Vincent, Schweitzer agree on plenty | Billings Gazette

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Vincent, Schweitzer agree on plenty


Associated Press
Montana Democratic gubernatorial candidates
John Vincent, left, and Brian Schweitzer are
shown during their debate Wednesday, May 12,
2004, at Carroll College, in Helena, Mont.

By JENNIFER McKEE
Gazette State Bureau

HELENA - The two men vying to be Montana's first Democratic governor in 15 years squared off Wednesday in a debate whose topics ranged from abortion to ethanol.

Both John Vincent, 61, a retired Bozeman teacher and Gallatin County commissioner, and Brian Schweitzer, a Whitefish farmer, said their No. 1 priority as governor would be education. But they differed on how to pay for better grade schools, high schools, universities and technical colleges.

Vincent said he would roll back cuts in the 3 percent state tax businesses pay on new equipment. He also said he would consider a special sales tax on "big box" stores.

Schweitzer said he would borrow an idea from Iowa, where business owners tell colleges the kinds of skills they need in new employees. The schools produce them and businesses pay "a little bit of tuition" to the school.

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