HOUSE DISTRICT 12B
Greg Blaine
Age: 43.
Address: 14868 Dove Road, Little Falls.
Position sought: House District 12B seat.
Party affiliation: Republican.
Occupation: Dairy farmer.
Education: Little Falls Community High School. St. Cloud Technical College. Central Lakes College.
Family: Married.
Why are you running for office?
"To continue my work in representing the views of the people of Crow Wing and Morrison counties. The taxpayers recognize the importance of having a representative who is born and raised in the district and who has experience and success in balancing the state budget without a tax increase."
What do you think is the most important issue facing the state?
"The economy of the state."
How do you specifically plan to work on that issue?
"Continue to work to control the growth rate of state government. Hold the line on tax increases. Further enhance job creation through JOBZ zones technology and state infrastructure. The state's economy is vital in providing K-12 education, health care, transportation, and special services enjoyed by the residents of the state."
Bob Keeton
Age: 67.
Address: 1692 Timber Lane, Cushing.
Position sought: House District 12B seat.
Party affiliation: Democratic-Farmer-Labor.
Occupation: Retired.
Education: Bachelor's degree in education, Olivet Nazarene University. Master's degree in educational administration, Indiana University.
Family: Married, five children, seven grandchildren.
Why are you running for office?
"I have been taught 'Don't complain, just work to make it better.'" I believe District 12B needs a representative that will represent all residents, a representative who is visible and available. I believe this has not been the case in our district. I believe I can meet this need. I am also concerned about the lack of accomplishment by our Legislature in 2003-2004. Change is needed."
What do you think is the most important issue facing the state?
"The budget deficit is the most important issue facing Minnesota. Included in this issue is health care and education. We must provide affordable health care for all Minnesotans and we must guarantee our future by ensuring that all students receive a quality education, yet we must be fiscally responsible."
How do you specifically plan to work on that issue?
"We must institute a system of tax fairness in Minnesota. Tax changes since 1998, which have disproportionately benefited wealthy homeowners and property taxpayers, have reduced state revenues by $5.6 billion. Currently, households with incomes over $500,000 pay 8.4 percent of their income in tax (all taxes -- property, income and sales). The remainder of Minnesota pays 11 to 12 percent of their income in tax. I would work to change this inequity, which should provide more dollars for education and health care."
Al Doty
Age: 58.
Address: 302 N. Hickory St., Royalton.
Position sought: House District 12B seat.
Party affiliation: Independence Party.
Occupation: Senior advocate for Morrison and Crow Wing counties, former Pierz High School teacher, coach, technology coordinator.
Education: Bachelor's degree from the University of Minnesota, graduate work at the University of Manitoba.
Family: Married, two step-children.
Why are you running for office?
"When our state budget was balanced with cuts to services for our most vulnerable seniors and cuts to education programs for our youth, I started to think seriously about running. Then when the last legislative session accomplished almost nothing I decided people deserve better. I'm convinced the only way people will get the representation they deserve is to throw out the two old failed parties with their power struggles and lobbyist money. I'm experienced and educated in how government should work, and since I take no PAC money my only bosses will be District 12B residents -- like it should be."
What do you think is the most important issue facing the state?
"Everything the Legislature does costs money, so nothing can happen unless we get the budget under control. It's not under control now; it's probably over a billion dollars short in spite of shifts and one-time transfers of funds. We lost our AAA bond rating and we have no bonding bill, so we lost millions in federal funds. Our taxes are already high enough and both parties just pushed the budget problem into the future."
How do you specifically plan to work on that issue?
"The state needs to enact two reforms in the health care area: Initiate single-payer insurance and merge our present MNCare, MCHA and some MA programs into a single system. We also need to set up state-owned and operated casinos. Together, those will bring large savings and extra income to the state. Once our operating budget is back in the black, casino money should only be used for special projects -- like North Star corridor."