Less than two weeks before the election, Senate District 6 candidates voiced their proposed solutions on issues, such as higher education and the economy at Sacramento State’s University Union Ballroom.

The three candidates for District 6, which covers the Sacramento region, are Libertarian Steve Torno, Republican Marcel Weiland, and incumbent Democratic Sen. Darrell Steinberg, who answered audience’s questions about unemployment rates, higher education, illegal immigrants and firearms.

About 400 people, most of whom were students and community residents, attended the forum hosted by Sac State and the League of Women’s Voters.

“California needs to stop raising tuition. What I really want to know is how all these people are talking about economic recovery when this generation cannot even afford f—— college!” said Sacramento City College student Marianne Silva. “Make college affordable so more people can get an education so that they can work and help the economy grow. Doesn’t seem so hard, does it?”

Steinberg, 51, said he is a proud product of California’s public higher educational system; the last thing California should do is “make cuts” to higher education systems.

“The worldwide economic recession and the volatility of California’s state budgeting has created fee increases and nonstop roller coaster rides in terms of state funds,” Steinberg said. “As Senate leader, I was successful in negotiating a budget this year, which provided funding above the 2009-10 level that included full funding for enrollment growth and an augmentation of $400 million for our universities and state universities of California.”

Weiland, 20, said he has seen firsthand the need for “affordable” higher education.

“As the recession continues to wreak havoc on the personal finances of students and their parents it is now more important than ever to do all we can to limit fee increases in our education system,” Weiland said in an e-mail to The State Hornet.

Torno, 36, said he would like to see California universities restored back to “free-tuition” schools because taxpayers are not receiving value for what they spend.

“This would increase competition and ensure that the best and brightest are being accepted into our programs,” Torno said. “When I graduated high school only 5 percent of graduating seniors qualified for college-level English. Now the figure is close to 2.5 percent.”

Torno said he is running for office because he believes most people are, in fact, Libertarians.

“The party suffers from lack of exposure, and I feel obligated to spread the word of limited government, and increased personal freedom,” he said. “As your state senator, I will fight to cut state income tax rates 5 percent a year for the next four years.”

Weiland said there are two main reasons for the current economic crisis.

“Overtaxation and over-regulation are the two main reasons businesses are leaving the state of California at an alarming rate,” he said. “The system is broken and we need to fix it. That is why I am running.”

Steinberg said his experience, in addition to all the positive things he has done for the state, makes him a good candidate for re-election.

“I have had the privilege of serving Sacramento for 16 years,” Steinberg said. “What we are doing to higher education and public infrastructure by strangling the public financing side of the equation is also hurting our economy.”

Steinberg said while part of the 12.8 percent unemployment rate in California is due to the national and international economies, he believes Sacramento has a unique opportunity to be the hub of renewable energy.

“I would use a tax incentive to provide tax credits to business that are willing to connect with public high schools … and train those seeking higher education for the jobs that will be part of the economic recovery,” he said.

The audience, despite being instructed not to do so until after the forum, applauded on multiple occasions when Weiland spoke about “bringing jobs back” to District 6.

“Last year we lost 50,000 jobs under the leadership of Sen. Steinberg. We need to voice our dissatisfactions with the status quo,” Weiland said. “We have lost over 9,500 businesses because of overtaxation and over regulation and it is time to relieve these tax burdens on these business owners.”

Steinberg urged the audience to listen carefully to Weiland’s words and not to fall for “buzz words” such as more efficiency.

“My opponent (Weiland) talks about bringing jobs back into District 6,” Steinberg said. “An easy thing for any candidate running for office to say is “the economy is hurting and the state government is dysfunctional and I will come in and fix unemployment rate.'”

The three candidates shared similar views on illegal immigration. Each candidate said he would “tighten” up the borders, but also provide ways and options for the immigrants who have not obtained a legalized status to become legal.

Students attended the event mainly out of curiosity and eagerness to become politically involved.

Ariana Martucci, junior accounting major, said she was interested in seeing Weiland as one of the candidates.

“I was attracted to the fact that there was such a young candidate running for office,” Martucci said. “Tonight (Weiland) was able to debate really well amongst his opponents.”

Joe Romero, senior government major, said his interest in government and politics is one reason he attended the event.

“I have worked with Dr. Richard Pan’s campaign for Assembly District 5 so I have had firsthand experience with being on a campaign. Professors are losing their jobs and state workers are suffering pay cuts. Students are not getting quality education anymore,” Romero said. “I attend events and get involved so I can find out what is going on and what I can do to help these problems not be problems anymore.”

Laila Barakat can be reached at [email protected].