Thank you. Tim six minutes. Now past 11 reminder that today is programming is made possible in part by The Advocates of Minnesota Public Radio contributors include Deluxe Corporation Foundation. And good morning. Welcome to mid-day here on Minnesota Public Radio. I'm Gary. I can glad you could join us this Friday at Minnesota. Republicans will try to decide who they're going to endorse for governor and it should be a lively contest. What would 3 strong candidates in the field? It has all the elements of one of those classic winner-take-all conventions since all three candidates say they will not challenge whoever wins endorsement from the September primary when the endorsement this weekend and it's on to November lose the endorsement and go home or she can expect full coverage here on Minnesota Public Radio. Meanwhile, the dfl parties contest for governor is far from Over the party endorsed Hennepin County attorney Mike Freeman earlier this month but five other day at Fowler's are challenging Freeman in the September primary and this summer will be talking from time to time with all of the candidates. We're going to begin today with the dfl convention is Choice Mike Freeman who joins us from our station in Collegeville, and if you'd like to join our conversation if you have a question or comment Go tutorial candidate Mike Freeman. Give us a call or Twin City area number is 227-6002 276 thousand if you're calling from outside the Twin Cities, you can reach us toll-free at 1 800 to +422-828-227-6001. 800-242-2828. Mike Freeman. Thanks for joining us this morning. Good morning Gary. It's always fun to be on with you. Glad you could join the little jealous. Are you or the Republicans who ever gets the endorsement apparently will have a clear shot at November you mean why I'll have to beat a pretty strong field in September primary will first Gary. I'm so pleased and honored to have won the dfl endorsement. And yes, there are protestations of a crowded field. But what I think all of the challenges are forgetting now is that every governor and US Senate candidate endorse by the dfl party has won the Primary since 1982. That's a tradition. I plan to hold so you're not all that concerned. I think that you should now or Draw the clear differences between the pictures of the Republicans and those of the Democrats. For example, Norm Coleman believes tax dollars should be spent on luxury suites for hockey owners. I don't join Benson believes in vouchers is the answer to challenges and education and I don't and I think those answers and questions are very clear. And those are the ones I'll be focusing a captain started focusing on Sunday morning right after the convention in the meanwhile, you do have to I suppose distinguish yourself from the other dfl candidates to get the nomination and September primary. What are the what are some of the biggest differences between you and the other Democrats in the field of standing up a part from the field? I think winning the dfl endorsement is that first major step. That was the first objective test over 3,000 Democrats got together people who Listen and talk about issues people. Ask the candidates a lot of questions and I received their endorsement. I think it's really the burden of the other candidates to show white. They're better than Mike Freeman because I've won the first test let me suggest to you that I think on the issues the Democrats care most about I think we set forth more profound more comprehensive and issue positions that are more in line with mainstream Minnesota. For example in education last December nine months ago. I called for all-day kindergarten class size of no larger than 20 K through 3 and the first year of college tuition-free for every graduate of Minnesota high school the most comprehensive education package of any of the candidates then and now and I think it's that strong position on public education that's already sent me to side not only from the Republican candidates, but from the Democrats as well. Skip Humphrey was a traveling around the state yesterday outlining his education package and if it sounds quite a bit like you How to out of those two plants differ I think they different in Fairly profound ways first skips. I don't quite understand skips paper because all it was is in a press release and we've done a much more comprehensive issue paper, but I think he's talking about two years of college education, but he has some kind of means testing and I don't understand that. Basically what I wanted to do Gary and will Advocate is Minnesota's next Governor. I want every student who graduates from Minnesota high school have an opportunity to go on to additional education After High School weather be in a vocational program of Community Technical College State University University of Minnesota, even in private colleges will pay up to $2,800 of their tuition for every student cuz I think it needs to be Universal. We need to encourage that 46% of Minnesota high school graduates who don't go on to additional schooling to get that school because of Minnesota is going to continue to prosper economically if we're going to have the high wage paying job. We need to continue our tradition of a well-educated hard-working Workforce. That's what I've been advocating and I think that's substantially different and what of the other candidates have talked about this morning another the candidates for state Senator. John Marty said he wants to see tougher gun regulations in the state and other things I want all guns registered and licensed lifetime ban on guns for violent criminals background checks waiting. Zephyr private dealers and some more latitude for localities. Do we need in your mind French tougher gun control laws? I think the legislature