By Samantha Hutt

Challenger Tim Flaherty and incumbent state senator Sal DiDomenico faced off at a debate Tuesday Aug. 30, as their rematch campaign heads into its final stretch.

Both pushed for immigrant rights, environmental concerns and education but few issues divided the candidates in the debate, both Democrats.

DiDomenico defeated Flaherty by 125 votes in an April primary. They’re set to face off again on Sept. 14. The district includes two precincts in Somerville.

Flaherty spoke on his five point job plan, hoping to increase environmental awareness and our dependence on energy with solar power initiatives and create jobs by focusing on “components for wind and solar energy.”

He also proposed a revocation of universities such as Harvard’s  “tax-exempt status,” or at least collect excise tax on their “fleet of automobiles.” Flaherty also mentioned addictions and drug use in the district, with the emphasis on Oxycontin abuse.

DiDomencio said he recently vetoed an incinerator expansion and proposed to institute “more recycling initiatives.”

When asked how they would protect education and educational programs, both sides had ideas on how ensure there is enough funding. Instituting an alcohol tax was high on the priority list, and both sides were in favor of “protecting funding for education” that is already in place, as DiDomencio suggested.

Gaming in Massachusetts came up as a way to decrease the deficit. DiDomeinco said that he is in favor of expanded gambling while Flaherty was more reserved with plan for “automatically expiring licenses” that would “test the market for expanded gaming” while not making a huge commitment. Both sides agreed that this would help with creating jobs and aide in the recovery of the deficit.

DiDomencio reiterated his position on immigrant rights and said he voted against a recent immigration crackdown.

Both candidates were in favor of in state tuition for children of illegal immigrants and more funding for the arts. Flaherty proposed an arts council for all regions where students can “come together and share their ideas.”