State House Candidates Paul Rosenthal, Terry Jacobson on the Issues

Terry Jacobson (R) and Paul Rosenthal (DFL) were among participants as the League of Women Voters of Edina held its first candidate forum of the 2012 election cycle last week.

Discussion topics ranged from light rail transit to the unionization of daycare workers, as the two House District 49B candidates made their cases to potential voters.

Here's a quick rundown of where they weighed in on the major issues during the Sept. 19 LWVE forum at the Edina Community Center.

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What measures would you support to reduce the state deficit and pay money back to school districts?

Paul Rosenthal: Said he expects a $4 billion deficit in 2014, as the current Legislature didn't balance the budget. Said he's consider all budget cuts possible before considering any sort of revenue generation. "A tax on Internet sales could bring in about $300 million in the biennium." 

Terry Jacobson: Thinks we need to focus on keeping current biennial budget static, then use anticipated increased revenue as a way to pay back school funding shifts. "With a focus on increasing revenue through more private sector activity, we'll have more surpluses there."

What's your position on the two proposed constitutional amendments on ballots? 

Jacobson: In terms of marriage amendment, said her position is she's "happy voters get to vote on this." Thinks outcome either way will spur additional dialogue. As for Voter ID, she's happy it's on ballots and noted, "We need to have voter integrity."

Rosenthal: "I think putting constitutional amendments on ballots is bad public policy in general." On marriage amendment, said he doesn't want to see discrimination put into state constitution. Sees Photo ID amendment as "a bill that's halfway done" that "restricts peoples' access to voting."

What will you do to work across the aisle with opposing party to get something accomplished?

Rosenthal: Said it's vital the Legislature does this next session. Mentioned how in his first term in the House of Representatives he tried to co-author as many bipartisan bills as he could.

Jacobson: Thinks it's an issue that needs to be worked on, on a daily basis. "People want problems solved in a way that's beneficial to our state." Said it's important solutions are reached where both parties can walk out feeling like they got a "win."

Would you support the development of a state-based health insurance exchange rather than waiting for the federal government to react?

Jacobson: It depends on the type of insurance exchange. Noted she would prefer a free market exchange type of entity. "Minnesota should be held up as an example for other states. I fear that'd be compromised if we have to use a federal model.

Rosenthal: The Affordable Care Act isn't a perfect bill, but argued it does some great things. "The purpose is to bring down costs. The more people who are covered and get preventative care, that saves us a ton of money when they go to emergency care."

What should the next Legislature do to promote more jobs in Minnesota?

Rosenthal: Was disappointed Gov. Dayton's bonding bill wasn't approved, as it was a time when money was never cheaper. "We should've been bonding to the max to fix roads, sewers and our transportation system." Said we need to support small companies, nurture them to make sure they have the sort of investment they need to move forward.

Jacobson: The private sector is the engine that grows jobs, so we need to make sure our state is business friendly. "States around us have lower corporate income tax and lower barriers to entry. "I'm not happy where we are in terms of the ability to grow jobs here."

What should be the role of the state in public transit?

Jacobson: We need to use money in the most effective way possible, getting max return on the dollars we invest. We have an unlimited need, but limited resources.

Rosenthal: The more we can get people to and from jobs and good to and from market, the better it is. The government definitely has a role to play.

What actions are necessary to responds to the changing demographics in Minnesota, particularly its aging population?

Rosenthal: It's clear we're aging. It's going to be a challenge to take care of aging parents and friends with a smaller generation. It should include private/public partnerships and "all of us pitching in to make the best of a bad situation."

Jacobson: Part of the aging population would be best served by making sure we have families who stay in Minnesota. States like South Dakota are booming because of their corporate tax rate. "People leaving our state will not help the older generation."

Should setting a budget or evaluating the current level of government come first?

Jacobson: We have to have a clear understanding of revenues, tax collection coming in before we set our budget. We need to set that budget, according to those dollars. "Not all the time should we go back to taxpayers to ask for more money."

Rosenthal: Would need to look at what's needed first, then do the budgeting. Said duplicate services need to be trimmed. 

What would you do to fix our changing climate and get bipartisan solutions to climate problems?

Rosenthal: I believe climate change is real and is happening around us every day. We need to look for ways to further reduce carbon emissions, especially in coal. "It's going to take a collaborative effort to figure out what sources of energy are the most healthy for our environment."

Jacobson: I think we need to always focus on the market and what it will bear. She is leery of "picking winners and losers and subsidizing energy."

What's your position with respect to state education vouchers?

Jacobson: Vouchers are crucial for parents who don't have the means to pay for a certain level of education. We don't have time to wait for the education system to figure it out. "Until we can get a handle on it, I think we owe it to parents to have that option, whether charter schools or vouchers."

Rosenthal: I think public tax dollars should go to public schools. Vouchers take money away from people who need it most, like inner city kids. Focus should be on early childhood education, making sure they have the tools necessary to enter kindergarten. "To me, vouchers 'no,' public schools 'yes.'"

Who do you think should make changes regarding bullying, the state or individual school systems?

Rosenthal: I'd support both. I think school districts have the best handle on what's going on day-to-day, but the state has a role in providing a guideline for bullying. "It does exist everyone. It's a real problem and we should attack it in all ways available to us."

Jacobson: Agrees with Rosenthal, but thinks focus should be more at the local level. "Bullying in one school could be quickly changed, but you can't regulate at the state level. Schools should handle it on an individual basis.

What do you see as the role of public education in producing an educated electorate and workforce?

Jacobson: We have to make sure it's effective and efficient. If you live in a school district that's performing at a high level, that's wonderful. But not all schools are performing at that level. "When a school is failing a child, we have to make sure that child has other options." 

Rosenthal: As a whole, we've not kept up with inflation. Investing in schools has always meant higher wages for all Minnesotans in the end, but we've been failing our colleges and universities.

What are your solutions to lower the cost of post-secondary education?

Rosenthal: We need to invest in our universities. The University of Minnesota spits out hundreds of corporations every year, but we need to make sure schools get part of that revenue. "Employers want an educated workforce."

Jacobson: Thinks online schools will help lower the cost of post-secondary education. Said she likes the idea of having more market driven options, which "will reduce overall costs if colleges have to compete for students."

Do you support the construction of the southwest light rail line?

Jacobson: It's difficult to get on board with this project, particularly in terms of costs. I don't support that project at this point. $125 million to build it is a huge dollar amount. "Would we be better off spending those dollars in other areas of transit?"

Rosenthal: I support it 100 percent. It's a 90/10 match with the federal government. "Getting people to and from work in the most efficient way is something we need to be conscious of." We should look at all forms of transportation, but light rail gets the most people to the most places the fastest and quickest. It will hopefully relieve some congestion on our highways at the same time.

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