>>> GOOD EVENING EVERYONE AND WELCOME TO OUR THIRD NIGHT OF DEBATE NIGHT 2022 AT THE LAKELAND PBS STUDIO IN BRAINERD.

I'M RAY GILDOW, YOUR MODERATOR FOR TONIGHT AND TOMORROW.

WE'RE CONTINUING AN EXCITING WEEK OF DEBATES, COVERING TOPICS AND ISSUES THAT ARE IMPORTANT TO YOU AND YOUR COMMUNITIES.

TONIGHT, WE WILL COVER TWO OF THE REMAINING THREE STATE LEGISLATIVE DEBATES.

OUR CANDIDATES ARE BEN DAVIS AND RICHARD BLAKE.

PANELISTS: DENNIS WEIMANN - LAKELAND PBS NEWS DIRECTOR.

HEIDI HOLTAN - NATIONAL PUBLIC RADIO AFFILIATE KAXE NEWS DIRECTOR.

CHELSEY PERKINS - BRAINERD DISPATCH COMMUNITY.

WHO WAS BEST WRITER IN THE AREA, CONGRATULATIONS.

JUST TO GO THROUGH THE RULES.

THEY'RE SIMPLE.

AND THE RULES WE'VE BEEN USING FOR AN INFORM YEAR.

OPENING COMMENTS: THREE MINUTES.

PANEL WILL ASK QUESTIONS AFTER OPENING COMMENTS.

SOME WILL BE THEIR OWN QUESTIONS; OTHERS MAY BE FROM THE PUBLIC.

THE CANDIDATES WILL ROTATE THE EACH CANDIDATE GETS TWO-MINUTES TO ANSWER THE QUESTIONS.

EACH CANDIDATE WILL HAVE A ONE-MINUTE REBUTTAL OPPORTUNITY.

CANDIDATES WILL HAVE THE OPTION OF USING ONE MINUTE OF BONUS TIME TO ADD ON TO ONE OF THEIR ANSWERS TONIGHT.

THIS CAN BE USED DURING THE ANSWER TO THE INITIAL QUESTION OR DURING THE REBUTTAL BUT CAN ONLY BE USED ONCE.

QUESTIONS CONTINUE UNTIL WE ARE ABOUT 50-MINUTES INTO THE DEBATE WHEN WE MOVE ON TO CLOSING COMMENTS.

CLOSING COMMENTS: TWO MINUTES.

WE'LL ANSWER IN REVERSE ORDER OF CANDIDATE A AND B FOR COMMENTS.

B GOES TO THE FIRST QUESTION FOLLOWED BY A, AND CANDIDATE A AND B, ET CETERA.

THIS WILL CONTINUE THROUGH THE QUESTIONS AND CLOSING COMMENTS.

THEY'RE IN ORDER OF -- WHO ANSWERED THE LAST QUESTION.

REGARDLESS OF THE QUESTIONS ASKED.

WE'LL START WITH CHELSEA WITH THE FIRST QUESTION, AND DENNIS WILL HAVE THE SECOND.

AND THE FIRST COMMENT IS FROM BEN DAVIS.

YOU HAVE THE MINUTES FOR THE OPENING COMMENT.

>> THANK YOU, FOR PUTTING THIS ON.

MY NAME IS BEN DAVIS AND I'M RUNNING FOR THE MINNESOTA HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVE IN DISTRICT 6 A AS THE PUBLIC ENDORSED CANDIDATE.

I HAVE BEEN FAITHFULLY MARRIED TO MY WIFE DAWN, AND WE PASTORED AT A LOCAL CHURCH IN BRAINERD, MINNESOTA.

WE LIVED IN THIS AREA OUR WHOLE LIVES.

WE HAVE SIX BOUNTIFUL CHILDREN TOGETHER.

TWO OF WHOM ARE NOW ADULTS.

IN THESE LAST TWO YEARS, WE HAVE SEEN GOVERNMENT OVERREACH GO TO ALL NEW LEVEL.

OUR GOVERNOR SHUT DOWN BUSINESSES AND SCHOOLS AND CHURCHES NOT ONCE BUT TWICE.

THAT TURNED MY ATTENTION TO PUBLIC POLICY.

HE DEEMED SMALL BUSINESSES AS NONESSENTIAL AND HE FORCED THEM TO SHUT DOWN.

THIS CAUSED MANY OF THEM NO NEVER OPEN THEIR DOORS AGAIN.

IN SOME INSTANCES, SMALL BUSINESS OWNERS WERE FIND OR JAILED SIMPLY THEY COULD NOT AFFORD TO CLOSE.

THIS SHOULD NEVER HAPPEN IN THE GREAT STATE OF MINNESOTA.

WE ALSO SAW THE CURRENT DEMOCRATIC GOVERNOR SIT BACK AND DO NOTHING WHEN WE SAW PORTIONS OF MINNEAPOLIS BURN.

DEMOCRATS STARTED TO SCREAM TO DEFUND THE POLICE.

THIS SHOULD NEVER HAPPEN IN THE GRATE STATE OF MINNESOTA.

-- GREAT STATE OF MINNESOTA.

I PLEDGE TO STAND FOR LAW AND ORDER.

I WILL WORK HARD TO PROSPER THE LOCAL ECONOMY.

I WILL WORK HARD WITH FELLOW LEGISLATORS FOR TAX CUTS TO PUT MORE MONEY BACK IN THE POCKET OF MINNESOTANS.

I PLEDGE TO DO WHATEVER I CAN TO HELP THE MINING AND TIMBER INDUSTRY, SO MINNESOTA CAN PROSPER FOR GENERATIONS TO COME.

WE CAN DO THIS WHILE BEING RESPONSIBLE FOR THE NATURAL RESOURCES.

WE ARE A LAND THAT ENJOYS THE BEAUTIFUL LAKES AND WOODS AND THE BEAUTIFUL CULTURE RELIES HEAVILY ON THEM AS WELL.

WITH RECORD HIGH INFLATION AND GAS AT THE PUMP THERE'S NEVER BEEN A BETTER TIME THAN NOW.

GREATER PROSPERITY WAITING TO BE UNLEASHED BUT THIS CURRENT GOVERNOR OFFICE KEEPS HOLDING US BACK.

THANK YOU AND I'M EXCITED TO BE THE NEXT REPRESENTATIVE OF HOUSE DISTRICT 6A.

>> THANK YOU, RICK.

>> HI, I'M RICHARD BLAKE.

THE CANDIDATE FOR DISTRICT 6A.

THANK YOU LAKELAND AND PBS.

AND THANK YOU BEN FOR BEING HERE.

HE WAS BORN AND RAISED IN NORTHERN MINNESOTA.

WE RAISED OUR CHILDREN HERE AND I DECIDED TO ROUND FOR THREE MAIN REASONS.

FIRST, WE CANNOT CONTINUE TO GET NOTHING DONE.

THE LAST SESSION WAS A FAILURE.

THE COMMUNITIES WERE RELYING ON WHAT WAS IN THE TAX BILL, INCLUDING THE $4 BILLION OF TAX CUTS.

IT WENT NOWHERE.

PLACING LEAD WATER LINES IS CRITICAL TO THE HEALTH OF OUR CHILDREN.

IT TOO ALSO WENT NOWHERE.

AND MANY LEGISLATORS GOOD AT GETTING NOTHING DONE WON'T BE THERE NEXT YEAR.

ALL LEGISLATORS WHO EFFECTIVELY REPRESENTED THE DISTRICTS AND ALSO GOOD AT WORKING TOGETHER TO GET THINGS DONE.

