85th and 86th State Assembly candidates square off in debate - WAOW - Newsline 9, Wausau News, Weather, Sports

Candidates for Wisconsin's 85th and 86th State Assembly districts squared off in a debate on Wednesday.

Five candidates participated in the forum at UW Marathon County. One hot topic during the hour-long debate: how taxes play a role in creating jobs in Wisconsin.

"I believe that the middle class getting tax cuts gives them more money to spend," said Dennis Halkoski (D) 86th Assembly Candidate

"An increase in taxes should be the last resort, no matter what from my standpoint," said John Spiros (R) 86th Assembly Candidate

 "I agree that we definitely have to reform our tax system," said Jim Maas (L) 85th Assembly Candidate. "It's a mess. It's been added to, a little here, a little there."

"in this last biennial budget we spent 2.3 billion dollars on special interests while making historic cuts to our schools," said Mandy Wright (D)85th Assembly Candidate.

"I've talked to a lot of people," said Pat Snyder (R)85th Assembly Candidate. "At every door I've been to, all of them have told me when I've asked, do you think you're under taxed? No one said yes."