2010 gubernatorial race is about the economy, experience and electability

Talk about it

Minnesotans will have the chance to move the state in a new direction in 2010 when we elect the next governor to lead our state. After being governed by Pawlenty’s no tax pledge that has led to fewer opportunities for our children in their schools, higher tuition in our colleges, increased property taxes, and nursing home closings, it’s time to get our state back on track.

Electing the next governor is a decision that Minnesotans should not take lightly. When considering their choice for governor, I believe Minnesotans should consider the candidate’s economic platform, experience, and electability.

From a lost job to a missed house payment to skipped doctor visits, every Minnesotan or someone they know has been impacted by this recession. More than 210,000 Minnesotans received an unemployment check the week of Christmas, thousands of others have given up looking for a job, and there is a $1.2 billion hole in the state’s budget because of a drop in income tax collection. Getting people back to work must be the next governor’s top priority.

Throughout my campaign my focus has been “jobs, jobs, jobs.” During the 1982 recession I ran out of unemployment and my young family went without health insurance. This is something you never forget. I speak with passion about getting people back to work so they have a paycheck to take care of their family’s needs. As governor, I will spur our construction economy, provide incentives for local banks to lend, and go anywhere, any time, to create jobs.

Minnesota has serious financial challenges that don’t have simple solutions. The next governor needs firsthand experience with the state budget because he or she will be required to present a two-year budget to the Legislature weeks after being sworn into office.

As chair of the powerful Senate Tax Committee, I understand the state budget’s structural deficit and how to improve the state’s financial future. I have the experience and ideas necessary to get people back to work, update our revenue system, and create a more efficient delivery system of state services.

As both parties choose a candidate for the general election in November, I hope they will measure electability by those who are honest with the public. If the Democratic candidate tells people that he or she is going to just tax the rich or spend more money on government programs, and the Republican candidate just tells people he or she will govern by the no taxes pledge, Minnesota’s troubles will continue because neither approach acknowledges our state budget challenges, stimulates our economy or provides the opportunities needed for our prosperity.

During my 15 years at the State Capitol, I’ve worked hard to build a reputation as a common sense leader who gets the job done. I’ve used this leadership style during the governor’s campaign to have an honest conversation with citizens about Minnesota’s challenges. On Election Day, voters will decide to either support a candidate with enticing promises and attractive sound bites, or a candidate who they trust to solve Minnesota’s short-term problems; someone who is going to be honest about where we are and will set the stage for long-term success.

I encourage anyone with questions about how I will get Minnesotans back to work, my experience with the state budget, or how I will set the stage for long-term success, to please visit my website at www.bakk2010.com or call me at 651-379-0279.

Sen. Tom Bakk (DFL-Cook) represents the Arrowhead Region in the Minnesota Senate. A carpenter and retired union leader, Sen. Bakk has served in the Legislature for 15 years. He and his wife, Laura, live on Lake Vermilion and have four grown children and one grandchild.

Tags: opinion, legislature