MY VIEWS
WHY YOU?
Why are you running for a seat in the Minnesota Legislature? What expertise, work experience or talents could you bring?
To me, holding elected office is about serving- service above self. I believe that our form of representative democracy works best when the people of a district choose, from among themselves, someone they trust and know, someone who thinks and believes and acts pretty much like they themselves do, to go to the capitol and actively participate in the business of governing ourselves. I think the fact that my family and I have been an active part of the fabric of our two communities for 20 years helps me relate to the voters in our district. I think my supporters in the district find my openness, common-sense approach and affable style pretty much to their liking.
SCHOOL CHOICE
Do you favor school vouchers and charter schools? Why or why not?
We have one of the best school systems in the country, but I’m concerned about some of the institutional inflexibility that is built into the system. As technology changes, and lifestyles move even faster, the idea that only government can deliver quality education is becoming antiquated, and needs to be continually examined. I think that having a funding system whereby a substantial portion of the money we spend actually follows the student is a fascinating idea. In spite of the hand wringing and angst we hear from some quarters, I am confident that giving parents more choice in their child’s educational plan will have an outstandingly positive impact on our future.
EDUCATION INVESTMENT
What's your opinion of Minnesota's current investments in education?
I’m rather satisfied with our state budget commitment to public education. We currently spend 40% of our entire general fund budget, over $6.5 billion per year, on k-12 education, and that is just the state’s portion.
LEGISLATIVE SESSION
What's your review of the previous legislative biennium? What should be the priorities for next sessions?
I think the last two years were rather productive. We managed to find the courage to hold the line on tax increases, (the tobacco fee/tax notwithstanding), and bring a degree of discipline to automatic spending increases that were unsustainable and financially irresponsible. The partisan rancor was greatly subsided, and a few issues of statewide significance were passed, such as the Gopher stadium, Clean Water Legacy commission, the MVST amendment, the Hennepin County ballpark for the Twins, to name a few that were done in bi-partisan fashion.
FREE COLLEGE
What's your take on the governor's proposal to give two years of free public college education to top Minnesota high school students? The third and fourth years would also be free if students majored in math or science.
I have to see the plan and the numbers, but my initial reaction is that college is a personal responsibility, and investing to improve one’s individual life should show personal initiative, not a sense of entitlement. Many adult friends of mine are taking adult college classes right now, on their own initiative, because it’s the right thing to do. And they aren’t asking the taxpayers to pick up the tab!
COLLEGE TUITION
Until recently, college students saw double-digit tuition increases, year after year. Some say this signals a need for more state money for higher education. What do you think?
To my knowledge, no college in Minnesota is lacking for students, and high school students still need to compete for admission to attend the college of their choice. While I’m concerned that college administrations may not be exercising enough tough budget discipline, I’m choosing not to panic over this issue just yet.
TAX PLEDGE
Were Minnesotans well served by the "no new taxes" pledge, as subscribed by the governor? Do you consider raising fees and cutting aid to local municipalities, which contributed to property tax hikes, another form of taxation?
I think the “no new taxes” pledge was more than a gimmick, but actually provided needed discipline to put an out of control state budget on a diet. Raising fees brings money to the government, and in most cases I agree that it is tantamount to raising taxes. Cutting Local Government Aid, however, is not the same as raising taxes. The LGA system is in dire need of reexamination of its purpose and effect, and could stand a complete overhaul, at the very least.
BUDGET
Are there any areas of the state government budget that should grow or shrink? If so, explain?
There are nearly 1100 different areas of government expenditures, so I am certain that there are areas that should be cut or eliminated, but there are probably a few areas where the need is such that a temporary increase may be in the public interest. What I resist is the idea that, once a government program is instituted it becomes eternal and sacred, and any cut to that program is bad. Where did that come from?
HEALTH CARE
What can be done to improve accessibility to quality healthcare and to slow the rate of skyrocketing costs? Do you support a constitutional guarantee of affordable health care for all Minnesotans?
First of all, let’s agree on this one fact- NO ONE is denied health care in this state, or this country. The big question is “who is paying for it?” We have the best healthcare system in the world, and the fact that, as a percentage of GDP, our collective healthcare spending is climbing does not automatically mean great crisis is upon us. Just the opposite could very well be true, because Baby Boomers, with the means to pay for it, are choosing to spend enormous amounts of money on quality of life medical care, like knees and hip joints. Why is this a bad thing? The costs of some procedures and drugs is increasing, but where we have competition and an open market in play, such as when drug patents expire and they become generic, prices fall and availability increases. The Minute Clinics also exemplify this trend. I’m greatly encouraged with the concept of HSAs, and reconnecting consumers with the folks they are paying, instead of handing things off to an unseen third party.
Why are you running for a seat in the Minnesota Legislature? What expertise, work experience or talents could you bring?
To me, holding elected office is about serving- service above self. I believe that our form of representative democracy works best when the people of a district choose, from among themselves, someone they trust and know, someone who thinks and believes and acts pretty much like they themselves do, to go to the capitol and actively participate in the business of governing ourselves. I think the fact that my family and I have been an active part of the fabric of our two communities for 20 years helps me relate to the voters in our district. I think my supporters in the district find my openness, common-sense approach and affable style pretty much to their liking.
