BENTONVILLE -- Republican Asa Hutchinson chided his Democratic opponent for governor, Mike Ross, at a debate Tuesday night in Bentonville for trying to ride the coattails of the state's popular governor, Mike Beebe.
"He's cited Mr. Beebe I think seven or eight times so far in this debate," said Hutchinson after the two had been at it for 26 minutes before a crowd of about 250 at the Arend Arts Center at Bentonville High School. "He needs to tell you what he's going to do next year."
Hutchinson also criticized Ross' tax plan, which Ross said would cut $575 million in taxes over eight years. Hutchinson said his own tax plan would cut $100 million over 12 months, in two calendar years.
Each candidate said there are problems with his opponent's tax plan.
Ross described Hutchinson as a "flip-flopper," changing his stance on several issues, including pre-kindergarten education. Ross said Hutchinson was against expanding pre-K education in Arkansas two months ago, then last week said he was for it.
But Hutchinson said it was only Ross' plan to expand pre-K education that he was against.
"I said his plan for expanding pre-K in Arkansas is the wrong direction," said Hutchinson. "A little bit of a distinction there."
Both candidates said the state's current pre-K system is underfunded and needs to be fully funded before it's expanded.
Each candidate said he is committed to fully funding the pre-K program for families that earn up to 200 percent of the poverty level, which is $39,580 per year for a family of three.
But Ross said he wants to take the program a step further, fully funding pre-K education for families making up to 300 percent of the poverty level, or $59,370 for a family of three. Hutchinson said it's too soon to consider an expansion.
Ross' plan would cost $37.5 million a year when fully funded, according to his website, mikeross.com. Ross' plan also would cover half the cost of a pre-K education for families that earn between 300 percent and 400 percent of the poverty level.
Pre-kindergarten programs in the state are funded through the Arkansas Better Chance program and the federal Head Start program and through local school districts' operating funds. Arkansas Better Chance and Head Start target low-income families, and pre-kindergarten programs are available through public schools and day care centers that meet state requirements for funding.
Both candidates are former congressmen.
Hutchinson claimed the home-field advantage, citing his upbringing in Gravette. Hutchinson said his family moved to the area from Oklahoma in the 1940s. Hutchinson said his first job as a lawyer was in Bentonville and he worked as the city's attorney.
Ross, a businessman from Prescott, used his closing comments to get folksy.
"Congressman Hutchinson and his special interest friends have spent millions trying to convince you I'm something that I'm not," said Ross. "I'm a country boy from south Arkansas, a fiscally conservative Democrat. I have a history of being bipartisan. Congressman Hutchinson has a history of being hyper-partisan."
Ross said he supports Arkansas' Medicaid expansion plan known as the private option.
Hutchinson said the plan is doing some good things for Arkansans but, if elected governor he would want to take a hard look at whether the state can afford the program in the long run.
"It is helping our rural hospitals," said Hutchinson. "They've been able to reduce their indigent care, their charity care. ... But it's important that our next governor ask an important question: How much will this cost the state of Arkansas down the road?"
The private option is a Medicaid expansion program that uses federal funds to purchase private health insurance for low-income Arkansans.
Last year, the federal government agreed to pay 100 percent of the cost of the private option for three years. The amount approved for fiscal 2015, which began July 1, is $915 million.
Under the plan, in 2017, the state would be expected to pay 5 percent of the cost, or $45.75 million, if the total expenditure remains at $915 million. The state's share would grow to 6 percent in 2018, 7 percent in 2019 and cap at 10 percent, or $91.5 million, in 2020, assuming the total remains the same.
Opponents argue the amount could be more than that.
"We're still determining what that cost is," said Hutchinson.
The Legislature will consider renewing the plan when it meets next year.
"For a year and a half, Asa Hutchinson had dodged the private-option question," said Ross.
Ross said he voted against the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act because it cut Medicare reimbursement rates to hospitals.
Both candidates talked about efforts to fight crime.
Ross said Arkansas prisons don't need to be full of people who've committed minor offenses.
"We have to make sure we have enough prison beds for the folks we're afraid of, rather than the people we're mad at," he said.
The debate was sponsored by the Bentonville/Bella Vista Chamber of Commerce.
Metro on 10/01/2014