In the newly-created State House District 29A (see map below) DFLer Susann Dye is challenging Republican Joe McDonald. The winner will serve Annandale and South Haven residents as well as those who live in Corinna, Southside, Albion, French Lake and an area generally south and east of Annandale.
Susann Dye (DFL): Susann Dye, 47, is the DFL endorsed candidate for the House District 29A seat. Dye lives in Franklin Township with her husband Ben. She has a Bachelor of Science degree in Education and a Bachelor of Arts in Studio Arts. Dye currently works for the Minneapolis Star and Tribune as their advertising contract administrator. This is Dye’s first attempt running for office.
1. I am running for office because I want to support our hard working people, farmers, and local small businesses in Wright County. We need to make a move to the middle and focus on the bread and butter issues we all face, the kinds of issues we all agree impact the prosperity of our area and the state. I want to represent all of you; my agenda in the state legislature will be your agenda.
2. I work with a variety of people in sales, legal, finance, and information technology in my contract administration position. This has proven to me that people from a variety of backgrounds can work together and achieve a common goal. I will bring these skills to St. Paul where they are sorely needed.
3. We have already made very serious cuts to the state budget. We need to support the middle class and small business that create most jobs in our state in order to build our tax base. There are a number of jobs bills that have been proposed, which should be our top priority next legislative session. These bills would support small business, improve workforce development, and invest in infrastructure.
4. We need to pay back the huge debt that we owe our schools and also increase state aid this is the best way to narrow the funding gap between school districts. We should not rely on property taxes for most school funding because that is the main source of the funding gap between school districts that vary widely in tax base wealth. Equalization funding can help, but Minnesota’s track record of keeping up with funding in that category is dismal.
5. Yes. I believe in broad-based, comprehensive property tax relief that will stimulate not undermine greater Minnesota’s economy. Cuts to property tax relief programs and local government aid have hit rural businesses, rural property owners and farmers hard. I would not have voted to eliminate the Market Value Homestead Credit.
6. The most important issues facing the prosperity of this state is that of creating jobs and long term prosperity for the state of Minnesota. We can do this by improving our infrastructure and working with the private sector. One way to create jobs would be that of lifting restrictions on permitting that would allow a major steel mill to be built up at the Iron Range. This would create thousands of construction worker jobs and hundreds of permanent jobs for years to come. We can bring jobs back from overseas by encouraging the private sector to take advantage of emerging technology. Sixty percent of anhydrous ammonia used by farmers to fertilize their crops is produced outside of the United States, we can create it here locally at a lower cost than importing it with new ready to go technology that is entirely green. This would benefit our farmers and create jobs. There is plenty of opportunity for job growth in Minnesota if we just move to the middle and work together at the State Capitol
7. I support all Minnesotans having access to affordable health care; and I would support the state taking steps on its own to improve the health care of its citizens. The state has already taken action regarding the federal Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act. This has resulted in more Minnesotans having access to health care.
8. Yes, I am satisfied with the system that was put in place to determine distribution of the funds.
9. I believe we should invest in our infrastructure including both roads and bridges and mass transit. I will work with other legislators to make sure our area is treated fairly. Keeping up with transportation needs not only provides for the future welfare of our state this also creates needed jobs.
10. We should not be using the State Constitution to legislate. The amendment process should be reserved for bigger, broader, all inclusive ideas we can all agree are important for the state of Minnesota. For example, is either of these amendments important to us all like our First Amendment rights are? We all can agree we need to protect freedom of speech. Amendments to the State Constitution should be held to this high standard and promote legislation that is beneficial to all of our citizens.
11. I do share that view. If elected I will work with all legislators regardless of party affiliations to do the best job possible for my constituents. I will use my experience working with people from a variety of backgrounds to find common ground in our state Legislature. The most important solutions to our state’s problems can be found simply by focusing on our constituents needs.
