That Greta 6 minutes now past 11. Good morning. Welcome to mid-day on Minnesota Public Radio. I'm Gary. I can glad you could join us. There are five candidates running for the dfl party's nomination for governor for them have famous names V state senator Doug Johnson from Tyler probably has the most familiar name pleased to Minnesota ears Center Johnson, of course brings more to the race than just a familiar name though among other things. She is the longtime chair of the very powerful states in a tax committee part of our continuing coverage of the race for governor, Senator Johnson is come by today to talk about his campaign about his stand on the issues to take your questions, and we insure invite you to join our conversation this hour as we talked with the state. Senator, Doug Johnson to 276 thousand is our Twin City area number to 276 thousand and outside the Twin Cities. You can reach us toll-free at one 802-422-8282 to Seven six thousand or one 800-242-2828 just a month to go now before the election and another opportunity today to talk with so one of the people is going to be on that September primary election. Ballot Center Johnson. Thanks for coming in today. Great to be on your program and I would encourage your listeners to call and I enjoy these kinds of programs that gives us an opportunity to communicate with people of the state. Now. The primary is only a month away latest polls in the dfl primary show attorney general Humphrey close to 50% of likely voters say they're going to vote for him your way back at about 6% all the other candidates 10% or so. Looks like Humphreys got it wrapped up. He he knows he doesn't even internally, they know that they have a huge huge problem Hubert. Humphrey's name is very strong in Minnesota a pool like that. It would show that today or I guess this was a week ago. He's got broad support. But Mr. Humphreys support is very thin and you're going to see a dramatic dramatic change on September 15th, when the voters who vote in primaries, I go to the polls and the one will win this election is is the candidate will be most effective in getting their base supporters out the vote. And I think I've got the best organization to win that September 15th primary if you remember the year that Arne Carlson and Jon grunseth faced off in the in the primary at that point the polls show that Bonnie Carlson was way ahead of Jon grunseth and Jon grunseth won the Primary a big so, you know, they really shouldn't even do these early polls because they in no way reflects. All the borders are going to vote. Why would you be a better Governor then the other for dfl or so, let's forget about Norm Coleman the Republican Jesse Ventura the Reform Party candidate just in terms of the dfl is why would you be there the best of candidates? I think there is three reasons number one education is a major issue in Minnesota and and parents and employers are asking that are Educational Systems be improved in the state. I'm the only candidate that has significant experience on the job in education. I was a head start teacher. I was in elementary education teacher. I was a high school guidance counselor for over 30 years. I know what works and doesn't work on first-hand experience in the school. I knew the importance of involving parents in their children's education, so I don't have to learn. The needs of Education I have the experience on the job to know what a work is removing the 21st Century 30 years of of Public Service. I I dunno Minnesota. I dunno know state government and I think minnesotans are going to recognize me as the average Minnesotan. I'm like them my dad drove a truck now going to bring Common Sense government to the state. Now. You've also been emphasizing the fact that you're not from the Twin Cities you been out and about campaigning is that Relevant one way or the other is to wear a cat comes from I think it's the kind of issue that candidates. Do you is no matter who the candidate is. And yes, I'm proud of the fact that I'm from real Minnesota. I think real Minnesota has special problems at a lot of folks are not aware of and because you're from real Minnesota, you should not be excluded from being a governor of this state. If you go to the northern part of the Red River Valley, if you go to the southern or Western Minnesota, we have huge huge economic problems in in agriculture. And at the same time I've lived in the metropolitan area for about a third of my life as a member of the of the legislature and I understand that as well, but you don't quite obviously I'm I'm trying to tell real minnesotans that of the candidates. I'm the one that best understands their needs Gary the young people are moving in. Groves out of real Minnesota. They're coming to the Twin Cities That's not healthy for the Twin Cities or rural Minnesota. And so yes, I have really prioritize Economic Development Bureau Minnesota State senator, Doug Johnson is our guest this our Center Johnson is one of the five dfl is running for governor this year. He's one of the five names that will appear on the September primary election ballot the winner moves on to November and the other four candidates are done for the year then and take great opportunity to talk little bit more Johnson today get a better idea where he stands on the issues part of our meet the candidates Siri. So give us a call if you'd like to join our conversation to 276 thousand to 276 thousand outside the Twin Cities. The number to call would be 1 800 to +422-828-227-6102 for 22828. If you have a question for Senator Johnson yesterday. During the program we were doing a show on Wall