Air quality and a state-funded health insurance program for children generated the most discussion among the seven candidates vying for the vacant District 97 seat in the Texas House of Representatives during a forum sponsored by the League of Women Voters of Tarrant County.

Six Republicans and one Democrat are running in a special election for the legislative seat, which was vacated by former Rep. Anna Mowery, a Republican who served for 10 terms but left office in August for more family time. The election will be held Nov. 6; early voting begins on Oct. 22.

The District 97 candidates are: Dan Barrett, 52, an attorney and the only Democrat in the race; businessman Craig Goldman, 39; CPA Chris Hatch, 61; health-care executive Jeff Humber, 40; attorney Bob Leonard, 57, who previously served as District 97 representative for 10 years; attorney James Dean Schull, 36; and pediatrician Dr. Mark Shelton.

At the League of Women Voters forum, held Oct. 9 at Fort Worth’s University Christian Church, candidates took the opportunity to introduce themselves to about 100 potential voters and answer questions from the audience. All the candidates agreed that air quality is one of the most significant problems facing Texans, and several offered ideas on how to deal with the issue in a state that does not meet federal ozone requirements.

“I do think that we could learn how to drive our vehicles a little less and use public transportation,” Hatch said. “I’m really in favor of light rails here in our city and I think that would be a wonderful opportunity for us to have cleaner air.”

Goldman and Hunter both said that Environmental Protection Agency standards need to be met and Shelton suggested that facilities that repeatedly fail air-quality standards need to be shut down. Shelton won applause from audience members when he proposed closing a local cement kiln.

“If we ever build another coal-fired power plant in this state, we should be ashamed,” Barrett said.

Schull, who repeatedly evoked a phrase printed on his coffee mug – “caring for God’s creation” – said that corporations should be penalized for failing to comply with clean-air standards.

“If I am elected I will go down to Austin and fight and save God’s creation,” he said. “I will protect the air and the corporations will be fined to the maximum if I have my say-so.”

A question about the insurance plan for children known as SCHIP ignited considerable discussion, with each candidate offering a slightly different take on the program that was created for families who don’t qualify for Medicaid but can’t afford insurance.

Shelton, the only physician among the candidates, described SCHIP as simply Medicaid by another name and said the incentives behind the program are “wrong for everyone and perverse.” Still, he said, SCHIP needs to be changed so that patients are encouraged to go to their primary doctors, instead of the emergency room.

Barrett, Goldman and Leonard expressed support for SCHIP and Leonard said that Texas agencies need to work hard to make sure that people who qualify for the program get the help they need.

People who take advantage of preventative-care programs should be rewarded, Humber said, calling the Texas Health Steps program one of Medicaid’s greatest secrets.

“We need to incentivize parents to take advantage of that – find out what’s wrong now so it doesn’t turn into a life-threatening illness later,” he said.

Goldman and Hatch both said that the state’s goal should be to move people out of the system.

“I don’t believe that we ought to create an environment where there are no incentives for people to move on with their lives,” Hatch said. “I think that what we ought to do is help families, wherever possible, to be educated, learn how to take care of themselves and, as fast as possible, get out of the program and become self-sustaining.”