Democrats Spar on Taxes in Henniker [VIDEO]

The three declared Democratic candidates for governor met at New England College in Henniker this afternoon for their first debate of the election season.

While former state Sens. Jackie Cilley and Maggie Hassan and retired veteran Bill Kennedy agreed on many issues, where they most differed was on the possibility of a statewide income tax to address revenues.

Hassan steadfastly stated she will not support any income or sales tax.

"It's the wrong thing for our economy," Hassan said. "I think it's important to be clear with voters on what we think."

Kennedy took a drastically different course. Citing the regressive property tax in New Hampshire, he supports implementing a four percent income tax while reducing property taxes. He doesn't support a sales tax.

"The most fair and equitable is the income tax," Kennedy said.

Cilley doesn't believe in "pledge politics" and believes all avenues of raising necessary government revenue should be on the table.

"It's time for a conversation on our state," Cilley said, adding "wishful thinking" won't fix what ails the Granite State.

Cilley and Hassan agreed the state's biggest issue is creating jobs, and they believe that should be the central issue of the campaign.

Kennedy said focusing on just one issue would lead to deficiencies in other areas.

The candidates addressed the education funding amendment, which will be considered after a deal was struck by legislators and Gov. John Lynch today. Kennedy said the Legislature needs to have some input on education funding while Cilley and Hassan both expressed opposition to giving this Legislature all the power.

Cilley called cuts made by this Legislature to the state's university system "immoral" while Hassan called them "outrageous and wrong." All the candidates pledged to work on restoring that funding.

"There is a faction where there is no compromise," Cilley said of Republicans in the Legislature.