Street and what's been going on the market dropping and so on and the broader implications of that might have for other things the state budget. Are you concerned? All of the can at yourself included have talked about some significant tax cuts you concerned that the economy is going to go bad on us here so that those tax cuts aren't going to be available Asian economic situation is certainly something that I've been monitoring regularly so far. There is no evidence of a downturn in the state's revenues because of it just the other day. I got the latest a monthly Revenue collection from the state and those Revenue collections again, or up above what they were projected when we adjourned in April of 1998. There's nearly four hundred million dollars of tax collections that have Above and beyond what we were told by the Department of Finance in April of 1998. So I feel very comfortable life study the budget the forecast that my plan for a 600 million dollar permanent income tax cut is easily something that we can do and don't have to fear. What's happening in the Asian markets. I noted the stock market did bounce back some yesterday and we have a lot of budget protection built in the state budget. I think the governor was very prudent and in leading and making sure that the legislature I has a reserve in a cash flow account of nearly 1 billion dollars and I don't think any of the Kennedys. I hope at least they aren't a planning to to draw down on that but there is sufficient money for a significant tax cut. Both of you are Republican and Reform Party candidates have said all of the talk by the dfl candidates about tax cuts should be Taken with a grain of salt because you folks never cut taxes and in your case. You've been the chair of the tax committee for a long time and why shouldn't why should voters believe that you're actually going to reduce taxes all over the past two years. I have been the Senate author of about 2 billion dollars of tax cuts in the in the early 80s in 1991. When in fact Governor ardy Carlson was the governor we did raise taxes and I had to do that I chair that committee and you know, I'd rather not have done it but it had to be done with to balance the state's budget and to make sure that schools and the environment and transportation and other needs a Minnesota permit. I know a lot about the state budget and a lot about state government. I thought it was kind of ironic all yesterday when Mary Coleman proposed his budget for the city of Saint Paul and said there was going to be Levi increase and I applaud him for that in the article. It's it it stated that they had received an unexpected about $350,000 of local government needs. So they could continue at a high level of police presence in their city. And I dug Johnson was the author of that bill to make sure that police protection in St. Paul was provided into the future with those with those funds. And so, you know, when the mirror or the Reform Party talks about Democratic Democratic action on taxes are initiatives allowed the city of Saint Paul to not have to raise property taxes and make sure that those additional police officers. They were hired under the Clinton Administration would continue on the street and Saint Paul. Let's get to some callers here. I guess this hour is dfl gubernatorial candidate Doug Johnson again, if you'd like to join the collars on Find the number to call in the Twin Cities is227 6000 to 276 thousand out side the Twin Cities 1-800. 242-282-8227 6001 800-242-2828 John your first go ahead Place. Good morning Kenneth Johnson. My name is John. I'm calling from Minneapolis. I'm a longtime supporter of the Head Start program. And I appreciate you including your experience as a head start teacher in part of your resume earlier. Could you tell me a couple things about was like remark on your ideas and beliefs about Head Start and how you would support it. If in fact you were elected governor. I am in the in the mid-80s taught summer Head Start 4422 Summers and became even then convinced that early childhood education. That was was very very important than a major component of successful program is Head Start when I make the Specific educational proposal to the legislature. I will have an amount of funds identified for expanding the Head Start program, you know, it's probably not likely that we can fully fund the need but we will be expanding the Head Start program in our state. I can't be more definitive on that at this time until we know the final Revenue projections, but I think it's a wonderful program at the other at the other end of the educational chain there. Some of the candidates are talking about providing a year or two or more of a tuition assistance for Minnesota students. So they go to college is that part of your program problems. I think in this race is that some of the other candidates are proposing hundreds of millions of dollars of spending programs at the legislature may not even have to spin a particular. They're serious about a tax cut. Like I am I do believe in in in further financial assistance to higher education as a high school counselor. I recognized the need for that to financial assistance. And so as I proposed to the legislature the higher education budget those dollars those new dollars will be funneled to students more than to the institutions and will be able to make sure that in fact the students get most of that money to keep a tuition down to help them rather than the institutions deciding on how to spend it couple of other education questions. The state has has launched this profile of learning program part of the graduation