finally gave us something that we really need it. That's mandatory minimum sentences for all felons caught in possession of a gun is Hennepin County attorney. The last eight years. I've sent more felons to prison that any other elected official in the history of the state but we see we need some additional tools and the mandatory minimum sentence in four years ago. I called for five years for every felony possession. We find someplace between 7 and 80% of gun violence is created by repeat offenders. Those are the people we need to put away for long periods of time for merely having a gun in their possession. It took us four years to get that tool from the legislature. We now have it and I believe active and very aggressive enforcement of that as we're trying to do in the county attorney's office in Hennepin County will make a real difference. What about the the broader question though of getting essentially getting more guns off out of Minnesota's hands all together and at least they're the ones that remain Get them license registered in the rest of you think there's a need for that here. I really think we need to figure out how we allocate our resources most precisely. I know putting people in prison is expensive, but some people just must be taken off the streets. I'd like and I believe the most effective way to use our dollars is not in local registration, but much more in comprehensive prosecution and incarceration of the thugs that use the guns. There's only so many dollars available for any good cause and I think the dollars are best spent in the energy is best been to going after the people who are really causing the harm with the guns. There are many legitimate hunters and Sportsmen and I'm a Hunter myself, but I don't have a short gun at home and I don't want to have one because I don't think I need one and it's too dangerous to have one around the long guns are different issue. And I think we need to recognize respect that but again the local Registration in a violation of that registration would be a simple misdemeanor, which is simply not the deterrent. You need a felon knowing that if they merely touch a gun they have a gun in their possession. They're going to do five years that's going to keep them away from the guns, and I think I'll make a difference and we need to spread that message very clearly and very carefully and very precisely. I think that's the best way to reduce gun violence Hennepin County attorney Mike Freeman joins us from our station in St. Cloud. This morning is Freeman, of course is the dfl party is endorsed candidate for governor great opportunity to find out a little bit more where he stands on the issues. Hope you can join our conversation this morning to do. So, give us a call and her twin city area number is 227-6002. 276 Thousand Oaks. I'd the Twin Cities 1-800. 242-282-8227 6001 800-242-2828. First color is on the line from Bellingham Christy Glen Place. Turn to poza. I think I everyday program is great for kindergarten and I was wondering what is your option if the full day program will not pass legislature. Well, thank you Christian and I need to give credit to my spouse Terry Freeman who is on the Richfield School Board. She's the one who's been very helpful to me and been thinking through a number of issues. There are children who parents will believe are not ready for all day kindergarten and we need to retain some options for them. But the vast majority of kids are ready to go forward 37 states have all day kindergarten and I think we really need to provide that opportunity. I believe our legislature is ready to move forward and the education platform that I talked about earlier all-day kindergarten reduction of class size cake to feed to no more than 20 students and let me reiterate. I don't want a bureaucratic ratios. I want to make sure we can walk into a classroom with K through three kids and find no more than 20 kids in at least one teacher and extending to every graduate of the Minnesota high school the opportunity tuition free to go to first year of post-secondary Education the legislature. Going to adopt that because it's the right thing for the people in Minnesota. It's good not only for the students but for the economic development is Vitality the state I think that's a package we can sell and it's going to be the first thing on my priority list. Do you have any idea I miss Freeman what you would cut from the budget to pay the additional costs of beating up the education system would look at the the budget right now. I spent four years is vice-chair the Senate finance committee and I have some knowledge about the budget and where we can go but I also I think at this time of a 2 billion dollar Surplus what I think it's time to consider investing in our future and our future extends not only to the young people who graduate from high school in 1998, but my program would extend to those who graduated as early as 1948 because people who are willing to go back after graduating from high school, even if there's a number of years between high school and they're seeking Education those people are going to contribute to our community and I think supporting their first year tuition is a good expenditure in one we ought to do but that money could be found in the existing budget without raising taxes. You think Gary we don't need to raise taxes and I don't think there's no reason that we need to contemplate raising taxes. I think the budget for Casters Of anticipated that at least one half of that two billion dollar Surplus is a permanent increase in revenues. We've given some of that back in tax relief and I wouldn't move a b detailing in the near future and more comprehensive tax cut for pulse clearly week. Can you can and must do some more