21B candidates agree on city-based issues

By RON LARSEN

Journal Staff Writer

NEW ULM -- The two candidates for the new House District 21B seat generally supported positions taken by the Coalition of Greater Minnesota Cities during a CGMC Candidates Forum at the Library Monday night.

The forum was sponsored by the City of New Ulm and the coalition, a non-profit, non-partisan advocacy organization representing 60 Greater Minnesota cities.

Republican Brad Finstad and DFL candidate Mark Wiger, both of New Ulm, responded to questions from the CGMC on four topics -- property taxes and local government aid, economic development, environment and transportation.

In introducing the property tax/LGA topic, the CGMC's Corey Elmer said New Ulm's $4.1 million in LGA was at risk with the state facing an "estimated $2.7 billion state budget deficit in the next biennium." However, he said the state spent $565 million statewide on LGA this year which is 4.1 percent of state general fund expenditures.

"That's not a problem area in the budget," he said.

Both candidates said they would oppose reduced funding for LGA, and they would fight attempts to eliminate the inflationary growth built into the current funding formula.

They also supported repeal of the transit levy "takeover" to help solve the state's budget crisis.

"This is a case of rural Minnesota paying for services we don't use," Finstad said. "Let's base it (transit funding) on the basis of user fees."

And, obviously, both opposed changes in the LGA formula that would transfer aid from Greater Minnesota to the Metro area, as well as efforts to take funds from LGA to provide additional funding for schools.

"The effort to pit local governments against schools is being done in a cunning way," said Wiger, a member of the Independent School District No. 88 board. "To give the impression that we're (schools) misspending this money, I just don't get it."

Last session, the CGMC sought $15 million in state bonding for economic development in Greater Minnesota and $10 million in bonds for rural redevelopment projects, as well as tax credits for Greater Minnesota businesses.

None of it came about as the governor vetoed the money appropriated for Greater Minnesota economic development and rural redevelopment, Elmer said. No tax credits were approved either.

Wiger said he would support the CGMC's proposal for $15 million for economic development and $10 million for rural redevelopment.

"While those are big numbers, it seems like a very wise investment," Wiger said.

Finstad said he supported the idea of bonding for economic development and redevelopment; however, he felt it was "irresponsible to commit to an actual dollar amount at this time."

Both supported tax credits to entice private investment in Greater Minnesota.

Elmer said Greater Minnesota cities' environmental contact with the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency centers around the wastewater treatment plants they operate. The CGMC contends the agency has tried to "impose costly regulations that are not based on sound science and have no measurable benefit."

Both candidates said they would oppose statewide phosphorus effluent limits if not based on sound science and rule changes in designating water bodies as "impaired" when not based on science or evidence of impairment.

However, Wiger urged a cautious approach to seek a consensus "on what's sound science. If a group differs and files a suit, you have a problem."

"Increased transportation funding is essential to economic development and safety in rural Minnesota," Elmer said. "There is no better example than your own Highway 14 which has been voted the state's worst highway the last three years at the State Fair. There's an estimated $785 million annually in unmet needs, and some legislators would divert highway funding for transit."

He compared Minnesota's gas tax, last raised in 1988 to 20 cents, with the 27-cent tax in Wisconsin which is also indexed for inflation.

Wiger said he would support the CGMC's proposed 5-cent increase which failed to gain support in the 2002 Legislature.

"Yes, I would support a gas tax increase. Democrats had a 5-cent increase, but Republicans couldn't get together on a 3-cent increase. We need someone up there who can get the job done."

Finstad said he would consider a gas tax increase but only after "looking at the whole picture, the transportation process itself. Let's streamline the process. Then, if there needs to be a gas tax increase, I'll certainly look at it."