standard that students are not supposed to meet it begins officially this fall lot of controversy about the program. Would you scrap that I just let it play out for a while see how it would work out. What's your position on the biggest mistake that could be made by the legislature or the governor is to scrap that program you the profiles of learning or the graduation standards that's been too much done too often legislators or the Department of Education or Governors will come up with a new way to do things. And then someone else comes along with a new ID and they scrapped the old one and if there's one thing I'm hearing from Educators and parents is let's be consistent. So I'm going to insist that we do not back off from from those programs. I think that they're not perfect but I really believe that we will have excuse me higher standards for a student center in a better educational products. So I spent a lot of time studying those programs and we provided the dollars to help train the teachers. In the in those programs and I want to make them work. Another question that is part of the new standards and an education in, Minnesota. Student you don't pass this basic skills test won't get a diploma and during the coming governor's term would have Governor Johnson be able to sit by and watch maybe thousands of kids who put in minnow made a good effort. Just let him go without a diploma that's you have to have some standards and I think God is cruel as that sounds if you don't have standards, we're not going to improve education in our state because of what I'd like to see is if resources are available more dollars for summer school for district. I think there's two important reasons for that to help children at risk both in in preparing them. They're they're learning skills in preparation for these tests as well as getting them off the street and you know, if if Young Folks young people are bored don't have things to There's problems. And so I think summer school is something that would be up. If we had more of that would be great for education and the children of the state dfl gubernatorial candidate Doug Johnson is our guests this hour. If you have a question for the candidate, give us a call. 227-6004 1 802-422-8282 276 thousand in the Twin Cities. If you're calling out from outside the metro area, you can call us toll-free at one 800-242-2828 election day is now one month and two days away. Is that what it is? You know when you're out campaigning. I'm sure the other candidates are the same. You're so busy lose track of the of the date days and and the dates and closing and quickly. It's closing in quickly, you know, the irony of the situation is I don't think most minnesotans have even thought much about it and I don't blame them and all we all felt we have candidates. I'll rush to call a press conference get that next new great idea. Before the people of Minnesota and we're probably in are those at work in our campaigns are about only a few people that actually looking Hannah and worried about I mean, Minnesota families are have so many other things to do the trying to make a living there planning their vacation to the lake up north. The farmers are out in the fields are more worried about crop prices. Then what that we as candidates I have to say about the issues in in Minnesota and I think it won't be until after Labor Day when the kids are back in school and things kind of settle down. Most of the occasions are over that the voters will actually focus on who they are going to vote for as the next governor of the state and I think a lot of it's going to come down to electing someone that they trust the most that's a person that Most liked them now. That's an average Minnesotan and but that decision is not coming until after Labor Day. I believe these campaigns are too long and I've been in it to the shortest. Of time only since April of 1998, but again minnesotans have far more to worry about then today who they're going to vote for for governor. But today is a great opportunity to learn more about who they might vote for. Absolutely. It's a building process and politicians. We never refuse the opportunity to Abby on radio or television that are in the newspapers Levain your question, please most especially I think that the state is pushing the lottery too much and I I mean, I guess I wish we'd never in the world. In the lottery. And that Minnesota is getting such a reputation for being such a gambling State and I think it's bad for especially the young people and one of the things that I'm wondering about. I guess I'd like to talk to you about other things too. But one of the things I'm wondering about is what's your view on that? I do you really think it's the thing to do when the state has these commercials on featuring Khalid zorlu in the sir stuff like that with regard to the lottery. Do you have a second question to and then we'll get to vote for him in the primary unless he does something absolutely awful. In the meantime. I won't do that from what I've heard and read it the same way that I admire a sister-in-law of mine. And I think a lot of them. I mean you you went on you were a teacher you were a guide and you did have a case of polio. I'm not mistaken about that. Am I and then another thing I admire you was at your pro-life and you didn't leave the party over it. I think that was more courageous because I think some of the Democrats maybe you included who are pro-life. I have taken an actual abuse for it at some of the conventions because you weren't following the party line and that's one thing that stuff but I admire about you but