>> Announcer: DEBATE NIGHT 2024 IS BROUGHT TO YOU IN PART BY: LAKELAND PBS, THE BEMIDJI PIONEER, BRAINERD DISPATCH, PARK RAPIDS ENTERPRISE AND KAXE/KBXE ARE PROUD TO PRESENT DEBATE NIGHT 2024.

YOUR MODERATOR TONIGHT IS BETHANY WESLEY.

AND NOW THE MINUTE HOUSE DISTRICT 6A DEBATE.

>> Ray: GOOD EVENING, EVERYONE.

WELCOME TO OUR THIRD NIGHT OF DEBATE NIGHT 2024 AT LAKELAND PBS STUDIO IN BRAINERD.

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

WE'RE CONTINUING WITH THE SECOND OF TWO STATE LEGISLATIVE DEBATES TONIGHT COVERING TOPICS AND ISSUES THAT ARE IMPORTANT TO YOU AND YOUR COMMUNITIES.

THERE ARE TWO CANDIDATES RUNNING FOR HOUSE DISTRICT 6A, REPRESENTATIVE BEN DAVIS, THE REPUBLICAN -- FROM THE REPUBLICAN PARTY, AND EARL BUTENHOFF FROM THE DEMOCRATIC-FARMER-LABOR PARTY.

WE HAVE THREE PANELISTS TONIGHT ASKING QUESTIONS OF THE CANDIDATES.

TO MY LEFT IS DENNIS WEIMANN A REPORTER -- WHO IS THE NEWS ANCHOR ON LAKELAND PBS AND MEGAN BUFFINGTON IS A REPORTER AT KAXE/KBXE AND PUBLIC RADIO, AND TIM SPEIER IS A REPORTER FOR THE BRAINERD DISPATCH.

NOW FOR THE RULES FOR TONIGHT'S DEBATE.

THEY SOUND COMPLICATED, BUT THEY'RE REALLY NOT THAT BAD.

EACH CANDIDATE WILL HAVE THREE MINUTES FOR OPENING COMMENTS.

THE PANEL WILL THEN BEGIN ASKING QUESTIONS.

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

CANDIDATES WILL ROTATE THE ORDER THEY SPEAK, BEGINNING WITH OPENING COMMENTS AND FINISHING WITH CLOSING COMMENTS.

EACH CANDIDATE WILL HAVE TWO MINUTES TO ANSWER THE QUESTIONS.

EACH CANDIDATE WILL THEN HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY FOR A ONE-MINUTE REBUTTAL OR JUST AN ADDITIONAL COMMENT.

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

THEY CAN BE USED DURING THE ANSWER TO THE INITIAL QUESTION OR DURING THE REBUTTAL, BUT IT CAN ONLY BE USED ONCE.

QUESTIONS WILL CONTINUE UNTIL WE REACH THE 50-MINUTE MARK, AT WHICH TIME WE WILL MOVE TO CLOSING COMMENTS.

CANDIDATES WILL HAVE TWO MINUTES FOR CLOSING COMMENTS.

ALL RIGHT, LET'S GET STARTED.

BEN, YOU'RE GOING TO BE STARTING WITH THE OPENING COMMENTS.

>> Davis: THANK YOU.

I'D LIKE TO FIRST THANK YOU LAKELAND PUBLIC TELEVISION AND TONIGHT'S MODERATOR FOR THIS OPPORTUNITY AND THANK YOU TO MR. BUTENHOFF FOR BEING HERE.

MY NAME IS BEN DAVIS.

IT'S BEEN AN ABSOLUTE HONOR TO REPRESENT AND SERVE THE GOOD FOLKS OF HOUSE DISTRICT 6A THESE LAST TWO YEARS.

I'VE HAD THE PRIVILEGE OF BUILDING RELATIONSHIPS WITH FOLKS ALL OVER THE DISTRICT, BOTH SIDES OF THE AISLE, AND FOR THAT I'M VERY GRATEFUL.

THIS LAST BIENNIUM, I SERVED ON THE ELECTIONS COMMITTEE, THE CHILDREN AND FAMILIES COMMITTEE, AND THE ENERGY COMMITTEE.

I WAS ALSO A FIRST-TIME MEMBER OF THE IRON RANGE RESOURCE AND REHABILITATION BOARD THAT HELPS WITH ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT RIGHT HERE IN OUR OWN BACKYARD.

WE ACCOMPLISH A LOT OF GOOD WORK FOR OUR LOCAL COMMUNITIES AS A BIPARTISAN BOARD.

I'VE BEEN FAITHFULLY MARRIED TO MY LOVELY WIFE DAWN FOR 24 YEARS AND WE PASTOR AT A LOCAL CHURCH IN BRAINERD, MINNESOTA, HERE, AND WE HAVE SEVEN BEAUTIFUL CHILDREN.

THREE OF THEM ARE NOW ADULTS AND I'VE GOT A 19-MONTH-OLD AND A SOON TO BE 3-YEAR-OLD AS WELL.

WE'VE LIVED HERE OUR ENTIRE LIVES AND WE JUST ABSOLUTELY LOVE IT HERE.

I'M ENDORSED BY THE MINNESOTA POLICE AND PEACE OFFICERS ASSOCIATION, THE MINNESOTA FARM BUREAU, THE MINNESOTA CHAMBER OF COMMERCE, THE NATIONAL FEDERATION OF INDEPENDENT BUSINESS, NORTH CENTRAL STATES REGIONAL COUNCIL OF CARPENTERS, THE MINNESOTA PIPES TRADE UNION, THE INTERNATIONAL UNION OF OPERATING ENGINEERS LOCAL 49, MINNESOTA CONCERNED CITIZENS FOR LIFE, AND, OF COURSE, THE REPUBLICAN PARTY OF MINNESOTA AS WELL.

ON THESE LAST TWO YEARS, WE'VE SEEN GOVERNMENT OVERREACH GO TO AN ALL NEW LEVEL.

THE DEMOCRAT PARTY CURRENTLY CONTROLS THE GOVERNOR'S OFFICE, THE MINNESOTA SENATE, AND THE MINNESOTA HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.

IT IS MY GOAL TO WANT TO BRING MORE BALANCE BACK TO OUR GOVERNMENT AND THIS DEMOCRAT TRIFECTA OF POWER, THEY RAISED OUR TAXES BY $10 BILLION AND THEY WASTED OUR $18 BILLION SURPLUS.

THEY ALSO GREW GOVERNMENT BY NEARLY 40%.

