Koering seeks third term, eyes business-friendly climate
SENATE DISTRICT 12
Sen. Paul Koering announced Thursday he is seeking a third term for the Senate District 12 seat he has held since being elected in 2002.
The Fort Ripley Republican is the leading minority member of the Capital Investment (also known as Bonding) Committee and the Health, Housing and Family Security Committee.
Koering, 45, said his primary focus will be to reduce the tax and regulatory burden on businesses to both attract new businesses to the state and keep existing jobs. He said he wants to really start cheerleading for the state and promoting its educated work force to businesses.
He said he'll work with like-minded individuals in the Legislature to "make Minnesota business-friendly" and remove burdensome regulations.
Paul Koering was first elected to the state Senate in 2002.
Too often, he said, businesses have to wade through red tape created by the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency, the DNR, the U.S. Corps of Engineers and soil and water boards.
"Workers' comp needs to be reformed," he added on another business-related note.
His efforts to cut regulations on business would be a long-term goal and not an immediate fix for unemployment. He said he would be supportive of a bonding bill for bridges, roads and wastewater treatment plants, which would create jobs in the short-term.
Koering said he sees it to be a moral responsibility to continue fighting for the protection of the unborn and vulnerable citizens such as the elderly and the handicapped.
He said he sees nothing on the radar in terms of legislation that will restrict abortions, but that he'll work closely with the Minnesota Concerned Citizens for Life.
"Their agenda is my agenda," he said. "I'm very confident in the organization."
The two-term senator said he'll continue to be an advocate for issues promoting hunting, fishing and protection of the Second Amendment. He supported the Legacy Amendment that voters approved in the last election and has no regrets that dedicated money is unavailable to help solve the deficit crisis.
Koering is being challenged by former District 12A Rep. Paul Gazelka of rural Brainerd.
Koering said he enjoys representing 75,000 people in the area where he grew up and that serving in the Legislature is the highest honor he's ever received.
"It's been lots of battles but I still have a lot of fight left in me," he said.
The senator said the job has its frustrations when the state can't provide basic services, but he said he wonders if people are sometimes expecting too much from government. He doesn't fear a possible anti-incumbent mood and he said he thinks people will review his record.
"I feel people are happy (with his job performance)," he said. "I'm asking them to hire me again for a third term."
A former dairy farmer, Koering serves on the Agricultural and Veterans Budget and Policy, Health and Human Services Budget Division, and Higher Education Budget and Policy Committees.
Koering owns Koering Livery service, a funeral car and transportation service for funeral homes.
MIKE O'ROURKE may be reached at mike.orourke@brainerddispatch.com or 855-5860.