Several Democratic candidates for Wisconsin’s gubernatorial race attended a forum on Sunday, July 8th, in Reedsburg.

They talked about such topics as Foxconn, agriculture, education and road conditions during the forum, which was hosted by Reedsburg Area Concerned Citizens.

Those who attended included candidates Matt Flynn, Mike McCabe, Josh Pade, Paul Soglin, Kelda Roys and Kathleen Vinehout.

Michael Crute, of the Devil’s Advocate Radio, served as moderator and pointed out that candidates received questions several days in advance. Due to time constraints, not every candidate received the same question, and candidates had two minutes to respond.

Crute said questions were submitted by the public prior to the forum.

Foxconn

One of the most talked-about issues of the day was the Foxconn deal, in which a Taiwanese company wants to build a manufacturing facility in Mount Pleasant. Critics have condemned the project, which includes $4 billion in taxpayer-funded subsidies and concerns that created jobs won’t go to Wisconsinites.

Flynn called it “that crooked Foxconn deal” and said he worries that it will create low-paying work and pollute the environment. He wondered why Gov. Scott Walker, a Republican, didn’t give the subsidies to Wisconsin-based businesses instead. If elected, he would stop the deal through court action.

Vinehout said Wisconsin has too many people who can barely make ends meet, yet Foxconn received $4 billion in incentives. The state should be helping its own people, she said.

“Our priorities are upside down,” said Vinehout.

Roys, who said she is a small business owner, saw the deal as “a slap in the face” to herself and other Wisconsin entrepreneurs. She said she has diligently followed the rules and paid taxes and doesn’t believe it’s fair for one company to get a free pass.

McCabe echoed the statement, “corporate welfare,” and called it a poor approach to economics. He said Wisconsin would be better served supporting lots of different businesses and people rather than giving billions to one.

Street Work

Roads are in disrepair, which is discouraging to motorists and entrepreneurs, Pade said. He wants to see a sustainable 10- to 20-year plan for road maintenance and upkeep so communities don’t have to choose between filling pot holes and fixing roads.

Flynn favored reindexing the gas tax and giving control back to local transportation authorities. He said he does not support toll roads because they require additional administration costs, and those expenses don’t justify the effort.

Adjusting the gas tax for inflation could help, said McCabe. He said he also supports fees on heavier trucks that cause more damage.

Under Vinehout’s plan, the gas tax would be increased by 5 cents and indexed for inflation. She said motorists are using more fuel-efficient cars and more people are driving hybrids so the increase shouldn’t be too painful. But the tax alone won’t solve the problem, and she suggested the state charge $10 per car on its rail line. She said Wisconsin owns 624 miles of rail line.

She said it’s too late to backpedal and ask for federal funding again for a high-speed rail. Under President Barack Obama, Walker declined $810 million in federal dollars for the project.

“We can’t take the rail money because that train has already left the station,” Vinehout said.

Money and Politics

To combat the influence of big money in politics, Roys said she’d like to see a public financing option for candidates.

“You shouldn’t have to be rich to run,” Roys said.

Soglin said he’s worked on redistricting and is committed to drawing lines that don’t favor one candidate over the other. He said voter districts should be for the people.

He also wants to shed light on dark money, require disclosure for political spending, and see more exposure for Citizens United, which determined that campaign spending is free speech and protected for organizations and businesses.

To ensure protection from hackers and outside influences, Pade said he supports paper ballots over high-tech versions. He said elections are “uniquely American” and need to be protected.

Farming

When it comes to large-scale farming, Flynn would prefer to see local communities and counties have control. The state shouldn’t be able to force an area to accept a dairy or meat operation with thousands of head of livestock.

He also championed an independent Department of Natural Resources to take a closer look at high-capacity wells, sand fracking, mining and other features that could affect water levels or quality.

McCabe said he grew up on a family farm and thinks the government should give incentives to small-scale agriculture. He said leaders can’t be lax on permits; they need to protect the environment and the neighbors of large farms. They shouldn’t have to worry about the safety of their water.

“It was our job to feed people, not poison them,” McCabe said of his farming background.

Farmers face other challenges as well, such as trade wars, financing and low prices, Vinehout said. Those who work in agriculture need a social safety net to help them stay in business.

Eminent Domain

If elected, Roys said she’d push back on eminent domain. Although she’s a business owner, she said she does not believe the government has a right to take privately owned land to give it to another private owner. Eminent domain was created so the land would serve a clear positive purpose for all people. The government was also expected to pay a fair price for the property. She said corporations shouldn’t be able to seize land through government officials.

Soglin agreed, saying, in the past, eminent domain was used for transportation purposes, such as putting in roads or sidewalks. A private business shouldn’t be able to take people’s homes, he said.

Education

Soglin said he disagrees with Walker’s statement that he is “the education governor” because Soglin has watched schools face funding cuts and tighter budgets. Soglin said good schools are critical to a vibrant economy and quality of life.

“What happens to a community if a school disappears?” Soglin asked.

Pade said education is one of the most effective anti-poverty tools available so leaders should make sure it’s strong and healthy. He said he’s against vouchers, although he has nothing against charter schools.

Wages

Soglin, who was asked about wages and given 30 seconds to answer, said he supports a $15 minimum wage.

Immigration

When asked about current immigration issues, Roys said Wisconsin needs a leader who will “stand up to the racist, bigoted and unAmerican actions of Donald Trump.” She said she everyone should feel welcome and be protected; she immigrants who work on farms should be able to get driver’s licenses so they can have insurance.

Incarceration

Vinehout was asked about incarceration rates, and she suggested they could be reduced by investing in mental health care, addiction treatment and sobriety programs. Universal health care and dental care would go a long way, she added.

Internet Access

There are still places in Wisconsin that need access to high-speed internet but it will cost money to bring it everywhere. McCabe said it would save people money by allowing cooperatives, utilities or groups to do it versus only telecommunications companies.

Marijuana

Pade was asked if he supports the legalization of marijuana. He said he agrees that it should be legal and taxed because it would create another industry for Wisconsin. He has considered Colorado and said Wisconsin should follow suit to receive more revenue. It could also decrease incarceration rates, he said.

The forum was sponsored by the Progressive Caucus of the Democratic Party of Wisconsin, Our Wisconsin Revolution of Sauk County, and Democratic Party of Sauk County.