17th District candidates Cleaveland and Mason debate

On Tuesday evening, both candidates for the 17th district House of Delegates squared off in a debate at the Holiday Inn-Tanglewood in Roanoke.

Right off the top, both candidates answered how they would decrease healthcare costs.

“I think focusing on state level and preventative medicine is something we can do now to help drive down the cost of healthcare,” said Gwen Mason.

Bill Cleaveland was prompted to be more specific after his first answer.

“On a federal level for us to have independent medical credits for individuals to save and get credit for money they use they can pay for some of their medical expenses on high deductable insurance policy, which will likewise be lower in cost,” he said.

Next – transportation. Gwen Mason said she would raise taxes if needed to make the roads safer.

“If we had to find revenue through measures that are being proposed, of course I would vote for it if it’s the right thing to do,” she said.

Cleaveland indicated a solution could be found with offshore drilling.

“It’s a longer term issue with regard to funding.“

Neither was specific about what their first bill would be if elected.

“I don’t have a specific hot-button for legislation, I Just want to tell you if I have the privelage of being in that position, I’ll be wide open and ready to go,” Cleaveland said.

Gwen says she would talk to local governments to get a better idea of what needs to be handled first.

“Find out what they need in terms of authority and what their budget and funding needs are,” she said.

As for budget cuts, “Eliminating things that just simply aren’t necessary,” Cleaveland said. He then mentioned a state police tool.

“We are paying for service for every single laptop monthly,” he said.

Mason answered, “It’s difficult to answer a hypothetical question about a hypothetical 3 billion dollar further deficit,” she said.

Tough questions these candidates will need to be prepared to answer.