District 10A: Nornes

Published 06:22 p.m., October 31, 2008

Bud Nornes

Age: 65

Address: 22195 River Oaks Dr

Family: Married; three grown children; nine grandchildren

Employment: Communications

Health care: Did the 2008 legislation go far enough in addressing cost and quality of health care? What additional measures must be taken?

Minnesota continues to be the healthiest state to live in and we have the highest percentage of families with health insurance. To address the on-going need to provide coverage for more low-income families, the 2008 Legislature expanded coverage by using a portion of the surplus in the Healthcare Access Fund. Money in this fund comes from a tax on healthcare which is a tax on the sick. Unfortunately the fund can only sustain itself until 2012 when it will be depleated. I have been appointed to the Commission to End Poverty by 2020 and it's obvious more needs to be done by the 2009 legislature to address the afordability of healthcare.

The 2008 session also addressed nursing home funding by providing a 1 percent increase and a 1 percent one-time bonus. This increase is obviously inadequate and I will work during the 2009 session to make nursing home funding a high priority. Taking care of all citizens, from conception to death, is my top priority.

Budget: Minnesota is projected to face a budget deficit of between $1 billion and $2 billion for Fiscal Years 2010-11. How do you propose resolving the shortfall — spending cuts only, tax increases only or a combination? If you support tax increases, be specific in which taxes

you would raise.

We can hope the February revenue forecast will be better that anticipated but recent developments increase the worry that Minnesota will be looking at a significant budget deficit. I served with the majority in 2003 when the state was facing a deficit over 4 billion dollars. The sky didn't fall and the state survived and today the budget is over $34 billion.

The 2009 Legislature will follow the same process as 2003 starting with a hard look at the current needs of the state. Gov. Pawlenty has not changed is position on tax increases. This means the leadership in both the House and Senate will need to balance their omnibus finance bills without increasing taxes. The wrong thing to do during a down turn in the economy is raise taxes. I believe very firmly that Minnesota needs to live within its means, just like every family in the state.

Local taxes: Do you support the cap imposed by the Legislature on local property taxes? Why or why not?

I basically oppose levy limits and prefer to trust the judgement of local elected officials. They also need to be accountable to their constituents. However this cap placed on local governments is result of a compromise reached between the Governor's office and the leadership in the House and Senate. I wasn't included in the negotiation but support the compromise. Cities are exempt from the cap when it comes to hiring fire and police officers.

Transportation: Does the transportation funding bill passed in 2008 meet the state’s needs for roads, transit and bridges? If you support additional funding, where should it come from?

The transportation bill was intended to meet the needs of Minnesota's roads and bridges. According to MNDOT, the increase in funding is not there because Minnesotan's cut back their driving and reduced the number of gallons purchased. Although the gas tax has increased by 5 cents, the reduced gallons and increased cost of labor and material have wiped out any meaningful increase in road and bridge funding. Even the chair of the House Transportation Committee has admitted other funding methods will need to found because taxing gas isn't the answer.

I supported an alternative funding plan proposed by Governor Pawlenty. It included some bonding to give an immediate source of funding to address the urgent need. The Legislature bonds for nearly $1 billion every other year and a large portion of that bill should include roads and bridges. The rest of the bonding bill takes care of state buildings and higher education. This would eliminate the temptation to fund other non-essential projects.

Education, K-12: Do you support the “new” Minnesota Miracle bill which proposes to increase state spending on K-12 education by $2.5 billion a year, or about 35 percent above current levels? If you support the increase, how do you propose to raise the money?

Minnesota invested over 14 billion dollars in public education every two years. That is an increase of $1.5 billion in the last four years. The Minnesota Miracle would increase that amount to 19 billion dollars. Under the state's current financial situation, it's not possible to pass the entire package. If the package passed in its proposed form, it would require a tax increase of 30 percent on all Minnesotans, not just the state's wealthy individuals and businesses.

At a minimum, the state will need to continue to provide school districts with increased funding with the minimum keeping pace with inflation. Current state law is also biased toward Minneapolis, St. Paul and Duluth. Formulas written in their favor by Twin Cities legislators result in thousands of dollars above the state average. Minneapolis and St. Paul receive $445 per-student and Duluth $206 to address minority student populations, the rest of the state gets either $129 or $92. I believe the minority students in my district are just as important as those in the big cities. Funding equity will be high on my priority in 2009.

Higher education: Is Minnesota’s higher education system meeting workforce needs in the global economy? Does the Minnesota State Colleges and Universities system need its full complement of 53 campuses?

I believe Minnesota's higher eduction system is more important today that ever before. The need for a trained workforce is the key to economic growth and our Universities, Community Colleges and Technical campuses are vitally needed. The Fergus Falls campus enables students of all ages to receive the training they need close to home, close to potential employers and at lower cost.

I had the honor of serving two years as chair of the House Higher Education Committee. I had the chance to tour most of the MNSCU campuses and several of the U of M campuses. I'm impressed with educational opportunities available accross the state and the high quality of those choices. I believe all the campuses are serving an important need and will do all I can to make sure they continue to serve their geographic areas and beyond.

Priorities: Why are you running for office? What are your personal priorities?

I'm running for re-election because I believe my years of experience are important to my constituents who sent me to St. Paul in the first place. Your legislator is often the person you call when you have questions or situations that involve the state and you expect a quick response. That has been a high priority for me and source of personal satisfaction when my office can solve a problem to the satisfaction of a constituent. To make this even more convenient, I'm the only legislator who lists a home phone number. I also offer a toll-free number when I'm in my St. Paul office.

As I plan for each new session, It's a priority to develop a plan of action including all of the local legislative issues that have been brought to me by citizens, groups and organizations, townships, county officials and cities. Taking these issues from the idea stage to passage is the most important part of my job as a legislator. I'm one of 134 house members and can only vote once on any issue. However I'm the only member who will carry through the needs of my district. That is where 12 years of legislative experience and a good working realationship with legislators from both sides of the isle assure a successful session.

Briefly summarize your personal background and qualifications.

Resident of Fergus Falls for 42 years.

Program Director at KBRF 1966-1983

Program Director KJJK 1983

Ownership KJJK AM-FM 1989-1997

12 years on the Fergus Falls School Board

Past President of Noon Kiwanis Club

Past Lt. Gov. Kiwanis

Served on Chamber Board and United Way Board

Served on Young Life Commitee

Member Bethlehem Lutheran Church and other local committees and organizations

Appointed by the Gov. to serve on the Mental Health Advisory Council (2nd term)

Appointed by House Speaker to serve on Commission to End Poverty

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