Raising taxes an option for most senate, house candidates, but not first solution

By Danielle Strenke
Candidates for Senate District 17 and House District 17B answered questions about the state budget deficit, transportation needs, education funding and other issues at the first of three candidate forums last week in North Branch.
Participating in the forum were Senate incumbent Twyla Ring and candidate Sean Nienow, and representative candidates Monica Abress, Pete Nelson and P.J. Richardson.
The candidates answered prepared questions and questions from the audience.
Looking for options on solving the state budget deficit, all of the candidates except for Nienow said they would not eliminate the possibility of raising taxes, although it was not the first solution.
ìLast year, we cut and shifted funds, weíll look at cuts and revenue increases somehow,î Ring said.
ìI donít want to see income tax raised but a user tax thatís fair,î Richardson said.
ìWe need a responsible budget and spending, and to take a look at where it can be cut,î Abress said.
Nienow was the lone candidate who said he had signed the no-tax pledge. ìThe state has a crunch but itís not unrealistic to work and get through this,î he said.
Ring disagreed. ìSigning the no-tax pledge is unrealistic. Weíve had rebates and a budget that have taken away some of the flexibility,î she said.

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ìI canít imagine anyone who would vote for someone who would not even look at raising taxes,î Richardson said.
ìNo one wants more taxes but the state has to tighten its belt,î Nelson said.
Priorities in transportation was also discussed. Most candidates cited similar local traffic issues. ìMy priorities would be Hwy. 8 and the bridges on 95,î Nelson said. ìWeíre talking about life and safety issues.î
Richardson said a gas tax would be the fairest way to raise money for transportation. Both Richardson and Nienow support reorganizing the Mn. Dept. of Transportation to become more efficient.
Abress also liked the idea of a gas tax increase to solve transportation needs. ìWe havenít had a gas tax increase in many years, and we need a new bridge on Hwy. 95 now,î she said.
Candidates were asked how the state can make housing more affordable. ìI hear the quote that a starter home is $125,000 ñ I canít imagine anyone who can start with that. We have to make developers accountable to build houses that the community needs,î Abress said.
ìAffordable housing here is an oxymoron,î Nelson said.
Nienow said possible tax incentives could be offered, as well as making some of the new, stricter housing regulations more flexible to decrease new home prices.
On education, candidates were asked if they would support an impact levy on all new homes, to be used for new school construction and support a three percent increase for education funding.
Ring said overcrowding in schools and lack of funding has not been a statewide issue, and would want to address that before making a statewide decision.
ìIím all in favor of paying your own way,î Nienow said. ìBut you have to remember that any increase to the developers will be passed on to the homeowner.î
ìWe havenít been funding at a level that keeps up with inflation, and despite it we have excellent schools,î Abress said. ìWe must have federal funds to pay for federal mandates.î
Richardson said he would support an increase for schools if it came as a separate bill, rather than an omnibus bill.
ìItís the duty of the legislature to provide for public schools, but you have to be creative with needs versus wants,î Nelson said.
The North Branch Area Chamber of Commerce and North Branch Community Education is sponsoring the series of forums, which are also being broadcast on KBEK.
A forum for sheriff and county commissioner candidates was held Tuesday, Oct. 8.
The final forum will be Tuesday, Oct. 15 for city council candidates from North Branch, Harris and Stacy.

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