Though Louisiana’s four leading candidates for governor differed in style and specifics at the latest gubernatorial forum, they agreed in substance more often than not on how to address the state’s most pressing problems.
At a panel discussion of candidates this morning sponsored by the Public Affairs Research Council, Democrat John Bel Edwards and Republicans Scott Angelle, Jay Dardenne and David Vitter—who provided his answers via pre-recorded video because he is in Washington, D.C.—all said they would restructure the state budget and consider new ways to raise revenues. All supported giving more state money to higher education and, in particular, granting university governing boards the authority to set their own tuition and fees. All called for more transparency in state government, especially at the executive level. And all said they would at least consider accepting federal Medicaid money—if not outright, then under a “private option,” whereby the state would buy private coverage for the uninsured using Medicaid dollars.
“I have not taken off the table expanding coverage under Medicaid,” said Vitter, adding that, in general, he supports the state’s new privatized health care system. “I would use it as a coverage model, not as traditional Medicaid, but I have not taken that off the table.”
The state’s overburdened health care system was one of several problems the candidates addressed. They also discussed the state budget and the $1.6 billion hole state lawmakers are working to close in the current legislative session. All the candidates agreed on the need to review the state’s many tax exemptions and incentive programs. Some call for a constitutional convention that would free up some of the many dedicated sources of money. Dardenne advocates both short-term and long-term fixes.
“I’d hate to see the Legislature make long-term decisions in this short-term crisis … so let’s decide how much we need now and how can we get it quickly,” he said. “First thing that comes to mind is the cigarette tax. Also, eliminate the solar tax credit. Reduce the horizontal drilling credit by 50%, but extend it for three years.”
Higher education funding is another area where the candidates share common ground. All four candidates said they would stop the ongoing cuts to state colleges and universities, and all support giving university governing boards the authority to raise their own tuition.
“I voted yesterday (in the Legislature) to decouple TOPS from tuition,” said Edwards, a state representative. “I also support giving our universities autonomy to set their own tuition. You can’t do one without the other. We can’t keep talking about workforce development while we underfund our universities.”
In terms of ethics, all four candidates say if elected their administration will be more transparent. The candidates said for the most part the state has a good set of ethics laws on the books. The problem is they are not always enforced.
“As governor I would post my daily schedule online,” Angelle said. “I would support legislation that strikes balance between transparency and accountability.”
—Stephanie Riegel