THIRD, BY FAR MOSTLY ON THE REPUBLICAN SIDE, LOCAL PARTY CONVENTIONS HAVE NOMINATED CANDIDATES WITH THE EXTREMIST VIEW.

THIS INCLUDES THE CANDIDATES IN 6A.

WE'RE LOSING A BOAT LOAD OF EFFECTIVE LEGISLATORS AND NOMINATING EXTREMISTS THAT FIND IT DIFFICULT TO WORK WITH OTHERS.

WE NEED EFFECTIVE REPRESENTATION IN ST. PAUL TO GET THINGS DONE FOR US.

MY LIFE EXPERIENCES HAVE PREPARED ME FOR THIS ROLE.

OVER 30 YEARS IN THE CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRIES, I KNOW HOW TO GET THINGS DONE.

I'M A SMALL BUSINESS OWNER, I'VE BEEN ON CITY COUNCIL FOR OVER 20 YEARS NOW.

I HAVE A PROVEN TRACK RECORD OF GETTING THINGS DONE.

I STRONGLY SUPPORT THE PUBLIC SCHOOLS, MY DAUGHTER WAS A MIDDLE SCHOOL TEACHER WHO LIKE ALL TEACHERS BELIEVE ALL STUDENTS DESERVE THE TO LEARN OF ALL NATIONS TO LEARN FROM OUR MISTAKES AND CREATE A BETTER FUTURE FOR ALL OF US.

NEED ACCESS TO HIGH QUALITY AFFORDABLE HEALTH CARE.

AS PARENTS, MY WIFE AND I CARED FOR OUR YOUNG SON AND OUR ADULT DAUGHTERS FOUGHT HARD BATTLES WITH CANCER.

I KNOW HOW HARD TO FIGHT WITH INSURANCE COMPANIES TO PROVIDE THE MEDICINE AND HELP THE CHILDREN NEEDED.

I WILL FIGHT TO PROTECT OUR FEMED TO MANAGE OUR OWN HEALTH CARE INCLUDING THE FREEDOM TO MANAGE YOUR OWN REPRODUCTIVE HEALTH.

I'M ALSO INTERESTED IN THE -- IN TOWNS AND CITIES.

AN ORGANIZATION THAT FIGHTS FOR THE INTEREST OF GREATER MINNESOTA.

PLEASE SUPPORT ME IN MY EFFORT TO REPRESENT YOU IN THE LEGISLATURE.

>> THANK YOU.

THE FIRST QUESTION IS FROM CHELSEY PERKINS.

>> WHAT DO YOU THINK MATTERS MOST TO RURAL MINNESOTANS AND WHAT WOULD YOU DO TO ADDRESS THAT ISSUE.

>> OKAY, I THINK MINNESOTANS ARE CONCERNED ABOUT INFLATION.

I THINK THEY NEED TO SUPPORT THEMSELVES AND THEIR FAMILIES.

THEY'RE STRUGGLING BECAUSE OF INFLATION.

LOTS OF CAUSES ARE BEYOND OUR CONTROL.

IT'S A GOAL TO DO GOOD THINGS BEYOND OUR CONTROL LIKE THE WAR IN UKRAINE.

COMING OUR COVID, LARGE CORPORATIONS ARE MAKING PROFITS LIKE OIL COMPANIES.

BUT THERE'S THINGS WE CAN DO TO HELP.

NOT BE ADOPTING THE -- REDUCING THE TAX ON THE WEALTHY.

WE CAN LOW INCOME TAX ON LOW TO MODERATE INCOME.

THE REPUBLICANS WALKED AWAY FROM.

AND WE COULD RAISE -- WE COULD REDUCE THE PRESSURE TO RAISE PROPERTY TAXES ON THE LOCAL LEVEL BY INCREASING LOCAL GOVERNMENT AID.

THERE WAS A PROPOSAL TO REVISE THE FORMULA AND PUT ADDITIONAL IN THAT.

I WOULD FAVOR THE $90 MILLION IN THE DFL BILL.

AND INSTITUTE A CHILD TAX CREDIT, INCREASE -- FOR CITIES UNDER 5,000.

ALL THOSE WOULD INCREASE, AND FUNDING TR THE EDUCATION REDUCE THE PRESSURE TO RAISE PROPERTY TAXES.

70% OF SCHOOL DISTRICTS HAVE LOCAL REFERENDUMS FOR OPERATING.

THOSE SOME OF THE THINGS TO HELP.

REPUBLICANS WALKED AWAY FROM $4 BILLION IN TAX CUTS AT THE END OF RECESSION.

MANY WERE PERMANENT, AND THIS IS AFTER A $2.7 BILLION CUT EARLIER IN THE SESSION.

THOSE ARE THE THINGS I THINK THE LEGISLATURE CAN DO.

>> WHAT IS IMPORTANT TO OUR DISTRICT HERE, ST. PAUL NEEDS TO UNDERSTAND THAT OUR BUSINESS COMMUNITY HERE RELIES HEAVILY ON THE HOSPITALITY INDUSTRY.

WHAT CAN HELP THE HOSPITALITY INDUSTRY IN THE BRAINERD LAKES AREA AND THE GRAND RAPIDS AREA AND EVERYTHING IN BETWEEN IS LOWERING TAXES.

TO MY OPPONENT IT MIGHT BE A ZOMBIE COMMENT, I CAN'T REMEMBER THE TERM HE USED.

BUT IT'S NOT TRUE.

THE MINNESOTANS ARE HURTING RIGHT NOW WITH INFLATION AT A 40 YEAR HIGH AND IT'S NOT UKRAINE'S FAULT OR PUTIN'S FAULT, IT'S THE CURRENT DEMOCRAT RAN ADMINISTRATION'S FAULT.

REPUBLICANS ARE GOING TO DELIVER RECORD SETTING TAX CUTS FOR THE CONSTITUENTS OF THIS LAND.

I LOOK FORWARD TO WORKING WITH LEGISLATORS TO DO EXACTLY THAT.

THE PRICE OF ENERGY IS OUT OF CONTROL RIGHT NOW.

THE PRICE OF PROPERTY IS OUT OF CONTROL RIGHT NOW.

TAXES ARE HIGH ACROSS THE BOARD WITH GROCERIES AND GAS PRICES.

AND I THINK IF WE PUT MONEY BACK IN THE TAXPAYER'S POCKETS THAT I REALLY PUT IT BACK IN THE -- THEY'LL PUT IT BACK IN THE ECONOMY.

MINNESOTANS WILL GET US OUT OF THIS MESS IF WE LET THEM SPEND THEIR OWN MONEY.

>> THANK YOU, BEN.

ANY ADDITIONAL COMMENTS?

>> NO, I THINK -- WELL, YEAH.

I KNOW THAT WE'RE SUFFERING AND I KNOW WE NEED TO CUT TAXES IN ORDER TO PUT MORE MONEY IN PEOPLE'S TAXES, IT DISAPPOINTS ME THE LAST LEGISLATIVE SESSION WALKED AWAY FROM $4 BILLION IN TAX CUTS.

I WOULD DO MY BEST TO MAKE THAT HAPPEN NEXT TIME.

>> I LOVE HOW THE DEMOCRATS BLAME THE REPUBLICANS FOR THAT PROBLEM RIGHT THERE.

WE CAN JUST AS EASILY BLAME THE DEMOCRATS FOR NOT WORKING WITH REPUBLICANS.

THE INFIGHTING NEEDS TO STOP.

