Hull slammed for no-show

Aaron Wickenden Arizona Daily Wildcat Libertarian gubernatorial candidate Kat Gallant fields a question from a UA student last night at a debate in UMC's DuVal Auditorium. Gallant and Democratic candidate Paul Johnson responded to both UA, ASU and NAU students in an interactive simulcast between the three schools.

After a surrogate speaker for Republican Gov. Jane Hull canceled, Democratic candidate Paul Johnson attacked Hull for repeatedly missing scheduled forums.

Hull's representative was scheduled to join Libertarian candidate Kat Gallant at the University Medical Center's DuVal Auditorium.

"Not attending this is a slap in the face to the voters," Johnson said from his post at Northern Arizona University.

Gallant said talking about state issues was more important than "obsessing" over Hull's absence.

"I don't care that Hull wasn't here tonight," she told an audience of about 50 people. "It gave me the opportunity for me to talk with you a little bit longer."

Hull's staff members were unavailable for comment and did not return phone calls last night.

Sam Leyvas, director of the Arizona Students Association, said he was told by staff in Hull's office that the governor did not want a surrogate to answer Johnson's allegations that she traded Arizona's water to Nevada for campaign contributions.

Johnson said last night that Hull has missed 30 different forums since she has been running for re-election.

The candidates did talk about state issues during the hour-long meeting. Audience members from the three campuses asked questions prepared by ASA officials based on student polls.

Crime is the most important issue facing Arizona today, Gallant said.

She pushed her plan to remove drug addicts from prisons to make room for violent criminals.

"We aren't really dealing with the problem," Gallant said. "We're letting the real criminals back out on the street because we don't have room for them. My focus is on cleaning up the jails."

Johnson, however, focused on what has been his primary issue throughout his campaign - education.

He said people must keep up with technological advances.

"The key to technology is education, education, education," Johnson said.

A representative from Kids Voting asked the candidates how they plan to keep a univer-sity education "as nearly free as possible," as mandated by Arizona's constitution.

Johnson said parents who contribute to their children's education should receive tax deductions, and he attacked some of Hull's recent decisions on the educational front.

Gallant scoffed at Arizona's current financial aid system, providing a moment of levity for an otherwise uncharged crowd.

"I think they're (student loans) a disaster waiting to happen" she said.

Audience members laughed, prompting Gallant to explain her comment.

"You're laughing because you know student loans are bad news," she said.

Gallant said she would like to give scholarships to all university students.

"One state is already doing it through their lottery," she said. "We really have a racket going on with our financial aid."

Johnson called for exemplary student incentives and tax credits.

Candidates also addressed the recent mur-der of a gay University of Wyoming student who was tied to a split-rail fence and beaten.

"I'd like to promote more love, patience and tolerance," Gallant said. "Let's stop the hate and start the love."

Johnson called for an increase in anti-hate crime legislation.

"I do believe that when those types of crimes take place, we should increase the penalty," he said.

David J. Cieslak can be reached via e-mail at David.J.Cieslak@wildcat.arizona.edu