On a day when the Dow Jones Industrial Average plummeted by 5 percent, economic issues dominated a forum between the two candidates for Wisconsin’s 92nd Assembly District.

Cultural issues were scarce as Republican Dan Hellman and Democrat Mark Radcliffe squared off during a forum Tuesday at the Cranberry Country Lodge in Tomah. The forum was co-sponsored by the Greater Tomah Area Chamber of Commerce and the Tomah Journal.

“Everybody is suffering,” Radcliffe said. “Are we going to do something about it, or allow it to go on? We need an attitude shift in Madison.”

Radcliffe said state government needs to help small business, encourage people to “shop local and buy American” and ensure big companies pay their fair share of taxes. Hellman focused on cutting taxes, cutting regulations and improving the state’s business climate.

“We need to have a state where people want to do business,” Hellman said. “In Wisconsin, we have to make a choice — what kind of business climate do we want?”

The candidates had their sharpest clash over health care. Hellman promoted Health Savings Accounts as a way to cut costs and put consumers in control of their own health care. He touted a plan for Manitowoc County employees which cut premiums and gave employees better coverage.

“In Manitowoc County, every county employee now has a Health Savings Account with $3,000 in it, and they have better coverage than they had before” Hellman said. “And here’s the kicker — because of the cost savings, the county split the savings with all the county employees, and every county employee gets an extra $2,100 in cash in their pocket every year.”

Radcliffe said the average worker doesn’t have $300 a month to contribute an HSA on top of the expensive premiums they already pay.

“People can’t afford to put gas in their cars and still at the same time be able to put money into a Health Savings Account,” Radcliffe said. “Health Savings Accounts are an insurance industry gimmick that basically tries to keep the insurance companies from having to pay for your health care, and it simply doesn’t work.”

Other issues covered during the forum were:

*Education. Radcliffe said he doesn’t mind paying taxes for education, but believes education funding must be reformed. He said the existing system “pits homeowners against kids.”

Hellman is open to funding reform but said there must be a state constitutional provision to protect homeowners. He said property taxes are already too high.

“You don’t own your property — you basically pay rent to the government,” Hellman said.

*University system. The University of Wisconsin System has received a shrinking share of the state budget, and Hellman said money could be saved by requiring students to take fewer elective courses.

“They make you take so many elective classes that aren’t relevant to your degree,” Hellman said.

Hellman also encouraged high school students to take as many college-prep classes as possible to satisfy college course requirements.

Radcliffe said it’s important for UW campuses to preserve access.

“We need to find ways to get kids into college if they want to go there,” Radcliffe said.

*Partisanship. Radcliffe said voters are tired of partisan squabbling and politicians who are influenced by lobbyists instead of average voters.

“I won’t make you 100 promises, but I’ll make you one — if you put your faith in me, I’ll work tirelessly to improve things in the 92nd Assembly District,” Radcliffe said.

Hellman said he’s willing to work with “moderate-to-conservative Democrats,” but said he has no problem engaging in a partisan fight with any Democrat who seeks to raise taxes.

“I believe the Republican Party reflects the interests of the people of the 92nd Assembly District,” Hellman said.

*Statewide smoking ban. Both candidates favor an indoor smoking ban but only with a provision that exempts taverns.

The 92nd District covers all or parts of Monroe, Jackson, Eau Claire and Clark counties, including the city of Tomah and the villages of Oakdale, Warrens and Wyeville.

The election is Nov. 4.