i have said over and over i am running because we are in a jobs crisis and would like to take a minute. he referenced is $200 million tax cut. let's be clear what that would do, double our budget deficit in the first year alone, a reckless plan that would result in painful cuts to education, work-force training, infrastructure, higher education. it would hurt working families and take a bad economy and make it worse. and he knows it is unrealistic because the first thing he did for his first three budgets was raise taxes. it is time to be realistic. affordable taxes, invest in growth and get people back to work. >> moderator: i will let you respond. fung: first of all, just a couple of weeks ago we had three leading business leaders in this state of

rhode island. caught my tax plan pro-business, pro economic development , and a pro job creation. that is what we need, a leader who is willing to tackle the problems of our state with a sense of urgency, and that is what my plan will do. in my experience, and cutting through red tape and building a better business environment, it is evident. take a look at that part of the city. it is thriving, and this should happen in every city and town across the state. and that is what i intend to do. >> moderator: a question. >> you recently sent a platform document saying if you read no other document produced by my campaign, please read this one. well, i read it and noticed that you said you believe that the large-scale entry of women into the american

workforce has caused a detriment to the society that may be beyond repair. can you explain what you meant. healey: it sounds a misogynist. what we forgot to do when we allowed women to enter into the workforce, we forgot to say that, hey, the extra labor is coming in. in that same document, as you well know, i say that i think the best person should be working instead of having two people working at the same amount of wages. if you dilute the work force you drive down the cost of labor. when labor is cheap to people have to work in a home where only one had to in the past. if you read the document you would know that it is clearly no statement against women entering into the workplace. i think they are far more superior, especially now in terms of getting into the workplace and getting into higher positions.

we see that in higher education, but i think what would have happened if we had merged the work force instead of throwing everyone into it labor could have stayed high. the parent that is best able to take care of the children could stay home, and we would still have a vibrant economy. to add some many people into the labour force pushes the price of labor down, and in doing that it forces everyone to have two working parents. and then we lose our home life. >> moderator: we have just a little over ten minutes before closing statements. we will try to pick up the pace. something popped up this week. an independent group with a democratic ties is funding an attack ad season on problems within the police department, the state democratic party chime been asking why you have not released an internal affairs report or state police report that examines the ticketing scandal in your city. but you do that before the elections?

fung: first of all, they have the facts incorrect. what i asked the police to do when they came in to this city was to do a top to bottom review of the police department. that report is pending. and i have always acted with transparency, and we will act on that report. and it is a new day now. we have a new chief. he is bringing the department together for the best interest of our residents. >> moderator: my question was specifically about the ticketing scandal. that investigation is closed, and the city has made a decision. is there an internal affairs report, and if so will you release it? fung: that matter is not closed. we held the officer accountable and are moving forward. it is still, as you know, within that bill of rights process because the officer does have his rights. i cannot speak further because it is still tied up in the process. >> moderator: the ad

raises questions about why the former colonel was given a pension after the scandal. the state police cleared him, and he did serve 27 years as an officer. do you agree with the ad, that he should not get a pension? raimondo: first of all, that is separate from my campaign, but i would like to take a second to talk about the police scandal because it goes clearly to a style of leader should. and the handling is a red flag. for years the police department has had scandal after scandal, allegations of bullying, political retribution, sexual discrimination until finally it culminated in this ticketing scandal. a the way that happened was that he put a contract but for his democratically controlled city council offering and 11 percent raise to the police officers. the city council said no, and the next day a certain group of officers were so

emboldened that they went on at ticketing spree. instead of being a leader and calling for an outside investigation, he four months of fumbled it until finally the city council was about to call in the state police. so he called in the state police. that is the same story that we hear over and over in rhode island. abuse of power, a culture of favoring insiders. it is time to move on. >> moderator: your response. fung: we all recognize its starts at the top. in this situation we acted decisively. i started an internal investigation immediately and ended up calling in the state police. and, no, treasurer, it was not a group of officers. it was one officer, and we hold him accountable our

chief did resign, and i am tired of having your wall street interest funding these attack ads and distorting the truth and the record. let's talk about leaders. their is a new day within the police department protecting residents. i also have a question. we already heard about you hiring back the same financial advisers that we sued for fraud. i am questioning your judgment as you sit on the board of the rhode island housing when we just heard in the paper they were fined for inappropriately using a million dollars of federal funds. where were you? you were asleep at the switch. i did not hear you call them out on what was going on there. these are judgment. i have led the third largest city, and we have acted decisively before okay.

i will have you weigh in. i'm sorry. i will have you weigh in in a moment. raimondo: first of all, there was no decisive action. he fumbled and mismanaged it for months until the state police had to come in and takeover. rhode island housing, obviously i do not run it. i have a seat on the board. we called for an audit and are working through that. and they will be held accountable. we are monitoring, and if there is any wrongdoing will take care of it immediately. but that is very different. he has overseen personally a police department for years. there has been scandal after scandal after scandal, a culture of not holding people accountable. favoring insiders, the culture of favoring insiders has held this state back for too long, and it is time for

change. >> moderator: we went off the rails, but bringing it back to the police scandal. healey: it is interesting that both of these people are speaking about transparency in getting facts out to the public. one is not putting out enough and the other is not showing enough transparency it is being played on the stage of where campaign funding is forcing these issues. we're not talking about the future of rhode island. we're bickering between people who have problems with each other over matters of management style. this is exactly what is happening in rhode island that gets us wound up in the situation of not advancing because we blame each other instead of working together. it is politically expedient, keeps money flowing from different sources to keep people apart by dividing rather than consolidating. if we want to solve problems we have to work together, have a transparent

government, and be able to access our documents and leaders in a way that makes the people in charge of this state. >> moderator: our next question. >> from a viewer. i will stick with you, mr. mr. robert healey. as governor, he asked, would you support starting to pay retirees in annual cost-of-living adjustment again? they have been suspended. healey: i think the whole pension situation needs to be discussed far more fully. i looked, and i really think that we have a problem there. it is not over yet. it is certainly not over yet. we put that problem of. that could have been solved. i mean, i looked at the rhode island constitution. and before it was implemented the governor working with the treasurer at the time could have gone to the supreme court and asked whether it would pass constitutional muster and

whether it was applicable. they would have given a written answer at that point in time and avoided all of the controversy and problems that we have with the pensions. we have obligations, and yet we have no problem saying we have no moral obligation to the people that actually work for our state to my given nursing and other services to the people of our state. i find that to be far out of the realm of reality to think that we need to -- [applause] -- to think that we need to pay back people who do not live in our state because we have a moral obligation and an to the people that actually work. >> moderator: we will go to you for this same question. would you put back in place -- sign a lot to put back in place the annual pension increases that have been suspended for retirees? fung: first of all, i think all rhode islanders recognize that pension

reform has to be taken on at the state and local level. where i have problems with the general treasurer is how it got done. we reached the same solution by sitting across the table and negotiating with our labor unions and the retirees and still coming to the same result that avoided a costly class action because we were able to get a good majority of the people -- >> moderator: i apologize. we are running short of time . fung: we are in a lawsuit right now and have to wait and see what happens. the bottom line for me is, this pension system calls into question for me the general treasurers' judgment. we have seen how she wanted that act in this instance. we have also seen how that -- she has a responsibility over the investment of the pension and is paying significantly more in fees than the last general

treasurer, 70 million more. $372 million in lost opportunity investment. >> moderator: we are running out of time. i need to let them weigh in on that. tim white yes. you know, when i came into office i inherited a system in crisis. a 48% funded. all the politicians before me turned a blind eye and did not want to deal with it . i worked with the general assembly bringing everyone together and solve the problem. the system is healthier than it has ever been, and 90 percent of the members of the general assembly voted for it. this system is healthier than it has ever been so that people's pensions will be there for them, and we do not have to relive the pain and suffering of people who lost their pension and home and health insurance. now, in great contrast he also inherited a system in crisis, about 18 percent funded and made small

changes. it is now about 20 percent funded, about the same level, and he did not even find it 100 percent every year. those are the same games that politicians have been playing forever. it is what led to central falls, pretend the problem is smaller than it is and not finding it properly. what i did is hard politics, but it had to be done. as to the question of the lawsuit, yes, there is a lawsuit. i spent a year-and-a-half that the mediation table, and we came up with a solution. i wish it had been voted for, but at the end of the day it means acting in the face of crisis and solving the problem. and that is what i did tiflis 30 seconds across the board. yes or no. the 30 seconds. would you sign a bill supporting binding arbitration for teachers. raimondo: no. fung: no. healey: no.

