Raul Labrador and Shirley Ringo recently had a debate that showcased their differing views. The key issues that were addressed were same-sex marriage, taxes, and spending. Labrador predictably came out against same-sex marriage claiming it to not be a constitutional issue and therefore be addressed on a state-by-state basis, to which he said Idaho voters agree with a statewide ban. Ringo countered by stating that operating on a state-by-state system is "awkward" and unpractical, and bringing up an Idahoan veteran that was denied the right to be buried next to her same-sex partner because of current conditions. She states this is an area where states should not be allowed to interfere. Labrador also states he is willing to make federal spending cuts across the board, from the military to the Idaho National Library. Ringo in opposition promised careful cuts from only unnecessary systems along with the closing of certain tax loop-holes. The final topic on which they argued was the issues of Idaho's minimum wage, which is currently still at the federal minimum of $7.25. Ringo plans to raise it, claiming it is not an amount a person can live and support a family on and is therefore immoral in her mind. Labrador on the other hand plans to do nothing to the states minimum wage, and instead try to create better job opportunities so that people can move up and eventually support a family as opposed to just staying at a raised minimum wage.
