Select A Candidate: Candidate positions for Minnesota Governor (2006)

The following positions reflect those used for each candidate in the Select A Candidate survey. They come from candidates' public statements, Web sites, and responses to Minnesota Public Radio questionnaires. In some cases, candidiates have failed to respond to inquiries, and their position is noted as "No known opinion."

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• Mike Hatch
• Peter Hutchinson
• Tim Pawlenty

Issue	Question	Position
Marriage amendment	Do you support or oppose a constitutional amendment that would define marriage -- or its legal equivalent -- as between one man and one woman only?	ANSWER OPTION: Oppose CANDIDATE'S POSITION: Although he wavered on a direct answer to the question, Mike Hatch pointed to the existence of a statute already in effect in the state that defines marriage. He did so during an appearance on MPR on February 27, 2006. (More Info)
Gas tax	Do you support or oppose an increase in the state's gasoline tax to pay for transportation projects in Minnesota?	ANSWER OPTION: I'm opposed, but I would sign it if I were governor. CANDIDATE'S POSITION: "I can tell you right now the public isn't interested in a gas-tax increase," Hatch said on MPR on March 7, 2006. He said the governor needs to "sell the idea" and he said he wouldn't support it until that is done. However, on October 25, 2006, Hatch said, "I would not stand in the way of an increase in the gas tax as long as it was reasonable. The veto should be ultilized when the governor believes the Legislature is not representing the will of the people." (More Info)
Health care	Which of the following statements most closely matches your view on the issue of health care in Minnesota?	ANSWER OPTION: The governor should be much more aggressive in opposing premium increases by health care companies. CANDIDATE'S POSITION: Indicated during a debate with DFL gubernatorial candidates on MPR on March 7, 2006. (More Info)
K-12	Which of the following statements most closely matches your vision for K-12 education in Minnesota?	ANSWER OPTION: Reduce classroom size, fund special education, get the federal government out of our classrooms, increased funding for pre-school education. CANDIDATE'S POSITION: Direct quote during a debate with DFL gubernatorial candidates on March 7, 2006. (More Info)
Stadiums	When it comes to building new stadiums for the Vikings, Twins, and/or Gophers, what is your opinion?	ANSWER OPTION: I'm fully capable of supporting stadiums if we move ahead first on more important issues such as transportation, education, and health care in Minnesota. CANDIDATE'S POSITION: Mike Hatch during a DFL gubernatorial debate on March 7, 2006 on MPR. (More Info)
Environment	Do you support or oppose efforts to constitutionally dedicate a portion of sales-tax receipts to several areas, including natural resources projects in Minnesota?	ANSWER OPTION: Support CANDIDATE'S POSITION: He said he supports the measure, but that the larger question is how will the state replace the money that's being lost in the General Fund. "Be it fees or taxes, something has to happen," he said. (Link is audio via RealPlayer) (More Info)
Transportation	Do you support efforts to constitutionally dedicate motor vehicle sales tax revenue to transportation projects (it is now split between the General Fund and transportation)?	ANSWER OPTION: Support CANDIDATE'S POSITION: Hatch did not specifically say he supported the proposed amendment, other than to say during a debate on MPR "I think we're all in agreement."
Smoking	Do you support or oppose a statewide ban on smoking?	ANSWER OPTION: Oppose CANDIDATE'S POSITION: A spokesperson for the campaign told MPR on April 26, 2006 that Hatch is opposed to a statewide smoking ban.
