KOIN 6 - Kitzhaber-Richardson Debate Shows Differences

News Article

By Unknown

Incumbent Gov. John Kitzhaber and his Republican challenger, Sen. Dennis Richardson, debated a wide variety of issues at an event near Bend.

The debate, sponsored by the Oregon Association of Broadcasters, covered ethics, marijuana, education, the minimum wage, immigration and their driving privileges, and logging among other topics.

Not surprisingly, they differed on many topics.

Richardson said the issue of illegal immigrants getting driver licenses was "a sensitive issue," while Kitzhaber said "absolutely" those people should be legally allowed to drive.

"Ultimately, those people are breaking the law," Richardson countered.

Unfunded mandates "are a huge problem," Richardson said in a question about how schools should deal with items the state wants. Kitzhaber agreed with Richardson on the need to make sure schools have the money they need.

Richardson also said the state and educators should "use common sense, not the Common Core" during a question about education.

When the governor was asked how voters could be sure his administration would operate ethically, he said, "I've got a pretty long career of operating in an ethical manner."

On legalized marijuana, their differences were minimal. Both raised concerns about the unintended consequences that might come with legal pot, but said they would respect the vote.

"Once the voters speak, I will honor that vote," Richardson said.

On the minimum wage, the candidates varied greatly. Richardson said the minimum wage should probably stay where it is, while Kitzhaber is in favor of a higher minimum wage. In Oregon, the minimum wage will rise to $9.25 on January 1, 2015.

The candidates were praised for staying so on time with their answers before the final question was asked: what are the first three things they would accomplish in their term as governor?

Kitzhaber, seeking an unprecedented fourth term as Oregon's chief executive, said he would work to expand access to universal health care, focus on the early learning system for children, and work on the fuel standard.

Richardson, a long-time state senator, said he would pay women equally for equal work (and charged Kitzhaber does not), focus on education, and "restore trust in our state."

Kitzhaber said the charge he doesn't pay women equally for equal work is "categorically untrue."

"The truth is, we both get along fine," Richardson said, but said this is a competition for the future of Oregon with a different vision.

The governor echoed that. "Dennis was one of the first people I worked across the aisle with," Kitzhaber said.

The candidates have another debate scheduled for Saturday.

Source