First phase of Ventura's 'Big Plan' released

Plan focuses on everything from housing to

education to

demographics

By GUY PRIEL

Journal Staff Writer

MANKATO -- Gov. Jesse Ventura, with the assistance of his commissioners, on Tuesday released "The Big Plan: Strategic Directions of the Ventura Administration ."

The first part of the four-part plan, "Healthy, Vital Communities," unveils Ventura's plan for the development of communities in Minnesota that are prepared to face the challenges of the 21st century.

The development of vibrant communities is a concept closely tied to Ventura's goal to destroy apathy and get people involved in government. A plan is only successful if it can be measured, Ventura said.

"The plan starts with a big vision, and that vision is that life is good no matter where you live in Minnesota," he said. "We need to open our eyes to the changes that are coming in the new century."

The year 2000 marks a census year that will indicate the development of a new and very different map of the state, Ventura said.

"We are seeing indications of the development of strong regional centers," he said. "Half of our people in the next century will be living between St. Cloud and Mankato."

It is time for the people in Minnesota to experience new things as new cultures and ideas expand and develop across the state with new economies and growth, as well as the pressures associated with that growth, he said.

"We need to take on these challenges with a clear focus and focus on what is necessary to make things happen," Ventura said. "The money for government comes from the taxpayers. We don't need more money; we need to find ways to do more with what we have."

"The Big Plan" begins with the local communities. Government officials need to find ways to get the most done at the current level of financing, without seeking more money.

"The way we are working as we approach this plan is to realize that it is based on results, not politics," Ventura said. "I don't judge these people (his commissioners) on how many mistakes they make. If you don't make mistakes, you're not doing nothing. None of us is without mistakes."

The development of strong, healthy communities begins with the elimination of boundaries and regional debates throughout the state, he said.

"It is wrong for the federal government to pit regions against each other, like was done with the dairy compact that pitted the Midwest farmers against other regions," he said. "And it is just as wrong for the state to pit communities and sections against each other."

It is easy for the government to promise funding for community centers and other regional projects, but that is old business and new business needs to focus on what the project or proposal can do for the benefit of the entire state, Ventura said.

Establishing an entire network that will connect communities together such as development of roads, housing, jobs and new ways to promote economic growth is not just important, it's smart business, he said.

"I have confidence in my commissioners and believe they have the strength to lead this administration," he said. "I was told by H.H. "Skip" Humphrey, one of my opponents in the recent election, that I had the best administration in the United States. That is quite a compliment."

Because major change factors, such as demographics, economics and technology are out of the immediate control of the state government, the way the government responds to the changes must be improved, Metropolitan Council Commissioner Ted Mondale said.

"We want to grow smart in Minnesota and focus on ways to solve problems rather than making rules," Mondale said. "The key to smart growth is not making policies in a vacuum, but to look at the entire package and the effect it will have on the entire state."

The initiatives included in the healthy, vital communities portion of the proposal include:

* Developing the best K-12 public education system in the nation. Healthy, vital communities require strong schools. The responsibility for learning begins with the students, but is the responsibility of everyone in the community. The overall goal is to develop high student achievement for all students in the state, Lt. Governor Mae Schunk said.

"We (state officials) will set the guidelines and get out of the way," Children, Families and Learning Commissioner Christine Jax said. "We will leave achievement up to the local districts."

* Improving the competitive position of rural Minnesota for competition in a global economy. The goal is to make rural communities centers of economic activity, Agriculture Commissioner Gene Hugoson said.

* Increasing the travel options for moving people, goods and services to help make Minnesota multimodal. Included in this portion is development of the light rail line and integrating transportation options with development of interregional corridors to help tie all citizens together, Transportation Commissioner Elwyn Tinklenberg said.

* Developing affordable housing partnerships, since development of strong housing stock is a necessary component of healthy and vital communities. The goal is to develop housing that can be an asset to communities, Housing Finance Agency Commissioner Kit Hadley said.

* Developing a communications infrastructure that connects individual communities to help them become vital players in the world economy, Trade and Economic Development Commissioner Jerry Carlson said.

* Providing access to services and competitive pricing so people have market choices for competition in the global economy.

* Development of an information highway that leaves no community in the state excluded. New systems will be built, but older systems will also be upgraded so systems can communicate with each other. This includes establishment of 2,200 miles of lines to help schools, hospitals and law enforcement agencies become smart and accountable, Public Safety Commissioner Charlie Weaver said.

Tuesday's presentation was the first of four big pieces of "The Big Plan" that will be released throughout October to help residents and other officials know what challenges are being faced, Mondale said.

"Our goal is to shed institutional jealousies to make things happen," he said. "This is about long-term success."

The second component of the plan is about self-sufficiency, which involves welfare reform, education, family responsibilities, the health system and independent living for the elderly.

The third component of the plan focuses on service instead of systems, which includes reforms designed to rebuild the trust of citizens in state government, single house Legislature and a better tax system that makes sense, as well as a collaboration between government agencies.

The fourth component of the plan focuses on ways to make Minnesota a world competitor and a leader among the states, with emphasis on agriculture, the work force, tourism and commercialization.

"There are no turf wars in my administration," Ventura said. "These people have all my confidence as we go forward on this plan."

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