Taxes	Do you consider an increase in sales or income taxes to be "in the mix" to balance the state's budget if necessary?	ANSWER OPTION: No CANDIDATE'S POSITION: During an appearance on MPR's "Midday," Hatch said, "We are going to be very prudent in what we do, there's not going to be any tax increase." He then said, "excuse me, I'm not going to say it. What I'm saying is we're going to be very prudent in what we do and there going to be no... talking here about raising taxes; that's not the solution. We're talking about redirecting how we run our budget." Link is RealAudio. (More Info)
Immigration	Which of the following statements most closely matches your view on immigration policies in Minnesota?	ANSWER OPTION: Current labor laws should be enforced. Pay minimum wage, pay workers compensation and crack down on companies who are "blackmailing" illegal workers. CANDIDATE'S POSITION: Hatch made his comments during a February 27, 2006 appearance on MPR's Midday. Link is audio via RealPlayer. (More Info)
Jobs	Which of the following statements most closely matches your view on job creation and economic development in Minnesota?	ANSWER OPTION: The state needs better education and transportation, the governor needs to be more directly involved in company takeovers, and trade agreements. The state must be more involved with the University of Minnesota in stem-cell research. CANDIDATE'S POSITION: Hatch made his comments during a debate of DFL candidates on MPR on March 7, 2006. (More Info)
Abortion	Would you favor further restrictions on abortion, such as the law passed in South Dakota, which makes abortion a crime for doctors to perform?	ANSWER OPTION: No CANDIDATE'S POSITION: On February 27, 2006, Hatch said "I support a woman's right to choose." (More Info)
Death penalty	Do you support or oppose the death penalty?	ANSWER OPTION: Support CANDIDATE'S POSITION: "I would have no hesitation supporting a death penalty, if I thought there was a statute that could guarantee certainty with regard to the conviction," Hatch said in an MPR article on 10/17/06. "But I have not found that statute yet."

Issue	Question	Position
Marriage amendment	Do you support or oppose a constitutional amendment that would define marriage -- or its legal equivalent -- as between one man and one woman only?	ANSWER OPTION: Oppose CANDIDATE'S POSITION: "I think it's a terrible idea," Hutchinson said during an interview with MPR's Tom Scheck in January 2006. Link is audio via RealAudio (More Info)
Gas tax	Do you support or oppose an increase in the state's gasoline tax to pay for transportation projects in Minnesota?	ANSWER OPTION: Support CANDIDATE'S POSITION: "A gas-tax increase is appropriate," Hutchinson said during an interview with MPR's Gary Eichten in January 2006. Link is audio via RealAudio (More Info)
Health care	Which of the following statements most closely matches your view on the issue of health care in Minnesota?	ANSWER OPTION: Cut the cost burden of chronic disease through prevention and by improving care quality. Prevention first - through public health and 24 hour access to community clinics. Make public health services, primary care, and insurance available to and expected of everyone. CANDIDATE'S POSITION: From the candidate's Web site. (More Info)
K-12	Which of the following statements most closely matches your vision for K-12 education in Minnesota?	ANSWER OPTION: We ought to have a Minnesota standard that all students should graduate from high school and be ready to go to college. Eliminate financial barriers to college. More pre-school funding, do a better job of tracking the individual growth of kids. CANDIDATE'S POSITION: Hutchinson made his remarks during an interview with MPR's Gary Eichten on January 25, 2006. Link is audio via RealAudio. (More Info)
Stadiums	When it comes to building new stadiums for the Vikings, Twins, and/or Gophers, what is your opinion?	ANSWER OPTION: I favor state support for the Gophers, but the Twins and Vikings are businesses and should pay their own way. Taxpayers could be responsible for infrastructure improvements. CANDIDATE'S POSITION: Hutchinson made his remarks during an interview with MPR's Gary Eichten on January 25, 2006.
Environment	Do you support or oppose efforts to constitutionally dedicate a portion of sales-tax receipts to several areas, including natural resources projects in Minnesota?	ANSWER OPTION: Oppose CANDIDATE'S POSITION: "It’s not necessary to amend the constitution for this reason. If elected officials had the gumption to decide how to allocate our resources we wouldn’t be having this discussion. If they don’t want to do what they were elected to do, we should replace them," Hutchinson said in a statement supplied to Minnesota Public Radio.