SCHOOL CHOICE
Do you favor school vouchers and charter schools? Why or why not?
We have one of the best school systems in the country, but I’m concerned about some of the institutional inflexibility that is built into the system. As technology changes, and lifestyles move even faster, the idea that only government can deliver quality education is becoming antiquated, and needs to be continually examined. I think that having a funding system whereby a substantial portion of the money we spend actually follows the student is a fascinating idea. In spite of the hand wringing and angst we hear from some quarters, I am confident that giving parents more choice in their child’s educational plan will have an outstandingly positive impact on our future.
EDUCATION INVESTMENT
What's your opinion of Minnesota's current investments in education?
I’m rather satisfied with our state budget commitment to public education. We currently spend 40% of our entire general fund budget, over $6.5 billion per year, on k-12 education, and that is just the state’s portion.
LEGISLATIVE SESSION
What's your review of the previous legislative biennium? What should be the priorities for next sessions?
I think the last two years were rather productive. We managed to find the courage to hold the line on tax increases, (the tobacco fee/tax notwithstanding), and bring a degree of discipline to automatic spending increases that were unsustainable and financially irresponsible. The partisan rancor was greatly subsided, and a few issues of statewide significance were passed, such as the Gopher stadium, Clean Water Legacy commission, the MVST amendment, the Hennepin County ballpark for the Twins, to name a few that were done in bi-partisan fashion.
FREE COLLEGE
What's your take on the governor's proposal to give two years of free public college education to top Minnesota high school students? The third and fourth years would also be free if students majored in math or science.
I have to see the plan and the numbers, but my initial reaction is that college is a personal responsibility, and investing to improve one’s individual life should show personal initiative, not a sense of entitlement. Many adult friends of mine are taking adult college classes right now, on their own initiative, because it’s the right thing to do. And they aren’t asking the taxpayers to pick up the tab!
COLLEGE TUITION
Until recently, college students saw double-digit tuition increases, year after year. Some say this signals a need for more state money for higher education. What do you think?
To my knowledge, no college in Minnesota is lacking for students, and high school students still need to compete for admission to attend the college of their choice. While I’m concerned that college administrations may not be exercising enough tough budget discipline, I’m choosing not to panic over this issue just yet.
TAX PLEDGE
Were Minnesotans well served by the "no new taxes" pledge, as subscribed by the governor? Do you consider raising fees and cutting aid to local municipalities, which contributed to property tax hikes, another form of taxation?
I think the “no new taxes” pledge was more than a gimmick, but actually provided needed discipline to put an out of control state budget on a diet. Raising fees brings money to the government, and in most cases I agree that it is tantamount to raising taxes. Cutting Local Government Aid, however, is not the same as raising taxes. The LGA system is in dire need of reexamination of its purpose and effect, and could stand a complete overhaul, at the very least.
BUDGET
Are there any areas of the state government budget that should grow or shrink? If so, explain?
There are nearly 1100 different areas of government expenditures, so I am certain that there are areas that should be cut or eliminated, but there are probably a few areas where the need is such that a temporary increase may be in the public interest. What I resist is the idea that, once a government program is instituted it becomes eternal and sacred, and any cut to that program is bad. Where did that come from?
HEALTH CARE
What can be done to improve accessibility to quality healthcare and to slow the rate of skyrocketing costs? Do you support a constitutional guarantee of affordable health care for all Minnesotans?
First of all, let’s agree on this one fact- NO ONE is denied health care in this state, or this country. The big question is “who is paying for it?” We have the best healthcare system in the world, and the fact that, as a percentage of GDP, our collective healthcare spending is climbing does not automatically mean great crisis is upon us. Just the opposite could very well be true, because Baby Boomers, with the means to pay for it, are choosing to spend enormous amounts of money on quality of life medical care, like knees and hip joints. Why is this a bad thing? The costs of some procedures and drugs is increasing, but where we have competition and an open market in play, such as when drug patents expire and they become generic, prices fall and availability increases. The Minute Clinics also exemplify this trend. I’m greatly encouraged with the concept of HSAs, and reconnecting consumers with the folks they are paying, instead of handing things off to an unseen third party.
I will not support a constitutional “guarantee” of a right to “affordable healthcare”, whatever that means, (and I do know that it means “bankruptcy” for any government that adopts it). Ponder this: what if we thought of Healthcare not as right or a privilege, but as a Personal Responsibility?
STATE REVENUE
Do you support an increase/expansion in taxes or fees? If so, please be specific.
I do not support any expansion of taxes or fees, with the possible exception of the gas tax. Our state government will take in nearly $34 billion this biennium. I think that is plenty of money to work with, and I think the legislature would be derelict in its duty if it didn’t discipline itself to work within that huge number.
TRANSPORTATION
What are the state's transportation challenges and how should they be addressed? Should additional funding for roads be explored, and if so, from what source -- for example, a higher gas tax, wheelage tax, local sales tax?
