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Minnesota Attorney General (2006) Survey

The attorney general's position opened when incumbent Mike Hatch challenged Gov. Tim Pawlenty. Initially, Rep. Matt Entenza was endorsed by the DFL, but dropped out of the race after revelations he hired a research firm to dig up dirt on Hatch. Please answer the following questions. When done, you'll see how your answers fared with those of the remaining candidates. Follow the links to learn more about the candidates.

Describe your view of the role of the attorney general's position.

The attorney general should enforce the law, but also provide incentives for action in health care, land use, and transportation.
The public safety aspect of the office has been ignored. It has become too abrasive and fosters an antibusiness mind-set.
The attorney general should assist state agencies in avoiding problems, enforce consumer protection and anti-trust laws, assist in prosecution of crimes, monitor actions that drive up health care costs in Minnesota.

Is this issue important to you?

Not at all  Somewhat  Very

What should the attorney general do to make the business environment in Minnesota better?

Help businesses by "going after" companies that businesses deal with that are breaking the law. File friend-of-court briefs on behalf of businesses.
Advocate legislation in such areas as health care reform, education, transportation, and environmental reform. Stop "takeaways" of fees that really are taxes.
Not buy into the assumption that all businesspeople are greedy and dishonest.

Is this issue important to you?

Not at all  Somewhat  Very

What is your opinion on the death penalty?

I am against the death penalty.
I think that the death penalty should at the very least be on the table in deciding how to punish someone who kills a child in the commission of a sex crime.
If we could have legislation that would have adequate safeguards in it to ensure that innocent people would not be put to death I could support the bill.

Is this issue important to you?

Not at all  Somewhat  Very

What should the attorney general do to assist victims?

We can do more to provide speedy trials for violators of "no contact" orders. Violations should be a gross misdemeanor or a felony.
The attorney general's office should be fully staffed to be able to provide assistance to county attorneys to prosecute criminals.
The attorney general should advocate a legal system that works for victims and should focus Minnesotans on driving the crime rate down.

Is this issue important to you?

Not at all  Somewhat  Very

What should the attorney general do to prevent sex offenders from being out in society?

The attorney general should use civil commitment procedings more often.
The attorney general should not "play the game of civil commitment" after a sentence and sentence sex offenders to longer prison terms.
Longer jail sentences and GPS tracking of released sexual offenders.

Is this issue important to you?

Not at all  Somewhat  Very

What should the attorney general do to implement health care policy

Be willing to sue pharmaceutical companies, advocate for better coverage for mental health, audit non-profits, and make sure seniors don't "fall through the cracks" on Medicare Part D.
Encourage more legislation to allow increased competition. Reform the legal system to eliminate "frivolous" lawsuits and regulate HMOs.
Cut the cost of administration and bureacracy in half in state contracts, ensure that every Minnesotan gets health care (through a law). Ban workplace smoking.

Is this issue important to you?

Not at all  Somewhat  Very

What should the attorney general do regarding tort reform?

File lawsuits against lawyers and law firms that violate the law.
No position
Work with stakeholders to find common ground.

Is this issue important to you?

Not at all  Somewhat  Very


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