-6 minutes now past 12 Good afternoon, and welcome back to mid-day on Minnesota Public Radio. I'm Gary Acton. Glad you could join us. I guess this hour is a man who if you believe the polls could very well be the next governor of the state of Minnesota st. Paul Mayor Norm Coleman, the Republican Party endorse candidate for governor has consistently let all the other candidates in the field except for his former boss State Attorney General. Skip Humphrey and Humphrey of course still has to defeat for other well-known Democrats in the September primary the even run in the November election against mayor Coleman old man face is only token opposition in the Republican primary. So Norm Coleman could very well end up as next Governor Minnesota and we're interested in finding out what he would do if he's elected. That's what we hope to find out. This hour is a part of our meet-the-candidates series and we certainly invite you to join our conversation. Give us a call with your questions for Republican gubernatorial candidate Norm Coleman or Twin City area number is 2 276 thousand to 276 thousand outside the Twin Cities. You can reach us toll-free at 1 802-422-8282 276 thousand or one 800-242-2828. Mayor Coleman. Thanks for coming in today. Good afternoon. Gary great pleasure to be here lots of issues to cover today. I suppose we might as well start with the one that the team was reporting on during the newscaster charges today that you're way off base on this concealed carry legislation. What the what the what is your position on on that Cavill the first a couple of observations and this race is going to be about leadership for the state of Minnesota. It's about cutting taxes. It's about ensuring that we raced test scores. It's about making sure that our streets are safer dealing with drugs and gangs and along the way and I go out of my opponents are going to be looking for this issue and looking for that issue really comes down to leadership and I'd go Current I've governed I'm the only candidate race was actually govern die before I came here as working on my city budget, which I will be delivering soon and every I've been in office with held the line on taxes cut taxes and I'm striving very hard to do that. So that's what this race is about. One of the issues that has come up as been the issue of it so cold right right to carry very very very fact about Norm Coleman the Republicans the Maclin Amendment the right to carry legislation in one really in a way would have liberalized somewhat the right to carry but actually would have provided some uniformity right now this sole discretion Chiefs and I have sole discretion with a tissue or not in some parts of the state. Everyone gets a permit if they wanted assuming they don't they're not drug addicts felons or whole list of folks who can't get it and I'll answer that lists by the way folks under what is for domestic protection. I think maybe they are gang members. I put identified gang members. You can't get out you can't get it, but for me some places you get anybody gets in another's Play one of the chiefs of police who testified when this bill was before the legislature in the Maclin amendment was up and I'll talk about that in a second. I won't give any any women. There are some women who they want to take the course. They want to be trained if they feel that it's appropriate. They knew they may want to they want it and they want exercise that right that's their option. But but we have a system now with no uniformity. It's really have has it and it doesn't make any sense until I have supported I have supported liberalizing. That's just a really know anyway, providing grader uniform but again with restrictions, it's not what we're not talkin about inside their dads out there talkin about people carrying guns in that unit soccer games. That's crazy. What other interesting observation majority of Democrats in the House Representatives voted for the Maclin Amendment put it on the speaker of the house including the dfl endorsed candidates for County attorney in Ramsey County voted for the very same amendment that I support. So is the system haphazard. Is there data Gary that that shows in fact that states that have live Why's this right to carry legislation that in fact violent crime is going down. It was a nautical the July 6th Time Magazine read the article the evidence in that send the article startling in terms of the data that this is you know, this is one of many many years has the issues. I try to find things that unite us a democratic and I tried going to find these things that going to raise level of fear. Is it going to distort positions for the bottom line even on this issue majority of Democrats, but Democrats voted for the very same amendment that I support but I but I think the nature of politics today is Physicians will be distorted and we got a deal with how would you characterize your Your politics mayor of if I if I gave you a choice between two two words modern and conservative. How would you with which one of those would you pick? I think I take both act like I know what I said, I'd say pragmatic conservative. I just came back the last week. I was invited to a a meeting with a small group of the mayor's CEOs and Foundation leaders. It was organized by Paul Grogan as head of list, which is a human a night nation-wide Community Development Group, and I was invited to participate along with the mayors of Detroit. And if so, I sure the mayor of Chicago Rich Daley the mayor of Indianapolis Steve Goldsmith and it was hit by the Republican the other Democrats unlock more real Hosea Democrat for New Orleans. He had to leave the the format of League of cities made with should go from Columbus a republican. We're all pragmatist World focus and getting the job done. We've all fought with our public employee unions over keeping Lids on taxes and dealing with issues like retiree health benefits, but that's how I've governed. I made a few what I haven't live I have governed with the dfl. City council six of seven members. I haven't lost a policy initiative. Haven't we haven't had a veto overturn? I am a pragmatist. No problem adjusting today is about being conservative. It's about keeping lives on taxes. It's about being aggressive and vigorous on gangs and drugs and crime in the st. Paul model Our Gang task force, which then we join in partnership with Ramsey County became a city county is now the model for the state and its being hate. It's being run by a Saint Paul police officer that runs the stage gang task force. So my politics are conservative. I believe the government doesn't solve all our problems and that the answer simply isn't more money. I believe in expanded choice in education getting parents at every time. I put this wig hair very simple every time the Democrats talk about a new program Norm Coleman to talk about a tax credit. So rather than government doing it what I want his parents to make choices moms and dad. Let us make choices with our money with your money. So I am a conservative proud of that pragmatic. I've governed that way the people st. Paul understand that I got six or more sixty percent. Running for re-election as a republican in the city of Saint Paul after governing and governing every year cutting taxes governing. We're