CCB MEDIA PHOTO: Republican candidates for Cape & Islands State Senate, Anthony Schiavi (l) and Jim Crocker (r), appear at a debate Tuesday in Hyannis.
HYANNIS – The Republican candidates for Cape and Islands State Senate squared off Tuesday night in their first one-on-one debate.
Anthony Schiavi and Jim Crocker met at the Hyannis Golf Club at a forum sponsored by the Cape Cod Republican Club.
The two fielded questions on issues ranging from ways to make government more efficient to how they would work with Democrats as a member of the minority party on Beacon Hill.
Crocker said he knows how to build coalitions, while Schiavi pointed to his experience in bringing people together when he oversaw Joint Base Cape Cod.
Schiavi said he’d work to keep taxes in check, if elected.
“We also have to make sure that don’t raise taxes just for the sake of revenue. I am a reform before taxes type of person,” he said.
On the issue of working with Democrats, Crocker said he knows how to build coalitions.
“I believe truly that any cause that has common sense attached to it has a very good chance of surviving,” Crocker said.
In his opening statements, Schiavi said it was time to stop “business as usual” on Beacon Hill and time to stop “leading from behind.”
Crocker called for more transparency in government, a control on any new taxes and a review of burdensome regulations.
Responding to a question about how to foster economic development, Schiavi said it was about government setting the right conditions for businesses to relocate and expand in Massachusetts.
Crocker said loosening the constraints put on small businesses was one way to foster economic development.
Democrats running for the seat include Julian Cyr and Sheila Lyons.
The primary election is September 8.
About CapeCod.com NewsCenter
Speak Your Mind