asimoneaux@theadvocate.com

LAFAYETTE -- The candidates for the District 45 seat in the state House of Representatives fielded a variety of questions Monday from the Concerned Citizens for Good Government.

The meeting produced queries ranging from cockfighting to union shop and from the Stelly Plan to homeschooling.

Buzz Durio, a Republican, and Joel Robideaux, an independent, are running for the seat vacated by longtime representative Jerry Luke LeBlanc, a Democrat who left the House to work for Gov. Kathleen Blanco.

They will meet in an April 17 runoff.

Durio, an attorney, told the group that campaigning has been a valuable and energizing experience that he recommends.

"Everybody ought to run for office at least once, because it makes you think, speak and listen a lot more accurately," he said.

Robideaux, a certified public accountant, said he ran because he believes the community needs someone with a CPA mentality in the House.

"Obviously we can do better with our budgeting, instead of squeaking out new revenue without the people noticing," he said. "We can pare back, make sacrifices and make changes to our way of life to accomplish greater things in the future."

When asked which bill they might introduce first, Robideaux said there are plenty of bills introduced already.

"More than 2,100 bills have been introduced," Robideaux said. "I feel I should familiarize myself with those bills first."

Durio said he already had bills introduced, through a friend, relating to public access to the Atchafalaya Basin.

On the issue of cockfighting, the two agreed: They won't vote to make it illegal.

"I think it is a unique part of our culture, and I wouldn't do anything to change it," Robideaux said.

Durio said he believes those trying to outlaw cockfighting have an "extreme view of what is and isn't personal prerogative when it comes to animals."

When asked by a union man how they would vote on a bill to require those benefiting from union negotiations to pay their fair share, the candidates both said they would be willing to hear both sides.

"I'm not in favor of mandatory union dues," Durio said. "But I will listen."

Robideaux, who described himself as a "numbers nerd," said he would want to know how the "fair share" would be calculated.

On the Stelly Plan, the candidates differed as to degree.

Durio said he would be in favor of revising the plan, to restore the deductions for mortgage payments and charitable donations. However, he said it would be "disingenuous" for a candidate to suggest he could repeal it.

Robideaux said he would be willing to introduce legislation to repeal it.

"I think it is bad legislation. I think it was misleading legislation. I think it is everything that is wrong with politics," Robideaux said. "And it's not disingenuous to suggest I would do whatever I can to repeal it."

Both men agreed on the issue of homeschooling, or more broadly, choice for parents in education.

Robideaux said he knows children who have been homeschooled and received an excellent education.

"I can see the reasoning behind it, and although I think our school system does a good job, I'm for alternatives, and not just in school choices," Robideaux said.

Durio said he believes homeschoolers should be able to obtain a high school diploma, not be forced to receive a GED.

"Individual liberty in any area is going to produce the best results," he said.

The candidates received several questions regarding health care, and in particular the state's charity system.

"The charity system needs reform. It did work the way it was intended for a number of years, but it no longer does," Robideaux said. "It's very complicated, and it would be presumptuous for me to stand here and say I understand it all."

However, Robideaux said he has spoken with officials who believe the smartest way to deal with the problem is to send funding to local areas and allow each community to determine how its public health-care dollars should be spent.

"I'm not suggesting that the people in the charity system are not working as hard as they can," he said. "But the system needs correction, and that's one idea that seems to make sense."

Durio said it is "a question of balance."

"We need to decrease our Medicaid eligibility in this state," he said. "It's too high, and it's putting stress on our system. We also need a co-pay that we enforce on Medicaid."

The main problem is indigent patients seeking primary care in the emergency room because they have no access to it otherwise, Durio said.

"The dollars need to follow the patient," he said.

Source: http://www.2theadvocate.com/stories/040604/new_district45001.shtml

Courtesy: D'Renda L.