in terms of individual residential property tax relief part of that. We do by increasing the state share of K through 12 education something I called for a year-and-a-half ago Jimmy a question for Mike Freeman a big issue. I think it should be but I am concerned about one thing. And I really would like an answer to this is is I think about the history of this country and we have our fault but this is certainly the richest country in the 20th century in the thing. That's really made it work. It is if we had more free markets than any other country in the world and I'm thinking back again to the 1970s. I'm sure mr. Freeman remembers that cuz he's as old as I am that then you remember this. I'm sure of foreign cars in the 70s dollar-for-dollar a mini models were better by and there was calls to increase we had rather modest tariffs then as we do now in foreign cars and there is a demands to increase them to T. Huge amounts to protect the car industry, but we didn't do that now dollar-for-dollar American cars are just about as good buys foreign calls out. Some people would say better when we deny the ability prickly modest income parents to get some sort of a voucher or tax credit. What we're doing is keeping out competition that's acting as a tariff. Even if you weren't concerned about increasing the quality of schools in Minnesota, nothing would increase them more and I'm talking about public school. If they face real competition from an even more elaborate tax credit system that would would force up quality as competition increased what gym I appreciate your comment about the free markets and it is true that our system of capitalism and providing for additional resources for those who are entrepreneurs and off and work harder should be recognized and I think that's part of the strength of our country but one of the most profound strength of this country, I believe as a former American political history major and studying the public education system is are free in Universal public education system. No one asked whether 11th grader the resources of their family are we have believed in case through 12 free public education and I propose to expand that to make it all day kindergarten in the ad in essence of Thirteenth Year. The problem with vouchers is vouchers takes money away from the public school system and gives it to the private school system this state already supports private schools. It doesn't with Transportation aide. It does it with school textbook Aiden. It does with certain special programs like title one, but I believe the Minnesota Legislature including when I was there from 1983 to 1991 and sense as provided for increasing amount of choice within the public education system people can choose to go to a different High School people can choose to leave school systems and transfer across borders. And I think we need to expand those Choice. My belief is the strength of this country in the strength of our state is a free public education system, and I think we need to fix that not divert money out of it to a private school Voucher Program. Would you agree with the basic premise though that competition would be good for the public school system. I think public it's a competition and certain forms is good. But one that needs to remember that one of the wonderful things about a public education system that every student has a chance to go there in the schools must work with that child including children with disabilities children with behavioral problems. All sorts of different kinds of Troller have a right to the public education system. And I think that's very important because there were so many kids when I was in the public schools back in Minneapolis kids that were quote troublemakers are kids that had visual impairment or hearing impairments and work frankly removed from their mainstream classes. Those kids are in our classrooms today. Those are the kinds of kids at my wife works at and Richfield Public Schools. Those kids are making amazing progress in contributions. And in private schools simply don't have to deal with them. They can exclude them either at the beginning or along the way and I think if private schools RI You want vouchers and public support then they have to be prepared to take all students the same way public schools. And I think I've given that choice at least most of the private school people who I've talked with who I respect and admire for the kind of education. They do would choose not to take a dish of public money if they had to take every child. Now you you send your children to public school. I have twin daughters who are 15 who were just finished the freshman year at Richfield public school and my son Matthew just finished seventh grade and fact Gary. The reason I'm in Collegeville is because they're still at the lake. They got to go for a week for the Matheson. That's my wife's family's name. Are they get the whole week of vacation? I got three days because we'd 89 days to go until the primary. I'm back on the trail for the duration reason. I asked you that as you know, I want to be one of the comment she always here when you when the subject of vouchers comes up is so many public officials. Send their kids to private schools and then say while everybody else should send their kids to the public schools and their they're called Hypocrites for saying that I'm not going to get in the name calling business, but I'm proud of my father Orville in my wife in my mother. Jane are totally the product of public schools. My wife Terry and I are totally the product of public schools are kids are products of public schools. And I understand some families choose and make the economic sacrifice. They decide to send their kids to private school. That's a diversity. I