my main question is about gambling. Alright Lottery gambling should we get rid of it? You know, I don't believe that in my lifetime that we're going to be great getting rid of it in Minnesota. I think it does have to be controlled in the amount of advertising should be very limited beyond that. I think the Attorney General of the state. Mr. Humphrey negotiated a terrible compact agreement with the Native Americans as a relates to their facilities and in a in a mutually satisfactory manner, I'm hoping that we can get the parties back to the table on on that issue over the next four years if the tribe simply aren't interested in reopening the compact what then would you favor opening up casino gambling or at least some kind of video gambling off-reservation? I don't support putting video gambling in bars. As an example. I'd be pretty careful about what I would I might do I guess at this point. I don't really want to suggest what I would do is far as Those negotiations reopen the best of my knowledge Minnesota is the only state in the country in which there is not an ending date on those Camp compacts in the state of Minnesota doesn't get any direct revenues from those facilities Connecticut gets over 20% of the revenues from the casinos and I just think that it would be in the best interest of all the parties if they went back to the table and tried to to work something out there could be mutual benefit a lot of the Native Americans in Minnesota make virtually nothing from casino gambling the urban Indians many of the northern Minnesota Indians don't make much and it was really foolish on the part of the Attorney General to negotiate that. Very bad compact up for the state another issue That Lovin brought up was the abortion issue. If you're elected governor, will you be pushing for any changes in men? Turn alarm. You know, I will review each bill is it comes to my desk and and I am pro-life and 4.2. If you're a Democrat and particulate involved in in the party structure, it isn't always very comfortable to be a pro-life. But you know, I'm like, mr. Humphrey and some of the other Democrats who have flip-flopped on that issue. I think for political reasons unlike mr. Coleman who flip flop political parties for political expediency. I'm not going to change parties. I'm pro-life and I'm a Democrat and I'm going to remain that way but no specific laws that you would propose being change change right away. Nothing specific. I can say that I do not support the partial birth abortion other than to save the life of the mother and I think 80% of minnesotans support my position on Madden including many people who don't agree with my view on the abortion issue, but absolutely I think that we should ban the partial birth abortion up in Minnesota accept to save the life of the mother. There's also been a fair amount of talk during the campaign so far about the the the state game right Guy gay rights protections. Would you favor repealing that part of the human rights so long? I wouldn't I I do believe in basic human rights soumare Coleman and I would not agree on that. I would not sign a bill that would repeal the human rights law where I differ from my Democratic opponents of mr. Humphrey. Mr. Mondale. Mr. Freeman and mr. Dayton. I do not support repeal of the Doma law. I would not sign a bill that legal. Same-sex marriages. I like my Democratic opponents. What are guess this hour is the dfl gubernatorial candidate Doug Johnson. One of the five are Democrats are going to be appearing on the September primary election ballot. If you'd like to join our conversation, if you got a question for Senator Johnson, give us a call or Twin City area number is 227-6002 276 thousand. Side the Twin City area 1 800 to +422-828-227-6102 for 22828 weather forecast for the state of Minnesota partly cloudy through the afternoon, maybe some showers and thunder showers in the northern half of the state with highest today in the 80s the Twin Cities partly cloudy today with a high in the low eighties right now around the area. St. Cloud with a sunny Sky 75 Rochester Sunny and 75 with a sunny Sky 81 Sioux Falls sunny and 76 to a City temperature at 75 and skies are sunny. Lots of callers on the line with questions for Senator Johnson and X colors from Eden Prairie John. Go ahead. Hi, mr. Johnson. Hi John. I have to say that you're appearing that the more this campaign moves on as to be the most rational and I would say multilateral candidate the people I talked to say that more and more you make sense to me to minnesotans of varying political persuasion. So I just wanted to practice my question with that comment. I've been impressed with the rational approach to take to the issues that are presented to you. And the one that I'm concerned with specifically is crime. I've read the recent numbers that came out in Minnesota is falling behind in crime that they're we're getting worse and worse. We're quite quite a number of states are responsible for the for the decreases in crime and specifically I would like to hear more about how you would address the the dfl almost hysterical opposition to conceal carry reform which by the way seems to produce extreme. The results and all the other states that have adopted it and not a single state has found any of the problems that mr. Humphrey and others who who rant and Rave about to happen. So that being the case I'd like to hear about your overall crime initiatives then specifically about concealed carry and I'll hang up and listen. Let me just say that I think mr. Humphrey and mr. Freeman have a very inadequate the crime record in the state. I noted