|
|
Friday, October 10, 2008
|
|
Jobs, taxes, health care are among Doty, LeMieur topics
Senior Reporter Jobs, taxes and health care were among the topics candidates for the Minnesota House District 12B debated Thursday in Brainerd.
Al Doty, DFL-Royalton, faced challenger Mike LeMieur, Republican from Little Falls. LeMieur is Little Falls City Council president.
In regard to health care, Doty said health care managed by the state in a single payer system but not nationalized health care would create savings for employers and the state amounting to billions of dollars. LeMieur said the state has some of the best medical facilities now and he doesn't advocate changing the system but he is in favor of providing tax deductions on medical expenses. If government starts paying the bills it will end up managing the health care system and lead to rationing, LeMieur said.
When asked about their plans to deal with the state budget crisis, the candidates differed in their approach to funding saying it was one of the greatest differences between them.
Doty said holding the line on taxes means using bonding dollars, which LeMieur favors. Doty said bonding is the same as spending with a credit card and paying back both the initial debt and interest, doubling costs. He said bonding for needs is too expensive and too easy of a fix during an election year.
LeMieur said a sensible bonding plan, which has been used in Little Falls, maintains or lowers the levy and allows government to hold the line on taxes. That means, LeMieur said, creating more jobs. LeMieur said the state's high taxes puts pressure on small business and denies job creation by driving business out of the state. Doty favored an increase in the minimum wage saying it would help by putting more spending dollars in the hands of consumers. LeMieur was against it saying it would hurt small business.
Doty said a slight tax increase on couples earning more than $400,000 should be reconsidered and would bring in money along with his revisions in health care. Doty also suggested the state consider opening its own casinos, perhaps at the Mall of America or the metro international airport.
Both candidates agreed the education funding formula was broken. LeMieur said he would consider and would work to end inequity spending per pupil between the metro and rural areas. Doty said the greater funding for the metro area comes as Minneapolis has extra money for special education issues Pierz wouldn't want to trade to get.
Regarding the Clean Water, Land and Legacy amendment, LeMieur said he was against the additional three-eighths of a percent tax because of its affect on small businesses. Doty said he was keeping his personal vote to himself but he wanted the state's residents to have the chance to make the decision for themselves.
LeMieur asked Doty about his vote against eliminating the income tax from Social Security benefits. Doty said that measure, which affects people earning a higher amount, was part of a larger amendment that would have added an unwanted layer of government to regulate the insurance industry.
Candidates met at the Lakeland Public Television news studio in Brainerd. Questions came from a panel of journalists, including Dennis Weimann, Lakeland TV, Kathi Nagorski, Brainerd Dispatch, Matt Perkins, Morrison County Record. Lisa Paxton, Brainerd Lakes Chamber, chief executive officer, moderated the event.
RENEE RICHARDSON may be reached at renee.richardson@brainerddispatch.com or 855-5852.
To Subscribe to the Brainerd Dispatch, Click Here.
Note: Comments are not edited and don't represent the views of The Brainerd Dispatch. Please read our posting rules in the terms of service policy. To report a post that may be inappropriate, click the triangle alert icon.
|
|
|
|
|
 Top Commented Articles
Over the last 7 days
Most Recent Comments
|
|
|
|
Thinking about a New Job?
These employers want you!
|
Loading...
|
|
|
Today's Best Classifieds:
|
|
|
|
|
|