EVEN WITH THE DEMOCRAT TRIFECTA OF POWER IGNORING US NEARLY THE ENTIRE BIENNIUM, I WAS ABLE TO PASS LEGISLATION BY WORKING WITH LOCAL LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICERS TO GET CRITICAL FUNDING REIMBURSEMENTS FOR ICE RESCUES IN OUR BEAUTIFUL LAND OF 10,000 LAKES.

I ALONG WITH OTHER REPUBLICANS HELPED SECURE $300 MILLION FOR OUR NURSING HOMES.

WE WANTED TO GET THEM MUCH MORE, BUT WE HAD TO BEG AND SCREAM FOR THAT.

I'M VERY EXCITED TO GET TO WORK AND SECURE FUNDS FOR OUR GREAT RURAL EMS PROVIDERS THAT WERE HANDED PEANUTS THIS LAST SESSION BY THE DEMOCRATS.

I WAS ALSO ABLE TO SECURE FUNDS FOR WATER TREATMENT IN OUR DISTRICT.

I'VE AUTHORED AND CO-AUTHORED NUMEROUS BILLS THAT CUT TAXES, INCLUDING THE COMPLETE ELIMINATION OF SOCIAL SECURITY TAXES, PROTECTING OUR SECOND AMENDMENT RIGHTS, AND HELPING SMALL BUSINESS AND JOB CREATORS IN OUR COMMUNITY.

I LOOK FORWARD TO CONTINUING TO SERVE YOU IN HOUSE DISTRICT 6A.

THANK YOU.

>> Ray: THANK YOU, BEN.

EARL.

>> Butenhoff: I AM EARL BUTENHOFF, I'VE BEEN ENDORSED BY THE DFL, AND WAS BORN AND BRED HERE IN MINNESOTA.

I GREW UP ON A FAMILY FARM BY RANDALL, MINNESOTA, AND I WENT TO SCHOOL AND GRADUATED FROM HIGH SCHOOL AND I GOT A LITTLE BIT IN COMMON WITH BEN HERE.

I ALSO STUDIED TO BE A MINISTER.

I DIDN'T GO ALL THE WAY, BUT -- SO I WENT TO FOUR YEARS TO STUDY TO BE A LUTHERAN MINISTER.

AND I THINK I HAVE AN IDEAL BACKGROUND FOR THIS JOB BECAUSE THIS TERRITORY, THIS DISTRICT IS ABOUT 100 MILES LONG.

IT'S STARTS SOUTH OF GARRISON AND GOES ALL THE WAY TO GRAND RAPIDS, SO WE HAVE A LOT OF DIFFERENT KIND OF INDUSTRIES IN THERE, INCLUDING FARMS AND MANUFACTURING AND IRON MINES, OF WHICH I'M GOING TO ADMIT I DON'T KNOW A LOT ABOUT IRON MINES.

LAST SUMMER, I HELPED TO GET A CULL COW BUTCHERING CO-OP STARTING IN FINE PINE RIVER.

THE PAPERWORK WASN'T ALL DONE ON THAT, SO I GOT TO WORK ON THAT AND THAT'S COMING UP.

THEY'RE GOING TO DO THE TRAINING AT THE COLLEGE AND THAT'S ONE THING I DID SINCE I MOVED UP HERE.

SOME OF MY GOALS ARE EDUCATION.

I THINK PROPERTY TAXES SHOULD BE REDUCED.

I WORKED ON THAT BEFORE.

THROUGH MY YEARS AT FARMERS UNION, WE DID INTERSTATE GATHERINGS, WORK PROJECTS.

I GOT TO WORK WITH THE SECRETARY OF AGRICULTURE OF -- THE COMMISSIONER OF AGRICULTURE FOR TEXAS BACK IN THE MID '80s, JIM HIGHTOWER, AND I'VE BEEN ENDORSED BY MINNESOTA FARMERS UNION.

I'VE BEEN ENDORSED BY AFSCHME AND THERE'S A WORKERS UNION I ALSO GOT ENDORSED BY.

THAT IS WHAT I HAVE DONE.

I MAN ON WORKING ON THESE -- I MAN ON WORKING ON THESE OTHER PROJECTS.

THIS PROPERTY TAX, I THINK THAT NEEDS TO BE SOMETHING THAT I WANT.

MY TWO MINUTES UP?

IT'S A BIG DISTRICT AND IT NEEDS A LOT OF WORK.

I'VE GOT A GUY DOWN THE ROAD FROM ME THAT SAID YOU DON'T KNOW BEN, AND HE'S A REPUBLICAN, SO I MEAN, WE CAN'T HAVE THAT.

I WENT AND TALKED WITH HIM AND GAVE HIM MY CARD, AND HE SAID I HAVE NOBODY TO TALK TO.

HE TOOK HIS TRUMP SIGN DOWN, AND HE SAID I HAVE NOBODY TO TALK TO.

SO I GAVE HIM MY CARD AND MY PHONE NUMBER AND I SAID CALL ME ANYTIME YOU WANT.

SO HE SAYS, I DON'T KNOW WHO TO TALK TO AROUND HERE.

HE SAYS, I DO HAVE A -- SOME FRIENDS NEAR SOUTH DAKOTA BORDER THAT I CALL WHEN I HAVE QUESTIONS ABOUT LEGISLATION, THAT TYPE OF THING.

>> THANK YOU, EARL.

TIM IS GOING TO ASK OUR FIRST QUESTION AND IT WILL BE DIRECTED TO YOU, EARL.

>> Butenhoff: OKAY.

>> Tim: THANKS, RAY.

THE CENTER FOR RURAL POLICY AND DEVELOPMENT ESTIMATED IN 2003 A SHORTAGE OF OVER 40,000 CHILDCARE SLOTS IN GREATER MINNESOTA.

WHAT CAN THE STATE DO TO ALLEVIATE THE CHILDCARE SHORTAGE IN MINNESOTA?

>> Butenhoff: THAT IS A REALLY GOOD QUESTION.

THAT WOULD TAKE SOME -- ME NOT HAVING BEEN IN THE LEGISLATURE, I WOULD HAVE TO GET TOGETHER WITH PEOPLE AND TRY AND FIGURE OUT HOW WE COULD DO THAT WITH THE STATE.

I DON'T KNOW.

I'M SURE SOME KIND OF TAX BENEFITS FOR PEOPLE THAT DO CHILDCARE WOULD HELP.

THERE'S SOME BILLS THAT WERE NOT PASSED IN THE LAST SESSION THAT WOULD ALLEVIATE SOME OF THE FOOD FOR THE KIDS IN SCHOOL.

THAT'S ONE -- THAT WOULD BE ONE THING.

>> Ray: OKAY, THANK YOU, EARL.

BEN?

>> Davis: YES, THANK YOU FOR THE QUESTION.

