7B Candidates Talk Plans for Education
Posted at: 10/16/2012 10:50 PM
By: Dayna Landgrebe
Candidates vying for a shot at the 7B House seat met once again on Tuesday night for another debate in Duluth.
Candidates Jay Fosle, Travis Silvers and Erik Simonson took already-prepared and audience questions. The forum was sponsored by the League of Women Voters at the Good Fellowship Community Center.
Among the questions were their stances on the upcoming voter ID amendment to what cuts candidates themselves would make from the state budget. Candidates were also asked their thoughts over underfunding to Minnesota schools, and the postponement of school payments to address budget shortfalls.
"I think we really need to take a look at how we spend money in the state," said Republican Travis Silvers. "I think if we continue to do things that cause the economy to grow, we expand the private sector, we're going to see that shift paid back and we're going to see that revenue go up, and that's not by raising tax rates."
DFL-candidate Erik Simonson said education should be the state's number one top priority.
"My position is this, if there's one investment that the state of Minnesota should make with public dollars, it should be in public, K-12 education. But where does the money come from? I'm the only one up here that's got a plan to do that. It's not about taking away from somebody else. Its about raising revenue responsibly in Minnesota, and not shifting it to the middle class, which is what has happened," Simonson said.
Independent candidate Jay Fosle reiterated his stance on doubling down on overlap in the legislature, including when it comes to education.
"It is under every state's obligation to fund education. Over half the budget already goes to education already. I seriously think in committee meetings we'd find a way to fund schools," Fosle said. "Those are they types of things that we have to do. Get in the committee meetings and sit down and address the situation."
The candidates also met for a similar debate last week in Duluth.
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