DECISION 2022
In an effort to keep you, our readers, well-informed and abreast of relevant issues, today is the 10th in a series of questions we are asking all of Steele County’s candidates for state office.
We want voters to know where each candidate stands on the issues in order to make their best decision at the ballot box.
Each week, we’ll ask the candidates a new question. They will all receive the same question, be given a word limit and a deadline of four days to answer. We’ll publish their answers the following Wednesday; responses may be edited for length.
The series will continue through Nov. 2, the last Wednesday before the Nov. 8 general election.
If a candidate doesn’t respond, we’ll note that.
This week, we’re asking about individual goals:
Let’s get a little more personal. You’re all representing Steele County, though in slightly different territories. While we recognize you’re still just one vote within the Minnesota Legislature, what Steele County-specific issue are you most interested in presenting to your fellow lawmakers, with an eye toward awareness or change?
What one issue within Steele County are you most interested in presenting to your fellow lawmakers, with an eye toward awareness or change?
The limit was 250 words.
We advise you to ignore the R or DFL behind each name and reflect only on the answers. You might be surprised to find more common ground than you expected. An (i) indicates the incumbent candidate, though with this spring’s redistricting, the district numbers may not align with the seat they’re seeking.
Minnesota House District 19B
Abdulahi Ali Osman – DFL, of Owatonna:
No response.
John Petersburg – R (i-24A), of Waseca:
The expansion of the waste water treatment plant in Owatonna is the one bonding issue we were unable to get across the finish line this past year. It will be one of my priorities next year. While that issue is specific to Steele County, there is another issue that is important to Steele County along with most greater Minnesota counties, that is the reimbursement rate for assisted living and nursing homes. With the Baby Boomers retiring, the number of people needing this service are increasing beyond the level of current funding and the way we fund it. This needs to be re-evaluated and corrected. The current funding mechanism has not kept up with the increased cost of staffing and providing the service.
Minnesota House District 23A
Peggy Bennett – R (i-27A), of Albert Lea:
House District 23A includes the city of Ellendale, along with five southern Steele County townships. I have greatly enjoyed chatting with people from these areas and have loved attending their community gatherings. Just a few weeks ago, I attended a community meeting in Ellendale concerning the potential closure of a railroad crossing in Berlin Township. I heard from city and township leaders, local farmers, and law-enforcement. It is quite evident that this proposed closure is not a good idea for the area. I am working to help local government leaders on this issue. As I have listened to people from this southernmost part of Steele County, there are recurring themes. By far, the most common issue I hear from these residents is high Minnesota taxes. They want to see lower income and property taxes. They would especially like to see the end of Minnesota’s Social Security tax. These locals are concerned, especially in this time of high inflation, about being able to afford to put food on their tables and gas into their vehicles. Many are farmers and are worried about affording critical items like fertilizer and fuel for their farm equipment. Whether farm or city folk, all of these southern Steele County residents would like to keep more of their earnings in their own pocketbooks to help afford the high cost of living. Along with other relevant issues for the area, my main message for my fellow lawmakers is that Steele County residents want significant tax relief!
Mary Hinnenkamp – DFL, of Albert Lea:
Since I began this race to represent Minnesota House 23A, I have personally knocked on nearly every door in all of the 24 cities in the district: Elmore to Glenville, Ellendale to Emmons. This is an effort of 4-7 hours a day, 6-7 days a week, from May - August. My husband Ted has been invaluable in this effort. Why? I think when someone wants to represent people, she needs to show up, tell folks who she is, what she wants to do, and ask what the community concerns are. I have heard many concerns at the doors: rising property taxes, lack of affordable day care, lack of staffing at nursing homes, poor broadband, no emergency leave for workers, lack of funding for public education, health care costs, supports so seniors can age in place, climate change, and more LGA funding for local projects. Recently Owatonna passed a resolution recommended by the Coalition for Greater Minnesota Cities, asking the Governor to pass a special session. The city is in a tough spot to offset the cost of the Wastewater Treatment Plant expansion which would have been covered in a tax bill and bonding bill. I heard similar stories in Bricelyn (they counted on money for roads), Ellendale (money for schools). When my opponent says, these things can wait for next session, she is wrong. If in office now, I would be pushing for the special session to tend to the needs of Steele County and the whole district.
Minnesota House District 23B
Patricia Mueller – R (i-27B), of Austin:
Though Blooming Prairie and Blooming Prairie Township will be a new area to my district should I be re-elected, I have not waited to be present and involved. I have attended a Blooming Prairie Chamber of Commerce meeting, the grand opening of the Leo Augusta Childcare center, the spring auction for the Blooming Prairie Education Foundation, RibFest, and a Blooming Prairie City Council meeting. During these times I hear from real people about their real concerns and priorities.