certainly can support but when you talk about allocation to public tax dollars, it's got to be in the public schools. That's what I believe for a long time. And I think we've included some elements of choice and I think we can expand upon that within the public school system better your next your question place. I have two questions if I'm allowed that much. First one is about Urban growth plant on Urban growth patterns. I mean, we see the Twin Cities metro area just exploding all around us so that you can't drive you almost can't drive from the Twin Cities to Collegeville, you know and see too many too much Farmland Fair, what would you do to influence Urban growth patterns on so that there's more infill development and lessening the tremendous proud that we have here in this Twin Cities area. Your second question question is I mean we talked about the booming economy and Sunday morning. There was an article about homelessness that more children are homeless now than ever before and what is your plan then for increasing the supply Affordable housing where it's needed to very good questions Betty on the urban growth issue. We simply must stop Metropolitan sprawl the mucilin the Municipal Utilities service area was a line. Designed by the Metropolitan Council and others to try to limit expansion too far out into the rural areas and try to concentrate more the development inside are is where Municipal services are available unfortunate in the last eight years. The Muse of line has been universally ignored and we need enforcement of that line. It's there for a good reason. We also need to encourage economic Redevelopment in our cities and our first ring suburbs. We need to concentrate on Urban brownfields, which is the program at rehabilitates existing manufacturing land within the cities that are there. They just need some help and land clean up. We need to ensure that every new development has affordable housing. So people can afford to live in a community near where the job that go to work. We haven't had a governor in a long time who's really cared about the urban core and having been a state senator from Richfield and east Bloomington first-ring suburbs on having now been Hennepin County attorney for 8 years living with all the challenges of a wonderful diverse urban area, but which has many challenges it's time for governor who cares about that and we've had a very comprehensive issue paper on that been out for about 5 months now and you like to call our headquarters at in the cities at 644-4380 be happy to send you a copy your second question was about the economy and how do we provide more places to live for the homeless. We need to work very hard on ensuring that we train people and provide them with the job so they can break loose of the poverty. They've been struggling with and can move forward in. It does seem. I was going to say not to interrupt but I guess I am interrupting but it seems like a lot of the people who are facing problems with housing right now already have jobs at working and they're just not making enough to pay the rent that's being charged across the state. What can you do about that? Well couple of things Gary first is the question of the $5 550 an hour jobs that simply isn't a living wage and if the company works with the government and receive the economic support from the government, we need to ensure that that company pays a living wage living wage is defined by different people at different amounts, but someplace between 725 and $8 an hour, that's for people who get aid from the government, but that's the kind of jobs. We need to invest it. We do that to making sure that our education system provides workers who qualify for the High Bridge paying jobs. We need to focus on the earliest grades were there young people. I understand the problem of homeless and struggling for a job. Why the parent or parents are struggling their The Young Person's got to be in school that Young Person's got to have an opportunity before and one of the programs that I've had a lot of discussions with the Minneapolis public schools among others is ensuring that once a child begins in a particular Elementary School in September that child we figure out ways that shock and stay in that school at least for that school year, even if mom or dad has to move when in the City of Minneapolis if it's Minneapolis public schools, we need to ensure that we can arrange transportation to that young child can finish that year in the same school that could do more to help about that child anything I can think of Stephanie your question for Mike Freeman place. We're talking about some Urban issues particular poverty. I am a teacher and Saint Paul public schools and I understand realistically Minneapolis and st. Paul Public Schools do receive more dollars for students and many other school district, but I also understand that poverty is taking a tremendous toll on our children. If they can get continues to get or not continue, but you think they can get a good education in light of some of the obstacles you've talked about but the concentrated poverty that we see in the two major Twin Cities. There's no question that every study I've seen or anyone he shared with me shows on a general rule children who come from families of better economic means generally do better in school. It's a whole question to do the other parents have time to read to the children in the early age. What kind of intellectual stimulation is there and a whole variety of factors including nutrition at a very early age. We need to recognize that and that all of Minnesota's children deserve to have a good education a year ago January. I called for 200 million additional dollars to go to schools not school systems but schools with large