Robinson agreed, saying closing tax loopholes would equate to nothing more than double taxing business. Doing that, he said, could cause those businesses to leave the state.

They also addressed textbook costs. Robinson suggested, and Piepho agreed with, a textbook rental system that would save students tons of money; Brynaert worried that meddling with the textbook system should be done only in such a way that preserves academic freedom and instructor choice; Sheran said the state should fund an analysis of the issue to find out the best ways to move forward with a plan to save students money.

Student Nolan Chenevert enjoyed the chance to hear the candidates, especially Brynaert and Robinson, whom he knew nothing about until Tuesday.

“It was better than I expected,” said Chenevert, a social studies major from North Branch who calls himself a conservative.

Student Natalie Perry, a senior majoring in English and political science, also liked what she heard.

“I really liked the part about renewable resources,” she said.