WE NEED AFFORDABLE CHILDCARE AND IN MINNESOTA, WE DON'T HAVE IT.

AND I WILL TELL YOU, AFTER BEING IN GOVERNMENT FOR TWO YEARS, I CAN TELL YOU WHAT THE REASON IS.

THE REASON IS BECAUSE GOVERNMENT IS GETTING IN THE WAY AND MAKING IT HARD FOR LOCAL CHILDCARE PROVIDERS AND SMALL BUSINESS CHILDCARE PROVIDERS.

WE NEED TO CUT REGULATIONS ON OUR CHILDCARE -- SMALL CHILDCARE LOCAL BUSINESSES.

GOVERNMENT KEEPS PUSHING MORE AND MORE MONEY, STATE GOVERNMENT IN MINNESOTA KEEPS PUSHING MORE AND MORE MONEY AND PUSHING MORE AND MORE POLICIES TOWARDS LARGE DAYCARE CENTERS, AND CHILDREN ARE JUST AS SAFE, IF NOT SAFER, IN LOCAL DAYCARE CENTERS THAN THEY ARE IN THESE BIG DAYCARE CENTERS.

WE NEED TO PROTECT OUR LOCAL HOME DAYCARE BY CUTTING REGULATIONS.

IF WE GET GOVERNMENT OUT OF THE WAY -- AND YOU'RE PROBABLY GOING TO HEAR THAT FROM ME A LOT BECAUSE IF THERE'S ONE THING I'VE LEARN IN THESE FIRST TWO YEARS OF SERVING IS THAT GOVERNMENT WANTS TO HAVE ITS HANDS IN EVERYTHING.

IT'S ALSO TIME FOR REPUBLICANS TO HAVE A SEAT AT THE TABLE IN GOVERNMENT.

AGAIN, I SAID EARLIER THAT THE DEMOCRATS RUN THE HOUSE, THE SENATE, AND THE GOVERNOR'S OFFICE, AND THEY'RE NOT GIVING US REPUBLICANS A SEAT AT THE TABLE.

I CAN REMEMBER, I SERVED ON THE CHILDREN AND FAMILIES COMMITTEE, AND I CAN REMEMBER OUR LEAD, LEE DANIELS, REPRESENTATIVE DANIELS, HE WASN'T EVEN INVITED TO CONFERENCE COMMITTEE.

CONFERENCE COMMITTEE IS WHERE THE TWO SIDES ARE SUPPOSED TO COME TOGETHER AND THEY PUT THE FINAL TOUCHES ON THE GILS THAT ARE BEING PASSED, AND THEY DIDN'T EVEN INVITE THE REPUBLICAN LEAD IN CHILDREN AND FAMILIES IN CONFERENCE COMMITTEE.

SO PLEASE HELP US CHANGE THAT THIS FALL.

THANK YOU.

>> Ray: THANK YOU, BEN.

EARL, ANY REBUTTAL TO THAT?

>> Butenhoff: WE DON'T KNOW FOR SURE IF THAT'S ACTUALLY ACCURATE, NOT BEING INVITED.

I WOULD LIKE TO KNOW WHAT REGULATIONS YOU THINK WE SHOULD NOT HAVE.

>> Davis: WELL -- >> Ray: GO AHEAD AND REBUT IF YOU'D LIKE AND WE'LL GIVE HIM A CHANCE TO REBUT.

>> Butenhoff: WELL, I'M NOT SURE THAT STATEMENT HE MADE WAS ACCURATE, SO I'D LIKE TO -- THERE'S NO WAY FOR US TO VERIFY THAT, THAT THEY WEREN'T INVITED.

I KNOW OF SITUATIONS WHERE THEY WERE INVITED AND DIDN'T GO.

BUT I WOULD LIKE TO KNOW WHAT REGULATIONS SHOULD BE CUT BACK I'M TOO NEW.

I HADN'T BEEN DOWN THERE YET.

SO I CAN'T SAY WHAT REGULATIONS SHOULD BE CUT.

>> Ray: OKAY.

BEN?

>> Davis: WELL, I AM TELLING THE TRUTH ABOUT THAT BECAUSE I ACTUALLY SPOKE TO IT ON THE HOUSE FLOOR IN THE -- YOU CAN ACTUALLY GO ON THE YOUTUBE WHERE I CALL OUT THE DEMOCRATS ON THIS.

SO TO PROVE THAT IT REALLY DID HAPPEN.

I'M NOT STANDING UP HERE TO MAKE STUFF UP.

GOVERNMENT HAS MADE CHILDCARE EXPENSIVE.

I'LL JUST REITERATE IT.

THEY MADE IT MORE EXPENSIVE, LESS ACCESSIBLE.

THEY'VE GIVEN FAMILIES FEWER OPTIONS.

WE'VE LOST OVER A THOUSAND DAYCARE CENTERS IN RECENT YEARS BECAUSE OF OVERREGULATION.

HE WANTS AN EXAMPLE.

HOW ABOUT MANY LOCAL DAYCARE CENTERS, YOU DON'T HAVE ACCESS -- THE KIDS DON'T HAVE ACCESS TO THE MAIN RESIDENCE OF THE FAMILY MANY TIMES, YET THEY HOLD THE REST OF THE HOUSE TO THE SAME STANDARDS OF WHERE THE KIDS ARE GOING TO BE LOCATE, AND I THINK WE REALLY NEED TO CHANGE THAT.

I'VE ALSO BEEN TOLD NOW YOU GOT TO WRITE OUT REPORTS JUST IF YOU KILL A BUG IN A DAYCARE CENTER, YOU HAVE TO -- THE OPERATOR HAS TO FILL OUT A FORM FOR THAT AND TURN IT IN.

I JUST THINK THAT'S RIDICULOUS.

WE LIVE IN MINNESOTA.

WE GOT A LOT OF BUGS HERE, SO THAT WOULD BE AN EXAMPLE.

>> Ray: THANK YOU, BEN.

THE NEXT QUESTION IS COMING FROM MEGAN AND IT WILL BE ADDRESSED TO YOU, BEN.

>> Megan: MULTIPLE SCHOOL DISTRICTS IN DISTRICT 6A ARE EXPERIENCING BUDGET CHALLENGES, KRUG CROSBY IRONTON AND GRAND RAPIDS.

WHAT SHOULD THE LEGISLATURE DO TO ENSURE GREATER MINNESOTA SCHOOLS ARE EQUITABLE BLI FUNDED COMPARED TO THE METRO?

>> Davis: THANK YOU FOR THE QUESTION.

OUR SCHOOLS NEED FAIR AND FLEXIBLE, FAIR AND FLEXIBLE, AND THEN WE NEED TO GET GOVERNMENT OUT OF THE WAY OF OUR INDEPENDENT SCHOOL DISTRICTS.