creating partnership with those that create jobs and sing a lot more jobs in the end. It is about bringing people together generating a sense of confidence by running government wisely and then a sense of hope AA a vision for brighter future. That's what I brought the same Paul. That's what I believe. I can bring to the state of Minnesota Sutter Martha Robertson Republican who apparently toyed with the idea of challenging you in the primary isn't running but she wrote up a piece in the paper the other day saying while the real question here is are you the new stand in the way she put it was are you the new standard bearer of the losing Quest message or referring to that social issues the abortion he writes in the rest of it. Are you I try I talked to Martha number of times. She's had problems never with me with the platform with with the party. But I would I did what we did at the State Convention is that we did unify the Republican party. We brought together the economic conservatives those folks concerned about keeping lives on taxes about job creation with his with the social can serve those folks concerned about abortion about partial birth abortion. Those folks concerned about gay marriage. We brought them all together in the end you govern I will govern him and my style of governance and then again we got to do is look at Saint Paul. It has been about pulling people together and what we have to do on the left and the right as we got to get away from front spending all that time worry about the things that separate us focus on on those things that unites with a Clear Vision a clear conservative Vision understanding the government doesn't solve all our problems than and understanding that there are Rights and Wrongs. I think it's very possible to do is run a rake and it is to unite the Republican Party the social cancer. What is Fox News saying about Freedom issues with the economic conservatives and then just build a brighter future for Minnesota give people the chance every kid black white red yellow the opportunity to be the best they can be and so in the end Martha will be there as well as some of the quiz people will be there and we'll all be marching forward together with independence with conservative Democrats. And in the end, I think building a better vision of a future for the state again not based on government solving all the problems based on the notion of give people the opportunity to be the best. They can be which means lower their taxes, which means they no don't don't drive them out of business with regulation that's killing him. I give parents grade of choice in education and make sure that I Street to say very very simple. What about the social issues there are you going to do if you are elected are you going to try to change the state's abortion laws to get rights laws, so I let him alone and see what happens. What year was what he going to do. Take me on the far right thing being the great riding. I don't think things like changing. The Lord on partial-birth abortion is very radical mistake could stand the change on that. We shouldn't be having partial birth with Democrats is saying that and I think opposing the end of all my Democratic opponents are up there. They're not supporting gay. Marriage Paul wellstone oppose that I don't think that's very radical. I don't think so. You know, what are they are there and then the focus of my focus will be to govern I will govern I will govern by pulling people together even on those issues Gary if there's a way to find some common ground without advocating principal. There's a way to find Common Ground by I think we have I really think this common ground on opposition to partial birth abortion. I think this common ground in opposition to gay marriage. I don't think those are radical position and at the same time you do what you do day, and that is your govern and make sure that we keep Lids on taxes that government that that that government operates prudently fiscally responsible. So what we we do that we generate a sense of confidence People have confidence and hope they invest so I will govern I have governed in st. Paul that someone was pulled people together not divided them apart. So I will always look for common ground commonbond. That's the way I've been successful and I believe I can be successful in Minnesota that way one more question before we get to the collars you and I guess all of the candidates have said we need to cut taxes need to cut taxes and smiling about $500 every year billion dollars over two years is that let me put it very soon. First of all, and in order to really be severed persuade. Everyone is talking about cutting taxes. All the Democrats are talkin about cutting taxes that obviously they must have taken a pole people want week. We can continue to be the highest tax state of the third-highest text Aiden in the country and almost in in just across the board and category after category. I've talked about two things scary. 1 in order to cut taxes, you got to keep a lid on spending and that's fundamentally important unless you're committed to that one of things. I haven't done and been somewhat criticized. I haven't been out there promising also to me spending programs. I haven't promised that I'm going to do this do that. If I'm very careful about what I promised it. I've been on the show number tonight and I ran for mayor the first time I promised that I would hold the line on taxes one year did it every year that? I did 35 wraps which we've done that if I get to Holiday Inn reopened. We did all that and more much much more. What I'm saying is is is I am going to strive to hold the line on spending you got to do that you got to do it. If you do that, then you can look at the range of taxes. We can deliver a a a cut in income tax of the each and every Minnesota can achieve that but there's a whole range of other taxes. Do we need a basic taxa? When a person healthcare provider tax or sales tax do we need to leave the country and sales tax property tax had to be so what I'm going to do. That is what I did as mayor I'm going to go in there and say I am going to commit to Lowering taxes in Minnesota. I'm going to commit to holding the line on spending being vigorous and holding line on spinning then it will deliver on those things that I promised. Is there any concern I noticed Wayne seminar the Finance Minister of the other day was kind of warning sending up a warning signal saying to all of the candidates all of the people running for governor. Now, we'll add sure like to hear those candidates say I'll cut your taxes if those forecasts hold up in if the economy doesn't go bad on us when we like to party with Wayne's respond news listening to some of those other candidates out there promising free college education total State funding of school by excetera. Excetera. I think it if Wayne was hearing what he sent from Norm Coleman, which is I'm going to hold the line and spending he'd be very happy cuz and I know he would because I talked to talk to him. If you can't be promising to cut taxes in promising all these spending programs and intend for it to be real. So we do have to be in any way course. I haven't laid out a series of tax cuts. I believe we have I have no doubt the capacity to