that mr. Humphrey. I yesterday is now calling for 5 new Criminal prosecutors off prosecutors in the Attorney General's office. I should he become governor. I wear has he been he's been Attorney General of for many years, he and mr. Freeman have been part of a crime policy that believes that incarceration should not be one of the priorities in the state. And as you know, I've selected Tom Foley the farmer Ramsey County attorney to be mileage. Governor running mate, he knows a lot more of the Criminal Justice System than I do. But I know I've had hearings on proposals that I've had for victims of crime for my part of Minnesota and it was very very difficult to get a good listening ear. It seemed that at times members of these committees were were more concerned about the criminals in the victims of the crime and I'm going to be a Democrat that's going to put Crime Control very high on my agenda and incarceration will be part of the total plan including prevention and education you go into the into Hennepin County you go on a Friday and you see all the prisoners that have to be released because of inadequate the jail space when I'm the governor. I will help the Metropolitan counties financially how to build probably a centralized jail and We have to get these serious criminals off the streets and I don't think that either mr. Freeman or mr. Humphrey have done a good job on that as far as this concealed carry legislation. I believe that that the authors of of the bill. I know it's true in the Senate have to double-check in the house. But in fact they are who they are women who are members of the house and the Senate who feel that the that the legislation is is reasonable. I challenged people to read the bill before they say they're against it it provides for firearm safety training. It excludes people have criminal records that excludes people who have mental illness. I think there's a lot of protections built-in there's over 30 states that have similar legislation and I'd rather see how guns in the hands of law-abiding citizens are rather than the criminals and I mean, it's no secret. That the drug dealers in the violent criminals do have guns and I do support the concealed weapons Bill otherwise law-abiding pretty decent people. They know they go get drunk or they get mad. They're having a bad day and they get cut off on the freeway. A lot of armed people doing something that they would otherwise not do but they get mad and start blasting away is in there that real possibility the law right now in Minnesota allows concealed weapons and it's up to the discretion of the local police chief and I believe there's been a lot of unfairness and who gets these permits and particularly women have had a hard time getting these permits and of course they space-face special problems. Turn on with the rapist in the muggers that are in our society and you know, I suppose it's never a perfect world but everything I've studied about this issue and I know it's a very emotionally should on both sides is that the facts are that in the over 30 states that have such legislation. It's not creating the kinds of problems that that that that you just mentioned but there is a real problem with the criminals that are using guns in our state and you know, we have a mandatory five-year sentencing law in Minnesota if you use a gun in the commission of a crime, but what's happening at the local level is with plea-bargaining many of these people aren't serving the time you have to steal six cars in Minnesota before you go to prison. I mean, it's just ridiculous. How about some of these liberal policies have have brought us? And so, you know, I'm going to be National but if we don't have a governor and an attorney general that lead on these issues we're going to have continued problems. We need stronger families. We need safer neighbourhoods. We need safer schools and we need a governor and attorney general to lead and I'm going to do that and I'm not going to back off willing to spend more money if necessary in terms of getting them or prosecutors more judges. Absolutely, you know, the the opponent's two more incarceration. Of course, they immediately throughout the fact that it cost more money and it does I think minnesotans are willing to pay more money to be safer and to have these very violent people in jail and prison and and not on the streets, you know, what never gets measured is the cost. To society and human beings into families because of the of the of the kinds of violence that they're creating the kinds of destruction of families with it with a new and more powerful drugs that are occurring in our society. I've been in Minneapolis. I've talked to former drug users and these powerful new drugs are destroying family after family after family. And yes, I'll come up with the money to to make our society and our state safer dfl gubernatorial candidate Doug Johnson, or guess the shower here on midday. If you have a question, give us a call 227-6000 or one 800-242-2828. By the way, we should mention over the noon hour today all this week. We've been focusing on welfare. All the candidates were interviewed in terms of their position on welfare. And of course, you've been hearing reports through the week on each of the candidates over the noon hour today. We're going to be broadcasting all those reports and then you'll have a chance to chat about that issue that's coming up over the noon hour today all of the candidates for Governor on the states welfare policy David your question, please good morning. I have a couple of questions. It would have been neighbors said that he hopes that