THAT'S WHAT THEY'RE SUPPOSED TO BE.

THEY'RE SUPPOSED TO BE INDEPENDENT SCHOOL DISTRICTS THAT OPERATE INDEPENDENTLY BECAUSE EACH AREA OF OUR STATE IS DIFFERENT AND RIGHT NOW WE'VE METRO-CENTRIC POLITICIANS PASSING LAWS AND MANDATES ACROSS THE STATE THAT MIGHT FIT ST. PAUL-MINNEAPOLIS, BUT THEY DON'T IF IT CROSBY-IRONTON, THEY DON'T IF IT THE GRAND RAPIDS COHASSET AREA.

I'D LIKE TO SEE THAT CHANGE.

THE METRO AREA GETS AS MUCH AS $4,000 MORE PER PUPIL IN STATE FUNDING THAN RURAL SCHOOLS DO.

THAT'S NOT VERY EQUITABLE.

I THINK WE NEED MORE LOCAL CONTROL AND PARENT EMPOWERMENT.

THEY KNOW BETTER.

PARENTS AND TEACHERS KNOW BETTER THAN UNELECTED BUREAUCRATS ON WHAT'S BEST FOR OUR CHILDREN AT THE LOCAL LEVEL.

AND THE DEMOCRAT TRIFECTA BOASTED AT THE BEGINNING OF SESSION AND ALL THROUGHOUT SESSION HOW THEY WERE GOING TO FULLY FUND EDUCATION.

THAT'S WHAT THEIR BOAST WAS, AND NOW ALL ACROSS THE STATE, WE'RE HAVING SHORTFALLS IN OUR SCHOOL DISTRICTS.

I WOULD LIKE US TO FREE UP THE PER-PUPIL FUNDING FOR OUR INDEPENDENT SCHOOL DISTRICTS AND LET THEM SPEND IT THE WAY THEY SEE FIT.

GOVERNMENT CONTROL IS KILLING MANY THINGS.

IT INCLUDES OUR EDUCATION SYSTEM.

THANK YOU.

>> Ray: THANK YOU, BEN.

EARL?

>> Butenhoff: WELL, EACH SCHOOL DISTRICT ALREADY HAS A SCHOOL BOARD TO DEAL WITH SOME OF THESE ISSUES.

I DON'T KNOW THAT FUNDING THAT GOES TO METROPOLITAN SCHOOLS OR HERE, BUT THAT'S ONE OF THE THINGS THAT ME AND PETER RODOKOVICH THAT'S THE REPRESENTATIVE -- NOT THE SAME ONE UP BY DULUTH, A DIFFERENT ONE.

I CALLED HIM AND ASKED HIM IF HE WAS THE SAME ONE I KNEW, BUT WE HAD A PLAN ABOUT 20 YEARS AGO AND WENT TO THE STATE LEGISLATURE AND IT DIDN'T GET ANYMORE.

WE PROBABLY COULD HAVE MADE A FEW CHANGES IT IN, BUT I THINK ALL -- CHANGES IN IT, BUT I THINK ALL THE FUNDING SHOULD NOT COME OUT OF PROPERTY TAXES FOR SCHOOLS.

BUT I THINK THERE'S A BETTER WAY OF DOING THAT.

WHEN I GET ELECTED, THAT'S ONE OF THE THINGS I WANT TO WORK ON.

>> Ray: BEN, ANY REBUTTAL?

>> Davis: I DO.

FOR SCHOOL FUNDING, ONLY ABOUT 15% IS PROPERTY TAXES OR TAXES OUTSIDE OF THE STATE LEVEL.

THE STATE PAYS FOR -- THE STATE BUDGET IS ABOUT 85% OF THE FUNDING FOR OUR SCHOOLS, AND WE JUST HAD A $2.3 BILLION ADDED TO AN ALREADY BILLION-DOLLAR BUDGET FOR EDUCATION.

THOSE DOLLARS, THOUGH, CAME WITH ABOUT 60 DIFFERENT MANDATES.

IF YOU'RE SPENDING 3 TO $4 BILLION ON EDUCATION, WE SHOULDN'T BE HAVING SHORTFALLS LIKE WE DO.

AGAIN, WE NEED TO LET SCHOOLS, WE NEED TO FREE THEM UP TO SPEND THE MONEY, GET RID OF THESE UNFUNDED MANDATES FOR OUR SCHOOL DISTRICTS, AND LOCAL CONTROL WILL HOLD THE SCHOOL BOARD ACCOUNTABLE ON WHAT THEY DO WITH THOSE DOLLARS.

>> Ray: THANK YOU, BEN.

ANY REBUTTAL, EARL?

>> Butenhoff: I THINK THOSE ARE THINGS THAT ALL NEED TO BE LOOKED AT AND THAT'S ONE OF THINGS THAT PETER AND I, HE WAS THE STATE REPRESENTATIVE AT THE TIME FROM FARIBAULT, HIM AND I WORKED ON SOME OF THAT, BUT WE DIDN'T GET IT GOING.

>> Davis: COULD I USE MY EXTRA MINUTE ON THAT?

WOULD THAT BE OKAY?

>> Ray: ABSOLUTELY.

>> Davis: BECAUSE THIS IS REALLY IMPORTANT.

I VISITED OUR SCHOOLS AND I CAN SEE THE LOOKS IN ADMINISTRATORS' FACES THAT THEY -- THEY KNOW THEIR SCHOOLS AREN'T DOING SO WELL AND THEY TELL ME ABOUT HOW TEACHERS ARE BEING LAID OFF, AND I MET SOME OF THOSE TEACHERS SPECIFICALLY AT THE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL IN CROSBY, AND I WANT TO GIVE SOME STATISTICS FOR MINNESOTA STUDENTS, HOW THEIR SCORES HAVE CONTINUOUS TO PLUMMET SINCE -- CONTINUED TO PLUMMET SINCE 2019 UNDER GOVERNOR WALZ.

READING PROFICIENCY IS DOWN 16%, MATH IS DOWN 17, SCIENCE IS DOWN 23, LESS THAN HALF OUR STUDENTS ARE READING AT GRADE LEVEL AND EVERY BOOK IS BANNED TO A CHILD WHO CANNOT READ.

AND THIS CURRENT WALZ ADMINISTRATION IS PUSHING THEIR IDEOLOGICAL AGENDA OVER THE BASICS OF EDUCATION.

THIS IS NOT A FAILURE OF THE SCHOOLS OR THE TEACHERS OR THE PARENTS.

WE NEED TO GET STATE GOVERNMENT OUT OF THE WAY SO THEY CAN DO THEIR JOB.