percentages of kids on free and reduced lunch why because those kids can meet the challenges but sometimes they need a little additional help teachers aides smaller class size mentors counselors. They need additional support in many of them can succeed marvelously. We need to recognize that are particular. Urban Corps, there are schools like that. We need to support them. I would say to the Greater Minnesota audience and including my friends in the suburbs the elementary school Centennial Elementary School or mitral and went to in Richfield would meet some of those criteria because we have a diverse economic Community there many many schools in Greater Minnesota throughout the state would also qualify that's putting our dollars in targeting them to the schools where they need the most that will help these children and the schools in which they are in to prosper and do better. I guess this hour is Hennepin County attorney Mike Freeman who is the dfl party is endorsed candidate for governor. He joins us from our studios in Collegeville Minnesota, and if you'd like to join our conversation this our great opportunity to find out about the more about the mystery man stand on the issues. Give us a call from City area number is 227-6002 276 thousand outside the Twin Cities one 802-4228 2/8 and a reminder a couple of reminders number one. We're going to be providing extensive coverage of the Republican State Convention the end of this week. The big day is Friday when the Republicans decide who they're going to endorse for governor little preview of the convention tomorrow. We'll be talking with gubernatorial candidate. Allen Quest on Thursday will be talking here on the midday program with gubernatorial candidate Joanne Benson. So lots of coverage coming up. We hope you'll be able to stay tuned. I'm learning events in the Republican State Convention gets underway later this week on the next all things considered low profile Norm Coleman st. Paul democrat-turned-republican Mayor who is currently the most popular Republican candidate for governor. Fighting a Democratic party that has control this state this list this state and in my city for age is Norm Coleman on the next tell things considered weekdays at 3 on Minnesota Public Radio k n o w FM 91.1 in the Twin Cities one other program reminder that you might want to jot down or file away in the in your brain cells their noon today second hour of our midday program something different. We're going off to the National Press Club for a live broadcast nothing unusual there. But the speaker today is not your ordinary Press Club speaker Dale Earnhardt is speaking at the Press Club today. And for those of you who don't follow auto racing all that closely. You should know that mr. Earnhardt as something of a legend in the in the field of stock car racing Daytona 500 winner will be speaking at the Press Club today about auto racing and we'll have live coverage at noon weather forecast cloudy to partly cloudy today, maybe some showers and thundershowers matter of fact that it's possible that Get some heavy rain with some of those thunderstorms. So stay stay alert guys today in the seventies Twin Cities 40% chance for a shower or thunderstorm with the high temperature today in the mid to Upper seventies right now, the Twin Cities mid-70s partly cloudy and 74° Mike Freeman is our guest this hour. He is the dfl parties endorsed candidate for governor, and if you have a question for mr. Freeman again, the number to call 227-6002 276 thousand or one 800-242-2828 Soviet your question, please Freeman what is your position on mediation of the lawsuits by his parents of Minneapolis and st. Paul school student and the n-double-acp against the state of Minnesota. And secondly if he asked how should it be funded and I'll hang up and listen. First of all, I suppose we should explain that the the n-double-acp is essentially charging in Minneapolis that soon as you're not receiving an adequate education. They sue the state and would you support mediation in that case almost any dispute be a labor relations dispute to be a traditional civil lawsuit beating a kind of a public policy lawsuit in this area. I think mediation is a good way to resolve lawsuits. I must say however that I think the the litigation the court system is not the best place. How to resolve this issue about adequate funding a public education that's what a legislature in a governor is there to do and I think that's where the issue should be raised and I think I having trouble by the significant number of public tax dollars are going into a court system when the legislature is supposed to be the place where those issues are really resolved having said that we have a lawsuit. We have a mediation process that ought to move forward. The funding question is an interesting one because the parties are essentially all public. So you have a plaintiff brought by the n-double-acp and other groups you have Amicus curiae groups a different school systems want to make sure their issues are heard you have the Minneapolis and st. Paul schools Frankie going to be funded by public tax dollars. And and I think that that's one of the reasons I would take a shot at mediation. I also would respectfully request all the parties to think about whether that issue couldn't and shouldn't be better as Within the legislative halls and that Mike Freeman is Governor would spend the kind of time with the group's to attempt to provide the kind of equal education that the parties want. Do you think It ultimately is going to be necessary to essentially remove the Saint Paul and Minneapolis School District boundaries and make a larger metropolitan school district one big District or a couple of big District so that the kids in minute in