Local candidates for county and state offices gave their views on conservation and how to support the state’s natural resources at a candidate forum Monday night at Penn Central Mall.

The Conservation Foundation of the Mahaska Community sponsored the forum and candidates spoke before an audience of about 40 people. The candidates answered questions on a variety of topics ranging from the funding of conservation programs to dove hunting.

One of the issues the state candidates commented on was how to adequately fund the state’s natural resources programs.

State Rep. Eric Palmer said he would be an advocate of the Resource Enhancement and Protection program.

“We need more funding for REAP,” he said. “I’m very committed.”

Other candidates voiced support for Senate Joint Resolution 2002, which would amend the state constitution to dedicate a portion of state revenue from sales tax to benefit the state’s natural resources.

Palmer’s Republican challenger, Danny Carroll, said the Legislature will have to cut budgets to bring runaway spending under control, so lawmakers need to find a source of conservation funding.

“We have to prioritize, find a dedicated source of funding,” Carroll said. He would support passage of the constitutional amendment.

“I would support the resolution,” Republican state Senate candidate Michael Hadley said of SJR 2002. Hadley is challenging incumbent Democratic state Sen. Tom Rielly. “We have to be better stewards of our finances,” he said. Hadley added that the resolution would not raise taxes.

Rielly said he would support the resolution.

“I do have some questions,” Rielly said. “It sounds like a good idea.”

Republican state Sen. Paul McKinley said funding natural resources is a priority.

“I voted for the constitutional amendment,” he said.

Republican state Rep. Richard Arnold also said he voted for the amendment.

In a written statement, Democratic State Senate candidate Deb Ballalatak said she would support SJR 2002.