AND RECORD HIGH INFLATION IN 40 YEARS, IT'S OUT OF CONTROL.

WE HAVE SO MUCH POTENTIAL FOR PROSPERITY IN OUR DISTRICT RIGHT HERE.

ESPECIALLY WITH MINING AS WELL AND THE TIMBER INDUSTRY.

I WOULD LIKE TO DO WHAT I CAN TO HELP THOSE INDUSTRIES OUT AS MUCH AS POSSIBLE AS WELL.

>> THANK YOU.

THE NEXT QUESTION IS DIRECTED TO YOU, BEN.

>> WOULD YOU AS A LEGISLATOR CONSIDER TO ALLOW PARENTS OF STUDENTS TO DIRECT A PORTION OF THE STATE FUNDS TO PRIVATE K TO 12 SCHOOLS.

VOUCHERS.

>> I DO SUPPORT VOUCHERS.

RIGHT NOW WE HAVE THINGS TAUGHT IN SCHOOLS THAT HAVE THE PARENTS A LITTLE SCARED.

RIGHT NOW PARENTS SHOWING UP TO SCHOOL BOARD MEETINGS LIKE NEVER BEFORE.

THEY'RE CONCERNED ABOUT SURVEYS THE CHILDREN ARE GIVEN BY THE STATE.

THAT HAVE SOME QUESTIONABLE SEXUAL QUESTIONS COMING AT THESE KIDS.

I'VE READ SOME OF THE SURVEYS, AS WELL AS CRITICAL RACE THEORY, CRT.

THAT I EVER BEEN FRAMING IT WITH -- THEY'VE BEEN FRAMING IT WITH DIFFERENT THINGS LATELY.

CALLING IT OTHER THINGS.

BUT THEY'RE PUSHING FOR CRT'S IN SCHOOL.

THAT HAS PARENTS CONCERNED AND WE HAVE SEEN PARENTS WITHDRAWING THEIR CHILDREN FROM THE SCHOOLS AND HOME SCHOOLING THEM.

PUTTING THEM IN PRIVATE SCHOOLS, ONLINE TEACHING MORE THAN WE'VE SEEN IN RECENT HISTORY.

ANOTHER PROBLEM IS, 40% OF OUR BUDGET HERE IN MINNESOTA IS SPENT ON EDUCATION.

AND WE KEEP THROWING MONEY AT THE EDUCATION SYSTEM.

BUT YET THE STUDENTS TESTING SCORES KEEP GOING DOWN.

AND THAT'S BEEN HAPPENING FOR THE LAST 30 YEARS.

IN THE STATE OF MINNESOTA.

SO YEAH, I DO APPROVE OF VOUCHERS, I THINK THE MONEY SHOULD FOLLOW THE PARENT'S DECISION FOR THEIR CHILDREN.

WE NEED TO EMPOWER PARENTS TO MAKE THOSE CHOICES FOR THEIR CHILDREN.

>> THANK YOU, BEN.

RICK.

>> I DON'T SUPPORT VOUCHERS.

LIKE I SAID AT THE BEGINNING, I STRONGLY SUPPORT PUBLIC EDUCATION.

MY DAUGHTER WAS A TEACHER.

I KNOW A LOT OF TEACHERS, I KNOW SCHOOL ADMINISTRATORS AND SCHOOL BOARD MEMBERS.

CRT IS NOT TAUGHT IN ANY SCHOOL IN MINNESOTA.

IT'S A FEAR TACTIC.

I STRONGLY SUPPORT PUBLIC SCHOOLS.

THE MONEY NEEDS TO GO TO PUBLIC SCHOOLS.

THE STATE HASN'T FULLY FUNDED EDUCATION IN A WHILE.

I KNOW THAT TEST SCORES HAVE DROPPED AND THAT'S BEEN HAPPENING.

PARTLY WE'RE NOT FULLY FUNDING THE SCHOOLS.

I THINK WOULD LIKE TO SEE THE STATE FOLLOW THROUGH ON THEIR COMMITMENTS, FOR EXAMPLE, SPECIAL ED.

AND ALSO, ONE OF THE THINGS THAT HAPPEN IN PUBLIC EDUCATION IS THE STATE DOESN'T CONSIDER INFLATION.

IT SEEMS TO ME IT MAKES COMMON SENSE TO SAY, NEXT YEAR, THE COST OF LIVING FOR EXAMPLE GOES UP 4%.

FUNDING HAS TO GO UP 4%.

THAT ALONE WOULD HAVE MADE A BIG DIFFERENCE FOR SCHOOL DISTRICTS IN MINNESOTA.

I THINK, PUBLIC EDUCATION IS VERY IMPORTANT.

IT HAS LOTS OF PEOPLE OUT OF POVERTY OVER THE YEARS, AND ONE OF THE BEST THINGS ABOUT AMERICA IS THE PUBLIC EDUCATION SYSTEM.

>> BEN.

ANOTHER MINUTE.

>> WE CAN ALWAYS IMPROVE THE PUBLIC EDUCATION SYSTEM.

AND AGAIN, THROWING MORE MONEY AT IT YEAR AFTER YEAR, DOESN'T SEEM TO BE SOLVING THE PROBLEM.

I'M NOT AGAINST THROWING MONEY AT THE PUBLIC EDUCATION, BUT I THINK WE NEED TO LOOK AT DOING THINGS DIFFERENT WHEN IT COMES TO THAT.

AND DEMOCRAT TALKING POINT THESE DAYS IS CRITICAL RACE THEORY IS NOT TAUGHT IN SCHOOLS, FOLKS, THAT'S NOT TRUE.

I WENT TO A SCHOOL BOARD, AND ONE MEMBER STOOD UP AND WAS FRUSTRATED WITH HOW PEOPLE, PARENTS SAYING THEY'RE PUSHING FOR CRITICAL RACE THEORY IN THEIR SCHOOLS.

HE WAS SO CONFIDENT SAYING WE'RE NOT DOING THAT IN THE PUBLIC SCHOOL, THE NEXT THING ON THE AGENDA WAS GOING TO AN EQUITY PLAN AND LISTENING TO THIS PLAN, IT WAS ALL BASED IN CRITICAL RACE THEORY.

SO DON'T LET THEM DECEIVE YOU.

THIS IS THE DIRECTION THE LEFT WANTS TO TAKE THE PUBLIC EDUCATION SYSTEM.

>> ANY ADDITIONAL COMMENTS?

>> I CAN'T ANSWER THAT.

I KNOW THE CRITICAL RACE THEORY IS NOT SOMETHING THAT'S TAUGHT IN THE SCHOOLS AND I THINK IT'S A FEAR TACTIC THAT'S USED TO SCARE PARENTS.

>> IT WAS MENTIONED IN THE OPENING THE GOVERNOR SHUT DOWN BUSINESSES AND MINNESOTA WASN'T THE ONLY STATE IN AMERICA THAT WAS SHUT DOWN.

HINDSIGHT IS 20/20 OVER 13,000 PEOPLE DIED IN THE STATE OF MINNESOTA.

IF YOU HAD BEEN GOVERNOR AT THAT TIME, WHAT WOULD YOU HAVE DONE DIFFERENTLY?

>> I SUPPORTED THE DECISIONS HE MADE AT THE TIME.

THEY WERE BASED ON SCIENCE.

HE DID A GOOD JOB, AND ALSO, WE LOST A LOT OF PEOPLE.

AND I HAD FRIENDS WHO DIDN'T GET VACCINATED AND DIDN'T WEAR MASKS AND THEY DIED.

THEY SUFFERED.

