Republican governors forum...

There are 5 candidates that are currently before me in a College Republican forum. I will give a brief grade and overview of each

Marty Seifert- Intro: good, a farmkid with basic conservative principles (Grade: B-)
First thing as Governor: cut spending and reduce taxes.
First 3 programs cut to reduce state deficit: 70 different job training programs, closing a private prison
How to protect MN jobs: end regulation overkill, 3rd highest corperate tax rate,
How to keep higher ed affordable: sponsered legislation for tuition freeze, opt out of certain fees.
what makes you the most electable candidate: articulate message, humble background, have to be able to raise resources

Phil Herwig- private sector conservative with no previous political office held
(Grade: A)
First thing as governor: jobs. Re-district schools, welfare reform; dismatling the welfare state for able-bodied people.
First 3 programs cut to reduce state deficit: re-district school district, save 600 mil a year, dismantling Health and human services, selling off of lands
How to protect MN jobs: end regulation
How to keep higher ed affordable: tuition should be free. Dismantle social fees, very radical idea but might work.
what makes you the most electable candidate: all people were elected officials, only candidate who farmed, also worked off the farm, worked for a machinest union for 15 years, run businesses.

Bill Hass- has legeslative experience, the most out of all candidates combined. Not neccescerily a positive. (Grade: D)
First thing as governor: not just one thing; budget will be #1. Dismatle the tax system, and simplify that. Lower taxes for businesses
First 3 programs cut to reduce state deficit: Go after everything
How to protect MN jobs:
How to keep higher ed affordable: re-do the way we educate kids in college.
what makes you the most electable candidate: looking for a leader, turned a city around as a mayor.


Tom Emmer- talked about family, did a pitch. (Grade: B)
First thing as governor: #1 priority is putting Minnesota back on a track to prosperity. Government destroys wealth and prosperity. Must re-design government, must reduce cost of doing business, work comp and tort reform.
First 3 programs cut to reduce state deficit: Go to dept. of human services and change MinnesotaCare. Put forth that reform in the legislature. Sell DNR land, MPCA is no longer a regulatory agency put a resource.
How to protect MN jobs: lower taxes, tort reform, workers comp reform, end unnecessary regulation
How to keep higher ed affordable: payed on way through college and law school, make sure everyone has the oppertunity to college, instead of offering transgender courses offer more business like courses. Have
what makes you the most electable candidate: sick and tired of career politicians, people that are interested in doing whats right for the state not themselves as an individual.


David Hann- talked about family.(grade: C+)
First thing as governor: cut taxes across the board and regulatory simplification. Cut budget and re-organize government
First 3 programs cut to reduce state deficit: Vouchers for schools, welfare entitlement system
How to protect MN jobs: Government doesn't create jobs
How to keep higher ed affordable: dodging the question, sort of. Stop funding Universitys directly, but funding it as grant and aid money and let the people choose their own school. Stop subsidizing schools.
what makes you the most electable candidate: has business background, represents a very liberal district as a conservative.

It was a great forum, the candidates did a great job. The biggest surprise for me was Phil Herwig, he really stood out. I am still an Emmer supporter but Phil did an amazing job debating.