>> moderator: let's go to closing remarks. 602nd closing remarks. we ask that you please hold your applause and tell all three candidates have finished. again, the order for closing statements was determined by a drawing, and we began with gina raimondo. raimondo: thank you. it is time to rebuild. i am running for governor to create tens of thousands of middle-class jobs and put rhode island back to work. especially manufacturing jobs. when i grew up my dad worked for 26 years at a factory providing a good, middle-class life and my family, brother, sister, and myself. then his job when overseas, like so many. our leaders did very little to recreate our economy. i am running for governor with a plan, a comprehensive

jobs plan to rebuild manufacturing, to retrain our workers, to invest in our infrastructure and put people to work rebuilding roads, schools, and bridges. it is not a time for reckless cuts that will hurt families and turn the state back. healey: thank you. i am looking to rebuild rhode island but from its foundation. we have gone too far in building, and the structure is not stable. what we have to do is return to that point where we actually have a society that encourages jobs, that works for the education of our children, that has a reasonable tax system. in doing this we can bring ourselves into a competitive state with others.

also, we can keep our children in the state by providing employment opportunities. if we think we will build our way out of everything, this is just not going to happen. it is fantasy. we have to look at what we have, go back to the basic structure and restore freedom and liberty to the people in the meantime. and that is why i am running for governor. >> moderator: thank-you. fung: thank-you tonight we heard a clear choice between very different plans for the future of our state. rhode island needs a proven leader with a bold plan and a sense of urgency and the right skill set to turn our state around. tonight you also heard about my record of real results and reform. and my plan will reduce taxes by $200 million. my plan will put 20,000

rhode islanders back to work, and my plan will make our state one of the most business friendly in the northeast. we need a leader who is ready from day one. as you have seen, real leaders produced real results. i don't want the title of governor. i want to job and the responsibility. and from the day i announced my goal has been to get rhode islanders back to work >> moderator: thank you to all of the candid it's. our studio audience, your chance to applaud the candid it's. [applause] [applause] >> moderator: we want to thank the providence performing arts center for hosting us tonight. that does it for our campaign 2014 gubernatorial

debate. be here to watch after the baseball game and at 11:00 on wpri12 for a complete wrapup as well as expert analysis. you can also follow our coverage on line. the latest eyewitness news providence poll. and election day, of course, is november 4th with most polls opening at 7:00 a.m. it check for yorktown's exact time. the polls close at 8:00 p.m. make sure you bring a valid photo id. good night from the providence performing arts center. ♪bbroadcasting

and runs one hour. >> you're watching a production of south dakota public broadcast. ♪ >> hello and welcome to election 2014 brought to you by south dakota public broadcasting, aarp's south dakota, and the south dakota newspaper association.

we have teamed up to bring you south dakota gubernatorial debate. and tonight's moderator. here are their rules and instructions. each candidate will have a 1-minute opening statement. each candidate will have the opportunity for a one minute closing statement at the end of the debate. the questions have been solicited from the friends of south dakota public broadcasting, members of the aarp south dakota, and members of the south dakota newspaper association. i will ask the questions on behalf of all three partners we do ask that each candidate limit their answers to 90 seconds or less. each candidate will have 30 seconds for a rebuttal, should they feel they needed, and each candidate will have equal opportunity to respond to all questions. let's meet our candidates. republican candidates governor dennis daugaard, independent candidate

michael myers, democratic candidate state representative susan wismer. welcome to all of you, and thank you for participating in tonight's debate. names were drawn to determine the order of our opening statement. that order will be covered under dennis daugaard, then 91, followed by representative susan wismer. governor, you have one minute and can begin. daugaard: thank you, susan. four years ago i came asking for a job, and you gave me a big one. a lot has changed since then my family has grown. a lot more has changed. together we balance the budget without using gimmicks or raising taxes. we stood up to record flooding on the missouri river, initiated reform of the criminal justice system to make the public safer, to hold offenders accountable and save money.

and thousands of jobs recovering through a new post recession high. along the way we added new programs for young people with programs at high-school and technical schools and public universities. a lot has changed, but there is more i can do and that is why i am asking for your support. i would be honored to serve as your governor again. >> moderator: thank you very much. michael, you, to have one minute to speak to the voters. go ahead, sir. myers: i am c-span2, independent candidate for governor. when i go into office will be the oldest governor in the united states, but i am not for sale. i put together my wife and family, my wife passed away several years ago. i have a background, former ceo of a hospital, 1,000 beds, taught for 26 years, and i believe that it is time to push back and modify

a power structure that has been there too long everybody needs a platform. i have five planks. number one, not for sale. i am not a career politician , and i will be fighting state corruption. number two, education, parent teacher control and funding. number three, health insurance cooperatives standards. number four, jobs, a living wage, agriculture and industrial help. finally, number five, i am aligned with the cowboy indian alliance regarding the keystone pipeline and the clean water alliance out there approaching uranium mining. >> moderator: thank-you very much. representative c-span.org, you may now visit with the voters of south dakota.

wismer: thank-you to the viewers for turning into night. i am running for governor for the people of south dakota that are not being represented it -- represented today. i am running because i believe in a healthy, open discussion. just like competition is good for business, a competition of ideas would be good for state government , and we have not had that in south dakota for a long time. i am running because this administration has failed to recognize the real challenges than this stage faces. and those challenges will not be addressed until i am governor. you know, politics has become a little like football. we cheer for the favorite team no matter how well they play. but electing a governor is not about team loyalty. it is about choosing the leader with the right priorities. so i challenge our viewers

tonight. listen for the differences between the candidates and vote for the one who understands the challenges that we face in south dakota thank you. >> moderator: thanks to all three of you. it is time for the question and answer portion of tonight's debate permitted names were drawn to determine the order. the first round will go as follows. michael myers first, then a representative susan wismer, followed by governor dennis daugaard. the -- we will then rotate that order for each new question. here is your question about education. south dakota ranks in the bottom for teacher pay and is dwarfed by all neighboring states. could you concisely answer how you plan to improve south dakota education system for teachers? and this comes from travis in rapid city. myers: it comes down to

parent teacher control my daughter, and, worked as a teacher is the see it, drove the bus, monitored the halls, broke up fights in the playground, did it all. and the mandate that came down from, and cooler and salon dictates a different kind of and costly way to teach. we need better funding, we need to attract teachers, and we ought to be eight little bit ashamed of ourselves being down the way that we are. some of the most important people that will affect the lives of our children and tomorrow's generation. >> moderator: thank you very much. representative susan wismer, you will go next. again, about education, could you concisely answer how you plan to improve south dakota's education system per teachers?

