Ross, Hutchinson debate positions on education, guns and taxes

On day one as governor, Mike Ross would have state agencies review regulations that are more than three years old to see if they are still needed or if they were ever needed. Asa Hutchinson would contact half a dozen companies to see if they would consider coming to Arkansas.

Those answers were revealed during a lively televised debate broadcast by KATV and 40/29 before a rowdy crowd on the UALR campus Tuesday. Audience members cheered many responses between the two campaigns.

The debate covered many of the same issues already discussed at length by the campaign, but some rarely shared information, such as what they would do on day one, was unearthed. Another example: Ross said it should be illegal for anyone not living in the state of Arkansas to contribute to an Arkansas candidate. Hutchinson said that would be unconstitutional.

The candidates engaged each other or at least referred to each other numerous times.

Asked about expanding pre-kindergarten classes, Ross said Hutchinson had been inconsistent in expressing support for increasing funding in Arkansas while voting against it as a member of Congress. Hutchinson drew a distinction between supporting programs at the national and state levels.

Asked whether they supported raising the minimum wage, Hutchinson said he had always supported raising the minimum wage since first asked about it in 2012 but that the debate was over process. Ross said Hutchinson was making his decision because of politics.

“You’ve got to make decisions, Asa, not based on what public polling tells you, but you’ve got to make decisions from the heart,” Ross said.

On whether they supported the state’s Medicaid private option plan and what changes they might enact, Hutchinson said the program had worked well for hospitals and for the 200,000 people who now have health insurance because of it. However, the state needs cost figures before it can decide what changes need to be made. Ross said Hutchinson wasn’t answering the question and that he had clearly stated his support of the program from the beginning.

Both men have received A ratings from the National Rifle Association. Ross said he had questions about a provision allowing Arkansans to carry weapons openly because it made it harder for law enforcement to tell the good guys from the bad guys. He said he supports concealed carry provisions. Hutchinson said Ross’ “knees buckled” and that he had said it was “time for gun control” after the Sandy Hook school shooting. Ross’ facial expression indicated he didn’t agree with that interpretation of history.

The candidates also sparred on their competing tax plans – Hutchinson’s would lower rates for middle-income wage-earners, while Ross’ would move every Arkansan who makes less than $75,000 down to a lower tax bracket, thereby cutting income taxes for nearly every Arkansan who makes less than $75,000.

“His is really pie-in-the-sky, unworkable. Mine’s a very specific, doable plan,” Hutchinson said. Ross said Hutchinson’s plan would leave out the bottom 40% of Arkansas wage-earners.

Both candidates said they support the concept that marriage is between one man and one woman. Hutchinson said he would wait to see how the courts rule but hopes it is left to the states. Ross added that he would not tolerate discrimination in state government.

Asked what issues their wives might champion as first lady, Ross said his wife, Holly, a pharmacist, might focus on preventive medicine, while Hutchinson said his wife, Susan, would speak for herself but has a passion for children.

Unlike a previous debate hosted by KARK, there was less of a chill between the candidates.

They spoke to each other during breaks and at least forced smiles and laughter.

Asked to describe the funniest moments in the campaign, they each had a quick answer.

Ross said at one town hall meeting, a man had become so animated asking a question that his upper dentures had fallen out of his mouth and into his hand, and he still finished his question. Ross said he answered it with a straight face.

Hutchinson said he had taken a wrong turn while being followed by a Ross campaign tracker and ended up with his pickup truck on a bike path. If the video appears on YouTube, the audience would know why, he said.