Gubernatorial candidates mix it up in Duluth
A gubernatorial candidate forum in Duluth this morning featured some fastball exchanges between Republican Rep. Tom Emmer, DFLer former U.S. senator Mark Dayton, and Independence Party Tom Horner.
“I actually knew how to skate,” ex-college hockey player Emmer shot at former standout hockey goalie Dayton in one exchange.
After another exchange when Dayton questioned Emmer’s insistence on shortening the time required for businesses to obtain state permits — Republican governors, not DFL, have controlled the Governor’s Office for years, Dayton pointed out — Emmer shot back that Dayton could stop by his house and kick his dog, if he felt the need.
While the three candidates committed to not cutting the state’s veterans and military affairs budget, there were many disagreements.
Emmer, who released a business tax cut proposal yesterday which he considers his state budget proposal, styled the state’s projected $5.8 billion budget deficit a “so-called” deficit.
It’s based on the assumption the budget needs to grow beyond the amount of extra revenue — almost $3 billion of extra revenue next biennium, Emmer explained.
Horner replied, sure, Emmer could dismiss the idea of having a state budget deficit if he wished.
But that meant the $1.8 billion K-12 funding shift wouldn’t be paid back, roads would continue to deteriorate, other negative outcomes occur, Horner argued.
Dayton told of hearing a comment by a business executive who said that if you wanted to be a CEO the first thing you needed to know was how to count.
Dayton styled Emmer’s proposed business tax cuts as adding to a budget deficit Emmer had no proposal to deal with.
But Emmer won a round of applause when he shot back asking when are Dayton and Horner going to start representing the voters instead of the state budget?
In taking questions from the public — when asked their philosophy on abortion — Emmer styled the issue an important one, but indicated the state economy and job growth would be his top priority.
Dayton said abortion should be safe, legal and rare.
Horner spoke of limiting the number of abortions through available birth control products, sex education, and adoption services.
The Duluth forum was broadcast on Minnesota Public Radio.