wismer: it is about your priorities reflecting what you say to the voters when you run for election. four years ago this governor was elected saying there is no budget crisis, and i value education. but when he got to the capitol he said, we have got a problem here, folks. we need to cut the budget, and everyone will share in the paint. i will cut my salary $15,000. education, your share is 50 million. and then, when we found that we had drastically overreacted to the situation and came back the next year, education and health care as well took a much -- did receive some funding back. but they received a much smaller percentage back and what we have taken away in the first place. i am a member of the legislative planning committee that met this

summer and heard superintendents come and talk about the disaster that we have created in south dakota. even superintendents from large schools came and said, we brought all of the good teachers that we can find. the pipeline is empty. the free market works, and we should not be surprised that it has worked in south dakota. the first answer to correcting the problem is a change in the direction from the governor's office, a change in priorities, and a respect for education that we do not see now from the capital. >> moderator: all right. the same question. concisely answer how you plan to improve south dakota's education system for teachers. daugaard: education is our number one priority. every year we spend the largest share of our general fund appropriation on education before any other topic.

when we build the budget almost have to spend on education. when we began the process we first find an inflationary increase for education. then after finding the other necessary things if there is money left it goes to education. the national education association says we are 501st in teacher pay. that same study also shows we are 309th in revenue per student. the difference between 51st and 309th is how that money is spent at the local level. local school boards determined teacher pay, not the state government. we have a workforce shortage for teachers, just as we have for engineers, accountants, and others. it is difficult for employers to hire in certain categories of occupations. some people say that the state gives lip service to education. that is not true. i don't call spending the last three years increasing $40 million to education and

onetime dollars of 30 million more lip service. the bottom line is you cannot spend money you do not have. i am happy to spend more money on education if it is available and i am proud of the investments we have made in education and look forward to doing more. >> moderator: we do have time for rebuttals, if you feel that you needed. you have 30 -- myers: selling degrees. students walked out with 40, 50, $70,000 of non destructible debt. and we are now finding that people at the social security level are engaged in the largest default in education. we need to make sure that when we invest that kind of money in education that there is an opportunity in the market for return. >> moderator: would you like a rebuttal? wismer: yes, please.

today we have millions more dollars in the bank and we did when is governor took office. if we were truly concerned about education we would prioritize education over money in the bank. the governor started this distracting -- distracting statistic about 309th place when actually south dakota is in very last place by far for their share of money that the state puts into education. it is only because of the local effort that it gets above their kefauver governor. daugaard: it is important to distinguish between the source of money in the availability of money. the important thing is how much revenue is available in south dakota we are 309th in revenue per student. again, it depends on where is spent at the local level.

to the extent that the state has dollars available, i am supportive of increasing investment in education, but i won't spend money we do not have. >> moderator: we will move on to that next question the question is on health care. with the number of baby boomers are across south dakota reaching senior citizen status, what efforts need to be done at the state level to ensure our health care system is capable of handling the increase in health care needs for our baby boomers, especially in rural areas of south dakota? again, representative susan wismer first. wismer: well, the first thing we could do is expand medicaid. we are passing on the $5 million a week investment in our in state health care institution.

i will stay away from the rest of the medicaid expansion discussion assuming we will talk about that later. but it is having severe affects on the health of all of our institutions because windy affordable care act was passed, it was passed with the assumption that there would be far fewer patients that did not have insurance. there would be a far less degree of uncompensated care. because we still do still have 48,000 non covered residence hospitals still have the same degree of non uncompensated care that they did before the affordable care act came into place. therefore, the health of our rural institutions is threatened because of the high level of bad debt. also in regards to providers for the elderly, our state needs to continue its investments in our medical

school, and we have been able to increase the slots and also to increase the residencies that are available here in south dakota because we need to make sure that the providers that we train here we are able to sustain here in the state. >> moderator: thank you. you will get to go next. again, with the number of baby boomers across the state reaching senior citizen status, what efforts need to be done at the state level to make sure that the health care system is capable of handling the increase in health care needs for the baby boomers, especially in rural areas of south dakota? daugaard: well, south dakota has a very good health care system. the problem we face is availability, access to health care in rural areas. that is a problem i have tackled head on. i appointed of primary care

task force my first year in office to study what we can do to improve access to health care in rural areas. a number of steps have been taken. first, we expanded the medical school. more doctors produced in south dakota it improves the likelihood that they will stay in south dakota. we also expanded the physician's assistant program. ten slots for in state and ten for out-of-state. we converted that to 54 out of state and 24 in state. we also created payments for clinical experiences for midlevel practitioners like physician assistants and a -- nurse practitioners. and particularizing our attraction to rural areas, we created several programs to give medical professionals experience in rural areas like the farm program and rehab program that can students into the area, into the small towns

and give them experience in those clinical areas. finally, we added dollars for recruiting incentives so that health care facilities can in santa professionals to come to their area either through giving them a payment or promising them to reimburse their tuition if they stay for an amount of time in a rural area. i am proud we have done a lot. >> moderator: thank you. would you like me to repeat the question? myers: i am ready to go. medicine has become an epidemic. i and indeed it will drive us into a social, political, and financial bankruptcy's. and i put together some of these systems. with regard to the baby boomers, i hosted 527 programs and it did then a senior legal help line. this is an area that needs

to be controlled, regulated. and we have concentrated, vertically integrated systems. where is teddy roosevelt when you need him? take a look at the not for profit behavior of systems where they advertised by the millions of dollars and over treat. my model will be the establishment of a health care cooperative where the members on the insurance mechanism. and i have a lot of ideas on how to lower premiums maybe 30 percent. we have to get our hands around the system that is virtually out of control. >> moderator: we do have time for rebuttals on this issue. you would go first, if you would like. wismer: an additional element of rural health care

is definitely our nursing homes, and they have suffered 6-figure operating losses during this covenant term in office. we have lost touch you in nursing homes during his term. i was just at a fund-raiser that was changing the way it was organized so that it could hopefully survive for a few more years and be able to provide the care to local residents the core services and local communities are in danger of disappearing because of the policies of this administration. >> moderator: we will move on you have time for rebuttal. daugaard: in the area of nursing homes it is important to know the facts. a moratorium was placed on the number of nursing-home beds in south dakota. over the years different

levels of care have been created. assisted living, home health care. the number of people seeking care in nursing homes has gone down. we are not even at the number of the moratorium. some population has shifted to a larger metropolitan areas, and oral nursing-home areas are having more difficulty. that is the nature of a population shift, not a consequence of the way medicaid is supported. >> moderator: perris you also have an opportunity. myers: i endorsed the expansion of medicaid. i want priority given to what you are talking about. nursing homes, we all get cold. i want medicaid expanded, a waiver, priority given to senior centers. >> moderator: we will move on to the next question.

