In candidates' debate, economy is front and center

NORFOLK

Asked how he would address funding solutions for transportation and infrastructure, a Republican candidate for the state Senate described gasoline or sales taxes as a "knee-jerk reaction."

Ben Loyola, 49, the GOP challenger in the race for the 6th Senate District, also said a gas tax could not be relied on because so many cars are electric or hybrids now.

Incumbent Sen. Ralph Northam, a Democrat, said other than jobs, the No. 1 priority he hears from voters is transportation and infrastructure.

"Each year that we kick the can down the road, we've gotten further and further behind," he said.

Transportation and the economy were the star topics Wednesday night at Old Dominion University as the two candidates debated diverse topics such as redistricting, tax pledges and new energy resources. The event was sponsored by the League of Women Voters of South Hampton Roads.

Northam said improving transportation in Hampton Roads was a quality of life and safety issue. And he said it was important to the economy, including the military and maritime industry. He said state lawmakers need to form a bipartisan commission and come up with solutions that are taken to the General Assembly and to the people - something he said has not been done since the 1980s.

Asked how they would stimulate the economy in Hampton Roads, particularly helping small businesses, Loyola said government needs to get "out of the way." He said the biggest problem he sees is overtaxation, "overregulation, overlitigation, overunionzation."

Loyola said states with the highest taxes have the highest unemployment.

Northam said the state needs to invest in transportation and infrastructure to spur the economy. Most importantly, he said he wants the state to improve education. He included everything from pre-kindergarten to college and vocational and technical programs.

"Education is the great equalizer," he said.

Loyola said "the core issue" was still a prosperous economy and that without that, degrees and qualifications would not matter.

Asked where they stood on the issue of uranium mining in Virginia, Northam said he had concerns.

"I can tell you there is nothing more precious that we rely on than clean air and clean water" and he advised against letting "big corporations run rampant" and threaten that.

Loyola said a report would be coming out that would address risks and challenges of uranium mining.

"I believe in using our natural resources, but we also have to be stewards of our environment," he said.

Janie Bryant, (757) 446-2453, janie.bryant@pilotonline.com