Candidates in the 37th House District race were united Tuesday in the importance of tackling the state budget crisis, opioid epidemic and several other issues, but offered their own, differing approaches.

Former East Lyme First Selectwoman and current Board of Finance member Beth Hogan, a Democrat, and East Lyme Selectwoman Holly Cheeseman, a Republican, are vying for the seat representing East Lyme and Salem.

Longtime state Rep. Ed Jutila, D-East Lyme, previously had announced that he is not seeking re-election. 

The candidates answered questions during an hourlong discussion Tuesday afternoon at The Day in New London.

"We need to bring structural changes to fix the budget," said Hogan, addressing a question on how to restore fiscal stability to the state. "We need to do pension reform, and we need to work on the local and property tax burden that is on our communities. That is probably one of the driving forces of making people migrate out of Connecticut."

Hogan said she believes the state should look for more efficiencies and forecast state budgets on a five-year cycle to get a more realistic picture, among other ideas. 

Cheeseman agreed with many of the ideas, including the need for longer-term forecasting, but focused on the impact of regulations on municipalities and businesses, particularly small businesses, and cutting taxes.

"We need to look at how we burden businesses and municipalities," Cheeseman said. "Excess regulations have a cost, and by adding additional regulations and mandates, we stifle businesses."

When asked if they would consider tax increases, Hogan said revenue is generated through economic growth, not taxes.

"Obviously, that's not the answer," Hogan said. "It's growing jobs. It's growing the economy. It's making it work here in Connecticut."

Cheeseman said that while she has said before that she would not unilaterally rule out tax increases forever, she stressed that any increases in taxes or drive for revenue needs to "have a sunset."

She said Connecticut "cannot constantly have the tap open without going back and saying: Do we need this money, is this money actually going where it is supposed to?"

In addressing the opioid epidemic, candidates said all sectors of the community need to work together.

"I'm proud of the fact that some municipalities are stepping up — they have been doing it — but it's a state-municipality-police-community-parent-school partnership," Hogan said. 

Hogan proposed improving the availability of Narcan and access to treatment beds, ensuring the proper licensing of sober houses, and looking at partnerships that will help people pay for services when they can't afford treatment.

Cheeseman spoke about the importance of prescription drug monitoring programs in curtailing opioid abuse.

She said that Connecticut should consider options, such as medication-assisted treatment for addiction, in both private and public settings, and look at issues related to Medicaid coverage.

Stressing collaboration, Cheeseman said, "We have to have a net that catches people, gives them what they need to recover — whether it's with the assistance of medication and other counseling — and helps them find a better way ahead."

In a response to a question about whether they think the state should consider closing Gardner Lake State Park in Salem if it can't afford to adequately manage the park, both candidates said they would look for alternative solutions.

Cheeseman said the funding of state parks is "a question of prioritizing" and supported studying Connecticut's budget to find areas in which the state is spending unnecessarily. 

"I would find a way to work with the local community," Hogan said during her remarks. "I think it's an important asset."

Both candidates said they would try to move forward efforts to find another land parcel to exchange for Landmark Development's in the Oswegatchie Hills in East Lyme.

"That is a beautiful unspoiled piece of property, and to see it developed would be a tragedy," Cheeseman said.

"It's been a bipartisan effort for many, many years, and will continue to be so," Hogan said.

k.drelich@theday.com