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Looks like a tossup for Tuesday's primary TOP ISSUES

June 7, 2009 12:36 am

Some of the top issues and major differences in the three-way Democratic primary for governor Tuesday:

ECONOMY All three candidates are stressing job creation as a top priority.

McAuliffe promises that as governor he would beef up the governor's fund that helps pay for luring companies to Virginia, and that he would focus on luring large corporations and businesses with well-paying jobs. He also says encouraging "green" businesses is a good way to grow the economy.

Moran agrees, touting green business in his own jobs plan. He also says small businesses should get more encouragement and that the state should make it easier on small businesses.

Deeds says transportation and education improvements are critical to creating and keeping jobs in Virginia.

Deeds wants to provide more support for conservation, both of land and in encouraging businesses and homes to be more environmentally friendly. He supports a variety of alternative energy sources, including offshore wind farms and offshore oil and gas drilling. He also supports a "clean coal" power plant in Surry.

McAuliffe talks a lot about renewable-energy jobs. He favors offshore wind farms, and limited exploration for gas offshore, although not offshore oil drilling. He wants Virginia to require power companies to produce a certain percentage of their power from alternative sources, rather than the voluntary standard that now exists. He opposes the coal plant in Surry and frequently touts the energy- producing power of chicken waste.

Moran, too, supports alternative energies and offshore wind farms, but opposes offshore oil and gas drilling. He wants energy-efficiency standards for state buildings, and promises to increase land preservation efforts.

Moran wants to expand pre-K programs, raise teacher salaries to the national average, expand community colleges and make higher education in Virginia more affordable for Virginians.

Deeds says he has a 10-year plan to create 70,000 more degrees in Virginia. He says an educated work force is key to job creation. He supports pre-K and also wants to bring teacher salaries to the national average.

McAuliffe also says he'll invest in pre-K education, raise teacher pay to the national average, and make college more affordable.

McAuliffe has made a point of opposing payday lenders, promising to shut down the industry in Virginia.

Deeds continues to push bipartisan redistricting, an issue he has worked on for years as a legislator. Currently lawmakers in the majority party draw the legislative-district lines every 10 years after the census; Deeds wants that job to be done by a bipartisan, appointed panel.

Moran says he would work to reverse Virginia's "marriage amendment," which bans same-sex unions.

More details can be found on the candidates' Web sites:

McAuliffe:

terrymcauliffe.com/issues

Moran:

brianmoran.com/issues

Deeds:

deedsforvirginia.com/issues