trimester Johnson would not win the primary because he feels that he's too close to Norm Coleman when I wait for Norm Coleman to get elected and forgets the primary. So what distinguishes you from Norm Coleman secondly regarding their profiles of learning it seems to me that's a bureaucratic overlay on the school districts and not terribly different from what school district District's already are doing it considering the cross and Administration has been so hostile towards education. Why should we believe in that? Number one. I'm not going to focus on Norm Coleman at this point in in this campaign. I've got 31 days to try to be the Democratic nominee. I think I I will be and that's where my focus will be. I think more and more minnesotans are seeing that I'm the common sense average Minnesotan who should be the Democratic nominee on September 15th, as far as the profiles of learning. I did not come out in support of that without a lot of thought and in a lot of study the K through 12 educational finance bill did come to the send a TextMe which I chair and we had a very thorough discussion and Witnesses from the educational community that in my mind satisfied the many concerns I had about it. And so, you know, I think parents in Minnesota, they want higher standards of for the students. We know that Children have to learn more about technology and prepare for the 21st century. And I think that is one of a number of tools that we have to use to improve public education and I tell public Educators up cuz I was one we have to look in the mirror. We have to be willing to change, you know, we see more and more parents that want their children to go to private school or home schooling. And so I think it's a it's a signal that as good as Minnesota public schools. Are are we better be willing to change and so parents and students feel more comfortable in that public school setting other big education change that I was adopted last year the expanded tax credits and production program that allow parents to get a tutor for their child or buy a computer or something like it. Would you be in favor of continuing that the tax credit deduction program on a seat expanded. What what's your purpose? I know my position is different than mr. Freeman's I'm not sure what mr. Humphries position is, but I would not sign a bill that would repeal the tax credit on the Indian Krista deduction. We had a deduction in the law for many years. It was increased in the session is part of a compromise with the with the governor a Democratic Republic and compromise I voted for it. I don't plan to propose that it be expanded but that will not sign a bill that would repeal it. It was a a deal is a deal in my mind and I'm not going to go back on my word to the parents public-private homeschool. That might be using that Mike your next your question for Senator Johnson of Light Rail Transit now in Minneapolis, what are your views? Mr. Johnson on the expansion of this? Well, let me just say that I don't claim to be an expert in in the whole area of Light Rail Transit. I have visit my brother in Portland, Oregon. It seems to be working very well there. I don't know the amounts of public subsidy required. I've been telling Minnesotan said I'm going to to name the most qualified women or men to three positions in Minnesota. Not that the other appointments won't be good to go. But when will be the Met Council, you know, I'm from real Minnesota and maybe it's going to take a governor from real Minnesota to bring some new life and vision into some of the problems in the Met met Council. So, you know, if you folks have good ideas about who would be a good ahead of the med console. I'd certainly be open to that. You know, you have particularly unique problems in the metropolitan area transportation crime your school's the sprawl at Sakura. I just read about Woodbury this morning. I've traveled through that it's nearly to the st. Croix River. No almost swallowing up Afton. And so I want a strong met council person. I want a very strong mission of Transportation. It's a Statewide problem. We have to figure out what the right combination of Light Rail commuter rail highways and buses years and then education course up. I will I will find it a very very strong a commissioner of of that department. I did support the Hiawatha Avenue Avenue Corridor project supported the funding for that and am open to more light rail when I'm convinced that it makes economic sense. Pamelo your question. My question to mr. Johnson with your comment about the Met Council, but even more specific, I am concerned about spa and also concerned about affordable housing in the fact that the current Council doesn't enforce any of the affordable housing plans that particular out of ring Superman communities are making and a lot of us feel that the Metropolitan Council on the problem is in part because it's appointed and it's not an elected body is not accountable to the taxpayers who are funding the programs for which the Met Council distributes funds and my question is would you support the election of the Met council is governor in 73 when I voted for an amendment on the floor of the House of Representatives for an elected Metro Council. Yes, I would support and sign a bill for an elected Metro Council. We might want to look at if there's any duplication of other kinds of agencies that we might be able to merge in some way in the metropolitan area because How to get too much too many layers of government but I would sign a bill for Anna elected to Metro Council and and I would I would work very carefully and bring very very good