you will go first this time. and this one is on medicaid. here is the question. there are a lot of people between 50 and 64 who have worked their whole lives but need medical insurance and do not qualify through the exchanges. the decision cannot expand medicaid was made during this past legislative session even though some lawmakers were not in favor of the decision. as governor, what will you do to ensure those individuals who do not qualify for insurance or need assistance get the help that they need? this was sent to us by max, a member of aarp. daugaard: medicaid is a very important program. today we have roughly 116,000 south dakotans who today are on medicaid. children mostly, some adults with disabilities, and some

people who have low income. low-income, frail, elderly adults. medicaid is a good program, but i worry about the federal cost of expanding medicaid. we have to entitlement programs, social security and medicare which are on track for bankruptcy, and nothing is being done about that. i worry about the state cost it would cost $2 million. two years later 10 million, than 20 million, than 26 million. those are dollars that cannot be spent on education or other needs. what about the 48,000 folks who would qualify for medicaid if there was an expansion? nearly half of them today can either have private insurance already or can get subsidized insurance on the federal health care exchange for as little as 2% of their

income. all that being said, it is important to distinguish between medicaid insurance availability and access. when i talked about expanding access, i am proud of the progress we have made in access and will work hard to continue to improve. >> moderator: thank you. the question is from the maxwell a rp. he asks, as governor, what will you do to make sure those individuals who do not qualify for insurance or need assistance get the help that they need. we are talking about medicaid. myers: spend money on us. we need three or four more million dollars. we are going to support those people at that part of their life because we all

may be there. so we will be in the front row of heaven and we get up there. all of the minimum wage assistance that came in and changed mom and dad's diaper. i am going to spend money on the people that need it, and i have case after case after case of people whose life's savings have been spent because they had a stroke and win to a nursing home. spend money on the kids and it us old folks. >> moderator: thank-you. do you need me to repeat the question? wismer: note. it his question, i think i will address the access question first. the governor mentioned that we are expanding access. however, 48,000 people do not have access to preventative care, and that is the most efficient kind. they only have access to

emergency rooms, and that is the most inefficient type of care. if we did expand medicaid, we would take a step toward allowing our health care system to provide services in a more efficient manner. regarding the state cost, the economic studies have shown that the cost to the state is essentially nothing the economic return of having $272 million per year extra in our economy would far outweigh and multiplying as economic multipliers do such that the state cost would be essentially nothing as far as the federal cost and when state cost would step up, i think we are seriously over estimating and overstating what the state cost would be. the way that the law is written now, it would be ten years before this date would take in appreciable share of

this cost. furthermore, in all of the medical studies -- because there were several medicaid expansion task forces in the last couple of years. and it was taken for granted that if and when we did expand medicaid we would have a provision that would say -- that would hold the state harmless. >> moderator: is now time to go back and have a rebuttal. you have 30 seconds. daugaard: well, first of all , it was stated that the folks who would be covered by medicaid expansion have only access to emergency care which is not true. nearly half, as i said earlier, today have private insurance or can get subsidized health insurance for as little as 2% of their income. many of those could get that subsidy. they also have the ability

to gain the subsidized insurance working as little as 30 hours a week. they also have the opportunity for federally qualified agencies and get health care on a sliding scale. >> moderator: all right. myers: let's make sure that that medicaid money is spent in the right location. we can spend a million dollars. i want to shift that into priority again to nursing homes and the elderly. >> moderator: representative. wismer: regarding the half of the population that technically does have access , the state is doing its darnedest to make a self-fulfilling prophecy of the failure of the affordable care act by not promoting to the people who are eligible the fact that

they are eligible. if we expanded medicaid, we would help make many more people productive members of society because we would be treating the chronic conditions that keep them out of the workforce. we take a lot of federal money and have no problem when it comes to veterans or subsidies. but the fact that we refuse to take the $300 million so far i find immoral. >> moderator: we are going to move on. michael, you will answer first. economic development. the question, improving economic development on a state wide scale is an issue many candidates have addressed as important for south dakota. could you provide specific plans you hope to implement that will improve south dakota, even in our most rural areas of the state?

myers: eleanor roosevelt said, happiness is not a goal. it is a bright -- byproduct. i suggest that economic development is a byproduct of the energy and adventure that we can bring to all communities. of course, i am doing something kind of radical. i had and how much energy to meet with lawyers and other people. they said don't even use the word. the word is hemp. agricultural and industrial hemp, some of these states have done this, north dakota , the farm bureau wants it. a billion dollar industry, particularly on the reservations that we refuse to take advantage of because

of the lobbying influence of big oil, lumber, cotton growers. >> moderator: thank you for your answer. again, the question, provide specific plans you hope to implement that will improve economic development, even in our most rural parts of south dakota. wismer: the voters turned down this governor's first economic development program a few years ago. and when the legislature came back, i think we did a good job of coming together on a bipartisan basis with a compromise proposal that included several and for gold areas to economic development. besides the refunds of some of the extra taxes that economic developers find in south dakota, we also included four very important elements.

we included a housing provision so that particularly in small communities that, perhaps, don't have an up-to-date housing stock, we could address those issues. we also included a provision so that english as a second language got some extra boosting in the education formula. we also included provisions that help small communities address the infrastructure needs, roads, water, sewer projects. and finally, we addressed a need that small communities half -- communities have to build infrastructure and capability to address economic development. but this governor this past year tore apart the funding mechanism for that economic development package and put it at risk for the next several years. >> moderator: you can talk

about economic development. the question, provide specific plans you hope to implement that will improve economic development, even in the most rural parts of south dakota. daugaard: thank-you. i have to laugh at the assertion by susan wismer that i tore apart funding when senate bill 235 past. the belief was it would generate $7 million per year into that program. what i did last year was three fund with $30 million that program. if that is tearing apart the funding, i would love to have that all day long. a south dakota has great success and economic development from builder's choice to pipeline plastics, energy. employers have added new locations with new jobs all over the state. the more common situation is existing employers that are

growing. manufacturing added new workers this year. trail came in mitchell, bell brands in brookings and 3m announced their second expansion in 40 years. we have had tremendous growth for three reasons. low-cost and low tax environment. a reasonable regulations. a great work force. i worked hard to strengthen those three factors. i have kept taxes low. i have repealed hundreds of unnecessary regulations and have programs in welding, machining, and other areas, scholarship dollars. i am proud of the economic development success that south dakota has seen. we regains all jobs lost during the recession and added 10,000 more. if that is not economic development success i don't know what is.

>> moderator: we are at the rebuttal portion. myers: is information technology. and we no longer can expect big companies to come into small towns. we need to optimize the ability we cannot have clinics because we are too small. information technology, i believe, is an area that we can bring quality of life, incredible quality of life to small towns. we do not lock our doors. it is a good life. information technology is one way we can keep vitality in small communities. >> moderator: that is time . wismer: as i was referring to the funding mechanism for economic development my reference was a battle

between the executive and legislative branch. it is a small point, as all the citizens of the state are concerned, but it is important to the mechanism and the continuing confidence that we can have in having a balanced approach to economic development. and that has been threatened by changes made to the plan. >> moderator: thank you. we will move on. this next question we will begin with representative susan wismer. and we are going to talk about ed5. unveiled serious problem with the program. a federal program designed to improve rural economic development. it could be considered one of our states bigger political scandals. the issue could be on going after the governor's race. if you should win the job of

south dakota governor, how will you work to insure incidents like what has happened with the program in south dakota do not happen again? wismer: thank you. i think the major take away for the state from this episode ought to be that it is an example of the consequences of what happens when we allow state government to be so completely in control of one party for 40 years, not just legislative but executive as well. that's -- and having a democrat in the governor's chair would solve that problem. of what i see as i'd tear apart or try to understand all of the pieces of the spousal is that the lines between public and private have become so blurred over

the last 40 years that it is difficult for those involved to tell the difference between. as a member of government operations and audit committee, from the beginning of was asking, let's not just talk about what it was that this governor wants to talk about, which is the top picks of the three audits he prescribed. instead i asked that we talk about the program because i knew that that is where, as a resident of the northeastern part of the state, i knew that there were bad things happening and we were conducting business in the good name of the state of south dakota, and there were bad actors involved. and that needed to stop. so that is what i would -- the solution is balancing state government. >> moderator: all right. again, the question, if you should win the job of south

