Womack, Brand Call For Limited Government In Third District Debate

Rep. Steve Womack, R-Rogers, and his Libertarian opponent, Grant Brand of Pea Ridge, both said Tuesday they would fight for limited government, but differed on what the role of the United States should be around the world.

Both Womack and Brand discussed the issues during a 60-minute debate at the University of Central Arkansas in Conway. The debate was broadcast online and on-air by AETN.

Womack, who was elected in 2010, said he would use his experience as Rogers mayor, in the military and as a small business owner to serve voters. Brand said he believes the political “system is broken” and that he would stress many of the same issues on freedom he teaches his daughters, ages 10 and 7.

I-49/HIGHWAY TRUST FUND
Womack said highway infrastructure is critical for projects like work associated with I-49. There has been work to try to link Fort Smith and Texarkana, but myriad issues have slowed that work for years. Womack cited problems with stop lights in the Bella Vista area as well as hang-ups with bridge work in Fort Smith. A recent trip to the district by Rep. Bud Shuster, chairman of a key House committee, helped to highlight the issues, Womack said.

Brand said the issue over infrastructure provides a good opportunity to look at the issue in the long-term.

“At which point, do you take money from people,” Brand said. Brand said the current highway system in the nation is a “good network” of roads, but suggested that the system would be better served with local control and a voluntary system of funding through private sources.

On the highway trust fund, which is expected to be depleted of money next May, Brand reiterated his point of shifting to a voluntary system.

“The toll roads in the Oklahoma panhandle work pretty good,” Brand cited as an example.

Womack said the system is funded mainly through gas taxes, but improved fuel efficiency has resulted in lower revenues. Womack said a plan to raise gas taxes would not be supported while a “miles driven” system that would track the travel of people voluntarily would be impractical.

IMPASSE IN WASHINGTON
Womack called the battle between Republicans and Democrats “one of the real challenges facing this country and keeps Congress from being productive.”

However, Womack said he has a history of working with people across the aisle to get things done. A way to solve the issue is to have Republicans win the Senate next month, Womack said.

“There are currently 380 bills that are sitting in (Senate Majority Leader) Harry Reid’s in basket,” Womack said.

Brand said the turmoil in the nation’s capital is in many ways, a good thing.

“I like the impasse,” Brand said.

Brand said the battle often stops bad bills from becoming law.

“It has been said that sometimes, doing nothing is better than doing bad things,” Brand said.

ISIS
Both candidates differed on the issue of ISIS.

Womack said all options should be left on the table when dealing with the terrorist group, which has beheaded British and American journalists.

The congressman also said while President Obama is the commander-in-chief and has the authority to act based on other federal law, the issue is squarely in the President’s lap.

“The problem with the ISIS problem is that he (Obama) helped to create it,” Womack said.

Brand said he did not want to get involved with ISIS, saying “I don’t think ISIS is our problem.” Brand also questioned “how people in some far off land became our responsibility.”

LEGISLATIVE PRIORITIES
Both candidates also spoke about their legislative priorities.

Womack said he would work on safety and security issues, as well as “doing everything I can to put the economy back on track.”

Brand said he would work to get rid of the income tax, replacing it with a 23 percent sales tax as well as going back to constitutional principles.

Brand said while an increase of the minimum wage in a local area is a good idea, a wide scale increase could have an impact on the economy.

“The increase in the cost of labor increases the cost of a good,” Brand said.

Womack said improving education, building infrastructure and getting rid of onerous regulations will help reduce poverty.

Womack said officials with a Fort Smith company told him that 80% of their research and development budget goes toward compliance with regulations.

Brand said removing regulations and supporting school choice will also help.

SALES TAX
Both candidates were also asked about sales taxes, in particular, taxes that would be collected from sales on the Internet.

Womack said businesses have, in part, become “glorified show rooms” because people will go to a store to look for an item then buy the same item online.

He said the loss in revenue hurts local cities with funding for police and fire protection.

However, Brand said a change in the system could place a burden on retailers with having to know tax rates for different states.