deliver on about a billion dollars in tax cuts, but you got her that the key Gary is a commitment to hold the line on spending and the Democrats or haven't that they're not going through that instead what they're doing is it keep talking about more spinning? I call a kitchen table economics sitting around the kitchen table and him every mom and dad knows that that if you don't hold the line on your spending you are going to ultimately need more Revenue you need more money. And so I think government ShopRite with the same mentality If We Hold the Line on spending, I think we have the capacity to make sure if there are surpluses they go back to moms and dads to go to the phone are lots of callers on the line with questions Gary or first if the Democratic Primary proves that Doug Johnson is the Democratic candidate and he too might be looked at as a pragmatic conservative. How do you think the two of you will fare with a Statewide electret when they start considering the the advocacy that you had for the stadium project and how that might not keep a lid on spending. I'll hang up and listen to go back to me and this race the important thing is to focus on my vision of my message and I am really not focus and Gary on who the other candidate maybe like. I told him I was a Democrat. I didn't understand them so I can am I going to figure out who they going to vote for in their pride. I don't know. I don't know but I got to do a particulate my message and the fact isn't my message in my vision has been tested this very issue has been tested in St. Paul Live governed. I've got burnt and cut taxes each and every year I've been in office. Rev, and you see thousands more jobs thousands more jobs in st. Paul. You say New Hope new development Riverfront development. And in the hockey arena in St. Paul is one with St. Paul taxpayers have been protected. I've been vigorous and defending their interest. We've got a private business coming in call the hockey team that is helping us wipe out a whole millions of dollars of obligation. The city taxpayers had on renovating an old arena. So we're at where we don't have that obligation in but we don't have the money that would cost each and every year to run that in which we were losing Dallas. So that's been a fiscally prudent proposition. So I've been tested I ran my opponents beat the heck out of me on that on which they try some of these issues and yet in a city that's overwhelmingly Democrat. I won with close to 60% of the vote getting 65% of the voting areas in the side with some of the highest ratio of Democrats to Republicans in the state. And so I believe that I will do very well in core cities and then there's not a real estate that I'm afraid to My message of Hope and opportunity of Entrepreneurship of of of government not solving problems, but giving parents think their tax money back their resources greater choice and education. I think that sells as much in the inner city of st. Paul with those in Greater Minnesota and invest in one of the observation. I think that's fascinating me when I talk to Farmers throughout the state. May I have the same conversation with them as I have a small business people in st. Paul Mayor don't tax us to death don't regulate us to death where minnesotans we can compete with anybody in the world. Just give us a chance to do that. And I have the same conversation with small business people. So I think my message and my record is one which will sell through the say-so whether it's Doug Johnson or anybody else. I believe we've got the winning formula for Minnesota. I think all the Democrats have categorically ruled out any public money for any kind of a new stadium for the twins Vikings. If you're elected with what's your position on that? I don't know if they've categorically bro. That would my position is that the twins are a Community Asset and what you do with Community assets as you're smart enough to figure out a way to retain Community assets with your taxpayers and voters feeling. It's the right thing like we did with hockey in st. Paul. I had my entire Dia a delegation the house support or are the opportunity to bring the NHL in to bring a new Arena they knew which not just for the NHL but but for high school sports to st. Paul at my city council six-of-seven Democrat 6 of 7 of a Democrat supporting the opportunity to build a new Arena Spotify convention story, which word has a hockey National Hockey League team. So did I fully support with one of the plans that will provide for you as if he's not with all those state that was maybe maybe not I think we should be smart enough to figure out a way to keep the twins here doing away with the taxpayers on ripped off and I'm never for stuff and things down people's throats what to make these categorical commitment. We're not going to do this leadership and the governor off at leadership on this team a degree or did he offer great leadership is say those are Community assets. Let's be smart enough to figure out a way to keep them and you talked to any mayor in America. They tell you we'd be crazy to let those those assets you talk any governor in America. They tell you a crazy to let that go so my opponents say they're going to let it walk away without trying to figure out a way to keep it here in any way in which taxpayers feel. It's the right thing which I'll do I didn't we didn't start the opportunity bring the NHL down the throats of Saint Paul the people supported business support it labor support at the dfl Billy Gates wooden ultimately I ran for re-election afterwards and obviously the people supported it. I believe we can do the same for Minnesota Ellen. Your question for American woman to believe is the states proper role in education. I think you believe in giving parents. More choices and they don't think you like gold $2,000 profiles and learning but I just want to hear you speak on it best quality of this system of education. Do we need to have our kids need to be the to be the best educated in American Legion in the world? And how do we do that? You don't do it in one of my concern for things like profile of learning and goals. Mm is you don't do it by having the federal and state bureaucrats dictating to moms and dads and teachers throughout my ass out of here is exactly the way we're going to do it. And by the way, he is all the paper. I took some more teachers who were more upset at the amount of paperwork and bureaucracy that that that's laid upon them which precludes them from doing what they're great at doing which is teaching. I why do I want to reward T. I believe in Mary pay, what are the system do we have what we don't believe what excellent and then and if you don't how do you do better reward excellence and so I believe what I NICU seducation more focus at the local level get moms and dads involved and you do that by the way, I can on mcley with things like tax credits. I supported the governor's tax credits and give again Democrats win programs. We want us tax credits. What's Mom and Dad's use their tax dollars to decide what they want to spend money on computer is on tutoring on things of that nature site-based management at the local level talking about where they put resources. Let's move away from from pouring all this money into state and federal