Dee Moore (L) and Josh Vergiels shake hands prior to participating in the Kosciusko Chamber of Commerce’s election forum Tuesday, Oct. 25, at Warsaw City Hall. InkFreeNews photo by Dan Spalding.

By Dan Spalding
InkFreeNews

WARSAW — Climate change, the economy and cannabis were some of the subjects discussed Tuesday night, Oct. 25, in a forum featuring two of the three candidates running for Indiana State House District 22.

Democrat Dee Moore and Libertarian Josh Vergiels offered their thoughts on a range of issues in a forum held at Warsaw City Hall and hosted by the Kosciusko Chamber of Commerce.

Republican State Rep. Craig Snow, who currently represents Indiana House District 18 and was shifted into the redrawn District 22, did not participate because of prior obligations.

Both Moore and Vergiels were asked what they view as the biggest pressing problem in Indiana.

Moore pointed to climate change.

“Indiana has a lot of pressing problems, but I’d have to go with climate change,” Moore said.

“That’s the biggest problem we have in the world right now. If we don’t address it, none of these other problems are going to matter,” she said.

Vergiels said inflation and what he called grim economic prospects were two things he keeps hearing about from voters.

He blames much of inflation on poor policy at the federal level but said he thinks the state can make an impact for residents.

He said the state needs to take a close look at the tax strategy and other aspects of government in an effort to “put money back in the pockets of our citizens.”

Both candidates were asked about the growing interest in legalizing cannabis products in Indiana.

Vergiels said he’s not a user of cannabis and would not advocate for its use, but said legalization is a dollars and cents issue.

He supports legalizing low-level possessions and says the state is missing out on new revenues that surrounding states are enjoying.

“This is an easy win and in my opinion, we’re late to the party,” Vergiels said.

Moore also supports the legalization of cannabis but said she would want safeguards to keep candy-like gummies out of the hands of children.

She sees some health benefits with the use of some cannabis products but said she thinks people should not drive under the influence.

“It has a place,” Moore said.

Both said they support the growth of electric vehicles and renewable energy.

“I love the idea of it,” Vergiels said, referring to electric vehicles.

He said he researched the issue of renewables for a senior project in college. While the industry has made great strides, he doesn’t think it’s matured enough.

“Ultimately, for these to be the sea-change that we all want and need them to be, that’s going to take more advancement,” Vergiels said.

He said he supports industries that want to innovate, develop and advance the industry, but is “very much apprehensive about trying to force these technologies when they’re a bit premature.”

Moore, who said she uses solar power at her home, said the state is moving in the wrong direction in terms of renewable energy. In 2016, Moore said, the legislature state took away incentives for renewables.

“We need to be investing our money in renewables so that we will have a future,” Moore said.

Both candidates were asked what the state could do better.

Moore brought up the need to raise the state minimum wage from the current level of $7.25 per hour, which she called “deplorable.”

Women are disproportionally impacted by the low minimum wage, she said.

“We need to lift that up to a livable wage,” she said.

Vergiels said one of the main reasons he’s running is his opposition to government bureaucracy.

“I would like to see the legislature take more of a KIS approach – keep it simple,” he said.

Simplifying services and government regulations, he said, can help bring about maximum benefit from the policies.

To view the entire election forum online, click on the city link here.