9/24/14 - Dozens of residents turned out for a political forum last night at the Hartland Educational Support Services Center. The event featured the candidates for the 22nd State Senate seat, incumbent Republican Joe Hune and Democratic challenger Shari Pollesch. The pair took turns answering questions on a wide variety of topics, ranging from economic issues like education funding to social issues like abortion. While the candidates agreed that the state needs to increase funding to roads, they disagreed on where that money would come from. Hune said the $1.2 billion recently devoted to roads may be enough, and if it is not the government could make cuts elsewhere, such as the Department of Community Health and the Department of Human Services. Pollesch, on the other hand, made it clear that new taxes may be necessary to fund road improvements adequately. The candidates also differed on the issue of high-volume hydraulic fracking, which Pollesch says is dangerous. Hune deferred to the judgment of the Department of Environmental Quality, which grants permits to fracking operations. The audience did not hear from 8th US Congressional seat candidates, Democrat Eric Shertzing and Republican Mike Bishop, who were originally scheduled to take part last night but were rescheduled to a later date. To hear the complete audio of last night's forum, follow the link below. (TD)
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