centralized bureaucracy is get the money out at the local level at let moms and dads decide what we need to do in one state police that that I do insist upon its accountability. I want to make sure and I support that I want to make sure that we measure performance we should be we should they wear again. How do you test with to it? Whether someone is doing? Well, I'd like to expand our ability to test to make sure that I kids are learning but the fundamental decisions need to be made at the local level and things Profile of a high standard Sanford County building for testing but I'm not for it for State centralized mandates that the moms and dads at local of saying this is the way you got to do it. I don't think Education Works best that way they are kids deserve much better. If you only have X number of dollars to spend on education programs that isn't it true that by providing a tax credits and deductions for tutors in the rest that you really are taking money out of the public school system and know that if you have if you have X number of dollars, the first question, the area is always using this efficiently as we can and then I seen that in st. Paul the fact is that in many areas you can do more with less that always but you can know are we or are we delivering that some of the services are delivering to schools are we using competition to lower the cost of that? Where are the dollar is going the problem we have now is your folks who all who look at the only answer is being more money. And therefore if you think the only answer is more. Calling you say what some of that money is going to public education that you somehow hurting it. If you buy the philosophy that that dance was just more money, then you'd agree with that analysis on the other hand. If you believe that education like any other kind of delivery of service, in this case, it's education opportunity for a kids is one in which we have an obligation to make sure that dollars are being used wisely and we have an obligation to to make sure that our kids get the best education and to do that give him power parents a little more to make choices with their money to make choices if they do that our kids are going to be better off. We've got an education and again I say this with a deep commitment to public education, but if all you keep doing is what you been doing and somebody throw more money at it. We're going to get us more of the same challenge the system a little bit with Charter School almost all the reforms that now we talked about a good things things like Charter Schools post-secondary options. They were all criticized by the education establishment. They're going to hurt public education. We find out that we known. How does not one perfect system for every kid charter schools are a good thing and look at Gary by the way the model what what's what's the best education system in the world that we have in America higher education colleges higher education higher education. We use some public dollars by the way parents can use them to send the kitchen private institutions, but there's competition and there's an end and our public institutions farewell. We support him. I am fully for supporting quality public education, but let's make sure we use dollars wisely make let's make sure that we compare Empower parents to make choices with that Dallas. I think tax credits or a good thing. I trust Mom and Dad's with with the decision as to what their kids need an education more than I trust bureaucrats and Saint Paul simply deciding here's how we're going to be here. So we going to spend the dollars say Palmieri Norm called the Republican Party endorse candidate for governor. Let me give you the phone numbers here. If you'd like to call in with your questions, but don't call right now because you'll just get a busy signal and then you'll get frustrated. Give us a couple of minutes to get through some more calls. 2276 thousand Twin City area number to 276 thousand outside the Twin Cities one 800-242-2828 education a little bit if I couldn't and by the way, it is important as the stadium issue maybe to some people it just pales in comparison to education and I would also point out you and you can't Senator and by the way, Jen Olson is a great running mate for the mayor because I don't have any legislature legislator over in St. Paul who's working harder and education issues and she has a lot of appreciate that would point on out. Senator. Larry polka Miller has been on this program and he's pointed out which is true. There's been a lot of by party partisan support for the profile of learning how both Governor Carleton a lot of Democrats, but I would point out to mr. Pokemon anyone else is listening to Ted Mondale who many of us conservatives would disagree in Ann Arbor Pointe Ted Mondale is also now against the profile and I think Common Sense dictates a harder look at this. And I just wondered what the mayor would tell and I've run and I'm sure he has to a lot of parents now who have kids going into 9th grade. They're being killed by the high school with all these profiles they have to do and I'm running to allow them are growing increasingly upset and they just wonder since this thing is getting institutionalized exactly. What you could do is Governor to breath. Stop this two observations first. Let me just mention Jenison Jenison is my I will tenant Governor partner candidate for the tenant governor general saint has a PhD in education. She has spent her career has included both public education teaching in the administration portion of public education. Also, they will carry the bill for homeschooling was one of the Champions and in the the tax credit proposal. So she has a broad range of experience and education. I think brings great knowledge and will be a great asset to a profile is really interesting. We are instituting a major change in the way in which we live the education services to our kids and we're doing Jim I travel around the state without buying from either teachers or parents like I challenge any any of the candidates here or maybe Advocates of this system talk to moms and dads how many moms and dads feel that they've been involved in fully understand now what this new system that we are implementing Statewide what that means to work is you can't make these kind of major changes and stuff it down people's throats. I believe in local control. I really do and I believe in parents and teachers at the local level with you understand and I say this again, I want to come back to saying I want to make sure that we are testing make sure my kids are learning their National test that you can kind of standardized all day learning. So it's not a matter of just moms and dads at the local level saying they want to do what they want to do. I want to measure I want accountability but but you can't know what we've done with profile Institute of this this Statewide system layers of bureaucracy are unbelievable. It would that mean we're talkin 10 in thick of rules and regulations teachers come to me and say may or we we don't want this. We are we spending more time of the bureaucratic. Stephanie are teaching our kids. So I think the next Governor has got to get in there and send out the message that we're going to put the brakes on this