District 10A: Stumbo

Published 06:20 p.m., October 31, 2008

Name: Greg Stumbo

Age: 36

Address: 314 N Whitford, Fergus Falls

Family: Wife, Jenny; Four children: Olivia, Lillian, Ian, and Caroline

Employment: Stumbeano's Coffee Company, co-owner with wife

MINNESOTA LEGISLATURE

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

Because increased access to health care for children and small businesses was accomplished, 2008 was a good start but more must be done this coming session. More than 250,000 Minnesotans pay more than 25 percent of their income toward health care costs. We must also increase access and affordability to comprehensive health care for women, who currently pay 68 percent more on out of pocket costs for health care than men. I will work toward establishing an affordability standard in which nobody in Minnesota should be expected to pay more than a reasonable amount of their income on health care. It has some bi-partisan support this off-session and it would help bridge the gap between what a person can afford to pay and what the actual costs are.

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.

The challenge of balancing the budget is not insurmountable but it will take more than simply cutting spending or increasing taxes to get the job done. We must look at our state tax policies and means of taxation: sales, property, income, corporate, etc. We must analyze historical, current, and projected spending in all departments throughout state government, cut wasteful spending, and become more efficient and competitive. As a fiscal conservative, I would focus our tax dollar investments on areas we know have the proven, positive returns we need: education, workforce development, and infrastructure. Adequate investment in these areas creates jobs, which create revenues for our state. I support a progressive tax system, supplemented, when appropriate, by fees.

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

No. I oppose the levy limit cap imposed by the Legislature. Cities and counties do an outstanding job of living within their means. I feel the cap imposed by the Legislature is a strong-handed approach by state leadership to impose their will on local elected officials. Skyrocketing property taxes are the result of cuts in state aid to local governments. The imposed cap by the Legislature has the potential to stunt a community's growth, its investment in infrastructure, and may even limit a community's response to its emergency needs (repairs and upkeep of streets, sewer/water, etc.).

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?

Coming into the past session, state funding for transportation was 20 years behind. The wise action in the 2008 session brought us current but it is time to plan for future needs. We need to look at alternative revenue sources for funding our transportation needs and, as a representative, I would welcome that discussion, without preconditions (no new taxes, “pet projects”, et al). In return, MN-DOT must be held more accountable with the moneys they are given to manage our roads, bridges, and trails. I feel we can better manage the money we have and make better use of matching federal dollars as projects surface and priorities are set.

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?

I support much of what I've seen with the “new” Minnesota Miracle bill because the best return on investment of public revenues is in education, where, for every dollar we invest in education, we get twelve back (a good return by any measure). In principle, this bill is a good start, though I am most concerned if it will sufficiently address the funding disparities between metro and rural school districts. There is mention that it will provide fair funding for areas hit by declining enrollment. To “raise the money”, we must explore our tax policies (progressive discussion of revenue streams and current and future realities), cut wasteful spending, re-consider unfunded or underfunded mandates, and be fiscally responsible with an appreciation for the return we get on our investment in public education.

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?

No, our higher education system is not meeting workforce needs in the global economy. We have seen double digit increases in tuition the past 6 years and are strapping our college graduates with large amounts of debt. This accumulated debt forces graduates to consider careers based in metropolitan areas and is putting the workforce needs in rural Minnesota at risk. Historically, 2/3 of tuition cost of public, higher education was covered by the state, in good faith. Today, the state covers about 40 percent of tuition cost of public, higher education. With the global economy of the 21st Century, I am not content with being “better off than some places” when it comes to higher education and workforce development. We must make higher education more affordable.

I applaud the vision of our State Colleges and Universities in having statewide access to higher education via their campuses. These campuses are important assets in each of their communities because they serve as centers for lifelong learning. With changing state demographics, though, I am sure we will have to consider the location of campuses as future needs change/develop.

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

I am running for state representative because the needs, concerns, and priorities of rural Minnesota are not being heard, addressed, or met by our current state government. I believe in rural Minnesota. With agriculture, small businesses, manufacturing, and tourism, rural Minnesota has been, is now, and will continue to be the strength of the state of Minnesota.

I'm a fiscal conservative. I'm focused on making our state government work better for rural Minnesota by 1) providing property tax relief for rural Minnesotans; 2) reforming education funding so that rural Minnesota school districts have the same advantages as those in suburban areas; and 3) assuring rural Minnesotans have access to affordable, quality health care.

Briefly summarize your personal background and qualifications.

I grew up in Moorhead, was a state champion hurdler for the Spuds in 1990. I went to NDSU, was an All-Conference athlete for the Bison, and graduated with a degrees in English and Secondary Education in 1995. We've lived in Fergus Falls since 1997 (my wife grew up here).

We started Stumbeano's Coffee Co. roasterie in 2005 and wholesale our coffees to restaurants and specialty stores and retail our coffees online. I'm a member of Otter Risers Kiwanis and have served on numerous volunteer committees throughout the communities over the years. We are members of Augustana Lutheran Church.

I was elected to serve Fergus Falls as council member in 2006. I serve as chair of the Public Works committee and am proud of the working relationship I have with the mayor, other council members, and city staff.

I've knocked on more than 7,700 doors in this district, visiting with everyone I can about issues that matter to us everyday: taxes, education, health care, jobs, families, and more. I have the endorsements of Education Minnesota, Elementary School Principal Association, AFL-CIO, AFSCME, Minnesota Association of Professional Employees, International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers, and the DFL.

Perspective is important. As a business owner, a parent, a son of aging parents, and a city council member, I share the concerns and experiences of most people in this district and will work hard to be a clear, strong voice as State Representative in St. Paul.

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