Issue Position: What I Will Work for as Your Senator

Issue Position

JOBS … Minnesota businesses cannot be expected to drive the engine of full employment given that today they are burdened with the third highest corporate tax rate in the world. Every dollar saved by a reduction incorporate taxes is a dollar earned by Minnesota business -- money that can be reinvested in hiring additional employees.

GOVERNMENT … It is not unreasonable to require both our state and national governments to operate within its means. The limited, legitimate functions of government (such as defense, and the maintenance of roads and bridges) at all levels will continue but must be constrained. It is also time that Minnesota remove this state's frivolous fees, fines, forms, taxes, permits, regulations … endless paperwork. This unnecessary bureaucracy clearly prevents new businesses from establishing themselves in Minnesota, and slows the growth of our state's existing business.

TAXES … Tax revenue must never be used to redistribute wealth or to fund special interest groups. The purpose of income tax is to fund the legitimate functions of government …period. What's really needed is an overall rework of Minnesota's tax code.

HEALTHCARE … Healthcare reform is needed in Minnesota, but any reform must result in a healthcare system that empowers patients and doctors to discuss options before making life-changing decisions is required. The Minnesota State Legislature can do its part to make quality health care more affordable and accessible by creating a business climate that encourages companies from other states to compete.

EDUCATION … Education is a fundamental tool to cultivate a literate and prosperous society. We need a K-12 policy that centers on local control and respects the right of parents to choose the manner in which their children are educated. A core curriculum with an emphasis on math, reading, writing, physical education, music, art and authentic American History should be a priority.

ENERGY AND THE ENVIRONMENT … Existing unnecessary regulatory burdens only drive up the cost of energy are ineffective at preserving the environment for future generations. Market-driven incentives must be employed in both the extraction and refining of coal, oil and natural gas in order to make our state, and our country, energy independent.

IMMIGRATION … Minnesota has and always will continue to welcome immigrants while encouraging assimilation. Laws favoring any one group for hiring and/or state benefits must be eliminated.

PRO-LIFE POSITION … I believe that life begins at conception and ends at natural death. Life is our first unalienable right and must be protected by the state at all costs. State and local governments have no Constitutional right to subsidize clinics that promote and provide abortions with taxpayer funds.

MARRIAGE … The traditional family … whereby children are raised by a both a mother and father who are committed to life-long marriage … is critical to the maintenance of our civil society, and must be protected.

THE CONSTITUTION … All state and federal office holders -- both elected and appointed -- must be held accountable to the original intent of both the Minnesota State Constitution and US Constitution. Every attempt must be made to resist legislation that does not comply with our state and federal constitutions.

JUDGES … Minnesotans must retain the right to freely elect their state's judges.

ELECTION INTEGRITY … Voting is a fundamental American right. Our efforts in this arena should include our commitment to maintain and protect the integrity of our election process.

FAITH … Faith provides the moral fabric that both secures and maintains our civil society. Any and all attempts to reduce, control or eliminate the free speech, and/or right to worship, of our state's citizens must be vigorously resisted.

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