very radical major change in the way to delivering service. But in saying that you got to propose something else, you got to go back to parents and teachers at the local up and say, okay what we have isn't good enough that they're all good things about the intent of the profile and they tend to go through that go 2000. We want to make sure kids can use knowledge sign up just a t want to make sure they can use knowledge. We do want accountability. We do want standards and I think what you do is you put the challenge to local school districts Folks at the local of say, okay. How are you going to ensure? How are you going to be strengthening our basic skills? How are you going to ensure greater accountability. How are you going to demonstrate to watch that? We are delivering at strong academic standards show us how you can do that and given the opportunity to do it, but don't do it. No way in which you have this this one-size-fits-all system and then end one which there has not been buying from Mom's in Pageant teacher so I think you got to go in there saying hey folks. We're going to give the power back to you and we can hold you accountable, but we got to get the power back to you and it's not going to be dictated from from Washington or Saint Paul down the road in a few years the first class of students. It supposed to graduate if they pass at basic skills test a lot of students haven't passed the test. I'll get several opportunities to take in the meanwhile, but presumably they're swell are there is some concern that a lot of students are not going to be able to pass that test that would occur while your Governor. Are you actually going to deny or stick with that program to deny them a diploma? I think what you actually it you got to hold people accountable Gary you really do but but rather than wait till the end what you do is right now right now and in some school districts are taking this approach you got to end social promotion got to end social promotion. You got to say how you got to pass these tests in order to move on. So don't wait till the end. Don't wait till a kid graduates high school and can't read. Can try to can't pass some basic judge it now and social promotion ensure the increase the number of tested subjects be very very vigorous and and give kids the option to let him go to school summer. They do it in Chicago that do we did it this year in Minneapolis-Saint Paul. If you can't get through you're going to go to school over the summer. So you shouldn't have to wait until four years. You know, when Norm Coleman's governor in the United States have passed through today. Now this year next year. You tell our kids we're not going to pass you through no more social promotion. If it can't get through we going to go to summer school and we'll figure out a way will work with I want every kid to learn. I don't want any kids to slip through the cracks, but you can't be waiting for 4 years from now to figure this all out one other a question on education before we get back to collar. So I sent her Jean Mary and former Senator Miriam suggested the other day one of the things he's concerned about their so much talk so much emphasis on the basic skills and making sure that all the kids at least learn a little bit. that educating the other kids is starting to fall through the cracks you little concerned about that. And then by the way between us Republican candidate, he was a Democratic Senate. He's a brilliant Integra. Very very bright man. I'm a big fan of Gene. Miriam's jeans, right? They want only one out of every four kids graduate college and think about it. So and I only have those good high school get out of those and go to college half of them eventually get it to one at 4 week. We are there are all sorts of other opportunities in particular as when moving into this new information age through their things that that we're doing with our voltex with our technical schools that are very very important that there are work Readiness programs at the high school level. I think we have to view education in a broader perspective and in doing that also understand that education is an ongoing process, but it really is what it is about lifetime learning. What would my talk to employers they essentially tell me Merry. Give me someone who shows up in the morning, please. The end of the day comes back the next day and is prepared to learn and so as as much as information is knowledge those with higher education or going to do better in this information age to this age of new technology in the information age. We have to understand that not everyone will go through that path, but everybody should be prepared to learn everyone should be prepared to her and we should have a system that accommodates a broad range and we're doing that now I'm a big fan of Love community colleges big fan of of technical colleges. We need to make sure that that they have the resources and they're the ones by the way, they're doing wonderful things connecting people with with the jobs around there are of Technical College in St. Paul has been a model working with the Building Trades printing industry with a you can't find John into the biggest problem from place today is not even high taxes and I'm going to change the taxes. It's qualified workers and we have our folks in the in the technical college is working friends with the printing industry to to do customized training at the same time. I was just with some folks yet this week. I have an infant. Technology Council in Orrville car tech colleges are working in the tech area to train people in some of the computer skills. So there's a wide range of Education options in size as not everyone's in a graduate from the U of M not everyone's graduate from from am in school state college system, but we do need to make sure that all our kids when they graduate are ready to learn some of the Democrats want to want to help students go to at least one year, maybe two years after after high school. Go to go to college or the Vo-Tech or whatever. Would you support a program like that? I support having kids go when I'm not making any promises that the state's going to pay for it. I mean we need to encourage and we need to do things again through tax credits lower parents taxes and give them the opportunity to be able to do more with their their money work with the business Community to make sure that we keep Minnesota to place to do business with high paying jobs, but I'm not one of them scared that I simply haven't done as my opponent have done it just promising all I promised free college education first year second-year this that I think we need to do more to encourage those opportunities, but I I can't promise something that I can't say. Here's how we're going to pay for it would definitely can afford it. And so I got to be very very careful about that. I am pursuing greater quality education strong support emit make the state college is more affordable but governments recently be affording a free ride for everyone is is something that I'm not prepared to do right now John your question for miracleman afternoon or good afternoon John the legislature doesn't seem to want to give back more than a portion of our that he would your budget surplus and I'd like to know how you