Bob Patton and Mark Thomas, candidates for Tennessee’s seventh district House seat, spoke about their political platform to students and staff at a student-organized forum on Monday night.
Patton, the Republican incumbent, and Thomas, the Democratic challenger, both discussed their stands on education and the lottery, which Tennesseans will vote on next month.
Patton, a health education professor at ETSU from 1964 to 1995, said he believes education is a real answer. “I personally know what education means,” he said. “I love teaching.”
Thomas discussed his beliefs about education, which has its benefits, leads to better jobs and enables people to make better decisions. He said education is the fundamental purpose of state government.
Should Tennesseans approve a lottery, Patton said that he believes people should be able to vote on the topic. He also said that if there is going to be a state lottery, all of the money should go to higher education.
Patton said that 60 percent of the lottery money should go towards scholarships. The remaining money should go for new buildings, faculty salaries and new materials.
Thomas, however, said that he is not in favor of a lottery.
“I will vote against the lottery because I don’t think it is a good idea or something that the government should get involved in,” Thomas said. “There is a such thing as addictive gambling.”
“From a legislative standpoint you have to keep making it easier and easier for people to get an education,” he said.
Thomas also said there was a perpetual problem across the country because people have a disdain for “book learning.”
Patton discussed the many bills that he has developed during his time in Nashville. One bill is the $62.50 tax on marriage licenses. The tax on the license can be refunded if couples choose to go to marriage counseling.
Patton hopes the tax will help lower the divorce rate in Tennessee. “I’m interested in stopping divorce. I’m not naÜve, I know there will always be divorce,” he said.
Patton also talked about the recent vote for the increase in taxes. He said that he did vote for the increase but “held his nose” while he was signing.
“I’d like to limit government a little bit but at the same time there are things that have to be paid for,” he said.
Thomas believes that those who complain about the income tax are those who fundamentally don’t want the government to work.
“You have to do what’s best for your constituents, not what they necessarily want,” he said.
Patton believes people have to set goals. “If you have a goal, it’s not going to come and plop down in your lap,” he said.. “You have to go after it.”
Thomas has been the director of the Johnson City Public Library since 1990.
Thomas said that he is running for Tennessee, hence the slogan “Thomas for Tennessee.”
“This slogan does mean something for me,” said Thomas. “The vision I’m trying to get across and work with is the proper functioning government.”
Vote for your candidate of choice in the upcoming election Nov. 4.

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