THANK YOU.

>> Ray: THANK YOU, BEN.

THE NEXT QUESTION IS COMING FROM DENNIS AND IT WILL BE DIRECTED FOR YOU, EARL.

>> Butenhoff: OKAY.

>> Dennis: ALL RIGHT.

FIRST OFF, THANK YOU BOTH FOR JOINING US TONIGHT AND SHARING YOUR THOUGHTS ON A WIDE VARIETY OF TOPICS.

MY QUESTION IS HOW DO YOU FEEL ABOUT THE CURRENT ABORTION LAWS AS THEY ARE WRITTEN IN MINNESOTA?

>> Butenhoff: WELL, I THINK THE ABORTION LAWS NEED TO ALLOW THE DECISIONS TO BE MADE BY THE MOTHER AND HER DOCTOR, AND THAT'S ONE PLACE WHERE THE GOVERNMENT KEEPS THEIR NOSE OUT.

THAT'S MY STATEMENT ON IT.

>> Ray: OKAY.

BEN.

>> Davis: THIS ONE IS REAL TOUCHY FOR ME BECAUSE PEOPLE ARE PASSIONATE ABOUT THIS ON BOTH SIDES, AND I DEFINITELY LISTEN TO BOTH SIDES OF THE ARGUMENT.

THIS IS WHERE I FALL.

I BELIEVE THE LIFE AND SPIRIT OF A CHILD EXISTS FROM CONCEPTION AND HAS A UNIQUE DESTINY THAT NO ONE ELSE HAS.

IT'S A STORY TO BE ETCHED IN THE HALLS OF ETERNITY.

IT REALLY IS.

ABORTION KILLS THAT CHILD AND THEIR UNIQUE DESTINY.

NEVER TO BE WRITTEN ON EARTH AGAIN.

I'D LIKE TO CONVINCE A MOTHER THAT WHEN THEY HOLD THEIR CHILD IN THEIR ARMS AND LOOK THEM IN THE EYE AFTER THE CHILD HAS BEEN BORN, THAT THEY WILL KNOW THAT THEY MADE THE RIGHT DECISION IN GIVING THAT CHILD LIFE AND THAT'S WHAT WE'RE TALKING ABOUT HERE, AN UNBORN CHILD, AND A CHILD'S RIGHT TO LIVE IS NO ONE'S RIGHT TO CHOOSE.

AND WHAT A SAD STATE OF AFFAIRS WE LIVE WHERE WE HAVE AN ORGANIZATION, PLANNED PARENTHOOD, WHO GETS TAX DOLLARS AND THEY CONVINCE MOTHERS IT'S THAT NORMAL TO ABORT THEIR CHILDREN.

WHEN I TALK ABOUT ABORTION, I'M TALKING ABOUT 99% OF ABORTIONS -- BECAUSE THAT'S WHAT IT IS -- WHERE THE MOTHER IS HEALTHY AND THE CHILD IS HEALTHY.

THIS SHOULD NOT BE -- IT'S NOT RIGHT.

THE GOVERNMENT GETS INVOLVED IF A MOTHER WERE TO KILL HER CHILD TEN MINUTES AFTER IT'S BORN, BUT IN THE STATE OF MINNESOTA, IF A MOTHER DECIDES TO KILL HER CHILD TEN MINUTES BEFORE IT'S BORN, AN ABORTION, IT'S FINE.

AND THAT IS WHAT POLICY IS RIGHT NOW IN MINNESOTA.

DEMOCRATS PASSED SOME OF THE MOST EGREGIOUS RADICAL LEGISLATION IN REGARDS TO ABORTION.

A WOMAN CAN HAVE AN ABORTION UP UNTIL THE MOMENT OF BIRTH.

THAT IS HOW THE LANGUAGE IS WRITTEN AND THAT'S HOW IT WILL STAND UP IN A COURT OF LAW.

>> Ray: THANK YOU, BEN.

ANY REBUTTAL THERE, EARL?

>> Butenhoff: WELL, THAT'S NOT COMPLETELY TRUE.

WHAT MOST ABORTIONS HAPPEN BECAUSE OF ILLNESSES WHERE THE UNBORN CHILD IS PROBABLY NOT GOING TO LIVE.

I DON'T KNOW ALL THE DETAILS OF EACH ONE, BUT THERE'S A LOT OF STORIES OUT THAT, ESPECIALLY IN TEXAS WHERE MOTHERS HAVE BEEN WAITING IN PARKING LOTS BLEEDING OUT, WAITING TO GET MEDICAL ASSISTANCE AND CAN'T GET IT BECAUSE THEIR STATE WON'T ALLOW IT.

SO THAT'S NOT COMPLETELY ACCURATE.

>> Ray: BEN, ANY REBUTTAL?

>> Davis: THAT'S FALSE PROPAGANDA THAT MY OPPONENT IS BRINGING INTO THIS ROOM RIGHT NOW AND INTO THIS DEBATE.

THAT IS NOT TRUE.

IT'S RIGHT AROUND ONE PERCENT, MAYBE A HAIR OVER, WHERE IT'S LIFE OF THE MOTHER, RAIRP OR INCEST IS INVOLVED.

AGAIN, WITH ABORTION, I'M NOT TALKING ABOUT ECTOPIC PREGNANCIES OR WHERE THE MOTHER'S LIFE IS IN DANGER.

THAT'S NOT WHAT WE'RE TALKING ABOUT HERE.

99% OF ABORTIONS ARE DONE JUST BECAUSE THE MOTHER THINKS THEY CAN'T AFFORD TO HAVE THE CHILD OR IT'S AN INCONVENIENCE.

AND THAT IS SAD.

I THINK WE NEED TO DO OUR MOTHERS, OUR WOMEN BETTER IN SOCIETY BY SURROUNDING THEM WITH COMFORT AND LETTING THEM KNOW THAT THERE'S SUPPORT THERE FOR THEM TO CARRY THAT CHILD TO TERM.

THAT'S WHAT WE'RE TALKING ABOUT HERE.

THAT IS A HUMAN BEING IN THE WOMB.

>> Butenhoff: ARE YOU SAYING THAT 99% -- >> Davis: IT'S NOT YOUR TURN TO SPEAK.

>> Ray: THE NEXT QUESTION IS COMING FROM TIM AND IS GOING TO BE ADDRESSED TO YOU, BEN.

>> Tim: WITH THE STATE PLANNING TO ISSUE LANCE LICENSES TO BUSINESSES FOR THE SALE AND PURCHASE OF RECREATIONAL MARIJUANA IN JANUARY, WHAT CHANGES IF ANY DO YOU THINK NEED TO BE MADE TO MINNESOTA'S CANNABIS LAWS GOING FORWARD?

