House 20 debate reveals contrasts

House District 20 candidates Erik Curren and Dickie Bell displayed sharp differences on transportation and the economy during a televised debate Tuesday night.

The two candidates, vying to succeed retiring House 20 Del. Chris Saxman, appeared on WHSV TV-3 in a debate sponsored by the television station and The News Leader.

On transportation, Democrat Curren proposed looking more closely at repairing bridges, using rail to free up congested interstates and modernizing Virginia’s tax brackets to provide additional revenue.

Curren said the change would fund transportation and would allow for a tax cut to all Virginia families earning less than $80,000 a year.

Republican candidate Bell said work can start on fixing transportation but said “there is no silver bullet.”

And while rail can help, Bell said roads in rural areas like the Shenandoah Valley must be repaired. Bell said revenue from oil and gas leases for offshore drilling could provide some of the transportation funding.

Curren said clean energy jobs are the wave of the future and said currently available federal stimulus money can be used to fund those jobs, whether it is farm biorefineries or the weatherizing of homes.

Bell said government is not the answer for job creation.

“Government can create a favorable regulatory environment,’’ said Bell.

He said the key is to be ready with a trained workforce when the current economic slowdown ends.

Both candidates support reopening Virginia’s closed rest stops, saying their closing is an inconvenience for travelers and not positive for tourism.

When asked to critique the Virginia General Assembly, Curren said he sees a gridlock in the current body that too often involves a dearth of new ideas and legislators saying “no.” He said members of the General Assembly need to be more responsive to their constituents.

Bell said the General Assembly will face a formidable battle in 2010, and said the experienced leadership of his 13 years on Staunton City Council will help.

“My proven common sense approach to government of the past 13 years will be of great benefit to the 20th District,’’ Bell said.

The two candidates are set to debate again on Oct. 20 in Highland County. The complete plans have not been finalized.