Minneapolis for example can attend school in Edina that sort of thing to carry is to fund our Minneapolis st. Paul schools and an adequate level in the last eight years, the percentage of property tax dollars going to pay for my education has increased to 44% far too much Reliance on the property tax under Freeman Administration. We go back to having 30% or less public education Dallas coming from property taxes. That will help to equalize the the expenditure problems and the revenue problems that may have Saint Paul schools have I think further my proposal to have additional dollars into schools with large percentage of kids on free and reduced lunch with make a difference and frankly, I think both the Saint Paul school system on Kermit games in the Minneapolis Public School System first under Peter Hutchinson, and now Carol Johnson are on the edge of making some significant breakthroughs. I think that those school systems have been really focuses on the kids with the largest challenged but you know, it's not fair to ask just to schools to make all the difference in your community problems or housing problems. There is hope proms there's need to enforce and support reduced crime all of those go in a package of creating an atmosphere where a child can learn before we start talking about the more dramatic breaking down to school Bears. I think both of these two large and good school systems deserve some time with the proper resource to see if they can. Improve class scores and I think they can Aaron your question place and that you were the only candidate who said he drop out if not divorced and my fear is at Minnesota would become one of these states in Ally California and watch the candidate with the most money automatically equates to the candidate with the most votes. So my question is now that you've won this the first test as you say, how can you make the Minnesota endorsement work and actually taken election? Well, I think that's the real challenge. I have Aaron and thank you for your kind comments. The question is the endorsement price is not only brings you the first test and the fact that you've won that test and after all there's only one winner in each election. Also the endorse it brings a lot of Grassroots support people and county fairs in the State Fair on people in various county is the dfl supporters that recognize and appreciate that the endorsement system means you travel the state you go to small-town you meet with individual people you discuss issues and it's a very rich and supportive process. I'll be a better governor for having gone through an extensive endorsement process. The alternative is pretty scary. It's what happens in California and the although Al check who spent the most money didn't win. You looked at the millions of dollars folding around. Well, I tell you we didn't spending millions of dollars last year. We spent about $200,000 and a lot of it was on. Good Grass Roots work and I think that's what wins elections and so my challenge is to win this primary to win the general election to prove that a hard-fought and in Fairly done endorsement process does have meetings. It's a challenge that is an additional burden on the shoulders, but with help of good Democrats and independents are at the state. I think that's when we can do a little disappointed in organized labor. Mr. Freeman. Usually you would expect that AFL-CIO would leap right behind the endorsed candidate. They haven't done so yet and I guess I have another meeting next week to talk about it. Are you are you disappointed that they haven't come out for you yet. We'll go have a meeting shortly in the next two weeks, I believe but I was honored to have five Statewide unions endorse me as early as last December number of councils of of asking me the public employees unions are number of councils a number of Local Union. I had by far 90% of 4 95% of all the organized labor support so far. The AFL-CIO is is instituting some new procedures this year. They're doing polar bear up having sample ballots and straw polls with moong the members. They're doing a number of things in that means their process is taking longer. I'm convinced that when the people who do the endorsing the key FL CIO vice presidents meet to file a lien to vote. I believe Mike Freeman will be endorsed and I'm hoping to do that. And by the way Gary, I was kind of pleased to recently learned that the AFL-CIO membership opinion survey. I'll bet not a public and not a scientific survey showed. Mike Freeman was the clear winner among Union households. And that meant a lot to me one other question on this endorsement system. My what about the endorsed dfl office holders who are supporting other candidates in this race, do you think Is that okay or should they should they abide by the endorsement process which they're benefiting from a couple of weeks. I just believe the overwhelming majority of dfl endorsed candidates will support the endorsement process. It was a hard-fought to skip Humphrey spent a lot of time and energy on that process and I led from the first ballot by 10% or more and was endorsed. I think that those people will be supportive and the few that want to have to live with you know, their own determinations their relationship with their local Democratic party and their relationship with what will happen. If our endorsement system doesn't mean anything. I think those are number of people camera support Well, we're having a little difficult difficulty with our feed from our Collegeville station. There we go. Okay. Mr. Freeman, we can hear you again. Sorry about that. Great. No problem. Let's move on to our next caller John your question, please. It is a trout fisherman and Outdoorsman. I'm concerned for Minnesota's environment and I