>> Davis: WE NEED TO HIRE A COMMISSIONER.

THAT'S THE FIRST THING WE NEED TO DO.

WE DON'T EVEN HAVE A COMMISSIONER TO OVERSEE THIS PROCESS RIGHT NOW AND THE REGULATIONS ARE PRETTY MUCH UP IN THE AIR RIGHT NOW BECAUSE WE PUT THE CART BEFORE THE HORSE.

WE LEGALIZED THE MARIJUANA AND NOW THE BLACK MARKET WHEN IT COMES TO MARIJUANA SALES IS ABSOLUTELY SLIDING BECAUSE WE LEGALIZED MARIJUANA WITH VERY FEW REGULATIONS.

WE SHOULD HAVE TAKEN MORE TIME TO DO THIS.

I WAS ALWAYS IN SUPPORT OF MEDICINAL MARIJUANA, BUT THIS NEW LAW, THAT'S NOT WHAT IT'S TALKING ABOUT.

WE'RE TALKING ABOUT SMOKING MARIJUANA TO GET HIGH, AND I HAVE A BIT OF EXPERIENCE WITH THAT BECAUSE I'M A PASTOR, BUT I'M A PASTOR WITH A PAST.

I USED TO BE HIGHLY ADDICTED TO MARIJUANA.

I KNOW FIRST HAND MARIJUANA IS VERY ADDICTIVE, AND AT 24 YEARS OLD, I SURRENDERED HIGH LIFE TO CHRIST AND I GOT THAT STUFF OUT OF MY LIFE.

IT'S VERY ADDICT TIFR.

IT LEADS TO MENTAL HEALTH PROBLEMS, AND I THINK WE SHOULD HANDLE MARIJUANA WITH CARE FOR MEDICINAL PURPOSES.

IT SHOULD HAVE THE OVERSIGHT OF A DOCTOR INVOLVED WITH IT, AND AGAIN, WE'RE REALLY PUTTING THE CART BEFORE THE HORSE THAT SEEMS TO BE THE WAY THINGS GO WITH THE WALZ ADMINISTRATION, THOUGH.

>> Ray: THANK YOU.

EARL.

>> Butenhoff: THE STORIES I HEAR ABOUT IT IS THAT THE PROCESS TO GET THIS GOING HAS BEEN TOO SLOW.

SO I DON'T KNOW MYSELF WHAT NEEDS TO SPEED UP TO GET THAT, BUT PROBABLY GETTING A COMMISSIONER WOULD BE PART OF IT.

>> Ray: ANY ADDITIONAL COMMENTS, BEN?

>> Davis: SURE, THAT WOULD BE A GREAT THING TO ACTUALLY GET A COMMISSIONER TO OVERSEE THE PROCESS, BUT I'LL ALSO JUST ADD, THE LICENSING FOR DISPENSARIES AND THE INDUSTRY IN MARIJUANA, THERE'S NOT -- AGAIN, I WILL JUST REITERATE, THERE'S NOT MUCH REGULATION AND THEY'RE GOING TO PUT PEOPLE FIRST TO GET LICENSES IF YOU'VE COMMITTED A CRIME, YOU GET MOVED TO THE TOP OF THE LINE TO GET A LICENSE.

IF YOU ARE OF -- A PERSON OF A MINORITY, YOU GET PUT TO THE TOP OF THE LIST.

SO THEY'VE BROUGHT DEI INTO THIS CANNABIS INDUSTRY ALREADY.

>> Ray: EARL, ANY ADDITIONAL REBUTTAL?

>> Butenhoff: WELL, THAT'S ALL I'VE HEARD SO FAR ABOUT IT SINCE I'M NOT A SMOKER, I DON'T PAY A WHOLE LOT OF ATTENTION TO IT, BUT I KNOW THAT IT NEEDS TO BE REGULATED.

AND I THINK A COMMISSIONER WOULD HELP.

>> Ray: THANK YOU.

QUESTION NUMBER FIVE IS COMING FROM MEGAN AND IT WILL BE DIRECTED TO YOU FIRST, EARL.

>> Butenhoff: OKAY.

>> Megan: IF ELECTED, HOW WOULD YOU ENSURE CANDIDATES WHO DID NOT VOTE FOR YOU FEEL FAIRLY REPRESENTED IN OUR STATE LEGISLATURE?

>> Butenhoff: WELL, I GOT A STORY I CAN TELL YOU THAT HAPPENED TO ME.

I WAS OUT DOOR-KNOCKING, CALLING ON FARMERS.

AND THERE'S A FARMER DOWN THE ROAD FROM ME THAT HAS GOT A BIG TRUMP SIGN OUT IN HIS YARD.

SO I'VE BEEN DRIVING BY, WATCHING THAT, AND ALL OF A SUDDEN ONE DAY I SEE THE TRUMP THING COME DOWN.

AND I DROVE IN THE DRIVEWAY.

I DON'T KNOW THE GUY.

NEVER MET HIM IN MY LIFE.

AND HE LIVES ON NUMBER 1.

AND SO HIS WIFE DIRECTED ME TO ONE OF THE BUILDINGS WHERE HE WAS WORKING ON SOMETHING, INTRODUCED MYSELF, GAVE HIM MY CARD, THE ONE I HAVE HERE, TOLD HIM I WAS RUNNING.

I SAID I'M ASSUMING YOU'RE A REPUBLICAN.

HE SAID, YES, I AM.

I SAID, IF I GET ELECTED, I'D LIKE YOU TO VOTE FOR ME AND IF I GET ELECTED, YOU CAN TALK TO ME ANYTIME YOU WANT.

HE SAID, YEAH, I'M A REPUBLICAN AND RIGHT NOW, I HAVE NOBODY TO TALK TO.

HE DON'T KNOW BEN.

WELL, I DON'T KNOW HE DON'T KNOW YOU, BUT HE SAID HE DIDN'T KNOW, SO -- ANYWAY, WE HAD A LONG TALK AND SHOOK HANDS, LEFT HIM MY PHONE NUMBER AND WE'LL SEE WHAT HAPPENS.

>> Ray: THANK YOU.

BEN?

>> Davis: YEAH, I FREELY CONFESS, OPENLY CONFESS THAT I HAVE NOT MET EVERY SINGLE PERSON IN THE DISTRICT, INCLUDING EVERY REPUBLICAN.

BUT I HAVE DOOR-KNOCKED THOUSANDS AND THOUSANDS OF DOORS IN OUR DISTRICT, AND I DOOR-KNOCK REPUBLICAN, INDEPENDENT, DEMOCRATS, DOESN'T MATTER.

