Concerning the state's debt, Huntsman said, "We can't endanger our AAA bond rating." And while he wants to cut the sales tax on "our most basic food staples, like meat and potatoes," he wouldn't harm local government's sales tax revenue in the process, he said.

Huntsman says the state per-gallon gasoline tax, not raised since 1997 for inflation, may have to be "revisited" over the next four years but not in 2005.

Karras says raising the gas tax would just be used to pay off outstanding road bonds "and wouldn't build one new road." Politically speaking, "I won't go near that one. We have to resort the deck" in road funding "and find value for our dollar spent."

School choice

Karras says from what he knows of state Rep. James Ferrin's tuition tax credit bill, he would have signed it if it had passed the 2004 Legislature.

The bill would have offered an income tax credit to parents whose children attend private school. Public education supporters claim such credits would hurt public education, which is funded through income tax revenue. Karras says school choice is coming, and a way can be found not to negatively impact public schools.

What did pass last session was the Carson Smith Special Needs Scholarship bill, which would have provided a tax voucher to parents of disabled children to offset the tuition paid to a private school. Gov. Olene Walker vetoed the bill.

"I would have signed the Carson Smith bill," Karras said. "But we have to keep both sides" of the tuition tax credit issue "in the same tent talking."

Ditto Huntsman. "Yes, I'd have signed the Ferrin bill. Moreover, let's fix the Carson Smith bill. Let's pass it and give it a try. I'd even broaden its categories" to include other disabilities. He said that new law would be a good test whether tuition tax credits for children in private schools would financially harm the public education system.

Guns on campus

Karras said even though he is chairman of the Board of Regents, which oversees Utah's public colleges and universities, "my personal opinion is the University of Utah should follow the law" in allowing legally permitted concealed weapons owners to carry their guns on campus.

The U. sued the state and was allowed to enforce its weapons ban, but the state has appealed to the state Supreme Court.

Karras acknowledges it was the Board of Regents' official position to the 2004 Legislature that all colleges should be allowed to set their own gun policies.

"It was a tough issue for me as a regent and a candidate. But you have to say follow the law," said Karras.

On this 2nd Amendment, gun rights litmus test, Huntsman is less rigid.