For most of the 80’s and into the 90’s the roads and bridges part of transportation was gravely neglected, both in policy and finance. We have since just completed three straight years of record construction seasons, and we’ve done it without tax increases, so far. Going forward, moving all of the money from MVST into transportation is a significant step in the right direction, but we may need to do more. In that case I would favor the gas tax over local sales taxes, because the gas tax has the constitutional mandate that the money can only be spent on roads and bridges, which is investment that benefits everyone equally, and provides for maximum personal mobility.
GAY MARRIAGE
Do you support a constitutional amendment restricting marriage to between a man and a woman?
Yes. The most basic fundamental building block of our culture is a traditional family- Mom, Dad and kids. In every situation where this breaks down the kids suffer, poverty abounds, and all of us pay the price. I believe it is a basic and legitimate function of government to protect and advantage the traditional family unit. If our culture has changed so much that it is ready to redefine marriage, then the people should that, not the judiciary.
ENVIRONMENT
State pollution officials would like to spend $80 million annually for 10 years toward cleaning up Minnesota water bodies. An estimated 40 percent of the state's water bodies are impaired. How should the state address this issue? Do you support constitutional dedication of sales tax proceeds for conservation programs? If so, should this be from the existing sales tax or an additional sales tax?
The session that just ended saw the creation of the Clean Water Legacy Commission, born to oversee the evaluation and clean up of the state’s waters. I think it would be best to fund this from general revenues, although the initial funding included some bonding money to get things “jump started”. I do not generally favor constitutional dedication of tax revenues, (with the exception of user fees to fund transportation), but if the legislature was to put a dedication question to the voters, I would work to make it from existing tax revenues, not new money.
GOVERNMENT RESPONSIBILITY
What do you believe is the role of state government?
I believe that government is Divinely ordained to provide order and security, and to maximize personal freedoms. I believe that government service is a noble and honorable endeavor. There are a limited amount of necessary things that government should do, among these are to protect life, prevent and prosecute fraud, defend the shores, ensure the public tranquility, and make it hard for people to do bad things and easy for them to do good things. Government should only do for people those things that they shouldn’t do for themselves, or can’t do reasonably, (for example, exacting justice, or building public use roads).
STATE REVENUE
Do you support an increase/expansion in taxes or fees? If so, please be specific.
I do not support any expansion of taxes or fees, with the possible exception of the gas tax. Our state government will take in nearly $34 billion this biennium. I think that is plenty of money to work with, and I think the legislature would be derelict in its duty if it didn’t discipline itself to work within that huge number.
TRANSPORTATION
What are the state's transportation challenges and how should they be addressed? Should additional funding for roads be explored, and if so, from what source -- for example, a higher gas tax, wheelage tax, local sales tax?
For most of the 80’s and into the 90’s the roads and bridges part of transportation was gravely neglected, both in policy and finance. We have since just completed three straight years of record construction seasons, and we’ve done it without tax increases, so far. Going forward, moving all of the money from MVST into transportation is a significant step in the right direction, but we may need to do more. In that case I would favor the gas tax over local sales taxes, because the gas tax has the constitutional mandate that the money can only be spent on roads and bridges, which is investment that benefits everyone equally, and provides for maximum personal mobility.
GAY MARRIAGE
Do you support a constitutional amendment restricting marriage to between a man and a woman?
Yes. The most basic fundamental building block of our culture is a traditional family- Mom, Dad and kids. In every situation where this breaks down the kids suffer, poverty abounds, and all of us pay the price. I believe it is a basic and legitimate function of government to protect and advantage the traditional family unit. If our culture has changed so much that it is ready to redefine marriage, then the people should that, not the judiciary.
ENVIRONMENT
State pollution officials would like to spend $80 million annually for 10 years toward cleaning up Minnesota water bodies. An estimated 40 percent of the state's water bodies are impaired. How should the state address this issue? Do you support constitutional dedication of sales tax proceeds for conservation programs? If so, should this be from the existing sales tax or an additional sales tax?
The session that just ended saw the creation of the Clean Water Legacy Commission, born to oversee the evaluation and clean up of the state’s waters. I think it would be best to fund this from general revenues, although the initial funding included some bonding money to get things “jump started”. I do not generally favor constitutional dedication of tax revenues, (with the exception of user fees to fund transportation), but if the legislature was to put a dedication question to the voters, I would work to make it from existing tax revenues, not new money.
GOVERNMENT RESPONSIBILITY
What do you believe is the role of state government?
I believe that government is Divinely ordained to provide order and security, and to maximize personal freedoms. I believe that government service is a noble and honorable endeavor. There are a limited amount of necessary things that government should do, among these are to protect life, prevent and prosecute fraud, defend the shores, ensure the public tranquility, and make it hard for people to do bad things and easy for them to do good things. Government should only do for people those things that they shouldn’t do for themselves, or can’t do reasonably, (for example, exacting justice, or building public use roads).
Paid for by Beard Volunteer Committee, 8434 Horizon Dr., Shakopee, MN 55379