see things like a Refinery is Mega Hog Farms deep well irrigation and ethanol plant in the river and a variety of things cutting into Minnesota land of 10000 lakes in the Luna Zara. State bird, but you know why she's being taken over by industry and in the wet bikes also left a budget surplus. I would have liked to seen a little bit of that Surplus used to buy up wetlands in Northwest Minnesota instead of paying for dykes in East Grand Forks. It seems like it would be a prevention method are rather than a fix-up. I'll stand by you. Listen when I preciate your comments about both our wonderful natural resources, and and the people who enjoy using attend Our concern for the environment to listen to loons this morning as I caught. I hate to admit only to a small Northerns between 6 and 7:30 before I got on the road to get in the radio station. Johnson's going to the lake I was fishing on is known for walleyes. I'll take Dougie on with a walleye contest. My thirteen-year-old son having gone through a very careful gun safety course taking him hunting and having him a harvest his first president that was excitement. And that's part of Minnesota's background in and a smart conservation-minded Sports people make a lot of difference. We're only going to have those kinds of opportunities for ourselves and our children and our children's children. If we really constituent environment. We did a very comprehensive issue paper at least four months ago about what we want to do the environment and includes more Parklands more wet land purchases more recognize more CRP. It also concentrates on some of the areas that are polluted like the Minnesota River and how we can work to put barriers and borders along the river to stop the on-site pollution that comes from Farmers fields and feedlots, etcetera funny. It really is time to challenge the whole notion in agriculture. That bigger is always better. And to ignore the family hog farmer, the farm the family cattle farmer with this Rush towards huge corporate feedlots. I don't want to Minnesota to be impacted like Oklahoma and Indiana North Carolina have been where these huge operations of Kim in which ship did major pollution and also ruined economics for the family hog, and and beef cattle farmer. I think we need to look very carefully. That's why I supported represented Doug Peterson's moratorium and its Governor. We provide more resources focused resources through the PCA about that a PC and it would really focus on environmental concerns and not merely in business concerns and we'd also really would go very slow in these huge operations that I think threatened or are in our water and as well as your family farmer business used to complain that the pollution control agency was too zealous. You think that was true back in the USA in the 1970s that they that they made such. But such a high priority on the Assumption was that business was where bad guys until proven. Otherwise, I don't like those kind of assumptions. Either way. I think business is kind of her legitimate thing. It creates jobs generates profits and pays taxes. And I know almost every job created is created in the public in the private sector having said that we also need to make sure that all businesses have a Level Playing Field and they have to have to recognize and needs to to protect our air and water and that that's long-term stewardship which is good for them and good for everyone after all corporations are made up of people who also live in the area and care about it. And what we need to do is for example, as we struggle to do in the timber area where we work both with the timber processing companies to make sure that they replant and that they harvest in an environmentally sensitive ways and that we make the maximum use out of the product. That's cut. It's important. Add value to the Natural Resources harvesting we do but be at agricultural mining or lumbering. I think that's what we can do things together and I've never been comfortable with Isis and dams in good guys and bad guys. I think it's so much more question of how you charge a resource. One of the things I will do the police control agencies to help them to Target their resources more precisely and be much more aggressive about pollution that they see coming. I think we can do that. They need to refocus in a redirection and it's someone who has headed up a signal to get government agency in the county attorney's office with 350 employees. I think I can do just that Jason your question for Mike Freeman. Yes, I was wondering what his stance on nuclear power is and then also had another question what he would do about the rear out of Highway 55 and it's going to go through Minnehaha Park. Thank you, Jason on a nuclear power. I was the first of any of the gubernatorial candidates to reiterate my previous commitment that they will be no relicensure of the plants at Prairie Island in Monticello. We simply must phase out nuclear power and by making it very clear the policies state is no relationship than NSP in the other power companies can begin to plan for the world without nuclear power. I also support the 1994 law which says 17 dry cash or their equivalent and that's what the company has to work with a prayer. We need to move forward in terms of renewable energy production and I want renewable energy production by Minnesota companies using Minnesota union workers. I want a targeted Economic Development efforts of the Freeman Administration to be the creation of renewable energies and I want it done with Minnesota union workers on this show Highway 55 First got involved in this when I was just coming out of law school on a hiwatha Avenue advisory design committee. I'm trying to figure out ways to say the creek and enhance the the