people in to that met Council. I think it's critical for the for the longtime economic future of the metropolitan area and the state, you know, one of the things that as I've said so many times I've lived in the metro area for many years. I mean, I used to live by the university in an apartment building on sidewalk level in the 1970s and I felt safe too many people now living in in in in some parts of the metropolitan area. Don't feel safe anymore. I've seen the changes the bumper to bumper traffic we didn't have back in the in the 70s when I first came to the to the legislature. I'm hearing more from parents. They want improvements in their schools. So I will be PA Governor that will work hard for the for the metro area, but also be a governor that understands real Minnesota and I don't think enough of the books living in the myth bottom part of Minnesota right now. I'm any of them who of course moved from rural communities throughout the state understand the hardships that are going on in World Minnesota right now the diseases to the crops in the northern Red River Valley 104 Farmers is predicted to go out of business. If you go into the South or the West in the farm country of Minnesota others great despair with the prices of a both livestock and and Grain and I'm really concerned that we're going to see many of these small real communities a die in once a farm dies once a small world city dies, it's Dad rarely. Does it get built up? So that's why I'm the only candidate. Who's been saying and I written Governor Carlson and said we need a special legislative session this fall to try to address the crisis that's happening in the farm country of Minnesota in Minnesota can remember when the governor called the legislature back about a year ago for a special session on baseball and we were there and I told her for a few days in November for a few days and nothing was settled but I've called in the governor to get a group of experts together and see if there are some short-term things that we can help. So that farmers are not losing their land that communities are not losing their schools. And it's it's a real crisis again. If we can have a special session for base are we can have a special session for the for the real people that are hurting and culture parts of this state yesterday. We we did a program on a problem that seems again. Back not only the Twin City area, but all of Minnesota affordable housing people can't find a place to live that they can afford and in some cases. They can't find a place to live. What would Governor Johnson do about that? You know at this point. I don't have a a specific plan other than I know it's a huge problem throughout Minnesota and in some parts of Minnesota. The reason it's a problem is because many of the new jobs that have been created are not good paying jobs. They don't pay enough for for a family to make a down payment on a house or to make the make the payments. I have initiated efforts in the in the legislature to lower the property taxes on a rental property as an example. I hope that does create some additional up housing in in the state. I will have a specific proposal for the legislature with c Involving between the public and private sector to get more affordable housing in our state. I hope more employers will also get involved in helping to build an assist their employees in in building housing for Minnesota as well. That's what happened to Gary in the iron mines areas of Minnesota to Goodwin taconite plants. Where is the employer actually assisted the employee and getting affordable housing neck your question for Center Johnson notice in the newspaper the other day on education that I thought you ducked a little bit on the question of length of school year and length of school day in terms of saying leave it to the local authorities, and I'd like to hear you talk a little bit more about that could certainly the governor would play a role in policy on that issue and it seems to me that our Current school day, for example, at least in the metro area could be well extended. So kids aren't turned loose or without parents at home at 1:30 in the afternoon. I think there may be things that could be done to make you sad those facilities that we pay a lot of money to build to make them a real Community Asset to help our young people not only just straighten a limited time. They're in school and the same thing for the school year. I think that our school system is based on the 19th century agrarian kind of economy. And obviously we've moved many parts of the state beyond that and I appreciate the desire to have some local control my own experience with our Minneapolis School Board is not always been the best and I guess I is a policy issue just to say what I'll leave it up to the local authorities seems to be perhaps not as I got the kind of leadership. I know that you could offer so I'd like to hear you talk a bit more about that. Well, of course, you know that I'm experienced an education and and believe that I could be a governor that leads up in that area is I totally agree with you that we have to use these expensive school buildings to a greater extent quickly with children who come home after school and and there's no one there. Like when I used to come home from school, my mom would have milk and cookies and those days are kind of gone, but I am inclined to propose to the legislature that that the legislature not micromanage the money that goes out as much there will be a substantial increase in the funding for K through 12 education under a Johnson fully Administration, but I'm inclined to increase the