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Emmer says he offers a new perspective
Associate Editor Rep. Tom Emmer, a self-described outsider who's running for governor, wants to reduce the size of government and "free up people to do what they do best - take care of themselves."
The Delano Republican, a private practice attorney who differentiated himself from professional politicians, said he'll bring a different perspective to the job than the candidates "born and raised within government."
Emmer, 48, has served in the Legislature since January of 2005. Before that he was on the Independence City Council for 7-1/2 years and the Delano City Council for two years. He also served in a variety of leadership posts in service organizations.
He said Minnesota businesses and the state's educated work force members are leaving the state because of an unfavorable business climate. The growing immigrant segment of the population, although a welcome addition, is a "high needs" population.
Minnesota, he said, needs to reduce the overall cost of doing business. That means reducing the number of forms and regulations that business people are constantly answering to, he said.
"We're going to reduce and eliminate regulations and taxes. We're going to make it affordable. Minnesota has to be a (business) destination."
Emmer compared Minnesota to Colorado, a state of comparable geographic size and population, and noted Minnesota spends between $60 billion and $70 billion in two years compared to about $50 billion in Colorado.
"We're definitely doing something that's wrong if it costs 30 percent more (in Minnesota)," he said.
He's hopeful the state's fiscal crisis will encourage the state to make structural budget changes, down-size government and pursue new and innovative ways to do business.
The next budget deficit could be $7 billion, according to Emmer.
"Are we going to be in the same soup California is?" he asked. "One thing we can no longer ignore ... We just can't keep doing business as usual. This model does not work."
The Minnesota House member said he was "absolutely in favor" of Gov. Tim Pawlenty's decision to make unallotment cuts when no deal could be cut with the House and Senate. Emmer's "First Things First" bill is designed to prompt lawmakers to postpone all other business and address a fiscal emergency when there is a significant budget shortfall. This bill, he said, could eliminate the need for unallotment. Unallotment came about, he said, because the Democratic majorities failed to offer the governor a balanced budget.
"They didn't make a valid argument for why government should have more revenue," Emmer said.
Even during this difficult economy, Emmer said, government continues to grow. He said he would work to deliver services without duplication, questioning why the state has a Department of Health and a Department of Health and Human Services.
"Big government does not work," he said.
He decried the Legislature's penchant for bringing up major legislation on the last day of the session and claiming that if lawmakers vote against it they'll be hurting the elderly or the children.
"That's not right to use those constituencies for, almost a human shield," he said. "The (DFL) majority is merely leveraging people's lives for political ends."
While the state does have an obligation to provide a safety net for people who are struggling the "socialized medicine" being proposed at the national level has no place in our society, he said.
"Government seems to think government is the only entity to stimulate charity," Emmer said.
After failing to receive a hearing for his Firearms Freedom Act this year, he plans to introduce a bill at the next legislative session. The bill, he said, would exempt the state from any federal rules or regulations regarding firearms, ammunition or firearms accessories that are manufactured and retained in Minnesota.
"Our Second Amendment rights are critical," he said explaining the need for the bill.
Emmer criticized the federal stimulus program, indicating that the elimination of business and corporate taxes would have been preferable.
The typical career politicians' concern about getting elected cannot be the driving force in the years to come, Emmer said.
"This time it can't be about a political agenda," he said. "This time it must be about what's right."
MIKE O'ROURKE may be reached at mike.orourke@brainerddispatch.com or 855-5860.
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