Several Wisconsin gubernatorial candidates squared off in a debate at Memorial Union Theater Wednesday night.

Dane County Exec. Kathleen Falk, state Sen. Gary George, D-Milwaukee, and Joe Parisi, spokesman for U.S. Rep. Tom Barrett, D-Milwaukee, represented the Democratic challengers. Attorney General James Doyle, also seeking the Democratic nomination, was not present, nor was incumbent Gov. Scott McCallum.

Libertarian candidate Tomah Mayor Ed Thompson and independent candidates Marcus Gumz and Jim Young also attended the debate.

Joel Rogers, a UW-Madison law professor, and UW senior Patricia Kim mediated the debate.

Rogers and Kim posed three questions to the candidates concerning major political issues before the floor was opened to students’ questions. Candidates were given three minutes to respond to each question, on topics including UW System budget cuts, racial profiling, and funding for prisons, the environment and transportation.

Candidates emphasized UW System funding and education concerns.

“I will work very hard to gain your support. Students have a powerful voice on who we elect. I share your values and want you to have the opportunities you deserve,” Falk said. “I want to make sure tuition doesn’t keep students from going to college and that there is a student voice on the Board of Regents.”

Campaign-finance reform and its connections to other state issues were also discussed.

“Special interests never lose,” George said. “For example, Stanley Prison passed around campaign contributions, and finally sold it to the state. The place is vacant. Say ‘no’ to prison building for campaign contribution reasons.”

Prison funding provoked much discussion at the debate.

Falk proposes a corrections-reform package that transfers $100 million from prisons to education.

Candidates also addressed the war on drugs.

“I worked for five years in federal prison; we could not keep drugs out of that prison,” Thompson said. “How can we keep them out of free society? I do not condone the use of drugs, but drugs are not a criminal problem.”

Minorities in Wisconsin were addressed in various contexts throughout the debate.

“It’s nice to be first, but it’s embarrassing to be first in the incarceration rate of minorities,” Parisi said.

Wisconsin’s budget deficit was also addressed.

“A disease is going around the state capital; it’s called ‘Career Politician Syndrome’ — out of control spending,” Thompson said. “I propose accountability budgeting. No automatic raises, and all agencies will have to justify spending.”

He also said some UW cuts are necessary.

Plans for fixing the budget vary among candidates.

“The state did not prepare for an economic slow down, when more money came in, legislators spent it . . . rather than establishing rainy-day funds. Barrett will tighten spending . . . and eliminate the influence of special interests. This ship needs a new captain,” Parisi said.

Environmental concerns evoked further discussion.

Falk said she thinks Dane County has done incredible things with environmental issues in the past five years. George said he would restore the public-intervener position.

The future of Milwaukee, sexual assault, and transportation were among the final topics addressed.