I'M YOUR STATE REP, AND IF I'M GOING TO CONTINUE TO BE YOUR STATE REP, I'M WILLING TO LISTEN TO ANYONE.

AND MY OFFICE IS ALWAYS OPEN.

I'VE MET ALL SESSION LONG WITH REPUBLICANS, DEMOCRATS, AND INDEPENDENTS, AND THE FIRST THING I TRY TO DO IS USE MY EARS BEFORE I USE MY MOUTH.

THANK YOU.

>> Ray: THANK YOU, BEN.

ANY REBUTTAL, EARL?

>> Butenhoff: HE'S RIGHT, THERE'S NO WAY YOU'RE GOING TO EVER MEET EVERYBODY.

YOU CAN'T -- NOT GOING TO WORK THAT WAY.

SO I DON'T KNOW WHY THE GUY -- I MEAN, HE CAN PICK UP THE PHONE AND CALL YOU TOO.

HE DOESN'T HAVE TO WAIT FOR SOMEBODY TO COME AND STOP IN THERE.

I DON'T KNOW WHAT HIS DEAL WAS, BUT WE GOT ALONG OKAY THAT DAY.

>> Ray: OKAY.

ANY ADDITIONAL COMMENTS, BEN?

>> Davis: SURE.

IF YOU ARE WATCHING THIS, SIR, AND YOU WOULD LIKE TO SPEAK WITH ME, MY PHONE NUMBER THAT YOU CAN GET AHOLD OF ME IS 218-839-2989.

218-839-2989.

>> Ray: QUESTION NUMBER SIX IS COMING FROM DENNIS AND IT'S DIRECTED TO YOU FIRST, BEN.

>> Dennis: WE KD VIEWERS SO SEND US QUESTIONS FOR THESE DEBATES AND WE'VE GOTTEN A STRONG RESPONSE.

I'M GOING TO USE ONE OF THOSE QUESTIONS NOW.

THE QUESTION READS, WHAT IS YOUR POSITION ON WHAT IS CAUSING THE EARTH'S CLIMATE TO WARM?

IS IT NATURAL FORCES OR BURNING FOSSIL FUELS FOR HUMID ACTIVITY?

ALSO, HOW DO WE MITIGATE AND ADAPT TO ITS EFFECTS?

>> Davis: GREAT QUESTION.

THERE'S LOTS OF DEBATE AND CONTROVERSY OVER THE SUBJECT BECAUSE WE DO KNOW THAT CLIMATE CHANGE IS HAPPENING.

CLIMATE CHANGES, HAS BEEN SINCE THE BEGINNING OF CREATION.

THE DEBATE COMES ON WHAT'S CAUSING IT.

AND RIGHT NOW, THERE SEEMS TO BE A GOAL IN MINNESOTA, ACTUALLY IT'S -- IT DOESN'T SEEM TO BE, THERE ACTUALLY WAS LEGISLATION PASSED TO MAKE OUR ENERGY HERE IN MINNESOTA COMPLETELY RELIANT ON SOLAR AND WIND.

WE'RE TALKING ABOUT THE GRID HERE.

COMPLETELY RELIANT UPON SOLAR AND WIND BY THE YEAR 2040.

AND I DON'T THINK THAT'S A -- I DON'T THINK THAT'S GOOD POLICY TO TRY AND FIX CLIMATE CHANGE IF YOU BELIEVE THAT MANKIND IS FIXING IT.

WE'VE ALREADY ACTUALLY DONE A VERY GREAT JOB OVER THE LAST FEW DECADES OF GREATLY REDUCING CARBON EMISSIONS, BUT THERE'S MANY SCIENTISTS OUT THERE, ONES WHO BELIEVE IN CLIMATE CHANGE AND ONES WHO BELIEVE THAT MAN IS HAVING AN IMPACT ON CLIMATE CHANGE, THEY SAY WE DON'T NEED TO GET RID OF ALL OF OUR CARBON EMISSIONS.

WE JUST DON'T.

I THINK AN ALL ABOVE ENERGY SUPPLY APPROACH IS HOW WE NEED TO DO THIS.

REPUBLICANS, INCLUDING ME, WE WANT ENERGY THAT IS RELIABLE, AFFORDABLE, AND SAFE.

IF WE GO TO WIND AND SOLAR, RIGHT NOW THAT MAKES UP ABOUT 20% OF OUR GRID ON A GOOD DAY.

25% ON A GREAT DAY.

THAT'S IT.

THE REST OF IT COMES FROM CLEAN COAL, NATURAL GAS, AND NUCLEAR, AND I WOULD ACTUALLY LIKE TO SEE US LIFT THE NUCLEAR MORATORIUM BECAUSE NUCLEAR IS VERY CLEAN, RIEBL ENERGY.

THANK YOU.

>> Ray: THANK YOU, BEN.

EARL?

>> Butenhoff: THAT'S A VERY IMPORTANT ISSUE AND NEEDS TO BE -- I KNOW THAT OUR DIESEL TRACTORS ON THE FARM, THEY SMOKED QUITE A BIT.

YOU COULD TELL WHEN MY DAD WAS DRIVING WATCHING THE SMOKE IN THE AIR.

CASE HAS NOW COME OUT WITH A TRACTOR THAT'S ELECTRIC, SO WHERE THAT WILL GO, I DON'T KNOW, BUT ELECTRIC IS PROBABLY PART OF ALL OF THIS.

>> Ray: THANK YOU.

ANY REBUTTAL, BEN?

>> Davis: YEAH, I THINK EARL AND I, I THINK WE BOTH WANT CLEAN WATER, CLEAN AIR, CLEAN FORESTS.

THAT'S WHAT WE FIND ON BOTH SIDES OF THE AISLE.

WE WANT A CLEAN ENVIRONMENT AND WE WANT TO PROTECT OUR ENVIRONMENT FOR FUTURE GENERATIONS, BUT WE HAVE TO BE RESPONSIBLE.

WE HAVE TO BE RESPONSIBLE WITH HOW WE'RE GETTING TO CLEAN ENERGY.

AND I WAS SITTING IN COMMITTEE.

WE ASKED AN EXPERT IN COMMITTEE ABOUT -- BECAUSE IF WE GO JUST SOLAR AND WIND, YOU'RE GOING TO HAVE TO STORE ENOUGH POWER TO GET PEOPLE THROUGH DURING THE DAY TO MEET OUR ENERGY NEEDS, AND WE ASKED THEM, WHAT TECHNOLOGY EXISTS RIGHT NOW THAT WE WILL NEED TO BE ABLE TO STORE THE ENERGY IF WE GO ALL WIND AND SOLAR?