AT THE TIME, I THINK THAT WE DID A GOOD JOB IN FIGHTING A PANDEMIC.

AFTER ALL, IT WAS ONCE IN A CENTURY PANDEMIC.

LOTS OF PEOPLE DIED IN THE LAST PANDEMIC.

IN THE EARLY PART OF THE CENTURY.

I WOULD RATHER -- OF COURSE, THERE WAS THE PLAGUE.

THAT WAS CAUSED BY FLEAS ON RATS AND NOBODY KNEW THAT AT THE TIME.

AT LEAST WE KNEW WHAT WAS GOING ON.

WE COULD WEAR MASKS AND TAKE STEPS.

WE HAD LOTS OF ECONOMIC BUSINESS IN GRAND RAPIDS.

WE STEPPED UP AND PROVIDED ECONOMIC ASSISTANCE FOR THE BUSINESSES.

I DID SUPPORT GOVERNOR, HE DID A GOOD JOB AND MINNESOTA DID A GOOD JOB.

WE'RE ONE OF THE STATES WITH FEWER DEATHS PER POPULATION.

I APPRECIATE THAT.

>> THANK YOU.

BEN.

>> YEAH, I REMEMBER THIS STATEMENT FROM THE GOVERNOR.

15 DAYS TO SLOW THE SPREAD.

THE PREMISE OF THE QUESTION YOU MENTIONED THAT HINDSIGHT IS 20/20, HE DID IT TWICE.

HE DIDN'T SHUT DOWN EVERYTHING ONCE, HE DID IT TWICE.

AND ALREADY FROM THE FIRST SHOULD THE DOWN, PEOPLE WERE ALREADY LOSING THEIR BUSINESSES.

WHY DID THE BIG BOX STORES GET TO STAY OPEN?

WHY WERE THEY DEEMED ESSENTIAL BUT YOU, THE SMALL BUSINESS OWNER WERE FORCED TO SHUT DOWN.

I KNOW MANY SMALL BUSINESSES WERE VERY UPSET WITH HOW THE GOVERNOR HANDLED THE PANDEMIC.

AT FIRST, I CAN'T BLAME HIM AT THE BEGINNING.

WE DIDN'T KNOW EXACTLY WHAT COVID WOULD DO.

OVER THE NEXT FEW MONTHS, WE SAW, YES, PEOPLE WERE DYING.

BUT NOT DYING LIKE THE NEWS MEDIA AND EXPERTS WERE SAYING.

THERE WAS NO REASON TO CLOSE EVERYTHING DOWN A SECOND TIME.

I THINK THAT LISA HANSON, A BUSINESS OWNER DOWN SOUTH WOULD HAVE DONE THINGS DIFFERENTLY.

SHE HAD TO SIT 60 DAYS IN JAIL, SHE COULDN'T AFFORD TO SHUT DOWN THE BUSINESS ON THE SECOND SHUT DOWN.

SHE COULDN'T AFFORD IT.

HER LIVELY -- AND THIS SHOULD NOT HAPPEN IN MINNESOTA.

I WOULD LIKE TO SEE THAT IT NEVER HAPPENS AGAIN.

>> RICK?

>> NO, SAY AGAIN I SUPPORTED THE STEPS WE TOOK IN THE PANDEMIC.

IT WAS A ONCE IN A CENTURY PANDEMIC.

THAT'S IT.

>> ANY ADDITIONAL COMMENTS?

>> AND CLARIFY, I DO NOT SUPPORT THE WAY THAT THE GOVERNOR SHUT DOWN THE ECONOMY, NOT ONCE, BUT TWICE, THAT WAS WRONG.

>> THANK YOU.

THE NEXT QUESTION, CHELSEY PERKINS AND BEN YOU HAVE THE FIRST SHOT AT IT.

>> YES OR NO, DO YOU BELIEVE THE 2020 ELECTION WAS STOLEN FROM DONALD TRUMP?

WHAT CHANGES IF ANY SHOULD BE MADE TO ENSURE THE INTEGRITY IN ELECTIONS.

>> I WOULD LIKE US TO SEE AUDITS IN ELECTIONS.

WE AUDIT ALL KINDS OF THINGS IN GOVERNMENT AND BUSINESSES.

WHY AREN'T WE AUDITING THE MOST IMPORTANT THING, THE MOST SACRED RIGHT IN THIS NATION.

THE RIGHT TO VOTE.

THE BLOOD OF PATRIOTS, MEN AND WOMEN SHED THEIR BLOOD SO WE HAVE THIS RIGHT TO VOTE.

THIS IS ANOTHER TALKING POINT OF THE LEFT.

THEY LOOK TO CON -- SCREAMING THE ELECTION WAS STOLEN FROM HER AND HOW PRESIDENT TRUMP WAS AN ILLEGITIMATE PROSECUTE.

NO ONE SCREAMED AT HER, YOU'RE AN EXTREMIST.

THEY CARRIED WATER FOR HER.

OUR OWN SENATO -- I HAVE AN AUDIO RECORDING OF THIS.

SHE STOOD UP AND ADVOCATING AGAINST THE VOTING MACHINES.

SHE WAS CONCERNED ABOUT THEIR LEGITIMACY, AND THEY'RE OWNED AND MADE BY THREE DIFFERENT COMPANIES AND WENT ON TO TALK ABOUT THEY'RE VERY SUSCEPTIBLE TO FRAUD.

I AM ALL FOR ELECTION INTEGRITY.

I WOULD LIKE TO GET VOTER ID DONE IN MINNESOTA AND GET AWAY FROM THE MASSIVE MAIL IN BALLOTS.

AND CLEAN OUT THE -- FREE AND FAIR ELECTIONS IS VERY IMPORTANT.

>> I'VE BEEN AN ELECTION JUDGE FOR YEARS.

THE SYSTEM WORKS AND IT WORKS WELL.

WE MINNESOTANS KNOW HOW TO RUN A FAIR ELECTION.

WE LEAD THE NATION IN PARTICIPATION, WE HAVE THINGS IN PLACE TO PROTECT THE INTEGRITY.

IMPROPER VOTING IS DONE IT'S MET WITH STRONG ASSURANCE IT WON'T BE DONE AGAIN.

THE ELECTION JUDGES FIRST OF ALL, WHAT HAPPENS IS I'VE BEEN TO THE COURTHOUSE, WE CHECK THE MACHINE BEFORE THE ELECTION.

MAKE SURE IT'S WORKING PROPERLY.

AND IN THE PRECINCTS, EVERY BALLOT IS INITIALS BY TWO JUDGES.

THEY'RE COUNTED AND GO THROUGH THE MACHINE AND WE HAVE PAPER BALLOTS.

WE RECOUNT THEM, AND WE HAVE TWO, ONE FROM THE REPUBLICAN PARTY AND THE DEMOCRATIC PARTY, AND GO TO THE COURTHOUSE, I'VE BEEN INVOLVED IN RECOUNTS.

I KNOW HOW THE SYSTEM WORKS AND IT WORKS WELL.

IN COUNTS, EACH COUNTIES -- IN COUNTIES, EACH HAS TO RANDOMLY -- MORE PRECINCTS ARE AUDIT.

CROW WING HAS A STERLING REPUTATION.

THEY HAVE A WONDERFUL ADMINISTRATOR, THEY'RE VERY GOOD AT WHAT THEY DO.

SHE'S GREAT.

IF I LOSE THIS ELECTION, I KNOW I RECEIVED FEWER VOTES.

THAT'S WHERE I STAND.

>> THANK YOU.

