Clark says he'll focus on families

By GUY PRIEL

Journal Staff Writer

NEW ULM -- James Clark, the Republican incumbent in House District 23A, seeks to maintain his commitment to Minnesota families if re-elected.

He is running against Democrat Cody Schreyer, a recent college graduate from New Ulm, and Democrat Bob Van Hee, a Redwood Falls City Council member, who is running as a write-in candidate.

"I strongly believe that families know how to spend their money more wisely than some bureaucrat in St. Paul," he said. "Families have always been the focus of everything I do while there."

Clark, 37, is a native of Scarsdale, New York. He is a graduate of Scarsdale High School, Iona College in New York, and Thomas M. Cooley Law School in Michigan. He has degrees in marketing and law, and is cum laude graduate. He and his wife Cara have two daughters. After moving to Minnesota, he lived for awhile in Wayzata and did some work for the Republican party.

He worked with the Muske and Muske law firm in Springfield prior to joining the Berens, Rodenberg and O'Connor Law Firm in New Ulm. He was elected during a special election in 1998 following the death of Rep. Barb Vickerman, and was elected again in the general election in 1998.

One of his goals for the next legislative session is to continue to focus on education and help reduce the tax burden on families.

"One of my main issues is to work on transportation funding, especially Highway 14," he said. "This year we managed to get more funding in rural Minnesota for roads than the metro areas."

Highway 14, which has been considered a main project for three decades is one area he would like to concentrate efforts on. It is critical for economic development that the highway receive adequate funding, he said.

"Another focus of mine will be taxes," Clark said. "When I was first elected in 1998, Minnesota had the highest taxed people in the country. We have managed to reduce the tax burden for average Minnesotans. My goal is to help us get out of the top 10."

There is another projected surplus at the state level, which means taxes are too high. Clark prefers that the money would not be collected at all rather than having to deal with refunds.

"Government is growing, but we continue to have a surplus, which is a major problem for Minnesota," he said. "We have reduced the growth of government by 6 percent. Now is the time to reduce government spending as well."

He has set several priorities for the upcoming session if elected. The main focus will be education. He supported a 14 percent funding increase for schools during the past two years. The increase went to districts facing declining enrollments and to help increase technology in schools.

"I am very much in favor of class size reductions because smaller classes are better for learning and teaching," Clark said. "I will make a strong effort to implement funding for all day kindergarten."

The Governor's 100 percent funding proposal is interesting, but Clark feels the legislators need more details on the proposal. He favors local control of schools. The proposal would only shift how schools are funded, it would not change the amount of funding, he said.

"My wife and I chose rural Minnesota," he said. "We want to live in a small community. Issues such as good schools, safe streets, and family values are important. We need opportunities in rural Minnesota. technology helps us be competitive."

In regards to agriculture, the state has little control over prices. Legislators managed to reduce property taxes for farmers, which was a significant benefit, he said.

"I also helped increase the income limits for seniors, so they could get the prescriptions they need," Clark said. "Seniors shouldn't have to choose between buying a meal or buying medication. We also helped reduce the burdensome application process from 16 pages to two pages."

Clark helped lead passage of Katie's law that calls for lifetime registration for sex offenders, and tougher penalties for conviction. He also helped work on a wage increase for nursing home employees.

"Being in the Legislature for me is all about priorities," Clark said. "I support teachers in St. Paul and work hard to protect small businesses in Minnesota."

He worked with Sen. Frederickson on the Conservation Reserve Enhancement Program, which matches state dollars with federal dollars to protect the environment on marginal farmlands.

"There is a lot left to do," Clark said. "It is my goal to make a positive impact and make Minnesota better for our children. I always ask myself if something will hurt or help families before I vote."