dakota governor, how will you to work to ensure plants incidents like what happened with the program in our state did not happen again? daugaard: id is not up program might administration has emphasized, but when i learned the u.s. attorney was investigating the issue i asked the state attorney general to undertake as separate investigation. and the attorney general's investigation became available and i immediately made public. that report indicated the potential for weakness in our internal controls and the office of economic development. asked for three separate audits, to buy separate cpa firms, and one by the department of legislative audit which is controlled by the legislature, not the governor. when those became available, i made them public. i have, at every turn, offered no legislature and the public all of the information i have and

answered every question that i can. i think to look at the audits and identify the ways in which we can strengthen our internal controls is exactly the kind of thing that you want to do to avoid recurrence of any wrongdoing . no one in my administration is the target of any investigation. i believe criminal prosecutions are of the province of our state attorney general and u.s. attorney, and i invite those who claim there are bad actors to come forth with names and identify them. >> moderator: mike, you are next. how will you work to ensure incidence like what happened with the program in south dakota -- myers: potential bad actors could be governor dennis daugaard. as i said previously, when i am governor i am going to

appoint a special independent attorney. i want governor dennis daugaard and others to come in with a bible under oath -- we have had no testimony under oath. i think testimony in front of the committee. why? i was pushing them to issue subpoenas and get to the bottom of it. when i am governor we will try and accomplish that. >> moderator: it is time, if we would like, for rebuttals. wismer: i think it is important for the citizens of south dakota to know that this governor did learn about litigation regarding

the activities taken in this separate signing of the contract. his office was apprised in february of 2009. also, i think it is important to wonder why this administration did not hire richard. why was that? finally, it is important for people to know that this administration did not stop the activity and tell one year ago. >> moderator: eu also have time for a rebuttal. daugaard: it is important to remind the viewers that i was not in office in february of 09. i was the lieutenant governor. this was not in any way my assignment. and so to suggest that i had some knowledge is really stretching the truth of that . >> moderator: michael, you to.

myers: i believe it is south dakota's watergate. we will probably find that out if i am governor. >> moderator: we are going to move on to the next round of questions. we are going to talk about natural disasters. south dakota has dealt with its share of natural disasters that have taken a toll on our citizens mentally and financially. the state cannot always depend on the federal government to provide assistance after a disaster. what can be done at the state level to provide more security, should a future natural disaster hits? daugaard: well, i am proud of the record my administration has. i created during my administration -- just six months into office we had record flooding on the missouri river. i called the national guard, and we had the largest

activation of the national guard in our state's history in response to 9--- natural disaster. we scrambled and build levees on both sides of the river. in the years that followed, we responded to record numbers of wild fires in the black hills, ice storms. and the summer flooding ag

myers: we need to recognize that water, storms, snow -- we do not recognize and respect county lines. the county's struggle and fight and competing over who will bear the cost of the damage. i believe that the governor has done this. we need to bring these

people together and see if there is a way to share in the cost of responding to mother nature. >> moderator: thank-you. what can be done at the state level to provide more security, should a future natural disaster hit south dakota? wismer: as a member of the appropriations committee i am quite familiar with the dollars that have gone to assist in recovering from disasters, all that different types mentioned, wild fires, floods. i think that the average person would be surprised how much of those dollars to come from the federal government, and it is incumbent upon us to be sure that we spent those as wisely as possible. i believe i just read this week that the electorate is using federal disaster money

that they've received to bury power lines, and i think we definitely need to do that. myers: as far as preparing us for the next disaster.

>> moderator: there's an opportunity for a bottle. governor would he like 30 seconds? >> i don't have a rebuttal. myers: we south dakotans don't like big government. we like other people's big government. and my friend gretchen said it south dakota had to stand on its own financial be they would look like you bus so we will take advantage of all those federal dollars. i'm sure any of us as governor would do exactly that and will continue to do that. >> moderator: representative do you need rebuttal time? we are getting close to the end. we do have time for one additional bonus question. you each will have one minute to respond. there is no time for a rebuttal. the question has to do with transparency. michael you will go first. here is your question.

what is one concrete thing you would do her champion in the next four years if elected to make south dakota's government more transparent? you have one minute. myers: the people's forum. i did -- we are going to have a forum just like the "washington journal" and they can call and independent, democrat republican colvin and say mr. myers you are the most wonderful governor. with your background experience we admire everything you have done. or they can call in and say how could we ever have elected a person like you? i will open dialogue and let people for them and i'm identified as a populist, and i'm going to be a populist in my government style. >> moderator: thank you. representative wismer you will go next. again if elected what we do to make south dakota government

more transparent? wismer: you know as a democratic legislature is frustrating during the legislative session that as it seems all the systems are made behind closed doors. we tell our counties and their schools and our their cities that they need to conduct all of their business out in the open but in here, any decision of consequences made in a close governor's conference room, and the close republican caucus are in a closed pre-committee committee meetings where noses are counted in permission is parceled out to vote in a manner that will carry out the majority's agenda. the only way that we can change that is by putting another party in control of the governor's office. they can gerrymander the whole state as much as they want but they can't gerrymander the state as a whole. south dakota could pass some

balance if we would put a democrat into the governor's chair. >> moderator: governor daugaard your turn for the question. what is one concrete thing you would do her champion if elected to make south dakota's government more transparent? daugaard: first of may offer some examples of ways which i have already made government more transparent. i conceive the open government task force with the newspaper association and others and through that work we identified improvement to the open meetin meetings, laws and the open records laws and we urge some of that through the legislature. some of the legislature would not support that but we came back and got some more legislative changes to improve that. we have also improved the rulemaking web site so people can understand that the rules are being created through the rulemaking process. they can follow it more easily and i've got a good praise for that effort. we posted dollar echo mott --

economic development awards on her our web site. we have listed the governors on the buffalo roundup invitees. improving the access the system has two boards and commissions, minutes and processes making a centralized web site where people can through that portal flight access through those over 100 boards and commissions in south dakota. that's concrete. >> moderator: thanks to all three of you. it is now time for the closing comments. that's all the time we have for the question-and-answer part of this debate. candidates will share their closing thoughts with us tonight. each candidate will have one minute. we did draw names to determine the order in which they would go and it will be representative susan wismer first, followed by governor dennis daugaard and then mike myers will have the final word tonight. representative wismer this is your opportunity to share your

final thoughts with our south dakota viewers. wismer: thank you again to my fellow candidates and the viewers. our ancestors gave us a well educated citizenry and strong communities and infrastructure. but we are not doing our part. we are not being good stewards of what our ancestors gave us. we are allowing our frustration with the federal government and extremist partisan rhetoric affect our judgments about state issues and our communities are paying the price for that everyday in our starving schools and are nearly bankrupt nursing homes, and our crumbling roads and bridges. four years from now if we continue on the path we are on what will we have done to our children's chances for success? i am tired of being told it could be worse when our future could be so much better.

we are better than that here in south dakota and we should expect more than that from our leaders. as governor i would lead to that higher ground. thank you. >> moderator: thank you represented. governor you now have one minute to visit with the voters of south dakota. daugaard: thank you. across the country people are recognizing that good things are happening in south dakota. parents called us the best run state in america. cnbc called as the number one state for business. our taxes are among the lowest in the nation. in a political year it's sometimes hard to remember the good news but it's true. our unemployment rate is second lowest in the nation. our student test scores are above the national average. we balanced our budget. our communities are among the safest in the nation and our population and economy are growing faster than the nation. i know that government doesn't

deserve credit for most of this but i've worked hard to help south dakota families and businesses achieve success. i'd be grateful for the opportunity to serve four more years and continue to build on those successes. i would be honored to serve as your governor again. >> moderator: all right thank you. and mike you too have the opportunity to make one -- take one minute to share your thoughts with voters. myers: there something going on out there. a level of anxiety and underlying anger among the people that i meet and talk with. i really believe that we need to respond to that anger and respond to that anxiety. i believe i'm uniquely qualified to do that because again i won't be looking for his second term. i have health care in my priority.

