October 14, 2009

By Jason Hoppin

In first bipartisan debate, gubernatorial candidates offer their solutions to hunger, poverty.  Eleven discuss social services, jobs, taxes at hunger debate

Hunger — the empty-pocket, empty-pantry kind — brought together the first bipartisan grouping of Minnesota gubernatorial candidates Wednesday for a debate at St. Paul's RiverCentre.

The topic proved a useful point of departure for the panel of seven Democrats and four Republicans, all of whom hope to replace GOP Gov. Tim Pawlenty, who is not seeking re-election next year. The candidates debated the role of Minnesota's safety net, taxes and how to distinguish themselves from the crowded field.

State Sen. John Marty, DFL-Roseville, stands out among Democrats for his long-standing support of universal health care, and said health care should be just as available to people as police protection.

"You'll take the problem away from the safety-net programs because we'll treat people up front," Marty said.

The discussion of social programs pivoted to a discussion of taxes and the state budget.

Ramsey County Attorney Susan Gaertner, a DFLer, said the state cannot continue to balance its budget through reserves or funding shifts, and that a governor must be honest with Minnesotans.

"There are needs that must be met, and we need a balanced budget, structurally balanced for the future, to do those things, or we're not going to be able to help the people that need our help," Gaertner said.

Former Democratic U.S. Sen. Mark Dayton said he would tax the wealthiest Minnesotans.

"The foundation of my platform is that we will raise taxes on the wealthiest 10 percent of people in the state," Dayton said. "People who are making much more money than anyone in the history of this planet are paying less taxes and less taxes."

That point exposed differences in the Democratic field, with the two Iron Rangers, Sen. Tom Bakk and Rep. Tom Rukavina, saying they did not support it.

Rukavina said the idea does not raise enough revenue, and he supports a broader surcharge on income taxes. He also disputed a Republican point that taxes stunt job growth.

"It doesn't have anything to do with taxes. It has to do with education. That's what creates good jobs," Rukavina said.

The debate was hosted by Hunger Solutions Minnesota as part of its annual luncheon, which was keynoted by broadcast journalist Cokie Roberts.

Republican candidates Pat Anderson, David Hann, Paul Kohls and Phil Herwig, as well as Democratic candidates Matt Entenza and Steve Kelley, did not attend

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