Hutchinson, Ross Square Off In Jonesboro For Final Debate

The two major party candidates for Arkansas governor met Monday night in a final debate to discuss a variety of issues related to Northeast Arkansas.

However, it was the discussion of statewide issues that brought out differences between the candidates.

Republican Asa Hutchinson and Democrat Mike Ross participated in the 60-minute debate that aired on KAIT 8.2 and KASU-FM.

The two candidates traveled all over Northeast Arkansas Monday. Hutchinson picked up the endorsement of former National Rifle Association president David Keene, as well as visited Piggott and Paragould Monday morning.

Keene, who also served as the president of the American Conservative Union for nearly two decades, said he believes the race is moving in Hutchinson’s direction.

“It is starting to break now. Our nation was founded on a healthy dose of cynicism, but you see people making their decision,” Keene said.

Ross spoke to the Blytheville Chamber of Commerce and toured Axis Manufacturing in Paragould Monday.

Also running but not taking part in the forum were Libertarian Frank Gilbert and Green party candidate Josh Drake.

The Monday night debate was sponsored by Northeast Arkansas Political Animals, the Jonesboro Regional Chamber of Commerce, and KAIT.

The candidates sparred on everything from taxes and school facilities to the 350-student rule that school districts in Arkansas must abide by without closing.

TAXES
Hutchinson questioned Ross several times on specifics about his tax cut proposal.

Ross said he would like to use the “Beebe model” in looking at rates.

“We have six rates,” Ross said, noting 60% of the state’s taxpayers fall into the top rates of six and seven percent.

Ross said a $100 million tax cut by Hutchinson during the first year would jeopardize “nursing homes, higher education and prisons.”

However, Hutchinson said the state’s tax code “hurts us with surrounding states” and that the majority of his proposal would help taxpayers who make between $20,000 and $75,000 a year.

“His (Ross’) plan cost $570 million. He won’t tell us what he will do the first year. He won’t tell us what he will do the second year,” Hutchinson said, noting his proposal would be paid for in part due to $200 million in anticipated revenue growth. “It is doable. I have a specific plan and he doesn’t.”

Ross went back at Hutchinson.

“This is not the Wizard of Oz,” Ross responded, bringing up the “man behind the curtain.”

Hutchinson responded.

“He has no specifics and then he attacks my plan. The plan I have focuses on the 20 to 75,000 a year because they are the ones who are struggling,” Hutchinson said.

CAREER
Both candidates went after one another on their work after leaving Congress.

Ross called Hutchinson a “lobbyist after he left the Homeland Security Department who also served on foreign boards.”

Hutchinson responded that federal law requires Americans to serve on foreign boards in order to “protect American interests.”

Both candidates went back and forth on support for a proposal to raise the state’s minimum wage.

“I have consistently supported raising the minimum wage,” Ross said. “Congressman Hutchinson says one thing and does another. A NASCAR driver cannot circle back fast enough to cover Congressman Hutchinson.”

“Perhaps the Prescott boys would tell you what to do with your tax (proposal),” Hutchinson said. “I have not criticized you, but you have criticized me.”

SCHOOLS
Both Hutchinson and Ross were asked about school facilities and Act 60 of 2003, which set a 350-student enrollment figure in order for schools to remain open.

On facilities, both said they would support providing “adequate facilities” based on the Lake View school funding case.

On Act 60, Ross said he would review legislation in the 2015 session that would seek to repeal the law.

“It was a mistake that Mike Huckabee closed those small schools. I believe in quality versus quantity,” Ross said.

Hutchinson said while he was not sure on repealing the law, he said he would support a plan to give waivers for districts under 350 students but meet other criteria like financial stability or good test scores.

OTHER ISSUES
Both candidates said they would push for supporting infrastructure goals in Northeast Arkansas. Ross said the region faces $20 billion in “huge infrastructure needs” and that construction can help with economic development.

Hutchinson said the issue of a four-lane highway to Jonesboro has been a priority for some time.

“We were talking about the four-lane to Jonesboro eight years ago. And we still want it,” Hutchinson said.

Hutchinson also said he supports completing construction of Arkansas 226 west of Jonesboro as well as I-555 in Poinsett County.

Both candidates also said they support appointing strong people to the Arkansas State University Board of Trustees.

Hutchinson said he wanted to find people committed to the university’s mission, while Ross said he would appoint “good, honest, hard working people with good morals” for the position.

AFTER DEBATE
Both sides claimed victory Monday night after the debate.

“I would say that clearly we won, because we talked about our positive vision for this state,” Ross said. “Congressman Hutchinson has fought for Wall Street and billionaires. It will be a sprint. We plan to go 18 hours a day, seven days a week to let people know about this election.”

Jon Gilmore, Hutchinson’s campaign manager, said Hutchinson won.

“In the final debate of the election, Asa clearly demonstrated that he is the best choice for the future of Arkansas. Asa won the debate by focusing on the issues and showing a clear difference in the choice the voters have,” Gilmore said. “Congressman Ross demonstrated his desperation with false, misleading attacks. What Congressman Ross doesn’t realize is that it just won’t work. Arkansans don’t want a governor who helped support the Obama agenda and carried the water for liberals in Washington, D.C.”

Editor’s Note: Talk Business and Politics Northeast Arkansas correspondent Michael Wilkey helped develop questions for Monday’s debate.