Cordasco, Mullin, face off on guns, Medicaid, Nov. 8 legislative race
Among other things, she promised a focus on decreasing school suspensions, saying systems often need to give students a little more leeway.
Mason, D-
The candidates differed on gun control Thursday, with Mullin saying he favored more background checks on person-to-person sales to close what's commonly called "the gun show loophole." Cordasco said there's no such thing as "the gunshow loophole," because gun dealers at these shows are required to perform background checks.
State law requires licensed dealers to perform background checks, but not people who may sell a gun, but don't do it professionally.
Asked about assault weapons, Cordasco said the difference between an assault weapon and a rifle is "really just a cosmetic change." Gun companies often add stocks, sites and different magazines to high-powered rifles to make them look more like their militaristic cousins.
Mullin shot back: "I have seen too many people come through my courtroom shot by an AR-15 to think it is a cosmetic difference." But he also said he wasn't sure the legislature could find a constitutional way to ban these guns.
The candidates also differ on
Expansion would provide nearly free health insurance to hundreds of thousands of poor Virginians, largely paid for with federal taxpayer dollars.
Cordasco said she supports tax credits for families that home school their children, though perhaps not one large enough to cancel their entire tax contribution to public schools.
"They're bearing that responsibility for educating that child," Cordasco said.
Mullin was against the idea, saying the money is needed elsewhere.
"There's not enough funding," Mullin said. "Her solution is to pull money out of the system."
Mullin said he prefers more pre-K spending. Cordasco said she supports pre-K, but not a widespread expansion funded by the state.
"Where does the money come from?" she asked.
The candidates were asked whether they'd change a state law suspending driver's licenses for people who don't pay court fines. A federal lawsuit is pending, attacking this law's constitutionality.
Mullin said he'd change the law and that he sees, "this vicious cycle that increases the level of poverty" almost daily in his job as a prosecutor. Cordasco said it was certainly something she'd consider.
Mullin backed independent redistricting reforms, noting that no incumbents were unseated in last year's
Cordasco said she'd look at proposals, but indicated the current process is adequate. She noted that she sat on a redistricting committee for schools. It's a difficult process and, "only as independent and as unbiased as the people that sit on it," she said.
In
Responding to a question about infrastructure needs, both candidates hit on a need for localities to work together toward regional goals. Cordasco said a detailed cataloging is in order to determine the area's top needs. Mullin said much of that has already been done, at least for transportation. He called for more mass transit, particularly dedicated rapid bus lines, something that has been a priority for Mason in the House.
Asked about transparency, Mullin called for live streaming of all
Cordasco said "as much as possible" should be streamed. She said she'd consider changes to
Fain can be reached by phone at 757-525-1759.
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