Broadaway, Spence Split Over Private Option Continuation In District 57 Race
by October 12, 2014 9:30 pm 157 views
The two candidates for the state House District 57 seat bring different perspectives and a sharp contrast over one of the biggest public policy debates shaping up for 2015.
Republican Ronnie C. Spence of Paragould is challenging Democratic incumbent Mary Broadaway, also of Paragould, in the district that covers the Greene County seat and areas south to the Greene/Craighead County line.
Both candidates recently sat down with Talk Business and Politics to discuss the race and issues. Broadway, who is in her first term, is an attorney in Paragould while Spence works in the overnight grocery and stock department at the Kroger in Jonesboro.
PRIVATE OPTION
Both candidates have definitive views on the Private Option law.
Broadaway said she supports the law, in part due to its ability to help hospitals like Arkansas Methodist Medical Center and surrounding hospitals in Piggott and Walnut Ridge.
“If not, people would have to travel to Poplar Bluff or Jonesboro for medical care. It has an economic impact. I am proud that Democrats and Republicans worked together to formulate an innovative policy that the whole country is looking at,” Broadaway said.
“Private Option, I like to call it Arkansas Obamacare,” Spence said. “We have seniors who are concerned it is going to cost them with their premiums going up. We don’t help those who really need it (the help), not expand Medicaid because we can’t afford it. With Medicare, it is something that seniors have paid off their entire life for. For people who are struggling and need help, I am willing to help. But with people making $15 to $20 an hour (receiving the Private Option), I think we are going beyond the call of duty.”
Broadaway said she believes it is a misconception that the health care law provides free healthcare to able-bodied people.
“It is for people who cannot afford it and we have 200,000 people now with access. It will also alleviate the ER, taking preventative care,” Broadaway said. “It is not an expansion of traditional Medicaid but a way to help.”
Spence said he believes he understands the issue.
“I make $8 an hour and I don’t ask for help,” Spence said, noting he has received food stamps temporarily in the past but has continued to work.
“By me working in grocery and retail, I feel like I am more in touch. There are people who can’t make a living. Arkansas’ Private Option and Obamacare, they are the same. There are some who cannot afford the $3,000 deductible or the $500 to $600 a month increase. My opponent thinks she is doing people a favor. Maybe, she needs to rethink it.”
WORKFORCE TRAINING
Both candidates agreed that work should be done to expand workforce training programs in the state.
Broadaway said she supports a new program in Paragould that allows high school seniors to learn so-called soft skills like showing up to work and being dependable. She said she is also working on legislation to help individuals gain the skills needed to work.
“I want to create a statewide vocational and educational program for intellectually disabled young adults,” Broadaway said. “I have a 21-year-old son with autism.”
Broadaway said the nearest place for her son to receive training is five hours away from Paragould.
Spence said he supports the state Republican party JOBS plan, which supports technical training through high school for students.
“I’d like to see a vo-tech here,” Spence said, noting the school could draw students who want to study cosmetology, auto repair or nursing. “In the mid to late 1970s, they used to take two busloads to the Vo-Tech in Jonesboro. Now, you don’t see anything.”
Spence said he would support a plan to use several empty buildings in Paragould for a school or even a business to locate.
“If elected, I would work no matter if it was in California, New York or Japan for them to come in and put a business here. We need to put Greene County to work with a car parts or bumper factory or something,” Spence said.
OTHER ISSUES
Both candidates said they have heard from residents about various issues while campaigning.
“You do not hear a consensus on one issue. But the voter concerns are ‘Are you responsible in government? Are you responsible in spending?’ They are concerned taxes are too high, but want to continue the services provided,” Broadaway said.
She also said discussions have occurred on the campaign trail about jail overcrowding and support for a veterans home in Northeast Arkansas and veterans issues in general.
Spence said he has heard from voters about a variety of issues, but mostly about representing their interests.
“I am elected to represent my people in my district. I am elected not for the Republican party, not for the Democratic party and not for the Governor, but for the 29,000 people in this district. I am running because I am concerned. My mama is in her 80s. We need a low tax environment to help bring jobs in. There are way too many commissions in this state and way too many regulations,” Spence said.