BUDGET REFORM is the most critical issue currently facing the State of Minnesota. We must get our fiscal house in order before we can do anything else. All budget items must be scrutinized and eliminated if they are not an expense that makes sense. Any expenditure that is strictly on the books as "pork barrel spending" or "redistribution of income" should be eliminated.

EDUCATION is in need of critical reform in the State of Minnesota. Educators must be able to teach to the needs of their students. We must repeal the "Profiles of Learning" and teach reading through phonics, writing for better communication and math that can be used in daily life. We must create classrooms that are manageable through discipline. We must reject adhering to mandates that are not fully funded.

TRANSPORTATION is critical. We must build enough road capacity to handle the traffic. It is imperative to stop frustration causing anger and road rage. All lanes that start and stop, forcing dangerous merging, must be eliminated. I grew up near Highway 7 when interstate 494 was being built. Forty years later there has been absolutely nothing done to improve the flow of traffic. Two lanes were built in 1964 and two lanes still exist in 2002. We must develop a workable combination of light rail, hard rail and buses to move people effectively. As soon as we correct the traffic problem we need to look for alternative forms of transportation. Light rail between Minneapolis and St. Paul, Heavy rail from St. Cloud and Rochester to the Twin Cities and more efficient bus service between the suburbs and the downtown areas are all feasible.

JOBS are created by private enterprise. Government can only encourage job growth through reducing the burdensome regulation of private enterprise. Government should gear its policies to encourage businesses to increase the availability of jobs for all Minnesotans. Just ask why so many companies are moving out of Minnesota.

PLANNING is seldom done in government. As one legislator put it "The philosophy of politicians is: if we don't get our way this year we will just change it next year." This makes any long term planning very difficult. A simple change in the law could correct this problem but most "politicians" do not want their hands tied to any plan. Allow each municipality to enact their own development criteria and plans.

ENVIRONMENT is the responsibility of all Minnesotans. We need to enforce the laws that are the books. Polluters of our air and water must be brought to justice. The corporate shell should not protect owners and management from criminal prosecution if the crime of fraud is proven in court. Initiate a private and public effort to develop a "biocatalysts" which is a process that converts agricultural products into useful products such as plastics and clothing.

ENERGY in alternative forms should be promoted. We need to encourage the development of innovative and renewable sources of energy. We need to aggressively promote a hydrogen-based energy source through the development and use of fuel cells, solar power systems, wind-generated electricity and other new technologies that generate pollution free energy.

GOVERNMENT must not invade into the private lives of its citizens. It must not be allowed to intrude into areas of our lives such as our bodies, our bedrooms or our homes. As citizens we must cherish our rights as spelled out in the Constitution and Bill of Rights. We must ensure our rights to hunt, fish and protect our families. We have the inalienable right to keep and bear arms. There are some personal issues that are beyond partisan politics. These issues should be left up to the conscience of the individuals involved and not political party ideology. I support a women's right to choose.

SPENDING REFORM goes hand in hand with budget reform. Every state entity would present a budget request to the State Auditor. This would be done a year in advance and any increase would have to be justified.

TAXATION REFORM should be implemented to protect Minnesotans from the heavy tax burden as it exists today. Property taxes should be set aside for local and school district funding only. The Metropolitan Council should not be allowed to create taxes. The death tax should be eliminated. Specific user fees could be increased for those using specific services. All "hidden taxes" should be eliminated.

LEGISLATIVE REFORM should start with a unicameral legislature. Enact initiative and referendum. Establish English as the official state language. Require sunset clauses on all legislation. Set time limits for elected officials to serve on any one committee.

JUDICIAL REFORM must be legislated to make justice swift, reasonable and affordable to everyone. Judges should be held responsible and accountable for their decisions. Every law suit should be mediated before it is brought before a judge or jury. Allow private enterprise to build more prison capacity. These prisons should be high security prisons and not "country clubs". All convicted felons would serve the mandatory time for their crime. Plea-bargaining should be curtailed. Second time felons would serve one and one-half times the mandatory sentence and third time felons would not be allowed to leave prison. All prisoners except for the most vicious would be encouraged to work for their keep.

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