NEW ORLEANS - Four candidates to succeed term limited Bobby Jindal as governor all agreed that major reforms are needed in state spending and tax policy as Louisiana deals with year-to-year budget shortfalls.

Public Service Commissioner Scott Angelle, Lt. Gov. Jay Dardenne and Sen. David Vitter, all Republicans, and Democratic state Rep. John Bel Edwards took part in a Friday forum in New Orleans.

Among the highlights:

• Angelle called for decentralizing the state transportation department to give individual regions opportunities to influence their local transportation needs.
• Dardenne stressed his experience running two state departments as secretary of state and lieutenant governor. 
• Edwards pledged to take a look at tax incentives that have brought economic growth in the state without bringing in sufficient revenue.
• Vitter took specific aim at solar energy tax credits.