DECISION 2022
In an effort to keep you, our readers, well-informed and abreast of relevant issues, today is the 12th in a series of questions we are asking all of Steele County’s candidates for state office.
We want voters to know where each candidate stands on the issues in order to make their best decision at the ballot box.
Each week, we’ll ask the candidates a new question. They will all receive the same question, be given a word limit and a deadline of four days to answer. We’ll publish their answers the following Wednesday; responses may be edited for length.
The series will continue through Nov. 2, the last Wednesday before the Nov. 8 general election.
If a candidate doesn’t respond, we’ll note that.
This week, we’re asking about decency in political discourse:
There are more than enough political differences of opinion to go around, even between members of the same party – some would say now more than ever. Why can’t we all just get along for the good of the city, state, country, and so on? The short answer is because we’re all individuals, but that doesn’t mean we can’t work at it.
What forms of political argument or support do you feel are effective, productive, or encourage you to think and learn from those with whom you disagree?
The limit was 250 words.
We advise you to ignore the R or DFL behind each name and reflect only on the answers. You might be surprised to find more common ground than you expected. An (i) indicates the incumbent candidate, though with this spring’s redistricting, the district numbers may not align with the seat they’re seeking.
Question of the Week:
What forms of political argument or support do you feel are effective, productive, or encourage you to think and learn from those with whom you disagree?
Minnesota House District 19B
Abdulahi Ali Osman – DFL, of Owatonna:
No response.
John Petersburg – R (i-24A), of Waseca:
I believe that learning from others actually begins with oneself. If you have your mind already made up with no room for movement, then it’s unlikely you’ll be willing to learn from others that disagree with you. It also revolves around mutual respect for each other and that both parties are willing to listen to the other's perspective. So, if I want the other person to listen openly to my point of view, I need to respect theirs as well. I’ll listen with an open mind and understand that they’re sharing one of their values. I may not agree with it, but I won't dismiss it either. We are all formed by our early teachings and lessons taught by our parents and family, as well as church and school. They will form our core values and because of our diverse society they will differ from person to person. It’s important to remember that each person's core values are true to themselves. Changing those core values is very hard to do. If any discussion is disrespectful and confrontational in nature, it’s unlikely to end in agreement or understanding. However, if you have respect for each other and understand the discussion is about learning from each other, then it may be possible to learn more about each other's view. That doesn't mean you’ll end up agreeing with each other, but you’ll have a much better understanding of where they’re coming from. That’s the beginning of finding mutual agreement to begin additional negotiations.
Minnesota House District 23A
Peggy Bennett – R (i-27A), of Albert Lea:
I believe being willing to listen and view things from different perspectives is incredibly important. That’s why I like to get out and around my district and state to listen to all kinds of ideas from all kinds of people. It’s also why I have discussions with my colleagues on both sides of the aisle. This helps me better understand the many perspectives of an issue.
Political dialog, debate, and respectful argument are important. It’s when listening and dialog shuts down that the greatest problems arise. When I meet with people, we may not always end up agreeing, but it’s important to me that they walk away knowing that I’m willing to listen, I treated them respectfully, and that I care – because I do!
I believe the biggest barrier in getting things accomplished at the Capitol is the omnibus bill – those giant bills containing a huge number of smaller bills. They are the reason we get so much junk legislation passed and the cause of the huge end-of-session impasses. Omnibus bills poison the ability of legislators to work together on the things they can agree upon.
I have offered omnibus bill reform legislation multiple times in the past and will continue to push on this issue. There is more than one way to solve a problem and I am open to new ideas. I have been collaborating over the interim with fellow like-minded legislators to find new ways to reform this process. I won’t give up until it’s done!
Mary Hinnenkamp – DFL, of Albert Lea:
Over the years I have held a number of jobs working with people, as a VISTA volunteer, group home counselor, teacher, and director of the Albert Lea Area Learning Center. I developed a lifelong habit of listening to the experts in the field and to listening to the people I served to make decisions. I think this holds true when it comes to making political decisions.
Over the years, as I have learned more about particular issues from scientists, economists, educators, medical professionals, my views on issues have evolved and changed. I think this is important – to get expert, unbiased information. I also learned and was influenced by the people I was serving. When the people in LaCenter, Kentucky, told me about a need they had in their community, they were the experts on that problem. They lived and understood it. When students at the ALC told me why they were having problems being successful at school, they were the experts in solving the problem. I worked with them to make a plan so they would be successful and graduate.
As I knock on doors and listen to people tell me about their concerns in all 24 communities in my district, I have tried to do the same, listen to the wisdom of people in that community. I understand the power of listening to multiple points of view and evolving on issues. And I also understand the importance of compromise to maintain peace and to get things done.
Minnesota House District 23B
Patricia Mueller – R (i-27B), of Austin:
When elected, you are a public servant. We are citizen legislators, which means we are to work and live amongst the people we represent. We must learn from people with first-hand knowledge. When I was a teacher, I learned from my students as much as my students learned from me. The representative-constituent partnership is similar. I will not vote against my conservative principles, but there is room to talk and listen. Ultimately, I try my best to vote in a way that best serves my constituents.
Once in the MN House, your only currency is the relationships you build with others on both sides of the aisle. No one person can know everything, so you must learn from and collaborate with each other. No one representative can pass legislation alone, so he or she must discuss and demonstrate the merit of bills. I am proud that many of my bills were bi-partisan because they were on issues that matter to all Minnesotans.
