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State Representative Paul Anderson
100 Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd.
651-296-4317
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GUEST COLUMN
State Fair poll results released
By Rep. Paul Anderson
Results of the House of Representatives poll taken by nearly 10,000 folks at the state fair have been released, and they reveal some interesting opinions. The poll, by the way, is unscientific and conducted by non-partisan legislative staff.
Fifty percent of those taking the poll said the state should balance its budget with some combination of spending reductions and revenue increases. Thirty-two percent prefer only spending reductions, while 14 percent said increased revenue is the answer. Three percent of respondents were either undecided or had no opinion.
Slightly more than half, 52 percent, believe Minnesota should allow for an expansion of gambling to provide additional revenue for the state. Thirty-nine percent were opposed to the idea, while 9 percent were undecided.
In a question that may become tied to the gambling issue, poll results showed that two-thirds said no public money should be utilized to help pay for a new Vikings’ football stadium. Twenty-five percent were in favor of some level of public funding, while 9 percent had no answer or opinion.
Three of the 13 questions contained in the poll dealt with education, and they all evoked fairly strong responses. Sixty-two percent believe an alternative pathway to teacher licensure should be created so candidates could receive a limited teaching license if they have at least a bachelor’s degree, pass basic skills tests and complete at least 200 hours of instruction.
By a 73-percent majority, state fair poll-takers believe the Legislature should take steps to limit tuition and fee increases at public colleges and universities. And by nearly the same margin, 72 percent, they believe school boards should not be able to extend operating levies without voter approval.
Other results from the survey included a strong 85-percent majority who believe background checks should be performed before firearm purchases are made at gun shows. Sixty-nine percent said that voters should be required to show photo identification before casting their ballots, and 68 percent who said that liquor stores and automobile dealers should be permitted to be open for business on Sundays.
The annual question about Minnesota repealing its 16-year ban on nuclear power plant construction again showed a clear majority in favor of lifting the ban. Sixty percent said the ban should be ended, while 40 percent believe it should remain in place.
Late summer rainfall has proven to be too much of a good thing. After a wet August across most of the district (nearly 10 inches at our farm), this month has started out wet, as well. Another two to three inches of rain fell on Labor Day, and more is forecast. Silage chopping will be difficult, as will the harvesting of soybeans and sugar beets. My wife took our dog for a walk down the driveway the other evening, and the dog took off chasing something in the soybean field. The unusual noise she heard was the dog running through standing water among the beans, which couldn’t be seen when looking at the field!
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Rep. Anderson encourages constituents to contact his office with input regarding any state legislative issue. He can be reached on the web at www.house.mn/13A and via email at rep.paul.anderson@house.mn. To contact Anderson by phone, call (651) 296-4317. Mail can be sent to Rep. Paul Anderson, 239 State Office Building, 100 Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd., St. Paul, Minnesota 55155.
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