i will use my priorities and when i walk in that dog box for the first time in decades, democrats and republicans and we know it's a republican state. it's a tough run for susan. what about doing something different and challenging and let myers go in there and not rage against the machine but they do put some new spark plugs in it. >> moderator: thank you sir. that is all the time we have. i would like to thank the candidates for joining us. republican candidate governor dennis daugaard, independent candidate michael myers democratic candidate state representative susan wismer. if you miss part of tonight's broadcast you can listen to the audio version of the debate tomorrow on the sdp p. radio new ground -- program. tonight's televisedute

debate is courtesy of ktv. >> live from the university of arkansas at little rock channel 7 is present and election central special, the arkansas gubernatorial debate. this broadcast is presented statewide on ktv little rock nt hbs. now your host and the moderator for tonight's debate channel 7 scott inman. >> moderator: perman said the university university theatre on the campus we welcome you to the

2014 gubernatorial debates. hello everyone. i'm your moderator for tonight's debate scott inman. we know you have a very important decision to make. in fact four weeks from today is election day and we hope over the next hour we will help you make that decision from what is said in tonight's debates. who will be the next governor of the great state of arkansas for the next four years? two of the men who want that job are here tonight so without any further delay let's welcome to the stage please ladies and gentlemen congressman mike ross and former congressman asa hutchinson. [applause] [applause] it is obvious we have a lively

crowd with us tonight. the university theatre holds 650 many of them filling seats tonight. before you begin we want to take a moment for you watching at home and live in our audience tonight to go over the rules for our debate tonight. let's take a look. the candidates will each have two minutes for their opening statements tonight. the order of the statements determined by acquiring flip earlier in the week. the debate tonight consists of three question and rebuttal segments followed by a segment for what we are calling tonight the spin room. that's the final segment when the candidates and representatives give us their analysis of the debate and tell us how they think their candidate performed. panelists will also be allowed to ask follow-ups to their questions tonight and here is how that questioning will go. the candidates will have one minute to answer the question and thereupon it will be given 30 seconds for a rebuttal. those questions and rebuttals will be timed in the candidates will be stopped if he goes over the allotted time.

that will be my job is the moderator despite not interrupting people when they are talking. i have to do that tonight. finally we wrap up the debate portion of the program. each candidate will have a two-minute closing statement as well. please welcome to our panelist angela taylor from k. hbs in northwest arkansas and -- from top business and politics. [applause] we also want her mind if you want to follow the actions might you can follow us on social media with twitter. we have a hashtag katv debate and you can find that as we go along with the play-by-play and chime in tonight at hashtag a. r. gopal do the trick. he mentioned a coin flip to determine who would go first and the winner of the coin flip was asa hutchinson and let's get started with their opening statement. hutchinson: thank you scott and i appreciate the sponsors and

you l.a. are for hosting this debate. this is an important debate for arkansas's future. i'm delighted to be joined by my wife susan here in the auditorium. we have been married for 41 years. we got married, the preacher made a prayer and seven i hope they have enough struggles in life to keep them close to the lord. his prayer has been answered in our life we have had enough struggles to stay close to the lord. i think back to my parents. my mom and dad were married during the depression years so they understood struggle. susan and i have understood enough struggle and today we have a struggling middle class and arkansas. they are trying to make ends meet. they are working two jobs sometimes. they're wanting to move up the economic ladder but it's hard to do so. to me that's what running for governor is about. as to how we can focus for economic development and job creation for a middle

middle-class, i have a very specific plan that i have laid out for economic growth in and arkansas that will help us to address the job creation that we need. better paying jobs, moving up the economic ladder. starts with the competitive tax system and arkansas, fewer regulations, computer science at every high school. these are things that are essential for moving our state forward. whatever -- whenever you look at our stated think it's important we bind together. i've been blessed to live in northwest arkansas, in central arkansas. i have grandchildren in both places and i think that's what unites us together. today i received the endorsement of the national federation of independent business. the nfib endorse my candidacy because they see me as someone as governor that can move our state forward in job creation and economic growth for the greatest future of our children and grandchildren.

>> moderator: thank you mr. hutchinson. mr. ross. ross: i would like to thank channel 7 for hosting this important debate this evening. i have never run for statewide office so for those of you who do not nomad like to share who i am and why i want to leave this state of ours. i'm a fifth-generation lifelong arkansan. am the grandson grandson of the farmer a homemaker or railroad worker and a nurse and my parents who are here with me tonight for schoolteachers. i've been married for 31 years to my best friend. her name is holly. she is a pharmacist and she's here with us tonight. honey i love you so very much. she has given us two wonderful children. they are all grown up now and we have even picked up a son-in-law in the last year and we love him too. former small business owner, i cut my teeth and press kit so i understand local government.

i understand rural arkansas. it's been 10 years in the arkansas state senate. i spent 12 years in congress and if you think you are fed up with washington i was so fed up that i didn't run again. i was fed up with the partisan bickering and dysfunction. that is the last thing we need in state government and arkansas. during my time in congress i was consistently listed as one of the most independent members of congress. i have a history and a record of bringing people together and that is what i will do as governor. i have got a positive vision for the future of this day. it starts with education. my parents for schoolteachers. they taught me in an early age the power of education. i said i want to be the education governor because that's how we create more and better paying jobs in the state. that's how we grow the middle class and the state. i look forward to talking about my plans for lower and fair taxes for equal pay for equal work for women and to put an end to domestic violence and arkansas during this important

debate this evening. if you are listening from home thank you for tuning in. thank you for caring about the future of our state. >> moderator: thank you mr. ross. that will conclude the opening statement portion we will now going go into questioning. our first question comes from roby rocket nets for mr. hutchinson. >> with a view expressed support for the minimum wage proposal to raise the minimum wage to $8.50 per hour. tell me how you came to the conclusion of wanting to support the minimum wage proposal. did you feel low income workers needed to raise? did you want to avoid the potential negative attack ads that might come along with the minimum weight support? ross: i have supported since 2012 an increase in the state minimum wage. it's the right way to accomplish and i will be voting to raise the minimum wage. i think it's important not to focus on what is the minimum

wage and arkansas that i want to have folks move up the economic ladder. it's about better paying jobs not minimum wage jobs and that's what i want to focus on. i want to add, mr. ross talks about being independent in congress that he had an opportunity when mr. stearns offered an amendment in committee that he would support making sure if you like your health insurance you could keep it. he did not cross party lines to vote for the amendment that of mr. stearns. that was an opportunity. he could have done something. i hope he will explain that. the best example of where i think there has been partisanship in washington. i have demonstrated an ability to work together across the aisle and i look forward to doing that. >> moderator: mr. rossi have 30 seconds. so buy them a consistent supporter of raising the minimum wage and congressman hutchinson he sounds more like a slick lawyer or slick d.c. politician.