Transportation	Do you support efforts to constitutionally dedicate motor vehicle sales tax revenue to transportation projects (it is now split between the General Fund and transportation)?	ANSWER OPTION: Oppose CANDIDATE'S POSITION: "This is an election year cop out. If our elected officials were doing their jobs, such amendments would not be proposed. We don’t need a constitutional amendment to do what’s right. We need leaders to do the job they were elected to do," Hutchinson said in a statement provided to Minnesota Public Radio.
Smoking	Do you support or oppose a statewide ban on smoking?	ANSWER OPTION: Support
Taxes	Do you consider an increase in sales or income taxes to be "in the mix" to balance the state's budget if necessary?	ANSWER OPTION: Yes CANDIDATE'S POSITION: "So, we should focus less on the level and more on the results of our tax dollars. What we want is not a higher or lower price - what we want is more value for our money," according to the candidate's Web site. (More Info)
Immigration	Which of the following statements most closely matches your view on immigration policies in Minnesota?	ANSWER OPTION: Immigration is not a major threat in Minnesota. The best we can do is make sure the children of immigrants get a chance to go to school and move up the economic ladder. CANDIDATE'S POSITION: "[Our immigration system has] worked for 200 years, why should we stop now?" Hutchinson said during an appearance on MPR's Midday on January 25, 2006. Link is audio via RealAudio. (More Info)
Jobs	Which of the following statements most closely matches your view on job creation and economic development in Minnesota?	ANSWER OPTION: Better education, health care, transportation. And an energy program that puts Minnesota at a competitive advantage. CANDIDATE'S POSITION: "Job creation depends on four main things. Education is an economic engine; we need to strengthen that for everyone. Our health care system is a job killer; we need to fix it. Unless our transportation system is reliable and reliably funded, our economy will be stalled. Minnesota should lead the nation in transforming its energy future from a competitive risk to a competitive advantage," Hutchinson said in a statement supplied to Minnesota Public Radio.
Abortion	Would you favor further restrictions on abortion, such as the law passed in South Dakota, which makes abortion a crime for doctors to perform?	ANSWER OPTION: No CANDIDATE'S POSITION: "People have a right to choose, the courts are clear on that. We should offer them the best choices possible and expect them to act responsibly. If we do, the number of abortions will continue to fall," the candidate says on his Web site. (More Info)
Death penalty	Do you support or oppose the death penalty?	ANSWER OPTION: Oppose CANDIDATE'S POSITION: "Not everybody belongs in jail. It's not the solution to every problem, but certainly in these cases, life sentences without parole make sense to me," Hutchinson said in an MPR article on 10/17/06.

Issue	Question	Position
Marriage amendment	Do you support or oppose a constitutional amendment that would define marriage -- or its legal equivalent -- as between one man and one woman only?	ANSWER OPTION: Support CANDIDATE'S POSITION: "Marriage between a man and a woman and protecting that is not a distraction. It's important," Pawlenty said at a rally in 2005. (More Info)
Gas tax	Do you support or oppose an increase in the state's gasoline tax to pay for transportation projects in Minnesota?	ANSWER OPTION: Oppose CANDIDATE'S POSITION: Pawlenty vetoed a compromise transportation spending plan in 2005 because it contained an increase in the gas tax. (More Info)
Health care	Which of the following statements most closely matches your view on the issue of health care in Minnesota?	ANSWER OPTION: Single, able-bodied adults should not receive subsidized health care. Our state health care programs should be more in line with surrounding states. Purchasing groups should be established and health savings accounts established to provide health care coverage. CANDIDATE'S POSITION: If you're not a senior, you're not disabled, if you don't have children in other words you're an able-bodied, single adult who can otherwise perhaps find an opportunity in the marketplace," Pawlenty said in December 2004. "Those are the kinds of people we're going to look at and say, are our benefits out of line?" (More Info)