plan to stop these massive Budget surpluses on the ways in which she is stop massive budget surpluses is you simply cut taxes permanently significantly. That's what you need to do with we should have a system in the day. They have it in some other side scored the kicker what we decide this is what we spending on government no more. We we set a limit this is the price if it was spending on I talked about holding a line on spending and money that comes in over and above that goes to go right back to the taxpayers. No, don't you like Monopoly don't pass go and collect 200 Alex to The Ledges. I haven't had to go ride back. What we really need to do is to is to significantly in permanently cut taxes tied in with a commitment to hold the line on spending. If you do that, then you're not going to be worried about legislators trying to figure out what to do again. He's a surpluses he's our money is coming in over and above the budging that we're doing we spend right now the beat that was just joking General fun Dallas for this is about 11 billion dollars a year. Are there any listeners out there? That must be a few but I think many who think that we need to be spending more on government. We need to be moving government of the 21st century by making it more efficient delivering a better product for Less introducing Notions of competition into the operation of government so we can deliver better products are workers and cost the the delivery of their service as well as to how it's done the private side and I believe they can meet the challenge of competition. They've done this when cities like Indianapolis I said earlier I was with the mayor of Indianapolis Steve Goldsmith. They've done that so we need at the state level. Be much more vigorous and aggressive. But if you do that what you can do as you can significantly and firmly cut taxes and then rather than having surpluses at the legislature is deciding what to do with moms and dads at home making choices about what to do with their money. And again, I come back to the earliest statement every time the Democrats talk about a new program. We should be talking about tax credits cut tax and let moms and dads make choices as to what to do with their money. Carry your next carry wondering what your take was on that situation. We should explain for people who have been following this story that there was a gentleman who was going to file actually did file I guess against Jessup to run against Jesse Ventura the Reform Party candidate and then ended up filing against to Dean Barclay the manager of the Ventura campaign pay the filing fee for this individual. Let me just say this. I I actually feel very bad. Like I'm saddened and disappointed in the Reform Party. They have always held themselves off that to be aware different. Where in the heck are you have the campaign manager for the Reform Party candidate actually paying the filing fee and let me just say this paying the filing fee for an individual. The avowed reason is that he had some problem with Norm Coleman. I want to seven I've never met the guy never did he apparently has a problem with Ramsey action program and I heard those folks on the radio saying hey, we've done everything we could for this guy but as a result of quote his problem and end. The guy's a little off more than a little off because I have now looked at some of the tapes. He's called in to City officials at all levels by we're not just the city think the federal level the state level city council were threatened to kill people literally saying one of the coaches if somebody hurts my cat. I'm going to kill you. I'm going to kill people that his feet as friends who are skinheads and we're going to get you and we're going to visit NSP he blames to and he's going to destroy power lines. What you have is someone who is out. There is now under court order not to make calls is is a very real threat in for any political party to promote that kind of person to to pay a filing fee simply as I understand it to you know, what their candidate to be able to stay on the radio, but I know when I'm leaving to talk about that, but I think it's terribly a response once a very very said there are dangerous people out there. There are people who see everybody as the enemy and end and they are dangerous and when and by the way, and it says ignore me, I've never talked to me. He's never got on I found my buddy has talked to his secretary and receptionist and city clerk personal and left messages that what would make your hair curl on end. When you talk about killing people and you talk about skinheads when you talk about blowing things up because you have a problem with a anti-poverty program. That's scary and end. So well, we deserve gov it with those who this is not a game that they're running for office year is not a game this the next government will have a profound impact on on our lives. I accept that I seen that as mayor and when people at play those kind of games something is terribly wrong. So many ways have been a fan of many things that the reformed Pilates about. I think this was a very sad moment for them very unfortunate and you know, if there was ever a way to turn it back. I don't know how but I feel very bad for them that their folks will support the Reform Party deserve better after the primary. Will you be participating in 3-way debates with the Reform Party in the Well, I don't think we finalize the nature the base after the primary. I intend to be participating in debates as to the nature of those in the structure. I presume we'll have some free party debates. I don't know how that's pink. When I look forward by the way to a very full and vigorous debate with with my opponents in this race. I'm looking for I've governed everyone else I got all these they got policy papers on governing but you know, the Democrats say you've been ducking them that you wouldn't even debate the Republican candidates before before the convention. We had many many many debates among the Republican candidates. What I haven't done Gary is I have another if I have any Democrats five running let him let him figure out who their candidate is. I'm not going to going to go in there and debate five Democrats their Fighters among themselves. They got to pick the person to carry their Banner when they do that there will be no matter who the choice is. A very clear contest in terms of vision Democrat Vision that spending more and more taxes more government. That's the way to deal with the Republican Vision that says you lower taxes that you can pray to power to it to two people understand the government's not going to solve all your problems. Give people the opportunity every man woman to have the opportunity to be great or if it's difference between the Democratic vision of feeding people fishing in the Republican vision of teaching people to fish give people the opportunity to be great. That's what this is about and raising by the way the floor as well as a ceiling you got to do both. I understand that a republican vision of of tough vigorous enforcement three strikes you're out in crime as well as by the way into seeing about prevention in crime that was understanding that kids having reading comprehension 1st grade is prevention. That's crime prevention. We get that