My wife, Loretta, and I have two children and six grandchildren. Loretta was a teacher and I owned an insurance business. I have had the privilege of serving Senate District 10 for six terms. My legislative priorities include rural economic expansion, tax relief for working families, higher education opportunities for young adults and promoting free-market capitalism. I appreciate the opportunity to represent Otter Tail County and look forward to bringing our values back to St. Paul.
AGRICULTURE: What specific actions can the Legislature pursue to boost the agricultural industry for the state and Otter Tail County?
The Legislature mandated all gasoline sold in the state contain 20 percent ethanol by 2013. This will generate hundreds of new agricultural jobs and provide new market share for Minnesota's corn crop. We also reformed feedlot siting ordinances to make obtaining a permit less complicated.
We must support more value added agriculture at the state level, reduce/eliminate over-regulation of agricultural land and provide incentives for young farmers such as the Dairy Investment Tax Credit.
HEALTH CARE: What can be done to improve accessibility to quality health care and to slow the rate of skyrocketing health costs? Do you support a constitutional guarantee of affordable health care for all Minnesotans?
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No one should have to go bankrupt paying for healthcare. My plan is to put people back in control of their own healthcare with tax-free medical expense accounts for day-to-day medical costs, and every Minnesota family and their employer will contribute to a healthcare fund for major medical expenses. In addition, creating a program for importation of lower-cost drugs will force drug companies to compete for our business by lowering prices.
CRIME: Are current state laws tough enough to combat high-profile crimes? If not, what new legislation would you enact?
In 2005, I supported the toughest crime bill ever passed in Minnesota. It created tougher sentences for pre-meditated first-degree murder and sex offenders, including an indeterminate life sentence to keep the worst predators incarcerated for as long as they are considered dangerous. Our methamphetamine initiatives decreased lab seizures by 76 percent.
We must fully implement a GPS monitoring system for level II and III sex offenders, alerting police when an offender enters a prohibited area.
STADIUMS: The Twins and Gophers received public funding for new stadiums in the 2006 legislative session. Should the Vikings also receive public funding?
No.
TRANSPORTATION: Will you be supporting the proposed constitutional amendment on the November 2006 ballot that will dedicate 100 percent of the existing motor vehicle sales tax to transportation project? Why or why not?
I support the passage of the MVST amendment. It will provide about $300 million annually in transportation funding to improve our state's highways and transit systems. I will continue working to ensure that a strong majority (60 percent) of MVST dollars go to our Greater Minnesota highways. To reduce construction costs and improve traffic safety in our region, I also support using the new MVST money to secure $2.5 billion in trunk highway bonds.