K-12	Which of the following statements most closely matches your vision for K-12 education in Minnesota?	ANSWER OPTION: Require that Minnesota students take more math and science courses to graduate from high school. Chinese language classes should be widely available, and advanced placement should be expanded, and students should be able to attend private schools, and have public dollars pay for tuition. CANDIDATE'S POSITION: "In the past, I've proposed school choice as an alternative for poor, failing or disabled children. The Legislature should pass school choice at least as an alternative for our most disadvantaged students," Pawlenty said during his 2006 State of the State address. (More Info)
Stadiums	When it comes to building new stadiums for the Vikings, Twins, and/or Gophers, what is your opinion?	ANSWER OPTION: Require the teams to make substantial contributions of approximately one-third of the total project cost; authorizes host communities to levy specific local taxes; provides tax increment financing plan that will capture the growth in sales and income taxes resulting from the new stadiums and use the proceeds to help pay for the stadiums; requires that the state and host community to share in the gain in the value of the team resulting from the new stadiums if the team is sold. CANDIDATE'S POSITION: Governor's Web site (More Info)
Environment	Do you support or oppose efforts to constitutionally dedicate a portion of sales-tax receipts to several areas, including natural resources projects in Minnesota?	ANSWER OPTION: Support CANDIDATE'S POSITION: There are actually two different versions of this legislation. One directs the funding toward natural resources, which Pawlenty supports. One directs some of the funding to cultural programs, which Pawlenty does not support. (More Info)
Transportation	Do you support efforts to constitutionally dedicate motor vehicle sales tax revenue to transportation projects (it is now split between the General Fund and transportation)?	ANSWER OPTION: Support CANDIDATE'S POSITION: Pawlenty said on MPR's Midday on March 13, 2007 that he supports the constitutional dedidcation of the sales-tax. (More Info)
Smoking	Do you support or oppose a statewide ban on smoking?	ANSWER OPTION: Support CANDIDATE'S POSITION: "In general, a smoking ban's a good idea, and I think it's got some momentum," Pawlenty says. "I think it should get considered. And if it passes this year, I'll sign it," Pawlenty said in January 2005. (More Info)
Taxes	Do you consider an increase in sales or income taxes to be "in the mix" to balance the state's budget if necessary?	ANSWER OPTION: No CANDIDATE'S POSITION: In his State of the State address on March 9, 2006, Gov. Pawlenty said, "In a hyper-competitive economy, raising taxes is a bad strategy, especially in an already highly-taxed state." He said, however, he would not be signing a no-new-taxes pledge. (More Info)
Immigration	Which of the following statements most closely matches your view on immigration policies in Minnesota?	ANSWER OPTION: Form a team of state agents to enforce federal immigration laws, enact stiffer penalties for creating and using false documents. create a team of 10 law enforcement officers trained to question, detain and arrest suspected illegal immigrants. CANDIDATE'S POSITION: Elements of Pawlenty's plan are spelled out in a Minnesota Public Radio story on January 3, 2006. Audio of his remarks are also available. (More Info)
Jobs	Which of the following statements most closely matches your view on job creation and economic development in Minnesota?	ANSWER OPTION: Further development of ethanol and biodiesel plants. More science and math in schools. Reduce the burdens that government places on job providers and taxpayers in order to spur economic growth. CANDIDATE'S POSITION: Speech to the National Ethanol Conference. Also from the 2006 State of the State message. (More Info)
Abortion	Would you favor further restrictions on abortion, such as the law passed in South Dakota, which makes abortion a crime for doctors to perform?	ANSWER OPTION: Yes CANDIDATE'S POSITION: On March 13, 2006, said on MPR said the South Dakota bill is "too narrow," but said he favored legislation that included exemptions for rape and/or incest. He said, however, he wants to see how the South Dakota law plays out in court challenges before "plotting a course" for Minnesota. (More Info)
Death penalty	Do you support or oppose the death penalty?	ANSWER OPTION: Support CANDIDATE'S POSITION: "I strongly support the death penalty for the most heinous of crimes," Pawlenty said in an MPR article on 10/17/06. "But the Legislature doesn't support it and won't pass it. So they dismissed that idea. But it is something I support."

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