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Ward, Pundt talk 12A issues CAMPAIGN 2008 DEBATE Associate Editor Minnesota House District 12A candidates Republican David Allan Pundt of Baxter and Rep. John Ward, DFL-Brainerd drew distinctions between their positions on three major issues Tuesday night in a debate at Brainerd High School.
The question on education funding prompted the sharpest exchange as Ward zeroed in on the burden imposed on property taxes while Pundt emphasizing the need for innovative solutions.
Pundt, 62, cited figures that showed a 90 percent/10 percent split in terms of state funding/property taxes. He noted that the American education system is in competition with schools from around the world.
"We're struggling...Kids in India, kids in China are eating our lunch," Pundt said.
As the two candidates questioned each others' statistics Ward interrupted Pundt and repeatedly asked "What's your plan?"
"If I'm not interrupted again perhaps I'll get to it," Pundt replied. "You want me to say I'm going to raise taxes."
Pundt talked about "right-sizing government" before the topic was changed.
Earlier in the education discussion Ward decried the state's funding system and noted that transportation and education were the only two specific responsibilities that were spelled out in the Minnesota Constitution.
"There is nothing more critical than funding our children's education," the 34-year teacher and coach said. "Our funding formula is broken."
He called for a system that was adequate, consistent, fair and timely. He said early childhood education was a good investment and reminded the audience that the 2007 legislative session produced $800 million in new education funding and a 4 percent freeze on college tuition.
Pundt said the Brainerd School District spent about $41 million in 199 and about $61 million in 2007.
"That seems like a lot of money," he said.
The two differed on House File 4178, a bill that Ward said was the product of 18 months of research and one that would take apart the arcane education funding formula and put it back together. He said accountability was evident in the area schools' high ACT scores and graduation rates.
"Our educators, our staff and our students are doing top shelf work," Ward said.
Pundt was less enthusiastic about the proposed bill, stating that he saw no improvements nor new thinking that varied much from the educational model of the last 60 years.
"We need more student-teacher contact," Pundt said. "There's not enough student focus. We talk a lot about money but we don't talk about quality."
Addressing a question on stimulating the economy in outstate Minnesota, Ward said there was no "single, silver bullet," but noted the efforts of the Brainerd Lakes Area Development Corp. and its use of state programs as well as Region 5's efforts to stimulate economic growth.
Ward, 58, said 10,000 immediate jobs were created because lawmakers passed a capital investment or bonding bill. The state's transportation bill, which he supported, created another 30,000 jobs, he said.
Pundt agreed that jobs were needed but said private sector jobs were more valuable to the economy. He said high taxes and regulations were often the reason that businesses chose to locate or expand elsewhere. He said the state's positive business climate seems to be going away. Pundt said Minnesota's high corporate tax rate was the reason the headquarters of the merged Delta and Northwest airlines will be in Atlanta and not in the Twin Cities.
Ward expressed optimism that "green" jobs would be created as a result of last session's renewable energy bill.
"We're going to be the Silicon Valley of renewable energy," he said. "We need to be fiscally responsible and wise in our spending. We can't just cut, cut, cut."
On the issue of health care Pundt said competition and reduction of health care mandates were ways to reduce costs. He disagreed with Ward's call for a single payer health care plan because it resulted in rationing of health care and rising costs.
Ward said he wants health care for everyone that is comprehensive, affordable, quality and portable. He said administrative savings would be realized under a single payer plan. He suggested that deregulation wasn't always the answer.
"We've already seen what less regulation does with the banking industry," Ward said.
Pundt disagreed, calling for more plans to reduce health care costs.
"They won't come down with more regulations," he said.
In their closing and opening statements the two candidates voiced more general themes.
Pundt, a former news broadcaster for KLKS radio in Breezy Point, said the big difference between the two candidates was in how they think. He said government must live within its means just as households do.
He said he would work to repeal the bill from the last session that raised per diem payments and housing allowances for lawmakers. Pundt said he would have voted against the transportation bill that raised the gas tax, preferring to bond for necessary improvements.
Ward said he has earned the respect of his colleagues as a hardworking, honest lawmaker. He said the opinions of his constituents come first in his deliberations before voting.
The first-term lawmaker said he has worked for education, health care, property tax relief and environmental issues by building coalitions and working with Republicans.
Tuesday's debate was sponsored by the League of Women Voters of the Brainerd Lakes Area, The Brainerd High School Chapter of Students for Political Awareness, Kids Voting Brainerd Area and the Brainerd High School debate team.
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