I heard that education is valued in Blooming Prairie. It is my goal to make sure the state provides a more balanced form of funding for our schools outside of the metro area and allows more pathways to graduation. We must encourage and provide more authentic experiences for our students outside of the classroom like apprenticeships and on-the-job training.
I heard that childcare is imperative, especially for those who want to return to the workforce. This means we need to provide as many options for parents to find the best fitting care, whether through a child care center like Leo or a family child care provider.
Finally, Blooming Prairie wants a vibrant and thriving business community. We must support our local businesses because they invest so much back into our community. I have been endorsed both by the MN Chamber of Commerce and NFIB and have a strong pro-businesses voting record. Limiting overbearing mandates and encouraging entrepreneurship is vital.
It is important to have unique representation.
Tom Stiehm – DFL, of Austin:
The one issue I believe I can be most effective at is support for Law Enforcement. During the last hiring process for the Austin Police Department, we had one applicant. This is for a list that can be used for 2 years. In the past we have had between 80 to 100 applicants. In outstate Minnesota, most people are happy with their police and sheriff departments. Right now, morale has never been lower for law enforcement officers. All politicians claim to be pro-police, but then they support rioters who injured and killed police. Many support a party who are now calling FBI agents criminals. We need politicians who will crest a path to restoring our faith in the rule of law, and leaders who support this path. As a retired Austin police officer, I will make this my number one priority.
Minnesota Senate District 19
Kate Falvey – DFL, of Faribault:
As an awareness project, I would like to promote the work of the Steele County Historical Society. The school programs, tours, and events available at the various SCHS sites and facilities are a valuable asset to Steele County. Supporting those programs should be not only something the public take pride in doing, but also the legislature.
Learning the stories of founders and how our communities developed is essential for future planning and expansion. We cannot know how to best move forward without also knowing how we got to where we are now.
In conjunction with this awareness, I would like to ensure the health of “Downtown” Steele County.
Restoring and maintaining downtown buildings in all communities of Steele County & District 19 will be a high priority for me, should I be elected. Having solid, safe, and inviting structures and introducing incentives for small businesses to move into those structures will keep our SD19 communities strong financially and culturally and encourage growth.
John Jasinksi – R (i-24), of Faribault:
Well, people who know me might say I would have a tough time answering that question. There are so many issues that I work on in St. Paul that effect our district and each one I think is so important. But in an effort to answer the question, I would say we need to focus on the economy. I talked with an enormous amount of people who are very concerned about the economy and record-breaking inflation, not only across the nation, but right here in Minnesota.
People are struggling with increased prices for heating and electric costs, increasing property taxes, high gas prices, grocery costs across the board, and almost every daily product costs. I am sometimes a creature of habit, and frequently go through the McDonalds drive thru for breakfast. Yesterday, I paid $7.22 for my usual morning choice. I remember just over a year ago the price for that same item was $5.24; that is a 38% increase. Pick your item, and everyone can give examples of this huge increase we all see in almost all product prices.
Today I read the newspaper and read that California has voted to approve stringent rules that would ban the sale of new gasoline cars by 2035 and set interim targets to phase the cars out. Because Governor Walz has implemented the California Emissions standards, it is eminent that Minnesota will have to follow similar emissions standards. Examples like this, just keep the price increases happening right here in Minnesota.
Minnesota Senate District 23
Gene Dornink – R (i-27), of Brownsdale:
Steele County residents have been faced with record breaking inflation over the past year. We have seen and felt those impacts at the gas pump and at the grocery store buying the essential everyday items we need for our family. It is past due for hard-working Minnesotans to receive meaningful tax relief. Minnesota’s lowest tax bracket is higher than the highest tax bracket in 17 states. I will prioritize lowering the income tax rate and eliminating all taxes on Social Security and retirement incomes. You deserve to have more money going directly to you to help combat rising costs.
Minnesotans have worked hard for their money, and they deserve to keep it in their pockets. I will prioritize meaningful tax relief that helps support your family budgets. Furthermore, I want to hear what issues are important to you! Please feel free to send me an email at sen.gene.dornink@senate.mn.
Brandon Lawhead – DFL, of Austin:
No response.
Next week’s question
Classes are back in session throughout the state – the first “real” school year since 2018-19. In a classic example of not doing their own homework, legislators went home without passing a bill that would help fund education in the state, even working with a record-breaking $9.2 billion budget surplus. It’s presumed the Minnesota Legislature will take another crack at it this session.
What do you consider non-negotiable in an education bill; that is, what must or must not be included in order for you to vote in favor of a new bill?
There is a 250-word limit.