BEN, ANY ADDITIONAL COMMENTS?

>> YEAH, THEY DON'T AUDIT THE VOTES THEY DO A RECOUNT.

THE AUDITS ARE DEEPER AND IN-DEPTH WHEN IT COMES TO VOTING.

HERE'S THE FACTS.

GALLUP DID A POLL IN 2020, AND POLLED DO PEOPLE TRUST THE HONESTY OF THE ELECTIONS?

THEY FOUND 60% OF AMERICANS DO NOT TRUST IN THE HONESTY OF THE ELECTIONS.

WE HAVE A HUGE RESPONSIBILITY AS LEGISLATORS HERE IN MINNESOTA TO RESTORE PEOPLE'S CONFIDENCE IN OUR ELECTIONS.

YES, I WILL ACCEPT THE RESULTS IN THE UPCOMING ELECTION HERE IN NOVEMBER.

>> THANK YOU.

RICK?

>> YES, ALL THE ELECTION TOO, I SAID THAT.

YOU TALK ABOUT THEY DO RECOUNT THE PRECINCT AND I WOULD CALL THAT AN AUDIT.

>> THANKS.

THE NEXT QUESTION FROM DENNIS.

AND ADDRESSED TO YOU FIRST.

>> ONE OF YOU WILL BE ELECTED AND SERVING YOUR FIRST TIME IN THE STATE LEGISLATURE.

ARE THERE ANY LEGISLATORS THAT YOU RESPECT AND TRY TO MODEL YOUR WORK AT THE CAPITOL AFTER?

>> I MENTIONED SENATOR RULE, AND MARK -- AND I KNOW TAKE SIT DOWN AND THEY CAN -- THEY SIT DOWN AND THEY CAN WORK TOGETHER.

HE WORKED WITH OTHER LEGISLATORS, HE HAD A LOT TO DO WITH BUDGETS.

I'VE HAD LOTS OF EXPERIENCE GOING DOWN AND TALKING TO LEGISLATORS.

THE ONE I WANT TO MODEL MYSELF AFTER ARE THE PEOPLE WHO ARE ABLE TO LISTEN AND WORK TOGETHER.

THERE'S LOTS OF LEGISLATORS LIKE THAT, BUT THIS YEAR, IT SEEMS LIKE LOTS OF THEM ARE LEAVING OR RETIRING.

TOM BACH WAS ANOTHER ONE.

LOTS OF THOSE EFFECTIVE LEGISLATORS ABLE TO SIT DOWN WITH PEOPLE, DISCUSS THE ISSUES, AND MAY COMPROMISE ARE LEAVING.

THAT'S THE LEGISLATOR I'D LIKE TO BE.

ONE WHO CAN SIT DOWN, SOLVES PROBLEMS AND GETS THINGS DONE FORMAN.

>> THANK YOU, BEN.

>> YES, THANK YOU.

I HAVE AN IMMENSE AMOUNT OF RESPECT FOR SENATOR JUSTIN ICORN.

HE'S A MAN OF INTEGRITY, A FAMILY MAN.

HE'S BEEN HELPING ME OUT A LOT, SHOWING ME THE ROPES.

THE FIRST TIME WE WENT DOOR KNOCKING TOGETHER, JUST IN CASE DOESN'T LOOK LIKE MUCH OF AN ATHLETE, BUT THE FIRST TIME WE WENT DOOR KNOCKING, HE TURNED INTO AN ATHLETE AND RAN DOOR TO DOOR.

I'M GRATEFUL FOR HIM, AND FOR REPRESENTATIVE STEVE GREEN.

THE COMPOSURE AND THE CALMNESS HE BRINGS.

HE SPEAKS THE TRUTH AND LOVE.

HE'S HONEST, YOU KNOW YOU'LL GET A STRAIGHT ANSWER.

THAT'S WHAT I'D LIKE TO MODEL MY LEGISLATING.

AND REPRESENTATIVE JOSH HEINZMAN IS A HUGE HELP TO ME.

A MAN GREAT IN THE LEGISLATURE FOR THIS COMMUNITY.

HE'S BEEN A GREAT HELP AS WELL.

THOSE ARE MY TOP THREE PICKS.

I'VE GOTTEN TO KNOW REPRESENTATIVE BLISS, AND FRIENDS WITH HIM.

I ENJOY HIS COMPANY.

AND I AM SURE I'LL GET TO KNOW MANY MORE GOOD SENATORS AND REPRESENTATIVES IF YOU ELECT ME DOWN THERE.

>> THE NEXT QUESTION, ASKED BY HEIDI HOLTAN.

>> THERE WAS A 22% INCREASE OF OVERDOSE DEATHS LAST YEAR IN MINNESOTA.

MOST WERE ASSOCIATED WITH FENTANYL.

WHAT ROLE CAN THE LEGISLATOR TAKE TO LOWER THE NUMBERS AND SUPPORT LAW ENFORCEMENT AND RECOVERY PROFESSIONALS.

>> IT'S A PROBLEM, FENTANYL TRAFFICKING COMING OVER THE SOUTHERN BORDER HAS MADE EVERY STATED IN THIS COUNTRY A BORDER STATE.

UNFORTUNATELY, IN MINNESOTA, THERE'S NOT MUCH WE CAN DO ABOUT SHUTTING DOWN THE BORDER.

I WORKED AT MINNESOTA TEAM CHALLENGE FOR 12 YEARS, I KNOW THE EFFECT THAT DRUG ADDICTION CAN HAVE ON FOLKS.

THIS FENTANYL IS KILLING PEOPLE.

IT IS A WEAPON OF MASS DESTRUCTION.

AND WE NEED TO GET BEHIND THE LAW ENFORCEMENT AND PROVIDE PER THEM ANYTHING AND EVERYTHING THEY NEED FOR TRAINING AND EQUIPMENT, I WAS ACTUALLY SPEAKING TO A DIRECTOR OF THE LOCAL TREATMENT PROGRAM AND HE TOLD ME THAT ONE OF THE RESIDENTS WAS BUSTED WITH FENTANYL.

THEY OPENED THE TRUNK AND IN THIS CASE IS WHERE THE GENTLEMAN WAS STORYING IT.

AND -- STORING IT.

THE POLICE OFFICERS OPENED THE CASE AND HAD AN OVERDOSE JUST FROM OPENING THE CASE.

WE NEED TO DO SOMETHING ABOUT THIS AS SOON AS POSSIBLE.

I WOULD GET BEHIND LAW ENFORCEMENT AND PROVIDE THEM WITH TRAINING AND EQUIPMENT THEY NEED TO HELP THEM WITH THE LACK OF LAW AND ORDER FROM THE LAST FEW YEARS IN THE STATED.

>> THANK YOU.

>> YES, FROM WHAT I'VE TALKED TO POLICE OFFICERS, AND SHERIFF'S DEPARTMENT TOO, MOST OF THE ISSUES THE POLICE ARE FACING NOW IS WE DON'T HAVE ENOUGH BEDS IN MENTAL HEALTH FACILITIES TO TREAT PEOPLE, AND I THINK THAT -- MINNESOTA USED TO BE A LEADER IN TREATING CHEMICAL DEPENDANCY.

AND THE SHORTAGE OF BEDS MAKE THAT DIFFICULT.

THE LEGISLATURE NEEDS TO INCREASE FUNDING FOR MENTAL HEALTH FACILITIES AND MORE BEDS TO TREAT PEOPLE WITH MENTAL HEALTH ISSUES.

