The topics of taxes, education, and transportation were front-and-center for candidates for governor they met last night for a debate. The event sponsored by the Georgia Municipal Association brought all five announced Democrats in the race, along with five of the seven GOP candidates.

Most agreed that the state - which is facing a huge budget shortfall - could do a better job collecting state and income taxes. And there was also bipartisan criticism of a proposal by Governor Sonny Perdue to take money from a revolving loan fund for local governments to help fund water and sewer infrastructure.

Several Republicans also attacked Perdue's super speeder law, which went in effect Jan. 1. They said it won't do enough to help the state's struggling network of trauma centers.

Tags: Georgia, education, transportation, governor, budget shortfall, Governor Sonny Perdue, debate, candidates