Vote in the Primary September 9

BY ED FELIEN
published Sept. 2

There will be a contested Primary Election on Tuesday, Sept. 9, for candidates for School Board and for Legislative Districts 61B and 62A. School Board candidates will be reduced to six for the General Election, and two DFL candidates in 61B, Harry Grigsby and Jeff Hayden, are competing to reach the General and face off against a Green Party and Republican candidate. In 62A, two Republicans are facing off so that one of them can run against the DFL incumbent, Jim Davnie.
We contacted the four legislative candidates to ask them to participate in a Candidate Forum so our readers could compare their positions and make a reasonable choice on Sept. 9. We asked them four questions and asked them to return a photo with their answers.  Harry Grigsby and Jeff Hayden responded. We print their answers here:

Harry Grigsby is a candidate for Legislature in 61B	Jeff Hayden

Why are you running for the Minnesota Legislature?

Harry Grisgsby: We have problems that need fixing. For example: quality affordable health care for all; regulating unsafe consumer products that are consumed and sold in our state every day; and taking the green light away from credit card companies so that credit card holders have a level playing field.
Jeff Hayden: I’m running for the Minnesota Legislature because I want to provide more affordable housing, jumpstart economic development, strengthen public education and expand transportation that protects our environment. The people of district 61B deserve a progressive, smart and visible leader, and I would be honored to serve them at the capitol.

What would you do to pass Single Payer Health Care?

HG: Absolutely work as hard as I can to put together a high quality single payer health care plan that would take the HMOs’ [heath maintenance organizations] fingers out of the people’s pockets once and for all. Also, work with other legislators of the same mind to get it done in 2009.

JH: With skyrocketing health care costs, more families are losing their employer-provided coverage and forgoing insurance. This is a travesty because health are is a right, not a privilege. I support legislation that uses the state’s purchasing power to rein in costs and provide universal single payer insurance to all Minnesotans.

Would you raise taxes?  
HG: Would I want to raise taxes? Absolutely not. Many families can barely afford the high cost of living now, and then to keep piling on just doesn’t seem to sit right with me. If additional funds are needed, let’s work for an equitable system that is fair for all.

JH: No one wants to raise taxes, but when our children’s education is at risk and families are struggling to pay for health insurance, then it must be an option. Minnesota is only as strong as the investment in its people and infrastructure, and we must be prepared to support them.

Is there an immigration problem in Minnesota?

HG: It’s not about immigration, it’s about “Will your great grandchildren and mine live in an overpopulated society?” Will we wonder, “Where’s the water going to come from, where is all the waste going to go?” for example. Diversity is and should be an appreciated and beautiful piece of our Minnesota society.
JH: Minnesota’s rich soil and economic promise have attracted immigrants for generations and today’s newcomers are no different. We are a state rooted in tolerance, and we have a responsibility to respect all hardworking Americans who want an opportunity to prosper and provide a better life for their families.