ONE OF THE THINGS THAT I WAS TOLD WAS ONE INDIVIDUAL MIGHT BE BROUGHT TO THE EMERGENCY ROOM SEVERAL TIMES IN ONE DAY, SIMPLY THE DOCTOR RELEASES THEM AND THERE'S NO PLACE TO PUT THEM.

SOMETIMES THE DOCTOR CAN PUT SOMEONE ON A 72 HOUR HOLD.

IT'S A MENTAL HEALTH CRISIS, AND FENTANYL IS A DANGEROUS DRUG.

THERE'S OTHER ONES TOO.

INCLUDING ALCOHOL.

WE NEED TO HAVE A BETTER TREATMENT FACILITIES, MORE TREATMENT FACILITIES AND IT NEEDS TO BE MORE ACCESSIBLE.

SO WE DON'T JUST LEAVE PEOPLE IN THE ER AND HAVE THEM RELEASED AGAIN.

AND WE NEED MORE POLICE.

FOR EXAMPLE, IN THE UNITED STATES WE HAVE FEWER POLICE MORE SERIOUS CRIME MORE PEOPLE INCOURSE RATED.

-- INCARCERATED.

IN THE LONG RUN, IF WE HIRE MORE POLICE, INITIALLY, COSTLY BUT IN THE LONG RUN IT WOULD BE CHEAPER BECAUSE IT'S WAY MORE EXPENSIVE TO PAY PER PEOPLE TO BE IN PRISON THAN TO HAVE IN TREATMENT.

>> I WOULD LIKE TO ADD, MENTAL HEALTH AND DRUG ADDICTION CAN GO HAND IN HAND AND WE NEED MORE MORE DUAL DIAGNOSIS FACILITIES LIKE MINNESOTA ADULT TEEN CHALLENGE AND THERE'S OTHERS OUT THERE AS WELL.

MY OPPONENT BROUGHT UP HIRING MORE LAW ENFORCEMENT, THAT WOULD BE GREAT.

BUT THE PROBLEM IS PEOPLE ARE SO DISCOURAGED OF GOING INTO LAW ENFORCEMENT BECAUSE OF THE DEMOCRATS SCREAMING AT THEM, TIME TO DEFUND THE POLICE.

THE MORALE OF THE POLICE IS AT AN ALL TIME LOW.

WE NEED TO VOTE IN, ELECT LEGISLATORS WHO ARE GOING TO ABSOLUTELY GET BEHIND OUR LAW ENFORCEMENT.

I'M ENDORSED BY THE MINNESOTA POLICE AND PEACE OFFICERS ASSOCIATION.

I'M THE CANDIDATE ENDORSED BY THEM, THEY KNOW I'LL HAVE THEIR BACKS.

>> THANK YOU.

>> I'M A DEMOCRAT AND I'M NOT SCREAMING AT THE POLICE.

>> THE NEXT QUESTION FROM CHELSEY PERKINS.

>> WHAT IS YOUR POSITION ON ABORTION AND WHAT CHANGES IF ANY, WOULD YOU PURSUE AT THE STATE LEVEL BASED ON YOUR POSITION?

>> I BELIEVE IN MINNESOTA, WE HAVE A CONSTITUTIONAL RIGHT TO PROTECT OUR REPRODUCTIVE HEALTH AND I WOULD SUPPORT THAT RIGHT.

I THINK IT'S IMPORTANT THAT WE HAVE THAT.

AND WOMEN'S RIGHTS ARE UNDER ATTACK.

I WANT TO PRESERVE THAT RIGHT IN MINNESOTA.

I THINK WE ALL NEED THE RIGHT ACCESS TO AFFORDABLE HEALTH CARE AND -- THOSE DECISIONS NEED TO BE MADE BETWEEN A DOCTOR AND HER PATIENT AND HER FAMILY AND THOSE ARE DIFFICULT DECISIONS.

I UNDERSTAND THAT.

BUT I DON'T THINK THE GOVERNMENT HAS A PLACE IN THAT WAITING ROOM.

I SUPPORT A WOMAN'S RIGHT TO CHOOSE AND OUR CONSTITUTIONAL RIGHT TO MANAGE OUR OWN REPRODUCTIVE HEALTH.

>> I'M UNAPOLOGETICALLY PRO LIFE.

I DO BELIEVE THAT GOVERNMENT ABSOLUTELY DOES HAVE A RESPONSIBILITY IN PROTECTING A WOMEN'S CHOICES.

BUT WHAT ABOUT THE CHILD IN THE RESUME.

I WATCHED YESTERDAY A CHILD IN THE WOMB AT SIX WEEKS OLD.

IT HAD HANDS AND FEET FORMING.

BUT THAT'S A CHILD IN THE WOMB.

WHO'S FIGHTING FOR THEIR RIGHTS?

PRESIDENT REAGAN MADE A COMMENT I CAN'T HELP THAT EVERYONE AGAINST ABORTION -- THE CHILD IN THE WOMB HAS THE SAME RIGHT AS EVERY SINGLE ONE OF US HERE HAS.

RIGHT NOW, A DEMOCRAT TALKING POINT IS THAT'S EXTREME VIEW, BELIEVING IN LIFE BEGINS AT CONCEPTION AND ENDS AT NATURAL DEATH.

KENNEDY BELIEVED THAT.

AND ONE OF MY CHILDHOOD HEROS, PRESIDENT REGAN, HE BELIEVED IN LIFE FROM CONCEPTION TO NATURAL DEATH.

AND MARTIN LUTHER KING JR.

BELIEVED IN THAT AS WELL.

I'M A PRO-LIFE CANDIDATE IN THIS ELECTION.

>> ADDITIONAL COMMENTS?

>> I KNOW IT'S ALSO A RELIGIOUS ISSUE.

DIFFERENT RELIGIONS HAVE DIFFERENT IDEAS WHEN LIFE BEGINS.

SOME BELIEVE A LIFE BEGINS WITH THE FIRST BREATH.

I DON'T BELIEVE THAT, BUT I DO THINK IT'S SOMETHING THAT NEEDS TO BE DECIDED WITH THE FAMILY AND BETWEEN THE WOMAN AND HER DOCTOR.

>> BEN?

>> YEAH, THIS IS NOT A THEOLOGICAL DEBATE.

I BELIEVE THE LIFE BEGINS IN THE WOMB.

THE HEART BEAT BEGINS AT FIVE AND A HALF WEEKS.

70% OF MINNESOTANS ALSO AGREE WITH ME, WE NEED SOME FORM OF RESTRICTIONS ON ABORTION IN MINNESOTA.

RIGHT NOW IN MINNESOTA, THERE ARE NO RESTRICTIONS OF WHEN A WOMAN WITH HAVE AN ABORTION.

ONE OTHER THING I'LL SAY, I WOULD LIKE US TO GET BEHIND FACILITIES LIKE THE PREGNANCY SUPPORT CENTER.

NEW BEGINNINGS IN GRAND RAPIDS.

THEY COME ALONGSIDE OF WOMEN STRUGGLING WITH THIS DECISION AND ENCOURAGE THEM AND LET THEM KNOW THERE'S HELP THEM.

NEXT QUESTION FROM DENNIS.

>> THE 2023 LEGISLATURE WILL CONVENE WITH A NEGATIVE SURPLUS.

HOW SHOULD THIS BE SPENT?

>> THIS ONE IS EASY, GIVE IT BACK TO THE PEOPLE WHO PAID IT IN.

IF RICK COMES TO ME AND HE BUYS A CERTAIN PRODUCT FROM ME, AND LATER HE FINDS OUT I OVERCHARGED HIM, HE COMES BACK TO ME, I HAVE THE OBLIGATION TO GIVE IT BACK TO HIM.