stuff really work that kind of the social programs and prevent all the candidates always pay lip service to that. But the fact of the matter is in terms of keeping bad people from doing bad things do those Pro. Sam's do any good. I think there were three parts to they they dealing with the crime of sugar are in one hand. You do have to be tough and vigorous and aggressive and put bad people away in Minnesota has one of the lowest rates of incarceration of any place in the country and I learned a long time ago fast after my they tazed in the sixties and not everybody is a political prisoner there are bad people out there. And so you put them away for a long. Of time be very very aggressive. Secondly you do have to deal on the prevention side. The fact is that that if kids who don't read by 1st grade 2nd 3rd grade guy, we can track him right through the system. And so if you put effort by the way, it's not always just government money get the community mobilize getting mentors involves get parents involved with the faith community involved. It doesn't have to be just another government program. But we do we need to put an effort in to deal with prevention absolutely. Do we need to put an effort into making sure that their job opportunities absolutely. Do we need a way to prevent an effort in to doing the things we can to build strong families? Absolutely that's crying for you. Can I tell if it if we can do things to support strong families which includes by the way opportunities to work and opportunities to work come from government? Not not killing business with high workers comp. The Democrats will roll back the reforms he made in workers comp reform is making Minnesota now competitive place to keep jobs. The Democrats will roll back. I think a whole range of tax credits tax credits and education all those things that we do the build strong families. I think are part of crime prevention the last piece only let me add this cuz it's something we seen it Saint Paul you got to focus not just on the big stuff, but the little stuff you focus on graffiti you focus on truancy you focus on the little things. It's the James Q Wilson Broken Window Theory if you have a broken window and a neighbor and you don't fix to get another Broken Window Another Broken Window and graffiti and then you got the drug dealers and hookers. No sudden that you only got murders and things are going to hacking people. So what happened what happened? If you didn't focus on the little things we need to be aggressive to make sure kids are in school. We do that same phone now we put more f Money to truancy we put more resources into fighting graffiti. So you do tough enforcement the gangs and drugs. I want to expand this the game you in the state. I want I want them to be that they are that the same pole model, but the fact that you got gang violence throughout Minnesota to I want to send expanded a beefed-up enforcement of anti-gang anti drug laws then prevention and then quality of life things to do the three and you can turn around I land on this note I ask people if they've been to New York City in the last six months you go there and the cab drivers tell you it's safe. If New York City can be perceived as safe than any Village and E Street NE neighborhood in Minnesota can be safe all takes has the will the Strategic Vision the plan get it done the commitment in the wheel we can make every community in Minnesota safer back to the phone Stephanie your question for me or call me. I have a question on farming. We know how important agriculture is to the economy of our state. There is a Statewide study called a g e i f on the impacts of large. Feedlots on community is going on right now. We're having a lot of trouble with liquid manure my union Farmers Union called for a temporary. Hold on permits for the largest feedlots asking if you are know what that size limit is if you can tell us and if you are following Governor Carlson's lead in it in approving the size limit. Can you let me let me let me say this first I support the gis General environmental impact statement. We should be looking at the impact that that that these feedlots have on the environment. We already have a cab there there no more. We don't allow the open pit maneuver the lodge Lagoon. So we stopped that but we should not let me repeat. It would be I think terrible policy far terrible policy to be talkin about placing moratoriums on growth and n and end in. Whole range of reasons it to me. It's kind of like when you throw the little Pebble into a pond is not just a pebble is not just at the feedlot operation. The weather has Hogs or chickens or something else. It's everything else along the way you get the for the process of the folks that want to build a processing plant that I can decide. We don't want to build in Minnesota cuz we don't know if we can have access to product you get the folks who truck the product from from to Market and they said we don't know if we have the product the truck you get the P9 folks to Folks at Hormel P9 union workers oppose that moratorium because it would have impact their ability to do their jobs and their on the production side. Terrible. Terrible policy. When government goes about arbitrarily saying we're going to limit growth here that moratorium, you're right farming is the economic underpinning of this state. I think one in for jobs in the state are somehow we left you a connected not just on the phone, but I walked along the way along the chain to agriculture. We still are a very strong I can feel sick. I want to keep us that way and the way you keep us that way. Don't have government coming in and talkin about more tries. We should be smart enough to figure out how to how to deal with the issue of pig manure the smell of it. We can land a man on the moon 30 years ago. We should be able to deal with the smell of manure today, but don't cripple the agricultural economy the state of Minnesota and I've traveled through this that you talked to the folks and Inn in Fairmont and Worthington about the impact of a moratorium in what it would mean for them. The fact is we all want family fun as you want with no corporate farming in Minnesota, but even the size and nature Family Farms a changing that's it. They're getting big brother is brothers and sisters coming together to join operations to be economically competitive. So I have to tell you bluntly and candidly do I support the governor's opposition to more trim you bet I do I do. I think that those got a moratoriums would cripple the economic underpinnings the state of Minnesota you bet and on the other hand in my committed to a strong environment do I support the gis will I work aggressively with University of Minnesota and others? To deal with the environmental issues absolutely. But let's be smart enough to figure out a way to do that without destroying the economic base of a state of Minnesota, which is agriculture plays a big part and those kind of moratoriums would be I'm telling you it's the pebble in the pond the ripples would kill us time for at least one more color Kathy Keel of the 1993 Human Rights Amendment which protects gays and lesbians from job discrimination. Is this correct? Yes, or no. Are you committed to repealing equal opportunity equal employment