The candidates for governor are debating about possible budget shortfalls. "Butch Otter based a budget ... on doom and gloom rather than evidence," said Democrat Keith Allred. Independent Jana Kemp said she opposed the 2006 special-session decision to cut property taxes, raise the sales tax, and shift school funding to the state. "That was a bad decision then and it's proven out to be a bad decision now," she said.

Otter said he wondered what kind of math the other candidates were using, if they want to cut taxes but increase budgets. Then, he and Kemp went back and forth over how she's been trying to get his budget for next year, and he says it's not done yet. Allred said he wanted to "jump in," and said no previous governor has cut education because "they understand what a fundamental priority education is."

Pro-Life said he opposes public education and would cut it. "It's a communist doctrine," he said.