OVER $9 BILLION PROJECTED SURPLUS, WE NEED TO GIVE IT BACK TO THE TAXPAYER.

I AM COMPLETELY FOR LOWERING THE INCOME TAX.

WE'RE IN THE TOP FIVE FOR INCOME TAX RATE.

THAT'S FOR ALL INCOME FAMILIES.

I TAKE THAT BACK, I DON'T THINK THAT LOW INCOME FAMILIES ARE PAYING THAT MUCH.

I DON'T THINK THEY SHOULD.

THE MIDDLE CLASS IS HIT HARD RIGHT NOW.

>> RICK?

>> CAN YOU REPEAT THE QUESTION?

>> THE QUESTION IS, YOU'LL BE FACING A SIGNIFICANT, IT APPEARS THAT WAY A BUDGET SURPLUS, HOW SHOULD THAT MONEY BE USED IN REGARDS TO TAX BREAK, SPENDING.

HOW WOULD YOU PUT THAT MONEY TO USE?

>> IT'S A LARGE SURPLUS AND THE LAST SESSION THERE WAS A $4 BILLION TAX CUT LEFT ON THE TABLE THAT WAS AGREED UPON AND THEY RAN OUT OF TIME.

I'D LIKE TO SEE SCHOOLS BE FUNDED.

I WOULD LIKE TRANSPORTATION INFRASTRUCTURE.

THE STATE COME UP WITH A WAY TO FUND THE REPAIR OF THE ROADS AND BRIDGES.

WE KEEP FALLING BEHIND.

I DO THINK LOW AND MODERATE INCOMES CAN RECEIVE A TAX CUT.

BUT THERE'S OTHER WAYS THE STATE CAN USE THE SURPLUS TO RESULT IN A TAX CUT FOR FAMILIES.

INCREASE LOCAL GOVERNMENT AID, THAT GOES TO LOCAL CITIES AND TOWNS IN MINNESOTA TO USE THE MONEY FOR POLICE AND FIRE PROTECTION.

THEY DON'T HAVE TO RAISE PROPERTY TAXES.

IT WOULD REDUCE THE SKIKT'S NEED TO -- SCHOOL DISTRICT'S NEED WITH THE LEVY.

THE STATE CAN HELP BY REDUCING THE PROPERTY TAX.

THAT WOULD HELP TOO.

REDUCING -- OR FULLY FUNDING EDUCATION, FUNDING ROADS AND BRIDGES, INCREASING LOCAL GOVERNMENT AID THOSE ALL WOULD HELP MINNESOTA.

AND I REALIZE THAT WE PAY TAXES.

MINNESOTA IS ONE OF THE BEST QUALITY STATES TO LIVE IN IN THE COUNTRY.

IT'S BEEN THAT WAY, WE DO TAX AND PEOPLE PAY TAX.

AND WE LIKE TO LIVE HERE.

BECAUSE OF THE QUALITY OF LIFE THEY HAVE.

>> ADDITIONAL COMMENT?

>> I'LL ADDRESS THE QUESTION ONE MORE TIME.

WHAT WOULD YOU DO WITH OVER $9 BILLION, IT BELONGS TO MINNESOTANS.

YOU PAID AND TOO MUCH.

YOU KNOW HOW TO SPEND YOUR MONEY BETTER THAN THE GOVERNMENT DOES.

>> ADDITIONAL COMMENTS?

>> NO.

>> ON TO THE NEXT QUESTION FROM HEIDI.

>> THE CONVERSATION BACK TO BUSINESSES IN THE DISTRICT.

EMPLOYERS FACE A LOT OF BARRIERS FOR NEW EMPLOYEES.

WHAT SOLUTIONS WOULD YOU HELP THE REGION TO GROW.

>> ONE OF THE THINGS THAT WE HAVE TO DO IS MAKE -- TO HAVE WORKERS STAY IN MINNESOTA, WE NEED TO MAKE OUR COMMUNITIES WELCOMING, MAKE THEM GOOD PLACES TO LIVE.

AND YOU MENTIONED CHILD CARE.

THERE'S PROGRAMS WE NEED TO SUBSIDIZE THE CHILD CARE.

WORK FORCE HOUSING, THAT'S EXPENSIVE AND THERE'S THINGS TO DO TO LOWER THE PRICE OF HOUSING.

WE NEED ACCESS TO HEALTH CARE.

THOSE THINGS WILL HELP.

I DO THINK THAT WE CAN -- EVEN BROAD BAND IS IMPORTANT.

WE NEED GOOD INFRASTRUCTURE, GOOD SCHOOLS.

ALL THOSE THINGS WILL ATTRACT WORKERS AND THAT'S THE THING WE NEED, SCHOOLS THAT PROVIDE WORKERS WITH TRAINING THAT BUSINESSES NEED.

MAIN STREET GRANTS TO HELP THE BUSINESSES REHAB, WE HAVE DONE THAT IN GRAND RAPIDS SUCCESSFULLY.

I THINK SMALL BUSINESSES CAN STRIVE.

WHEN WE MAKE THE COMMUNITIES A GOOD PLACE TO LIVE.

>> THANK YOU.

>> YEAH, AS YOU'VE PROBABLY ABLE TO TELL, I'M ADVOCATE FOR SMALL GOVERNMENT.

I'M A SMALL GOVERNMENT GUY.

TO ME, IT SEEMS THE MORE THAT GOVERNMENT GETS INVOLVED, THE WORSE THINGS GET.

I THINK WE NEED WHEN IT COMES TO THE HOUSING PROBLEM, WE NEED GOVERNMENT OUT OF THE WAY.

PERMITTING AND REGULATIONS IS KILLING THE HOUSING MARKET.

25% OF THE BUILDING COST COULD BE IN PERMITS ALONE.

THAT SOUNDS EXTREME AND THAT IS EXTREME.

I THINK WE NEED TO LOWER THE PERMITTING COST OF HOUSING.

AND WE NEED TO CUT BACK REGULATIONS, WE DON'T WANT PEOPLE, WIRING THEIR OWN HOME NOT UP TO CODE AND BURNING DOWN THEIR HOME.

WE NEED REGULATIONS BUT IT'S GOTTEN WAY OUT OF HAND.

AND MOST HOMEOWNERS WOULD AGREE WITH ME.

LOT SIZES, EXTERIOR METAL ON BUILDINGS, GARAGE SIZES, WE CAN BACK OFF OF THE REGULATIONS SO WE CAN HELP DECREASE THE PRICE OF HOMES.

AND ALSO, YOU MENTIONED DAY CARE CENTERS.

WE DON'T SEE SMALL DAY CARE, LOCAL DAY CARE CENTERS.

THAT'S BECAUSE OF GOVERNMENT REGULATIONS.

WE NEED REGULATIONS ON DAY CARE CENTERS.

WE NEED KIDS SAFE BUT AGAIN, IT'S GOTTEN OUT OF HAND WITH THE REGULATIONS.

>> YES, I TOO HEARD THAT 25% FIGURE FOR PERMIT FEES.

I CHECKED IT OUT.

I FOUND OUT, IN THIS PARTICULAR STUDY, FROM 220,000 TO 10 MILLION.

THE FEES RANGED FROM .6% -- AND THAT'S A FAR CRY FROM 25%.

AND THERE'S HOUSING RULES IN MINNESOTA.

YOU DON'T WANT PEOPLE WIRING THEIR OWN HOMES.

BUT THEY ARE MORE EXPENSIVE.