general education formula by inflation and the other aide programs. I buy the inflation rate to have some special operations in the area of Head Start and early childhood family education. But but not what requirements like length of the school day starting time length of the school year. I would like to believe that maybe I'm too idealistic ride liked on this show me I'd like to believe that the local school districts if they're involving the parents like they should I will have the best solution for how those children can learn in that school district. You know, what works in Minneapolis may not working, New Ulm and may not work in Woodbury. So that's kind of where I'm coming from but you know, I did say earlier that one of the most critical positions that that I will be naming is someone that will be a real leader in the education field a woman or a man that Real real strong credentials and and I'm open to the best ways to improve education time for at least one more call her bill. Alluded to the answer to my question, but I'll ask one of them. Anyways, are you in favor of giving more autonomy to the local school districts in school? And the reason that I had that is that when I was studying education to become a teacher and we were studying evaluation and assessment. One of the things they pointed out is that it's very difficult to compare grade sometimes even within a school. Mr. Johnson, the social studies teacher includes attendance and his grade whereas mr. Smith. He only does a class project and therefore those two A's that a student might get in each respective teachers class mean two totally different things. And then if you expand that out to schools and school districts and States, it's very hard to come up with a National Standard was wondering if you would be interested in putting more State control over such things as outcomes or requirements or some sort of standardization. Live supported Innovation education. I supported the post-secondary options program Open Enrollment. I supported a charter schools. I supported and which gave different kinds of opportunities to the different students directly. Do I think there should be more State Authority or control know I think that I could work with the Senate education Finance chair Center Pulga Miller and the House Church represented Becky Kelso and and come up with more flexible ways to to improve our educational system in Minnesota rather than putting a barriers in the way. So that would be my Approach less barriers and make our state government more customer-friendly Gary I get so frustrated when you try to call a state agency and you get these answering machines and it's happening more in the private sector to I want a state Governor. Were you can talk to a human being in these agencies? It's unbelievable for me as a state senator for the average tax paying citizen. They must really get frustrated in and give up. You know yesterday. I said, let's abolish these emission test in the seven County Metropolitan their I've studied I'm convinced. It's a stupid lock and the commissioner of Public Safety. Mr. Davis said, well, we haven't had any complaints on it. Well, I mean, that's the problem go out and talk to the people the moms that have to make special arrangements for their children. Will they get their cars inspected and the loopholes in Matlock, you know, people aren't calling and complaining because they've given up doesn't do any good to complain and I'm going to have a taxpayer customer-friendly state government when I'm the governor and I'm going to make sure that I human being at least half of the time answer the telephone and when it ring they do in my office send a text committee office almost, invariably, Utah. Human being is one of my rules and we have reduced the size of the complement and in my office by 40% over the past five years so we can be done and you can still have better taxpayer service just about out of time here, but you know, they we keep hearing that even though we've got such an interesting and Lively race for governor. I mean all these big-name cabinets involved yourself included. Nobody's going to vote this year. What it what what what what would you do if anything to try to Spur interest in? Public affairs in the state. I think we have to have leadership that restores the faith of the of the people in their in their leader as you know, exactly how you do that. I think it's sad try to help the voters feel comfortable with you that they can trust you but having said that there won't be a very big voter turnout and it's kind of a tragedy because in a democracy of the more involvement the better I think part of the reason is that the lot of minnesotans have become frustrated with a to organize political parties. They've seen the Democratic party move too far left. They seen the Republican move too far to the right and I just kind of frustrated they go to these conventions they get frustrated. And so I just been talking as a Minnesotan an average Minnesotan and not endorse but you either political party just one in the end. One of the people on September 15th to be an average Minnesotan with a common sense agenda for Minnesota a big heart and a common sense will tell her we're out of time but I sure appreciate your coming by today and good luck with your campaign this hour dfl gubernatorial candidate Doug Johnson state senator from Tower longtime chair of the Senate tax committee part of our meet-the-candidates series as we get ready for the September 15th primary. This is midday coming through on Minnesota Public Radio and will continue after this announcement.