he has been both. he has consistently opposed raising the minimum wage. he was against the ballot initiative to raise the minimum wage and arkansas before he was for it. you know you have to make decisions asa not based on public polling that decisions from a hard panic until you this. people that get up and go to work every day and i'm $13,000 a year in minimum wage they deserve better and that is why it's been a consistent supporter of raising the minimum wage. >> moderator: this will be directed to mr. ross. >> express support for pre-k funding but with varying degrees of commitment. what is your position on pre-k funding and how is it different than your opponent? ross: thank you angela and that's been a hallmark of my campaign. i think we will start sooner and finish stronger. ever pre-k plan and if you are a parent and you have a 4-year-old and you want them in a pre-k classroom there should be a desk for them regardless of your

income regardless of your zip code. congressman hutchinson consistently opposed pre-k programs as a congressman and he said my plan was the wrong direction for arkansas before he decided he was for additional pre-k and arkansas. what asa does -- says is what asa does. and press kit arkansas we do what we say and we say what we do. >> moderator: mr. hutchinson 30 seconds to respond. hutchinson: mr. ross that i oppose raising the minimum wage. false. he says i consistently oppose pre-k as a congressman. false. he also should recognize the distinction as to what you support in congress is a national initiative versus a state initiative and as governor i support expanding pre-k when it comes to those households that need it the most below 200%

of poverty. we have an existing program for pre-k education. i support that rather than expanding it to print a% of poverty which is what mr. ross does. we want to fund existing program first. [applause] >> moderator: back to mr. roby for third and final question. >> mr. hutchinson you are both committed to tax cutting proposals. i wanted to tell me what the biggest difference between your plan and your opponents plan. hutchinson: the biggest difference is the mind is doable. we have a clear objective for next year. mr. ross will not say what he wants to do in the next legislative session. as we have revenues that come in. he wants to do 600 -- over $600 million in tax cuts over eight years which is $70 million a year and he won't tell us what he wants to do next year.

mine is a very specific and doable plan. the second difference is my objective is different. we are not competitive with the 7% income tax rate in arkansas. i would lower that down to 5% starting with the middle income. those are the people that are struggling and hurting. let's start there and lowered from six to 5%, create jobs so aren't objective is totally different. he says i don't include everybody. that's true. let's concentrate on meddling come. that is where the focus needs to be. [applause] >> moderator: mr. ross 30 seconds to respond. ross: i've never been accused of hollering before it. i have got a plan for lower and fairer taxes. a single mom working two jobs to make ends meet earning $30,000

pays the same income tax rate is making 300 thousand a year. we are going to do it exactly the way governor beebe -- congressman hutchinson was running against governor beebe for governor and he said governor beebe was making an empty promise. governor beebe said we will do this because we can afford it and that is what i will do. 40% of the people go to work everyday and arkansas aren't rich enough. mod that we are going to cut it off there. [applause] more questions to come and don't forget the spin room coming up at 7:45. more of the 2014 juvenile court -- gubernatorial debate in just a moment. we welcome you back for more of the 2014 gubernatorial debate with mike ross and asa

hutchinson. it is angela taylor's turned has the next question. >> mr. ross debate about court attorney general are interpreted differently in different counties so where do you stand on open carry? ross: i'm a life -- with the nra and i have a high rating with the nra. have a conceal and carry permit. in terms of open carry there are some who believe because of a change in legislative laws in recent years that perhaps it's legal and the attorney general has ruled it's not legal. they said it was never an intent to have open carry. look, no one is more program than i am but i think we have to be careful on this and i will work with the legislature to see what we need to do on it. i have concerns about being out

shopping and someone walking in and carrying a gun. 55 to 75 county shares have endorsed my candidacy. they have a serious concern about trying to distinguish between the good guys and the bad guys. i feel strongly about concealed carry and i think it's a deterrent to crime. people don't know if i'm caring or not. [applause] >> moderator: mr. hutchinson. hutchinson: the legislature amended the law the last session that said you can carry as long as there is no criminal intent and that's how most prosecutors interpret the law and that's the way i understand it. however the courts are going to make that more clear. likewise the nra has given me an a grading. the nra second amendment was under assault hired me to protect the second amendment. it was when our second amendment was under the greatest assault on our country after the standing against it and then mr. ross knees buckled and he said it was time for -- he and i

have a different opinion as to what we need to do in our country in reference to the second amendment. [applause] >> moderator: thank you very much. we will go to this roby rock for the next question. >> recommence in a state prison only to be built and in light of the problems we have seen the high-profile tragic case of beverly carter that the news recently. what needs to be done to solve our public system when it comes to parole? >> i'm not convinced the department of corrections have looked at enough options in the 100 million-dollar prison. i want to make sure there are options on the table to provide an additional prison space. we have a crime problem in arkansas and we have experienced it personally in recent days. three sad cases.

i've been her federal prosecutor and i've worked with law enforcement and state law enforcement all of my career. including the dea. it's a drug connection to parole connection to most of the crime we see. i want to bring my experience to bear to reduce that threat of violent crime and i resolved to make our streets safer and also to make sure we have a separate parole system more effective for those coming out of prison. alternatives to incarceration when they are not violent such as drug treatment courts. this is all part of my plan for public safety. [applause] >> moderator: thank you mr. hutchinson. mr. ross bird bottle. ross: i don't know if we are going to need another person or not. there's a study done to determine that but we need meaningful criminal justice reform in the state.

we need smarter sentencing but we also need tougher sentencing. we have got to put them into the revolving door with repeat offenders. at the same time some folks need drug treatment and others need to get a ged. some need to learn a job skill so they can go to the work like the rest of us. we learned this recently with the tragic death in little rock. some people never deserve to b be -- [applause] >> moderator: thank you mr. ross. our third and final question comes from angela. >> a lot of women will be watching this debate in both of you have mentioned your wife so whoever wins your wife will be arkansas's first ladies to what causes will she championed mr. ross? ross: my wife is a pharmacist and i'm so proud of her. she gets up and goes to work everyday and i can tell you health care is a passion of hers. we now have almost 200,000 people. we have cut the uninsured rate

in arkansas in half. she has expressed to me that she would love to help with people that haven't had access to health care to understand how powerful and important preventive medicine is and to address the immunization issue in arkansas to continue to ensure that our children are immunized so they will never face the horrible situation my mom here had. when she was a year old she had polio. she spent more time growing up in children's hospitals and she did it home. she spent her whole life with a crutch and a brace. it hasn't stopped her. she has been a schoolteacher and i'm so proud of her. [applause] >> moderator: i will give you 30 seconds to talk about your wife. hutchinson: she will make a terrific first lady. she would be a will to speak to her suffer what issues she wants to address that she is an incredible love and passion for

children. she serves on the board of the children's advocacy center looking out for abuse in oakland to children in difficult home environments. in a lesser passion of hers and she will continue that. whenever you look at the challenge of domestic violence and the challenge of drugs in the home whenever you are looking at the challenge of abuse of children i know she and i will work together to reduce that challenge in arkansas and protect our children. [applause] >> moderator: we are about halfway home in tonight's debate that we have one more question and rebuttal segments so stay with us. we'll take another break and be back with more from there unr campus in capital city. mobs are i would welcome you back to the ewiner campus for the 2014 gubernatorial debate but if you want to follow one twitter hashtag katv debate or

hashtag a. arco. we will start with ropey ross. >> mr. hutchinson we have support the private option and when would you name one change you might insist on terms of changing the private option under your position is a little bit of a let study this. ross: a private option is working well for our rural and urban hospitals reducing the indigent care. it is also helping those that have never had health insurance before so there are some very good things about the private option but as governor is very important that we actually ask can we afford it over the long term is a sustainable and how much is it going to cost goods we did not have those cost figures in yet. we have to pick up 10% of that cost while i will be governor in

the first term. i was talking to some hospital groups today and they agreed with me. they said it is working but we want you to consider the costs and also i asked him how do we fine-tune this? how do we make it better? they say we will help develop profiles. that has not been done yet. we know some are working moms and dads that are getting health insurance for the first time that others who don't know. we need to know how we can improve it in afford it. >> moderator: mr. rossi of 30 seconds. ross: now think they got an answer from congressman hutchinson whether he will support or oppose the private option in arkansas. i think we are from the beginning. as governor i will support the medicaid expansion the private option in arkansas. number one at help save our hospitals. we lost a hospital in my hometown in the mid-90s so that's something i don't wish on anyone. secondly we are finally number one in something.

