Longtime incumbent, newcomer face off in District 23A
By Josh Moniz, The Free Press, Mankato, Minn. | |
McClatchy-Tribune Information Services |
Gunther
Gunther, a
He previously served as assistant majority leader, assistant minority leader and assistant whip during his time in
He said he is focused on growing jobs and addressing the state's crumbling transportation infrastructure. He said he also prioritizes seeking new state funding to help nursing homes and assisted-living facilities meet their needs, such as assistance with utility and insurance bills.
Bacon
Bacon, a
She said she is focusing on improving the state transportation system, growing jobs and addressing issues with health care in
Major issues
On the issue of the state's transportation funding gap, Gunther and Bacon share views on the possibility of a new gas tax and their interest in bringing a mixed approach to addressing the funding issue.
Gunther said he wants the state's funding gap addressed by special transportation bonding. However, he supports a new gas tax if bonding is not possible in the next legislation session. He said he does not consider a wholesale gas tax to be different from a gas tax because the cost is inevitably passed on to users at the pump. He said he opposes a mileage tax, especially because it disproportionately impacts people who commute to their job.
"It's important we do something to ensure safety and grow jobs. I don't want to be picking our roads up by the handfuls," Gunther said.
Bacon supports proposals for a new gas tax. However, she said a comprehensive approach is needed to fully address the issue. She said she supports increasing DWI fines and dedicating state vehicle leasing fees to transportation projects.
Comparatively, the candidates were more divided over the issue of the state's MNsure program and its various rollout problems.
Bacon said she would never repeal nor replace the state program. Instead, she said she would focus on legislation to ensure the program's website's ability to handle the public demand and make sure competitive plans are available.
Gunther said he opposes the implementation of the federal law and the state's program. He said he would like to see the program repealed because he worries it will negatively impacts the quality of
However, he said he will not seek the law's repeal, instead focusing on improving the MNsure program. He said the best way to address the program's issues is to work on reducing the overall cost of health care. He said he wants tort reforms to limit the awards lawyers can collect on medical lawsuits and the state to start negotiating the prices of drugs directly with the companies.
The candidates shared their views on how to grow jobs in
Gunther said he has three legislative priorities for helping to grow jobs in southern
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