SACRAMENTO, Calif. (KGPE/KTXL) – For anyone who may have missed the debate between Republican incumbent Rep. John Duarte and Democratic challenger Adam Gray, here are the top six major moments from Thursday’s clash between candidates.
Minimum wage
On minimum wage, Gray said he did not support raising the minimum wage to $18 an hour, as proposed in Proposition 32. Gray described the San Joaquin Valley’s economy as “very different” to that of the major urban areas of San Francisco or Los Angeles.
“I think wages need to be appropriate for the regions.”
Gray called instead for inflation to be brought under control to resolve the need for minimum wage increases. When asked if there was a specific minimum wage amount he could support, Gray reiterated that different parts of the state have different needs.
Duarte also said he would not support raising the minimum wage to $18 an hour and adds the issue affecting working families in the Central Valley cannot be fixed by increasing the minimum wage.
He says these policies tend to chase employers away and kill jobs that young adults and immigrants need to enter the “American economy.”
“I’d like to see everybody make $20 an hour or more, but is not realistic and if we pursue that through a minimum wage policy, we are gonna end up chasing jobs away and making matters worse,” he said.
Reproductive rights and abortion
On abortion and reproductive rights, following the overturning of Roe v. Wade, Gray said he would vote to codify Roe v. Wade into federal law if he was given the opportunity to vote for it.
“Congress ought to take the opportunity to protect our rights at the federal level.”
On the question of abortion limits, Gray said he wanted to return to when Roe v. Wade allowed the discussion “where a doctor and a woman will make the reproductive health choices that are medically appropriate.”
Duarte, on the other hand, did not clarify whether he would codify Roe v. Wade and instead answered that he “would look into it”, adding he would need to see the bill first in order to sign it. This answer prompted Gray to accuse Duarte of being “dishonest.”
Endorsing presidential candidates
When asked which candidate for president he endorsed, Adam Gray said he “absolutely” endorsed Kamala Harris.
“Even Dick Cheney. Dick Cheney is supporting Kamala Harris for president.”
Duarte, on the other hand, confirmed his support for Donald Trump as president.
Affordable housing
On affordable housing, Gray called for more spending on infrastructure from the federal government to help streamline building and bring in more supply.
“That’s something the federal government has been absent in doing.”
Gray also called for job training programs to bring in new electricians and plumbers, which he says would create a “major renaissance” in California homebuilding.
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Duarte blames California state regulations, such as solar panel requirements and sprinklers, for high housing costs and suggests allocating funding to infrastructure plans that would reduce these requirements and therefore lower costs.
“So we can spend our infrastructure dollars and we can reduce our requirements on new home builders and we can get water where it needs to be, that is how we get homes affordable,” he said.
High-speed rail
On high-speed rail, Adam Gray called for the project to be brought on-time on and on budget – but would support additional funding for it.
“High-speed rail has provided 14,200 families in the San Joaquin Valley with really good jobs. That helps them afford a home and raise their children. We don’t want to walk away from that but at the same time we need these projects to be on time and on budget.”
John Duarte, on the other hand, states that he would not provide more funding to the project. He says those funds should be directed to other priorities such as more water treatment plants and freeway lanes, as well as other infrastructure issues.
“We have so many priorities that we could improve life with proper infrastructure investment.”
He adds that he would kill the high-speed rail project and wants to move the funding to local county governments so they can decide what to do with it.
Electric vehicle mandates
When asked about a government mandate forcing new vehicle buyers to purchase electric vehicles, Adam Gray was asked if he agreed with that requirement.
“No, I think it’s something that can be handled in the marketplace. What I think the government should do actually is invest in the infrastructure we would need if and when people choose to move to an electric vehicle.”
Duarte agreed with that, saying that working families in the San Joaquin Valley are not going to be able to afford an electric car due to high PG&E bills and the lack of a power grid to support it.
“None of the working families in the valley are choosing electric vehicles.”
The debate was hosted in Sacramento, California and was moderated by CBS47’s Brian Dorman and FOX40’s Nikki Laurenzo.