INFLATION HAS CAUSED THAT.

AND MINNESOTA IS COLD IN THE WINTER.

IT'S IMPORTANT THAT HOUSES ARE BUILT WITH ENERGY CONSERVATION IN MIND.

WITH DAY CARE, THE REGULATION, I MET SOMEONE THIS MORNING WITH THE CHILD FELL OFF THE CHANGING TABLE AND WITH A BLOOD CLOT HOSPITAL.

YOU HAVE TO BE CAREFUL ABOUT REMOVING SOME OF THE REGULATIONS.

THEY'RE THERE FOR A REASON.

>> AGAIN, I'LL TALK ABOUT CUTTING BACK THE REGULATIONS.

RIGHT NOW WE'RE GETTING MORE AND MORE VERY LARGE DAY CARE CENTERS AND THEY'RE HAVING A HARD TIME FINDING WORKERS.

AND SO THEY DON'T HAVE ENOUGH WORKERS WATCHING THE CHILDREN IN THE HUGE DAY CARE CENTERS.

AND I AM SURE THERE'S SOME THAT ARE DOING A GREAT JOB.

HE BROUGHT UP THE LOW COST OF PERMITS.

I'M EXCITED FOR THE HOME BUILDERS AND THOSE WHO RECENTLY BUILT A HOME, YOU KNOW HOW EXPENSIVE PERMITTING CAN BE.

THANK YOU.

>> THAT CONCLUDES THE QUESTIONING, NOW THE CLOSING COMMENTS.

YOU EACH HAVE THREE MINUTES.

BEN, WE'LL START WITH YOU.

>> INFLATION IS CAUSING A SIGNIFICANT AMOUNT OF STRESS ON FOLKS THESE DAYS.

WITH THE RECORD HIGH PRICE OF GAS, GROCERIES AND TAXES IT'S TIME FOR TAX CUTS ON INDIVIDUALS AND BUSINESSES.

I'M THE ONLY CANDIDATE IN THIS RACE ENDORSED BY THE NATIONAL FEDERATION OF BUSINESS.

THE CARPENTER'S UNION, AND THE MINNESOTA FARM BUREAU, I'M THE CANDIDATE IN THIS RACE THAT HAS THEIR BACK.

THE LOCAL BUSINESS CALLER RELIES ON -- CULTURE RELIES ON THE HOSPITALITY INDUSTRY.

IF WE PUT THE MONEY BACK IN THE POCKETS OF TAXPAYERS, THEY'LL BE THE ONES TO BOOST THE ECONOMY.

WE THE PEOPLE ARE THE GOVERNING AUTHORITY IN MINNESOTA.

WE SPOT OUR LOCAL LAW ENFORCEMENT.

THAT'S WHY I'M THE CANDIDATE IN THIS RACE ENDORSED BY THE MINNESOTA POLICE AND PEACE OFFICERS ASSOCIATION.

THIS CURRENT DEMOCRATIC GOVERNMENT HAS FORGOTTEN LAW AND ORDER.

WE'RE A REPUBLIC WITH GOD GIVEN RIGHTS.

THEY'RE NOT RADICAL BELIEFS.

AND THE BELIEFS ARE AT THE FOUNDATION OF THE MINNESOTA STATE CONSTITUTION.

IT'S TIME TO ELECT COMMON SENSE PUBLIC SERVANTS WHO UNDERSTAND OUR RIGHTS AND FREEDOMS.

I AM THAT CANDIDATE.

GOVERNMENTS SHOULD NEVER INFRINGE ON YOUR RIGHTS TO BEAR ARMS.

I'M THE ONLY CANDIDATE IN THIS RACE ENDORSED BY THE NRA AND THE MINNESOTA GUN OWNERS.

PLEASE VOTE BEN DAVIS.

THANK YOU AND MAY GOD BLESS THE GREAT STATE OF MINNESOTA.

>> THANK YOU.

RICK.

>> AGAIN, THANK YOU LAKELAND PBS.

THE BRAINERD DISPATCH.

AND NORTHERN COMMUNITY RADIO.

AND THANKS BEN FOR SHOWING UP.

FOR THIS ELECTION, THE CHOICE IS CLEAR.

I ASK YOU TO CHOOSE ME, A REPRESENTATIVE COMMITTED TO REPRESENTING YOUR INTEREST IN THE LEGISLATURE.

I HAVE A LONG TRACK RECORD OF SERVICE TO OTHERS AND DEMONSTRATED THE ABILITY TO WORK WITH PEOPLE FROM ALL PARTIES AND GET THINGS DONE FOR MY CONSTITUENTS.

I WILL FIGHT TO PRESERVE ALL OF OUR FREEDOM.

INCLUDING THE FREEDOM TO MANAGE YOUR OWN REPRODUCTIVE HEALTH.

I WILL WORK TO FULFILL THE OBLIGATIONS TO THE SCHOOL DISTRICTS BY FULLY FUNDING EDUCATION.

ALL STUDENTS DESERVE EQUAL ACCESS TO QUALITY EDUCATION.

AND PARENTS DESERVE FREEDOM TO SEND THEIR CHILDREN TO SAFE AND WELCOMING PUBLIC SCHOOLS TO PREPARE THEIR CHILDREN TO BE SUCCESSFUL, CONTRIBUTING ADULTS.

AS CITY COUNCIL AND BOARD MEMBER, I HAVE ACTIVELY AND SUCCESSFULLY LOBBIED FOR THE INTEREST OF MINNESOTA'S TOWNS AND CITIES WITH REPUBLICANS, DEMOCRATS, AND INDEPENDENT MEMBERS.

I HAVE SERVED ON COMMITTEES FROM OTHER RURAL LEADERS OF ALL PARTIES TO DEVELOP TRANSPORTATION POLICIES, AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT POLICIES THAT WERE CAREFULLY CRAFTED TO HELP MINNESOTA COMMUNITIES THRIVE.

I WOULD JOIN OTHER CITY LEADERS TO VISIT THE LEGISLATOR AND IS MAKE SURE THEY UNDERSTAND OUR NEEDS.

WE NEED PEOPLE LIKE ME, WHO KNOW HOW TO WORK WELL WITH OTHERS IN THE LOWERING.

PLEASE VOTE FOR ME, RICHARD BLAKE ON NOVEMBER 8, AND ASK YOUR FRIENDS AND NEIGHBORS TO PICK RICK TOO.

>> THANK YOU BOTH FOR TAKING TIME OUT OF YOUR BUSY SCHEDULE TO SHARE.

>>> IF YOU MISSED ANY PORTION OF TONIGHT'S DEBATE OR WOULD LIKE TO WATCH IT AGAIN, IT WILL BE AVAILABLE ON THE LAKELAND PBS WEBSITE WITHIN 24 HOURS.

THAT WEBSITE IS LPTV.ORG ALSO, THE BRAINERD DISPATCH PROVIDES ADDITIONAL CANDIDATE COVERAGE IN GENERAL AT THEIR SPECIAL ELECTION WEBSITE.

BRAINERDDISPATC.COM/VOTE.

AND YOU CAN FIND ELECTION COVERAGE FROM KAXE ON THEIR WEBSITE AT KAXE.ORG.

COMING UP NEXT AT 8PM, WE'LL HAVE THE HOUSE DISTRICT 5B DEBATE WITH GREGG HENDRICKSON AND MIKE WIENER.

THANK YOU.

CAPTIONING PROVIDED BY: CAPTION ASSOCIATES LLC WWW.CAPTIONASSOCIATES.COM