Issue Position: Common Questions

Issue Position

Why are you seeking this office?

I am running for State Senate to faithfully and diligently represent the common-sense values held by the families, farmers and small business owners of Becker, Clay, Traverse and Wilkin counties. My experience as a small business operator with 14 employees provides me with the job creation and economic development experience our state needs at this time. The incumbent has held office for 30 years and his voting record has increasingly been in lockstep with liberal Minneapolis and St. Paul legislators. It's time for a new voice to advocate for our rural Minnesota priorities.

How does your background make you the best choice?

As a small business owner, active community volunteer and mayor, my personal values and governing principles were formed and are deeply rooted in the communities of western and northwestern Minnesota. Our state is among the best in the nation, and our future is bright, but we must replace career politicians who have failed our state with citizens who have real world experience.

What issues are most important in this election?

Job retention, job creation, rural economic development, preserving agriculture and restoring fiscal responsibility to state government are the key issues facing Minnesota. Government's role must be to remove the regulations and barriers that impede the creation of small businesses. This type of private sector job growth will spur economic recovery and provide jobs to our highly qualified workforce. Other key issues facing our rural communities include education, flood control, transportation and health care.

What would you do to balance the state budget? Be specific about any tax or fee increases and any budget cuts.

The $6 billion deficit facing our state requires state government to undergo large scale changes. This won't be easy, but must be done to get our state back on the right track. Minnesota does not have a revenue problem, it has a spending problem. Revenues are projected to increase by as much as 10 percent during the next two-year budget cycle. State government must learn to live within its means like the families, farmers and small businesses of our area have been doing during this time of economic challenge. Additional revenues, if needed, should come from economic expansion and job growth which results in long term sustainable increases from the formation of new businesses and the accompanying jobs.

How would you deal with education (K-12 and higher education) in light of the state's budget problems?

If possible, I would work to prevent budget cuts to K-12 and Higher Education, particularly in light of the K-12 payment shift enacted during the 2010 legislative session. However, if budget reductions are necessary, I will insist that rural districts not bear the brunt of such reductions, particularly given the metro-rural per-pupil funding disparity which already penalizes schools in greater Minnesota.

What would you do to increase the number of jobs in Minnesota?

I am proud to be a small business owner with 14 hard working, highly qualified employees. To spur job creation, legislators should implement fair tax policy and ensure a level playing field so small businesses can secure the capital they need to succeed in a competitive market. Reduction and/or elimination of the corporate tax is another option that has bipartisan support as it is widely known to be a regressive tax that stunts business and job growth.

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