Ward seeks third term, focuses on jobs issue
Rep. John Ward, DFL-Brainerd, said Friday that creating and maintaining living wage jobs is his top legislative priority as he announced his bid for a third term in the state House.
Elected to District 12A in 2006 and re-elected in 2008, Ward spent 34 years as an educator and coach. He is currently a licensed insurance agent.
John Ward
The Legislature's version of the bonding bill, he said, would create 21,000 jobs and its passage is vital.
"Yes, some of them are temporary jobs, but right now a job is a job," Ward said from St. Paul. "The bonding bill is in the negotiations process with the governor. We're hopeful everyone is at the table and working for a compromise."
The retired teacher wants to create a business atmosphere that's conducive to small and large businesses hiring once again. He cited his work in encouraging Wausau Paper to proceed with a $27 million capital expansion plan in Brainerd; his support of the Angel Investor tax credit; and his partnership on projects with the Brainerd Lakes Chamber as examples of his efforts.
"I was happy to be engaged and participate in that whole (Wausau Paper) process," Ward said.
In his news release Ward said he'll fight for "The People's Agenda," which includes living wage jobs, adequately funded schools, hospitals and nursing homes, a fair tax system, access to affordable health care, minimizing of local property tax increases and environmental protection.
A second legislative priority he identified was balancing the current budget, a task that should be done without accounting gimmicks. Ward said he likes to quote Tom Stinson, the state's economist, on this topic.
"Dr. Stinson says we have used short-term solutions too much, which has created a budget which is structurally unbalanced," Ward said.
Ward said that given the current economy, part of the needed long-term balanced budget plan might have to wait until next year. That plan, he said, should involve cuts, reform and redesign, reviewing revenue sources and minimizing budget balancing gimmicks.
"At this point we may need to do all cuts ... (and) revenue increases that impact as few people as possible," Ward said. "Eventually we have to get to a long-term solution."
Ward, 59, said some of the long-term budget reform has been started.
"We have reduced unfunded mandates on government entities to give them some financial relief," he said. "That process is a ongoing process. We started down that road of reform and redesign but we didn't get where we are in one month or one year. It's going to take some time in order to right the ship. What we need are all hands on deck on the ship."
The lawmaker is hopeful that all of the parties involved in the legislative process can overcome the obstacles posed by legislators who are running for governor and a governor who may run for president.
"If we don't all come to the table and we don't all listen and negotiate and compromise, then nothing is going to happen," Ward said.
He pointed to his legislative seniority, bipartisan relationships and key committee assignments as factors that would help him find solutions to the state's problems. Ward thanked his constituents for the privilege of representing them.
Ward and his wife, Sally, have lived in Brainerd since 1987. They have four adult children and seven grandchildren.
The endorsing convention for House District 12A will be Saturday, March 6, at the Fort Steakhouse in Fort Ripley.
MIKE O'ROURKE may be reached at mike.orourke@brainerddispatch.com or 855-5860.