Mosel seeks House District 23B seat

By GUY PRIEL

Journal Staff Writer

GAYLORD -- Seeking to unseat incumbent Republican Howard Swenson in House District 23B and steal votes from Independence candidate Lance Bennett of Winthrop, Democrat Darrel Mosel of Gaylord is fighting to regain the office Nov. 7.

"I am running for this office because I have some experience," he said. "I wasn't in office long enough to get a lot done, and I am hoping I will be able to get more done this time around, if elected."

Mosel served as state Representative from 1992-1994. Swenson defeated him both in 1994 and again in 1996, during what Mosel calls the Republican sweep of the House of Representatives.

"I am at an age where I can serve, and I felt the timing was right to run again," he said. "The issues we are facing in the Legislature are serious ones and I believe I am up to the challenge and can be effective."

Education is one of the most serious issues that needs to be addressed during the upcoming session, he said.

"Schools are the backbone of our communities," Mosel said. "It is important that we don't lose that. That is what people are thinking about when they go to the polls next month."

He was relieved to see the proposal for county-wide school districts pulled from the overall 100 percent funding package developed by Governor Jesse Ventura.

"I was opposed to that idea from the beginning," he said. "I agree that schools need better funding, but there have to be more creative ways to equalize the funding."

Taking school funding out of something other than property taxes is an attractive proposal to Mosel.

Trying to work on solving the current farm crisis will be another main focus during the upcoming session, he said.

"Farmers right now are living in an era of overproduction and low prices, which needs to change," Mosel said. "I believe a lot of that was brought on by the Freedom to Farm bill, because it reduced accountability."

He says the best way to deal with a state surplus is to completely avoid having one.

"If we adjust the existing tax system, that will help eliminate the surplus," he said. "I agree with the funding compromise that was reached at the end of the last legislative session. Making an adjustment to the tax rate takes courage. I also believe the sales tax rate should be adjusted."

He believes the funding for schools and transportation matters, such as roads and bridges, should be provided as part of the general fund.

"I think we should shift the motor vehicle excise tax back to the highway fund," he said. "We need to lower tax rates, but we also need to develop a reserve. You can't adjust too fast, because there might be a recession down the road. You can't eliminate the surplus all together."

There are too many Americans who aren't saving any money, and that same philosophy has made its way to the top of government, he said.

"I will always take a very balanced approach to issues and will work to fight partisanship in St. Paul," he said.

One of his goals is to bring all states in the region together to address dairy issues. Although it is a federal matter, it does concern farmers in the area, and it would be a mistake if dairy efforts in Minnesota are lost, he said.

Mosel, 45, is a native of Madelia. He has farmed near Gaylord for the past 20 years. He and his wife Diane have two children.