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WEBVTT THEY HAVE IN COMMON. [APPLAUSE]. IOWANS WATCHED AND TOOK NOTE, AS KIM REYNOLDS AND FRED HUBBELL TOOK THE STAGE. QUICKLY THE CONVERSATION TURNED TO PRIVATIZE MEDICAID. >> 680,000 IOWANS ARE COVERED BY MEDICAID, AND FOR THE BULK OF THEM, THEY ARE RECEIVING THE SERVICES THEY NEED. LAURA: REYNOLDS SAYS THE SYSTEM IS HELPING IOWANS. HOBBL -- HUBBEL SAYS IT IS NOT SUSTAINABLE. >> THE NUMBERS YOU PRODUCE ARE DIFFERENT EVERY TIME, AND WHEN YOU ARE ASKED, THERE ARE NO ANSWERS. MEMBER COSTS ARE GOING UP MORE THAN -- MORE NOW THAN EVER BEFORE. IF I AM IN MEDICAID PRIVATIZATION TODAY, I AM WORRIED. >> AND YOU ARE TELLING EVERYONE WHAT THEY WANT TO HEAR, NOT HOW THEY WILL FUND THIS IS TO MOVING FORWARD. LAURA: THE CONVERSATION SHIFTED TO A FETAL HEARTBEAT BILL, A PASSIONATE TOPIC IN THE IOWA STATEHOUSE. >> I WILL DO ALL I CAN AS GOVERNOR TO DEFEND WHAT I THINK IS -- WHAT I THINK IS EXTREME IS FRED’S POSITION, PUTTING TAXPAYER DOLLARS TO AN ORGANIZATION THAT SUPPORTS LATE-TERM ABORTION, ABORTION ON DEMAND. HE EVEN SAID HE WOULD VETO A BILL THAT OUTLAWED SELLING FETAL BODY PARTS. I THINK THAT IS EXTREME. LAURA: HUBBEL DIDN’T ANSWER, INSTEAD REDIRECTING TO WHAT HE CALLS THE PROBLEMS IN DHS. >> WHAT MY POLICY IS, WE NEED TO SUPPORT PEOPLE. LOOK AT WHAT’S GOING ON IN OUR DHS SYSTEM TODAY. DEPARTMENT OF HUMAN SERVICES. THOSE JOBS HAVE BEEN CUT SO FAR AND CASES ARE GOING UP SO MUCH, WE HAVE ACTUALLY HAD WOMEN START TO DEATH BECAUSE WE DON’T HAVE ADEQUATE SUPPORT AND OVERSIGHT FOR YOUNG PEOPLE IN OUR STATE. LAURA: FINALLY BOTH CANDIDATES ARGUED ON HOW THEY WOULD BALANCE THE BUDGET. >> YOU ARE PROMISING EVERYONE MONEY, BUT YOU CAN’T TELL US HOW YOU WILL BALANCE THE BUDGET. YOUR ANSWER TO EVERYTHING IS TO PUT MORE MONEY IN IT, AND ONLY WAY YOU CAN DO THAT, WE DON’T GET TO PRINT MONEY IN IOWA. WE HAVE TO LIVE WITHIN OUR BUDGET, AND THE ONLY WAY YOU WILL BE ABLE TO DO THAT IS TO RAISE TAXES. >> I HAVE BALANCED COMPLEX BUDGETS FOR OVER 30 YEARS. I HAVE A TRACK RECORD OF PUBLIC AND PRIVATE SECTOR IN DELIVERING BUDGETS ON PRI

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A fiery Kim Reynolds defended her yearlong stint as governor, touting Iowa's low unemployment rate and balancing the state budget, in the first of three debates against Democratic opponent Fred Hubbell.The hourlong debate was held at Des Moines Area Community College in Ankeny and hosted by KCCI and The Des Moines Register.Reynolds, a Republican, is seeking her first full term as governor. She succeeded former Gov. Terry Branstad when he became U.S. ambassador to China. Hubbell, a Des Moines businessman who comes from a wealthy family, hopes to convince voters that Iowa needs a change after nearly eight years of Republican governorship.The Reynolds campaign has touted Iowa's recent No. 1 ranking as the best state in the country by U.S. News World and Report. She claims credit for Iowa's low unemployment rate, job training programs and a large tax cut.Reynolds said Iowa's biggest issue consists of filling certain jobs because of a lack of skilled tradespeople in the state, which is proving to be a barrier to the economy.Hubbell has criticized the governor's legislative record, which he argues includes stripping state workers of collective bargaining rights, underfunding education while approving wasteful tax giveaways and continuing a privatized Medicaid program.The Des Moines businessman, said there needs to be more opportunity for Iowans, and the biggest issues plaguing Iowa include health care, education and infrastructure.On taxes, Hubbell said he wants a tax system for everyday Iowans that includes ending wasteful corporate tax giveaways. Reynolds said tax credits would help create jobs for Iowans.In a heated moment during a question about health care, Reynolds said she's implemented steps to improve the system, such as hiring Jerry Foxhoven to lead the embattled Iowa Department of Human Services and signing crucial mental health reform legislation.Hubbell said he would reverse the privatization of Medicaid and expand access to quality, affordable health care. "It's not working and, in fact, is getting worse," he said.Reynolds responded, "You're just telling everyone what they want to hear."Though applause was discouraged by the moderators, those in the crowed cheered when Reynolds pointed out that Hubbell's response to many questions consisted of putting "money, money, money" into programs but that Iowa can't print money.On abortion, Hubbell, who served on the board and as chair of Planned Parenthood, said Iowa's so-called fetal heartbeat law, which bans most abortions, is too restrictive. Reynolds reiterated that she is anti-abortion and will "defend life," calling Hubbell's stance way too extreme.The two candidates sparred over why Hubbell hasn't released his tax returns. Reynolds said she called on President Donald Trump to release his taxes and said her Democratic challenger should do the same. Hubbell said he isn't running for president and did exactly what the late and beloved former Gov. Robert Ray did.When asked if the state is in good financial shape, Hubbell said the budget is out of control and all over the place. Meanwhile, Reynolds said, "The budget is balanced, our reserves are full. We have a surplus of $127 million."As the debate got heated inside the hall, there were some passionate folks outside as well.A few dozen supporters of the Libertarian Party protested the debate, saying their candidate, Jake Porter, who was not invited, has done more than enough to be included and that he was left out unfairly."It's been a real shame how he's been treated and how the Libertarian Party has been treated as a third major party in the state of Iowa," Porter supporter Gabe Lanz said.Libertarians said they are upset with the KCCI-Register joint decision to leave Porter out of the debate. Television stations and newspapers hosting the two upcoming debates in Sioux City and Davenport made the same decision."I think the quality of debate would be so much better if we let the other people that have secured ballot access debate," said Marco Battaglia, Libertarian candidate for attorney general. "I just wanted to stand here in support of more debate and more inclusive debates."Party supporters said they feel a two-party system leaves other voices out and that their party has something to offer voters."If they want more voices and more solutions to problems Iowans face, here we are," Lanz said.The Associated Press contributed to this report.