Duke Energy as the franchise agreement comes up for renewal.

Affordable Housing

Housing affordability remains one of the central issues in the race. Candidates differed on whether the solution is building more housing, increasing wages, or streamlining government. Mayor Welch pointed to his administration’s record, including over 1,000 affordable units built or preserved and another 1,000 in the pipeline.

Candidates also discussed the Historic Gas Plant District, with some arguing that redevelopment must balance honoring the neighborhood’s history with maximizing the value of the land. Others suggested that the site should be leveraged to help address needs throughout the city, not just at the Gas Plant.

Balancing New High-Rises with St. Pete’s Character

Questions about development and growth produced some of the evening’s most substantive responses. Candidates suggested that every major development should be accompanied by an impact report detailing how it will affect surrounding neighborhoods and infrastructure.

Original reporting: St. Pete Catalyst — read the source article.