12. All of the bills would focus on job creation, small business growth and education.
Joe McDonald (R): McDonald, 46, is the Republican endorsed candidate for the House District 29A seat. McDonald lives in Delano with his wife Rachel and three children Alex, Jacob and Aiden. McDonald is a master photographer and has owned McDonald’s Studio in Delano for 24 years. He is a graduate of Normandale Community College and Hennepin Technical College. McDonald was elected to the Minnesota House of Representatives two years ago, representing district 19B. He now is running for the District 29A seat. McDonald was mayor of Delano for four years and a Delano councilman for seven years. McDonald is a member of many Delano civic organizations including the Lions, Knights of Columbus, Jaycees, chamber of commerce, Sons of the American Legion and the Delano Economic Development Authority.
1. I am seeking re-election because I believe my experience both inside and outside of St. Paul make me the most qualified candidate in this election. Over the past two years, I’ve listened to, and fought for the families and businesses of Wright County. I have a record of cutting wasteful spending, reducing unnecessary government regulations, and lowering the tax burden that is hindering the growth of our economy and the prosperity that Minnesotan families once enjoyed. The most important reason for running in this election is my dedication to public service. I’m proud of my history in serving the great citizens of Delano and Wright County, and I would be honored to serve them once again.
2. My experience outside of St. Paul as a small business owner gives me the ability to find creative solutions to the many problems Minnesota faces. I understand that small businesses are the engine of economic growth, therefore we must foster an economic climate within our state for a stronger Minnesota.
3. I do not support tax increases when faced with a budget deficit. I am a believer when faced with a deficit you cut spending not increase taxes. Minnesota’s General Fund spending is projected to increase 8 percent in the next fiscal year, 2014-’15. I believe if we hold the line on all projected spending and reform programs especially in Health and Human Services, we will balance future budgets.
4. We have to start by paying back the promised funding we are currently withholding from school districts. I am proud of my legislative colleagues who worked tirelessly to make this a reality in the past two sessions. To build on that, we have to scale back on unfunded mandates the state imposes on its schools. I believe in local control of government, meaning that parents and their teachers know what’s best for the students, not a bureaucrat in St. Paul. Fiscal disparities within our school districts must be reformed.
5. I co-authored a bill this year that would eliminate the business property tax through attrition. Letting businesses keep more of their money allows them to reinvest which can and will create jobs. It also sets Minnesota to be competitive with neighboring states.
6. We need to continue to fight for lower taxes and spending that can add fuel to economic growth. Government takes too much out of the private sector to fund inefficient programs that the private sector could carry out on its own much more efficiently. By allowing business owners and families to keep more of their hard-earned pay check, we can begin to create jobs and become a competitive state for potential employers.
7. I am strongly opposed to the federal government’s attempt to take over our health care system. History has proven that the best health care is offered to patients in a free market, not by a government program. In the end, we simply cannot afford the costs and its tax increases in this economic climate. A Republican led majority in the legislature will continue to fight to protect Minnesotans from the federal power grab.
8. The Legacy Act was sold as a tax to help restore and clean Minnesota’s rivers and lakes. I believe we need to focus more on our mission to do so. With that said, I believe it is better for Minnesotans to keep more of their hard earned dollars to spend on what ever they think best, not the government.
9. Minnesotans expects good roads and bridges. It is the state’s responsibility to ensure we have safe roads to travel on. I do not support mass transit such as the Northstar. It is too costly, before, during and after its completion. We need to stop spending money on light rail and divert those funds on state roads and bridges.
10. I co-authored and supported both bills that allows Minnesotans to decide if marriage should be between one man and one woman, and whether the state should require voter IDs at the polls. I would like to see a Constitutional Amendment that would require a two-thirds vote in order to raise taxes.
11. Minnesota lawmakers work together on many nonpartisan issues that are for the common good. Because it is not controversial, or so called "news worthy," the media doesn’t report it. That is a shame and Minnesotans deserve better. There are several issues that both parties are principled in their beliefs and simply can not budge. I don’t think we want our politicians to be flip-flopping just so they can "get along." There are issues and areas to compromise and important issues to be principled and hold true, that is the beauty of our republic.
12. I would support any bills that would reform government, reduce spending and re-grow Minnesota with jobs and economic prosperity.
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