opportunity for gays and lesbians. Let me just say this. I am for equal rights, you know that I am not for special rights. I was talking to some of the other day and they were saying well, you know, if you do that if it was a peel at repeal of that statute know you'd be the Nike Club to know. How are you what are you just you just be saying that that statute which at this point we've had folks 4-H the Boy Scouts all you know being under pressure to ask who they are who they don't have. I want equal rights for everybody. I don't want anyone to be discriminate against but I don't think government needs to have them they are there needs to be a human rights provision for those for left-handers or I don't think there needs to be a human rights provision for for Democrats Republicans and I can tell you in some place in St. Paul being Republican. You can surely get discriminated against we need equal rights for everybody. That's what I support. But there is a provision that came to my desk that said I would change that status. That's that's because of the special rights. It gives two guys lesson. I would sign that but on the other hand find a way I am deeply committed to making sure that people have equal rights for all but but there is a difference I think between equal rights for all and special rights for some and doing so we are not repealing any commitment to Human Rights. We need a commitment to everyone's human rights, but these specialized categories for some and not together. I don't think it makes much sense. If you're elected governor, it's almost certain that some people will have used up their five-year welfare eligibility by then. What do you do with o? Fox we need to end welfare Gary as we know it if if we can in this economy connect people with jobs where we're missing a big opportunity Wisconsin Sprinter the last welfare check not doing that. Do we have to do things for childcare? Do we have to do things for Education? Absolutely and I get back to my tax credit want to create a new department of child care, but I want to make sure A Child Care needs are being taken care of a people need them. In addition Gary. Are there those is there safety net? Yes, if they are. There are those who simply don't have the capacity workers government need to be there? Yes, I believe in the safety-net. There is a difference. If you think I use the vision of the circus at the high while you fall off the highway where you hit the safety-net you bounce off on your feet. What happens is that welfare became a a web people fell off and they never got out. I believe in the safety net for the few who absolutely need it and will be there for them absolutely will be there for them on the other hand. Should we be more vigorous and moving people from welfare to job opportunity and providing at the same time opportunity for Education Child Care on those Thanks. Let's do it. Let's get away from from this web of dependency where it is not compassionate to Simply force people or or continue to let them get kind of embroiled in this web of dependency. Let's change that changing all over the country. We can change it Minnesota. So yes, they will be a safety net and Acoma Administration, but they will be a vigorous vigorous effort to end welfare as we know it to provide job connection is an opportunity for those on welfare get him into work for us and I tell you they'll be sending a great message to them and their family there is dignity and work that's give people the opportunity to work for a good wage and getting the opportunity for grated dignity. Why do you suppose I guess it's going to be the last question. Why do you suppose so few people care about politics in Minnesota and we've had a tradition here and being more interested than most places. We've got a lively race for governor this year G lots of well-known candidates. No clear favourite. You think people would be all fired up and all the experts say Nobody cares if you give it to observations one of these are generally good times not for everybody but good times and when they are and what's the burning issue you got to got Democrats promising tax cuts Robinson being tough on crime and everyone's promising everything. I think that's part of it people can know that they're not when you're angry and you're hurting you tend to it to speak out. So that's issue. Number one. The second issue is a little bit and I don't want to Compound on the media my last comment here, but I think there's a lot of cynicism about what we do a lot of cynicism about what public figures that to tell you and I cannot govern and every day I struggle with how do we do the best thing for people with their resources and it's a struggle we don't have unlimited access to Kelly it we can't keep texting and spend an hour away from that thank goodness. But there's a lot of cynicism reporters always look until you know, prove somebody did something wrong. So I think you have the combination of of lack of a burning issue generally Good Times, which is why this race in the end is going to be about leadership. It's not even about the issue before us today. It's who's going to Who do I trust to to lead us tomorrow? And I hope the kind of leadership. I provide in St. Paul the kind of his pull people together when you pull us together, we can do anything. Imagine the pain I broke that kind of leadership is inspiring. But there is cynicism. There is a general a good feel out there and and end how you motivate people. It's not just on a single issue. I will try hard in this campaign to spread the message of Hope and opportunity and let people know hey, I have governed by pulling people together come with me join with me together. We can build a better Minnesota mayor. Thanks for coming in today and they're good luck to you always a pleasure Gary thinks they probably are Norm Coleman who is the Republican party has endorsed candidate for governor joining us today as part of our meet the candidates. By the way, if you miss part of the program Or would simply like to hear what the mayor had to say a second time will be rebroadcast in this program at 9 tonight here on Minnesota Public Radio. We should also note that are series will continue on Friday Reform Party. Jesse Ventura will be here. And then I suppose what we're going to do is focus a little bit more exclusively on the Democrats. They have the big primary coming up in September and coverage continues a course all the way through November. So we hope you stay tuned here to Minnesota public radio programming on Minnesota Public Radio is supported by Glenwood Inglewood water clean fresh pure and plenty of it home and office delivery available at 374 to 253. That's it for our mid-day program today Gary acted near thanks for tuning in. stay tuned to Minnesota Public Radio news all this week for a focus on education and the impact of this Fall's election on Minnesota schools explore the issues this week on Minnesota Public Radio channel W FM 91.1 You're listening to Minnesota Public Radio. We have a sunny Sky now 84 degrees at k n o w FM 91.1 Minneapolis and Saint Paul supposed to be sunny all afternoon. I could reach how protein 90° clear partly cloudy tonight with a low in the low-to-mid 60 sunny tomorrow with a high temperature into the low 80s hits 1