under governor beebe's relationship we have cut the uninsured rate in one ear. louisiana refused to do the medicaid expansion and in louisiana they're asking for an 18.5% rate increase. >> moderator: these guys have been great on time. our next question from angela taylor. >> mr. ross name thing -- one thing you will do on day one but as governor by executive order by proclamation. ross: one of the things i'm going to do as governor early on and that is i'm going to order every state agency to review any rule or regulation over three years old to determine one if it still needed him two it was ever needed. i want to reduce bureaucracy. i want america and the world to know that arkansas is open for business. we need to create more and better paying jobs in this state and that's part of the way we do

it. our lower tax plan to help manufacture the best to modernize their plants with lower tax cuts and also by cutting burdensome government rules and regulations and that is what i will do on day one and began to put arkansas to work. >> moderator: 30 seconds for you. hutchinson: i'm going to call a half-dozen businesses across the country and say what you consider relocating to arkansas? i while also on day one -- [applause] so we do not grow state government without specific approval so we get people in place so we know what our budget needs to be. thirdly we will introduce legislation when the legislature comes back that we'll have computer science in every high school to make sure you get a math or science credit for. we will make sure the dollars go to programs that do server than needed and are doing a good job.

>> moderator: back to probe you for the next question. >> the supreme court passed the lower court's decisions related to same-sex marriage this week. and in fayetteville there has been debate about should the city ban discrimination on sexual orientation. what will your administration do to push for civil rights in the state of arkansas? ross: this is a difficult issue because the people of arkansas have spoke and the courts are reviewing whether that will be sustainable and held constitutional. the supreme court has said it has basically been left up to the state and they have not given guidance beyond what the lower court has said. let me make it clear that i have supported the arkansas constitutional amendment that defines a marriage as between one man and one wine. [applause] that is my belief but it's also

what the arkansas people have spoken through the constitution. now the courts are going to have a ruling on it. we simply need to wait and see what that is down the road. both the arkansas supreme court is looking at as well as the middle quartz and i hope they leave the discretion to the states to determine what is the proper definition of marriage in our society. >> moderator: thank you. mr. ross? ross: i believe marriage should be between one man one woman and that is how i've consistently voted to let me be clear i will not tolerate discrimination of anyone in the state of arkansas. [applause] >> thank you very much. back to angela for next question. >> third-party groups kim makes drawn charges on your behalf to should there be more restrictions or regulations at the state level to make

third-party advertising more transparent and triple? what would you be willing to do as governor on this front? mr. ross? ross: i'm tired of this out-of-state money. congressman hutchinson has spent millions in out-of-state money representing the facts and distorting the truth and lying about me. [applause] if you do not live in the state of arkansas you should not be able to contribute to a candidate for governor or any other office in the state of arkansas. [applause] >> moderator: mr. hutchinson? hutchinson: there is such a thing as the constitution in the supreme court has ruled. [applause] i think what's important is that candidates take responsibility for their own ads. our ads if you look at than positive to this campaign. i'm proud to have my

granddaughter and wife susan talking about responsible government. we are proud of the message we have had. yes there are outside groups that come in. i think what we have to do is strengthen the candidates in what they can raise and the voices they have in the campaigns themselves. i'm responsible for our ads like mr. ross is responsible for his ads and i'm not accountable for your allies in washington and president obama's been attacking me. [applause] >> moderator: we have time for one more question before we get to closing statements. >> mr. hutchinson i had a lot of contacts and teachers in advance of the debate asking me to ask both of you -- ross: and needs to be fixed. when i see a teacher that comes up to me that shows a pay stub of $3800 regular pay for a month

but $1100 deducted for health insurance, that causes that family to struggle. in the meantime they provide the health insurance for their family. the legislature took action to fifix it.it's not completely fi. we have more work to do. i will work with the legislature to test the teachers insurance fund and make sure it's stable and it's affordable for our teachers. we have to look at different options including bringing this school district back into the equation to make sure they have the flexibility they need them providing that insurance would also it paints a bigger picture. we have got ms under the affordable care act that middle-class families, families across our kids are getting hit with high insurance payments and not just that, to the high deductibles they are being hit with as well. we need to change the affordable care act. we need to make sure we have affordable health insurance for teachers.

>> moderator: thank you mr. hutchinson and now mr. ross. ross: our teachers need to be focused on teaching our children and not be distracted and worried about whether or not they're going to be able to afford their health insurance. what the legislature did was a band-aid at best. as governor committed to working with democrats and republicans to fix the teacher health insurance problem once and for all. we have got to look at funding. we have got to look at who pays what. teachers in most school districts only have $150 a month to pay for their insurance and most people in the public-private sector get as much as 150 or more. everyone has to have skin in the game. that is how we reduce over usage of the system and we have to get everybody back into the pool. we can do this and i'm committed to doing it. it will be a top priority for me. >> moderator: time for one more question. we'll have angela asked that. >> what is the funniest thing

that has happened to you on the campaign trail mr. ross? ross: oh gosh i was doing a meeting in answering a lot of questions at a town hall type setting and arra town in southeast arkansas and a man got carried away asking me a question. the top part of his front teeth fell out. he continued to ask the question. i answered it with a straight face. >> moderator: can you top that? hutchinson: in today's campaign where we have trackers that follow you. this tracker was following my red dodge ram pickup truck and i took a wrong turn. i wound up being on top of the levy which was a bypass. if anybody sees a video of me on youtube with a big red truck on a bike path that is what happened. [laughter]

mob that we can get away with anything anymore. i will conclude our question-and-answer portion of tonight's debate and we will now move into closing statements and since mr. hutchinson went first in the opening statement will start with mr. ross. ross: to all the folks that come think you were tuning in tonight and to my friends and family and press the arkansas thank you for your love and your support and go worlds. let me say this congressman hutchinson and this out-of-state special-interest has spent millions trying to convince you of something that i'm not. i'm a conservative, pro-business pro-gun god-fearing arkansas democrat. let me be clear i'm not running to be governor for the democratic or the republican party. i'm running to the governor for all the people in this great state. i pledge to work with anyone and everyone who will work with me to make this data better place to live, to work and to raise a family. my family taught me growing up

in a country church outside of prescott midway united methodist church the values of faith family hard work personal responsibility. i think those guys have served me well for the last 53 years and i wanted to know the same things will service my moral compass as i do my best to hopefully lead to this day. i love the state and i believe in arkansas. i believe in you and i know we can do better. i'm proud to have the endorsement of governor mike beebe. i think he has been one heck of a governor and i want to build on the foundation is laid in improving education cutting taxes creating more and better paying jobs. i want to be the biggest economic ambassador this state has ever had and i want our daughters to be able to earn the same pay as our sons. women in arkansas or 77 -- earn 77 cents for whatever a man next to the dollar. as governor of a plan to address it. finally we are going to send a message loud and