The Issues
Taxes
Taxes
Minnesota has one of the highest overall taxation rates in the country. We need a tax environment that is more enticing for businesses to create jobs here by expanding and starting their businesses in Minnesota. Currently, there are strong incentives to do that outside on Minnesota. I am pleased that I was able to help create the JOBZ tax reduction program which has created scores of jobs in Chisago and Isanti counties. We are over-taxed and should not pursue more increases in taxes.
State Budget
State Budget
Minnesota is facing a budget deficit of about $6 billion dollars in the next budget. From 2003-2006 I helped Minnesota turn a $4.5 Billion dollar deficit into a $2 Billion dollar SURPLUS. To solve a $6 billion dollar deficit with tax increases would equate to a family of four paying an additional $2,300 in taxes every year. We must solve the budget deficit without tax increases.
Jobs and Economic Growth
Jobs and Economic Growth
Without employers there can’t be employees. We must create an employer-friendly environment to expand the Minnesota economy. We need to restructure our tax, regulation, permitting & licensing, and work to make get state bureaucracies in a supporting role for job creation rather than a barrier to job creation.
Health Care
Health Care
Our health care system needs dramatic changes to help improve service and reduce costs. We must reform medical malpractice system, which now mostly benefits trial lawyers. We need to open up free market competition so that more providers can compete offering better less-expensive options. We need to ensure privacy of personal medical data and choice between patients and doctors.
Education
Education
Our education system is in dire need of improvements and reform. We need more local control with less state involvement and fewer mandates. Funding equity is desperately needed, so that schools in other parts of Minnesota are not receiving upwards of twice as much per student as our local districts.