To be honest, the current process of passing legislation fosters division. Whoever is in the majority compiles massive omnibus bills. The game is to include legislation with which everyone agrees along with a couple of controversial pieces of legislation. This forces one to either “take a bad vote” or accept something that goes against a person’s beliefs or philosophy of government. The best remedy is to vote on single-subject bills. This allows ideas to stand on their own merit and makes the process more transparent for the public.
Tom Stiehm – DFL, of Austin:
It should be obvious to everyone that our government is not functioning the way it’s supposed to.
I spent my 14 years as Mayor of Austin without joining a political party. I never asked a person’s political affiliation. I just worked with anyone who’s goals were in Austin’s best interest. When I decided to run for this office, I knew most of my values aligned with the democrats, and I am a Democrat.
As soon as I declared an affiliation, I noticed a change in the way some people perceived me. I became the opposition, to many of the same people I worked with for years. I’m old enough to remember when politics were, if not friendly, at least cordial. To many of us are putting politics in front of things like family, neighbor, and friendship. We have to respect each other regardless of politics. Good things will follow. We cannot survive as a divided government we need politicians who are willing to compromise. If half our legislature is from each party, we can’t survive if one party tries to dominate, because the other party may be in power in a few years, and try to undo what was done. Only if we compromise will we be able to provide consistent government to our citizens.
Minnesota Senate District 19
Kate Falvey – DFL, of Faribault:
The best forms of political argument are those made with conviction, but not with snark. They are those made with verifiable data, and not assumptions or opinions.
I learn best from those with whom I disagree. After those conversations, I will reflect on WHY I have the position that I have. I do research and it reinforces my convictions or causes me to re-examine them.
I believe that the art of speaking to those with whom we disagree WITHOUT dissolving into insult or name-calling is an issue. Between social media platform expansion and COVID-19 shutdowns, people’s skills in civilized social interaction have deteriorated.
Through my experiences at the County Fairs this summer, I discovered quickly who was coming to the DFL booth to be confrontational. Folks would sometimes make an inflammatory comment as they walked by us. A few times, they would say something really nasty because they wanted a battle. Most of the time, however, they just wanted to be heard.
By listening to them intently, I could circle back to comments they had made where I knew we could find common ground. These conversations were very productive and very fulfilling to me. The statement “I agree with you on that.” was said by both of us several times. It was so cool.
As we emerge from our COVID-19 bubbles, we must rebuild our interpersonal skills and learn again how to TALK to those with whom we disagree. We may discover we have more in common than we thought.
John Jasinksi – R (i-24), of Faribault:
I think the most important thing a legislator can do is establish and encourage relationships between opposing political parties. My reputation at the Capitol is very well known about working with people from the other side of the aisle. In fact, the majority of my bills were with bipartisan support. In fact, one of my best friends was Senator David Tomassoni, who recently passed away from ALS. Senator Tomassoni was a Democrat from the Iron Range, and was also well known for respecting the thoughts of others as well. We had a great friendship and enjoyed our conversations about opposing thoughts on many topics. We learned a lot from each other and had the utmost respect for each other. I will always continue to try and understand everyone’s position on topics.
There is undoubtedly energy among hyper-partisans these days, but I don’t believe the average Minnesotan is interested in the drama and the divisiveness. These are the people who don’t have lawn signs in their yard, they don’t want to talk about politics on Facebook, and they don’t watch cable news daily. These are the people who choose to vote for someone they believe is “steady” and can make good decisions for their constituents. I believe that I have gained a reputation for representing my district well and will continue to try to make the right choices for my district.
Minnesota Senate District 23
Gene Dornink – R (i-27), of Brownsdale:
My role as a State Senator is to listen to the people in our communities and take those ideas to St. Paul. I have always believed that the answers to the problems facing our area are out amongst the people. Problems begin to arise when representatives push their own interests over the wishes of their community. The truth is, many pieces of legislation can be bipartisan. Politicians sometimes focus on divisive issues and go to name-calling and personal attacks instead of having healthy debate and finding solutions. I chose not to participate in that type of politics.
It is part of my job to reach out to my constituents in their area of expertise and get their thoughts. I call on educators and school leaders to learn about education legislation and how it’ll impact our schools, city officials and leaders to discuss local projects, and small business owners to learn about their needs. We need to remember who we’re in St. Paul to serve.
Over the last two years, having the privilege of representing our district, I have developed relationships with first responders, law enforcement, local elected officials, small businesses, labor unions, farmers, healthcare workers, those who serve in nursing homes and countless others. Being open to ideas and offering open communication works to get things done. I look forward to continuing to work with each and every one of you to better our communities.
Brandon Lawhead – DFL, of Austin:
No response.
Next week’s question
The Minnesota Department of Labor and Industry is required to determine the inflation-adjusted minimum wage rate every year by Aug. 31. It just did that, using a 2.5% change in the price index. That means that in January 2023, the minimum wage in Minnesota will be $10.59 per hour for large businesses (any enterprise with annual gross revenues of $500,000 or more) and $8.63 per hour for small businesses (any enterprise with annual gross revenues of less than $500,000). The cities of Minneapolis and St. Paul set their own higher rates of pay. Of course, everywhere we turn, we see that the rate of
Using the state’s own cost of living chart, in 2021 a single adult in Steele County, age 18-50, with no children, must work full-time at $13.07 per hour to pay for food, health care, housing, transportation and taxes.
How do you explain the state’s disparity in those two numbers – and do you have any ideas that could change those numbers?
There is a 250-word limit.