By Kelsi Peace, Features Editor

Only two candidates for State Representative debated in the Hilton Room of the McGlothlin Campus Center on Thursday night. Republican candidate Susan King was not present, despite several weeks’ notice.

Democratic candidate Mel Hailey, Political Science Department chair, and Libertarian candidate Vanessa Harris answered questions from a panel composed of Dr. Mark Cullum, professor of history and advisor of the College Republicans, and Kristina Campos-Wallace, advisor of the College Democrats.

The candidates discussed education, agreeing that the TAKS test should be improved, but disagreeing on whether or not Texas should use vouchers.

“When it comes to education and funding, I’m for exploring new avenues that haven’t been explored in this district,” Harris said.

Harris offered profits from state-owned casinos as one possible avenue and vouchers as another.

Hailey opposed vouchers on the basis that the Texas Constitution offers free public education.

Hailey said the message he would like to bring to Congress in regards to education is to “learn to listen and listen to learn”-and representatives need to listen to children, educators and parents, he said.

Both candidates opposed the TAKS test because the test forces teachers to teach students only to pass a test.

“I would like to go to Austin and get this thing annihilated,” Harris said.

Hailey agreed, “We can do better than the TAKS test.”

Views between the candidates split as discussion turned to health care.

Democratic candidate Hailey called past legislature in Austin a “dismal record,” citing the 176,000 children who were cut out of the Children’s Insurance Program (CIPS) as an example of poor public policy.

“Government has to take care of the most vulnerable among us, and if it doesn’t, we haven’t accomplished much,” Hailey said.

Libertarian candidate Harris said the state ought to “slowly step down” from the welfare program and replace it with private charities. Harris said privatized charity has several benefits: the public knows who is getting the money, can select where the money goes and will have more money left for charity.

Harris also said she opposes welfare, but does not wish to “yank programs from beneath children and parents.”

While the candidates’ solutions for dealing with illegal immigration differed, both agreed on one method that will not work.

“One person believes in a fence,” Hailey said. “It’s not Vanessa, it’s not me.”

Harris said vouchers would privatize schools and discourage illegal immigrants from putting their children in the system.

Hailey said he supports a guest-worker program that would allow immigrants to “participate legally in the American dream.”

“Let’s remember that we are a nation of immigrants,” Hailey said.

He also said he thinks a better economic environment in immigrants’ countries will help them to succeed at home.

Congress should be working harder to find solutions, Harris said, and Hailey said the national government has failed to protect the borders, comparing it to a “dead-beat dad.”

When the debate moved to economic development, the candidates’ views differed.

“I am in favor of the legalization of illegal drugs,” Harris said.

She said revenue generated from the drugs could also be used to increase funding for education.

Hailey said wind energy offers potential for creating jobs on several levels. He also spoke against tax dollars being spent to bring companies into Texas that directly compete with small business.

Hailey said government ought to play the role of helper, by working as a neighbor rather than a nanny.

“We need the help of government,” Hailey said.

Both candidates supported the Second Amendment, which gives citizens the right to bear arms.

Hailey said taxes-sales and property-cannot be raised anymore. Instead, he said a non-partisan commission needs to examine the tax system.

Harris opposed singling out any group of people for taxes, including wealthy citizens.

The debate concluded with Harris urging voters not to vote a straight ticket, but instead to base decisions on their consciences and knowledge.

Hailey promised voters he would discuss issues in Austin in a “civil manner,” and then gave examples of poor leaders who “were more concerned about amassing their own personal power than they were about getting the job done.”

The winner of the election will fill a seat Rep. Bob Hunter is vacating after 20 years of service.