Five At-Large candidates debated last night at Social Safeway

At a forum hosted by The Georgetown Dish and Georgetown Current yesterday evening, five candidates for the April 26 At-Large Special Election debated each other, touching upon a number of issues including the District’s looming 2012 budget deficit and D.C. Council salaries. (Check out our Twitter timeline of the whole debate here.)

In response to the question of whether or not they would support tax increases to close an estimated $600 million budget gap, a majority of the candidates said yes, albeit conditionally. Josh Lopez said he supports a plan for progressive tax increases, though he added that he’d like to see a sunset clause included for when the economy improves. Jacque Patterson similarly vouched for a tax increase, though not before government efficiencies are tackled. Bryan Weaver pointed out that while he’d like to see three new tax brackets — for residents making more than $130,000, $250,000 and $1.5 million — he also thinks savings can be found through streamlining government and addressing corporate taxes that D.C. does not currently collect.

Interim Councilmember Sekou Biddle, who recently flip-flopped on this very question, pushed for saving money within the government, noting that certain services like weekly leaf collections could be cut. Biddle also called for an end to politicians’ use of luxury SUVs and high government salaries, a clear reference to recent controversies involving D.C. Council Chair Kwame Brown and Mayor Vince Gray’s top aides.