By Howard Packowitz

BLOOMINGTON – Republican State Representative Dan Brady found himself sandwiched between two Democrats Thursday night, including a candidate who wants to defeat him in the 105th District this November.

Brady, his Democratic opponent Ben Webb, and Jill Blair, Democrat in the 88th District House race, appeared at Bloomington’s Wayman AME Church for a panel discussion on issues impacting seniors.

Brady opposes a progressive income tax that would raise taxes for the wealthy. Webb likes the idea.

“Let’s actually pay what we can,” said Webb, a U-High English and Theater teacher.

“Let’s not hurt those in the middle and hurt those at the bottom. Let’s actually stick to our guns and say those in Springfield need to do this job for us,” Webb said.

Brady argued the Democratic-controlled legislature can’t be trusted with more tax money if lawmakers don’t set spending priorities.

“It’s like putting sour milk in the refrigerator and taking it out the next day and hoping it tastes better. It’s not going to happen without some structural reforms,” Brady said.

Blair supports the progressive tax. She also would like to see government step in to curb soaring costs of long-term care insurance.

“Rates for long-term care insurance policies have gone up and up and up and up and up to a spot where you have to make a decision,” Blair said.

“Can I afford to pay $600 a month, $1000 in some cases, to maintain this policy that I know I’m probably going to need someday? But, if I pay for it now, I can’t pay my rent or eat food,” she added.

Blair’s opponent, incumbent GOP Representative Keith Sommer, was invited but did not attend the forum.

Howard Packowitz can be reached at [email protected]