QUEENSBURY – Candidates for the 21st Congressional District seat sparred over health care, college costs, the environment and Donald Trump at the second congressional debate on Monday.

Republican incumbent U.S. Rep. Elise Stefanik, Democratic candidate Mike Derrick and Green Party nominee Matt Funiciello faced off for 75 minutes at SUNY Adirondack. About a couple hundred people attended the event, which was sponsored by the college, Warren County Economic Development Corporation and the Adirondack Regional Chamber of Commerce.

Derrick was first to bring up Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump, saying that he has “neither the care, nor the competence to be president of the United States.” Derrick, the retired Army colonel from Peru, said Stefanik supporting Trump is a threat to national security. Trump has insulted veterans and Gold Star families, Derrick said.

“How can she be for veterans and soldiers and still support Donald Trump?” he said.

Stefanik, R-Willsboro, did not mention Trump by name but said there is no excuse to attack veterans or Gold Star families. However, she cited her work meeting with veterans throughout the district and trying to fix issues with the Veterans Administration. Earlier, she had mentioned being able to help veterans fight red tape to obtain more than $1 million worth of benefits.

“Instead of focusing on the national distraction, I’m focused on working for you,” she said.

Funiciello, a bread company owner and political activist from Hudson Falls, focused his attention on Democratic nominee Hillary Clinton, who he said sent men and women into “illegal wars” as a senator and later as secretary of state.

On health care, Derrick said he wants to keep the Affordable Care Act but implement fixes.

Stefanik suggested being able to purchase health insurance across state lines and cited her work to repeal the medical device tax, which hurt manufacturers, and to amend the legislation to allow seniors to keep seeing their own doctors.

Funiciello advocated for a single-payer health insurance system by creating Medicare for everyone. He alleged that his opponents would not implement any serious health care changes because they are beholden to corporate pharmaceutical and health insurance interests.

Regarding rising college costs, Derrick criticized Stefanik for voting to reduce future funding for college loans. Derrick said it used to be that 80 percent of the cost of college was picked up through state and federal grants, and 20 percent through the student’s contribution. Now, those percentages are reversed.

Stefanik said the government should reduce the red tape and regulations it places on colleges, which can contribute to the rising cost. She also suggested a new program to provide incentives for employers to help students repay loans. She cited the legislation she has introduced to make Pell grants accessible year round, as well as money for career and technical education.

Funiciello said education should be viewed as a right and not as a private business. He advocated for free college.

“It’s a drop in the bucket based upon what we’ve bailed out the bankers and insurance companies for,” he said.

Regarding expanding telecommunications and broadband, Derrick said access to the internet is as important as having electricity was in an earlier time and that government should provide funding to expand access.

“Anyone who does not have broadband cannot participate in our 21st-century economy,” he said.

Funiciello agreed that broadband needs to be made a national priority. However, he questioned the political will in Congress to make it happen because legislators are looking after the cable companies.

Stefanik cited legislation to allow farmers priority to apply for internet grants and advocated for more projects such as the investment in “white space” in Thurman. White space technology uses unoccupied frequencies on the television spectrum and gained U.S. Federal Communications Commission approval about three years ago.

In making their final pitch, Stefanik cited her efforts to run a transparent and accessible office, work to obtain veterans benefits and advocating for small businesses.

“I have delivered a bipartisan record of results. I will also be an independent voice when representing this district,” she said.

Funiciello encouraged people to send a message that they are fed up with the status quo by voting for the Green Party and someone who represents them.

“I am very proud to be a member of the working class,” he said.

Derrick accused Stefanik of being a Washington insider and Funiciello of having solutions that the voters are not ready to accept. He also advocated for getting money out of politics, a living wage and reforming the tax system.

“The wealthy and the powerful in this country are not paying their fair share,” he said.

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(Editor’s note: Four daily newspapers in the North Country – the Enterprise, Post-Star of Glens Falls, Watertown Daily Times and Press-Republican of Plattsburgh – are sharing content to better cover New York’s 21st Congressional District.)