Oct. 29--Unopposed since 2005 and still ascending the legislative ladder, House District 24 incumbent Ben Cline this year faces Democratic challenger Jeff Price, an historic home contractor with no intentions of becoming a "career politician."

Cline, a rising star in the Republican ranks, hesitated to talk about his opponent. Still, he claimed a "stark difference" between the pair. Price said his life experiences give him a different perspective and that he would be willing to leave his "D label" at the door in Richmond.

"I don't see that [Cline has] done that," Price said.

Yet on many issues, the candidates speak alike, only to differing degrees of specificity.

Both said small businesses will reignite the economy. Both want workforce training through two-year community colleges. And both are eyeing cuts -- not increased taxes -- to better balance the budget.

On transportation, they split.

Cline would not increase the gas tax to chip away at the $800-million transportation budget shortfall. Price said an increase of a "penny or two" is within reason.

Cline said that would especially impact on rural drivers who drive long miles, and a slight increase would accomplish little.

"You'd have to double the gas tax to meet the shortfall," he said.

Neither claims to have a perfect solution. Price criticized Republican gubernatorial candidate Robert F. McDonnell's plan that includes privatizing the state's liquor stores, saying the move would not generate sustainable revenues. Cline would want zoning restrictions for ABC locations.

"Every option is on the table," Price said of transportation, echoing Democratic gubernatorial nominee R. Creigh Deeds, who has come under fire for waffling on the gas tax.

Options include imposing tolls, part of McDonnell's transportation plan. Cline agrees, but only for tolling of new roads.

Cline supported legislation that would draw tax revenues from Dulles International Airport and the port of Hampton to offset the shortfall.

Northern Virginia leaders have pushed to change the state's road-funding formula to base it on population, a move Cline opposes because he said it would hurt the 24th District.

Cline continues to court a multi-state coalition to bring federal money to Interstate 81.

The candidates lament the closure of area rest stops and Virginia Department of Transportation residency offices while calling for audits of VDOT.

Beyond VDOT, Cline and Price are seeking other government efficiencies.

Price wants to check "every program" and stretch every tax dollar, he said, but did not single out areas where he sees waste. He said being a small-business owner helps him find bureaucratic waste.

Cline touts his "Yellow Pages test."

"If it's in the Yellow Pages, government shouldn't be doing it," he said.

Cline said he is using every chance he gets to ask about the cost of state projects and supports budget transparency to allow the public to monitor spending and suggest opportunities for savings.

State universities that do laundry or landscaping, for example, could bid out those services for money-saving private contracts, Cline suggested.

"Just try it," Cline says. "Crack open the Yellow Pages."

Small-business growth will be key to economic recovery, candidates said.

Price wants a tax credit for new small businesses. Cline wants to eliminate regulatory "hoops."

Cline wants to expand community college scholarships and decrease the pressure to attend four-year institutions.

Price, who grew up on a farm and worked on bricklaying job sites with his father, wants apprenticeship programs. The husband of a teacher, Price said he would prefer localities to choose how to spend education dollars. He has reservations about vouchers, but said public schools could learn from private schools.

District 24 spans Amherst County to Lexington and includes a section of Augusta County, shaped like a 'W.'

Getting back to work is the top priority for those constituents, Price said.

Cline said the Augusta section includes his most conservative precincts.

"They believe in the value of hard work and family and community," he said, "and solving their own problems."

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