atmosphere move more traffic and frankly. We talked to discuss light rail at Great length. I think this is a wonderful quarter and possibly for light rail. I am concerned that the reroute between 50th and 54th Street seems unnecessarily going too much Parkland. I think there's some options that are available and I have urged the men. To consider them. I'm also aware that a group of environmentalists led by capable Minneapolis attorney Grant challenge in federal court in their lawsuit was thrown out I guess for now. It looks like there aren't legal options, but I continue to want to move forward on Hiawatha Avenue in the light rail, but remain concerned about that reroute if you're elected governor, mr. Freeman, would you Fart. Substantial increase in the amount of money available for mass transit projects buses Light Rail. And in the rest, absolutely Transportation or Transit policy in this state in the last eight years. We've lost Federal Highway dollars. We've let our bus system declined dramatically. We haven't moved forward it all finally. We got some light rail support to the legislature and finally we're beginning to move forward but I think we can come up with the appropriate compromise that will help both in transit and Highway construction and as my running mate representative Ruth Johnson from St. Peter says, you know, she drives Highway 169 a lot going back and forth to the capital I drive Highway 12 going out to Ortonville where my in-laws live often and is a Kennedy for governor, Bevin all the state. We need improvements on our roads. And that's something we simply have to do to invest in our future and in our infrastructure gas tax increase. Do you think that's going to be necessary? What Gary in a we have a time of significant budget surplus? I I don't think of gas tax will be necessary and I'm not supporting one at this time. I have in the past when we didn't have the revenues. I think if we sit down and prioritize our expenditures that we can enhance both our road construction in our Transit within the available budget. I think we can utilize federal dollars weather available as we are on the light rail corridor plan and but what we really need is some comprehensive planning and Leadership. I'm not a governor who's going to spend time worrying about building hockey luxury suites like Norm Coleman has I'm not going to spend a lot of time trying to get to raid the public treasury to pay for a twin Stadium. The focus is going to be on education on infrastructure building on the things that will be the long-term Investments. It make a difference in Minnesota, and I think we can do all of those without need for tax increase we have time for one more call or Tom quick question, please. Yeah, good morning gentleman. I'd like to ask this question of all the candidates. I'm particularly interested in Mike Freeman's response to it because of those experiences Hennepin County prosecutor has to do with the Minnesota sentencing guidelines. If you know, you can't do this all by yourself as Governor legislature have to do it. But if you had carte blanche to work over the Minnesota sentencing guidelines, what changes if any would you make Well, that's a that's a tall order in a couple of minutes. But you are correct. The legislature sets the sentences the legislature Korea to the sentencing guidelines commission that tries to bring some proportionality to sense. If I had to take the existing sentencing now, I think we have very long sentences for the most violent crimes and I agree with that certain thugs just must be off the street for a very long-term basis. I think there are some violent crimes that simply don't have the kind of sentences they ought to have although the legislature has done a pretty good job. And as I said it took me five years, but we finally have a five-year mandatory minimum felon possession of a gun it I think after a couple years in the implementation that can make a real difference. I think we need to look at some of our repeat property offender sense. And I also think that we can be more creative and morek much more extensive with home monitoring sentence to serve. And particularly in the misdemeanor. Are you more Community involvement? It's it's different. If a person doesn't believe they harmed anyone in the crime that committed but if the fact they have to face the person they did harm and hurt face-to-face if the neighborhood gets involved in the sanction. I think that's positive that sent sing to servicenet community courts. That's an experiment that is just beginning in Anoka County in the Minneapolis. And I think that'll be a good one as Freeman we're out of time but I sure appreciate you joining us today. Thank you. Gary enjoyed it. Thanks a lot. I guess this hour Hennepin County attorney. Mike Freeman, who is the dfl party endorsed candidate for governor course, there's a looks like it's going to be a 6 candidate race for the dfl gubernatorial nomination. The issue will be decided in the September primary. And of course, we plan to be talking with all of the candidates throughout the summer to get you ready for the primary the Republicans. Meanwhile have their big canoe. Mention this weekend and will be providing extensive live coverage. All three of the major candidates seeking be Republican gubernatorial endorsement say they'll and buy it by the endorsement and if in fact somebody gets endorsed this weekend presumably that candidate will move right on to the November election. We will keep you posted here at Minnesota Public Radio. Reminder over the noon hour today. It's off to the National Press Club for a speech by stock car racer Dale Earnhardt coming up at noon today. It's 5 minutes now before 12 and time for The Writer's Almanac with Garrison Keillor.