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House District 31B is a hotly contested race again this year
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By Charlie Warner
Argus News Editor
Rep. Ken Tschumper (DFL- La Crescent) and former Rep. Greg Davids (R- Preston) will be squaring off again this fall for the House District 31B seat. Tschumper unseated Davids two years ago.
The following are the questions The Argus posed to the candidates, a short bio of each, and their responses.
#1- The state is facing a predicted $2 billion budget deficit for 2009 and 2010. How can the state government get a handle on this? Do you support levy limits for local governments as part of the cure?
#2- Healthcare costs have skyrocketed. Many people can’t afford health insurance premiums or the ever-increasing deductibles. What can the state government do to improve this situation?
#3- Many in the state feel public education has been underfunded since the last major budget shortfall in 2002. What can be done to provide more funding for education, especially considering the economic crisis the U.S. is currently facing?
#4- Politicians talk about renewable energy, and its importance to our country’s future. If elected, what would you do to promote all types of renewable energy?
#5- Why do you feel you are the best choice for the voters of 31-B?
Ken Tschumper; 58; graduate of Winona State University; lifelong resident of La Crescent Township; dairy farmer and legislator; served on La Crescent Town Board and former president of Houston County Farmer’s Union.
#1- The Minnesota economy is suffering from the same failed policies of the Bush administration that are affecting the rest of the nation. Our sales tax and income tax revenues are projected to be down sharply for the next biennium. I favor a combination of cuts and revenue increases to resolve this projected deficit. Levy limits on local government do not affect our state budget, though I am still opposed to them.
#2- We have passed several initiatives to bring down the cost of healthcare. We passed a major expansion of Minnesota Care, created a statewide healthcare prevention initiative to work with local public health agencies, and instituted payment reform for public healthcare programs. We passed the Freedom to Breathe Act which prohibits smoking in public places. It is the biggest public health accomplishment in our lifetime. Eventually we need a system of universal health care which will save money.
#3- One of the big accomplishments of the last two years is that we increased funding for K-12 education by $850 million, which included a major increase in funding of special education. This gets us back to the level we were at in 2003, when education funding was cut to balance the deficit.
#4- Because of the Democrat majority in the House the last two years, Minnesota is a leader in renewable energy development. We passed a renewable energy standard that requires utilities to provide 25 percent of their electricity from renewables by 2025. We are also requiring strong energy efficiency and conservation measures. We have created incentives for community based renewable energy development. We are encouraging the development of cellulosic ethanol for the future to replace grain based ethanol
#5- I think I’m a very good fit for this district. I am a moderate on social issues. Only about a third of the legislators in the House are from rural Minnesota so we can’t do much without support from Twin City and suburban legislators. Because I have an excellent relationship with Twin City and suburban legislators, I am able to get our point of view across to them and to accomplish things for Greater Minnesota. I work well with Democrats and moderate Republicans. I was the chief author of the disaster assistance bill for the August 2007 flood. It passed 132-0. I supported the Transportation funding increase. It was supported by most local elected officials, farm groups and the commodity groups.
Gregory Davids, 50; lived in Fillmore County for 47 years, graduated from Spring Valley high school in 1976, from Winona State University in 1979, and taught in the public high school for three years. Been in the insurance business since 1982 and own our family farm in Sumner Township. Member of the Preston Lions Club and past president, member of Farm Bureau, and a former Sunday school teacher, serve on the WSU Alumni Board. I was a member of the Preston City Council and former mayor of Preston. I served in the House of Representatives for 16 years; chaired the Agriculture and Rural Development Committee and the Commerce Committee.
I have been endorsed by Farm Bureau, Minneapolis Police & Peace Officers, NRA Pac and the MCCL Pac.
#1- I was a member of the MN House of Representatives when we had a 4.4 billion dollar deficit with the projected deficit of 2 billion for 2009 & 2010. We will need to analyze the entire budget and prioritize our spending. I will work to make sure rural schools, nursing homes, and local government aides are top priorities. I do not support local levy limits. Local officials are responsible to the voters and need to make appropriate decisions for their jurisdictions. I believe in local control.
#2- The State must look at ways to cut costs in health care. We need to look at the costs drivers and try to bring them under control without sacrificing quality of care.
#3- Education is a top priority of mine. I have been endorsed by Education Minnesota nine times. Our current state representative voted for the 2007 education bill that gave a much higher amount of funding to metro students than to ours. During my years of service, I voted to better equalize funding between metro schools and rural schools.
#4- As former chairman of the House Agriculture Committee I worked very hard on renewable fuels. I was the chief author of the E-20 Ethanol bill that was signed into law by the Governor. I also voted to support bio fuels, wind and solar energy. I will work on a comprehensive energy plan.
#5- I care very deeply for the people of District 31B and our state. I believe there is no higher calling than serving others. I believe I am the best candidate because I have a proven track record of accomplishments for our rural interests, including schools, nursing homes and transportation. I will fight for our farmers, small business owners, our small cities, townships, and counties. If elected, my 16 years of seniority would put me near the top of the seniority list of my caucus. I have a proven record of working with both sides of the aisle and the governor’s office. We need results and not excuses.
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