THE ANSWER THAT WE WERE GIVEN BY THE EXPERT IN COMMITTEE WAS, IT DOES NOT YET EXIST.

FOLKS, THE PATH WE'RE ON, COMPLETELY CARBON-FREE BY 2040, IS DANGEROUS AND IRRESPONSIBLE AND IT NEEDS TO BE REPEALED.

>> Ray: THANK YOU, BEN.

EARL, ANY REBUTTAL?

>> Butenhoff: I JUST KNOW THAT WE NEED TO CLEAN UP OUR ENVIRONMENT.

AND NOT JUST IN EXHAUSTS THAT GO INTO THE AIR AND AIR WE BREATHE, BUT THE WATER, EVERYTHING NEEDS TO BE TAKEN CARE OF.

FOR OUR KIDS THAT ARE GOING TO BE HERE.

>> Ray: OKAY.

THANK YOU.

OUR NEXT QUESTION IS COMING FROM TIM AND IT WILL BE DIRECTED TO YOU FIRST, EARL.

>> Butenhoff: OKAY.

>> Tim: WHAT SHOULD BE DONE AT THE STATE LEVEL TO ALLEVIATE UNFUNDED MANDATE ONCOUNTY BUDGETS SUCH AS MENTAL HEALTH NEEDS AND OUT OF HOME PLACEMENTS FOR JUVENILES?

>> Butenhoff: UNFUNDED?

UNFUNDED.

WELL, WE NEED TO FUND THEM IF THAT'S WHAT NEEDS TO HAPPEN.

SO EACH -- WHATEVER THAT UNFUNDED MANDATE IS WOULD NEED TO BE LOOKED AT TO SEE IS IT URGENT, IS IT NEEDED, DOES IT NEED TO BE FUNDED OR HOW CAN WE FUND IT.

WE SHOULD FUND IT.

>> Davis: WELL, COUNTIES ARE STRUGGLING BECAUSE -- LISTEN, THAT'S HAPPENING ALL OVER THE NATION AND AGAIN, I'LL REPEAT, WE NEED TO GET GOVERNMENT OUT OF THE WAY OF LOCAL GOVERNMENT.

AND I'M NOT AGAINST HAVING ANY STATE GOVERNMENT, BUT THE PROBLEM IS THE HEAVY HAND OF STATE GOVERNMENT RIGHT NOW, ESPECIALLY UNDER THE WALZ ADMINISTRATION AND ESPECIALLY UNDER A DEMOCRAT TRIFECTA IS MAKING LIFE A LOT EASIER -- OR HARDER, EXCUSE ME.

WE HAVE RECORD HIGH INFLATION RIGHT NOW.

GROCERIES ARE EXTREMELY EXPENSIVE.

HOUSING PRICES ARE THROUGH THE ROOF AND I HOPE WE CAN GET INTO THAT A LITTLE BIT TONIGHT.

GAS PRICES ARE HIGH COMPARED TO WHAT THEY WERE JUST A FEW YEARS AGO.

I REMEMBER PAYING A BUCK-59 A GALLON FOR GAS AT ONE POINT.

PEOPLE ARE SPENDING MORE WITH CREDIT CARDS THAN EVER BEFORE.

THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT NEEDS TO QUIT SPENDING MONEY.

NOW, EARL OR I, WE CAN'T DO NOTHING ABOUT THAT EXCEPT COMPLAIN TO THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT TO QUIT DOING THAT, SO ACROSS THE BOARD, EVERYONE IS STRUGGLING AND IT SEEMS LIKE THE BIGGER GOVERNMENT GETS, THE WORSE THINGS GET.

FOLKS, WE NEED LESS GOVERNMENT.

WE NEED LESS OF THE HEAVY HAND OF GOVERNMENT GETTING IN THE WAY OF OUR LOCAL GOVERNMENTS.

>> Ray: THANK YOU, BEN.

FAE REBUTTAL, EARL?

>> Butenhoff: YES.

BEN IS PROBABLY TOO YOUNG TO -- HE MAYBE HEARD OF RICHARD NIXON, PROBABLY NEVER WORKED WITH HIM OR DID ANYTHING WITH HIM.

I WAS MANAGING CO-OP IN ALBANY, MINNESOTA, AT THAT TIME, WHEN RICHARD NIXON WAS IN OFFICE AND HE PUT PRICE FREEZES ON EVERYTHING, AND OUR GAS PUMPS WE HAD OUT ON THE INTERSTATE 94, THE SIGN SAID 51.9.

THE WAGES PAID BACK THEN AND THE 51.9, THAT'S CHEAPER GAS THAN WHAT WE HAD TODAY.

TODAY PEOPLE ARE EARNING 15 AND $16 AN HOUR AND MY EMPLOYEES AT THE CO-OP IN 1973, THEY WERE GETTING A BUCK AND A HALF.

CAN'T BUY MUCH 51 CENT GAS FOR A BUCK AND A HALF.

THAT WAS ACTUALLY -- THIS IS ACTUALLY BETTER THAN THAT ONE.

SO THAT WASN'T VERY GOOD.

>> Ray: THANK YOU.

BEN, ANY DISH COMMENTS?

>> Davis: NO.

>> Ray: OKAY.

QUESTION NUMBER EIGHT IS COMING FROM MEGAN AND IT WILL BE ADDRESSED TO YOU FIRST, BEN.

>> Megan: GIVEN THE POTENTIAL FOR MANGANESE MINING NEAR EMILY, HOW WILL YOU BALANCE THE ECONOMIC BENEFITS OF THE INDUSTRY WITH ENVIRONMENTAL SAFEGUARDS AND COMMUNITY HEALTH PROTECTIONS?

>> Davis: THANK YOU FOR THAT QUESTION.

YES, THERE'S A TON OF MANGANESE SITTING IN THE EMILY AREA AND THE FIRST THING WE NEED TO DO, FIRST OF ALL, WE HAVE ACTUALLY POFR VENN THAT WE CAN EFFECTIVELY AND SAFELY MINE IN MINNESOTA BETTER THAN ANYWHERE IN THE WORLD WITH THE BEST STANDARDS.

AND IF WE'RE GOING TOWARDS ELECTRIFICATION, LIKE EVERYBODY WANTS, WE'RE GOING TO NEED THAT MANGANESE.

WE'RE GOING TO NEED TO MINE IT RIGHT HERE IN OUR OWN COMMUNITY.

WE'RE GOING TO NEED IT.

IT'S ALSO SOME OF THE RICHEST MANGANESE IN ALL THE EARTH.

HOWEVER, I THINK WHAT'S BEEN DONE SO FAR, THEY'VE DONE A TERRIBLE JOB OF BUILDING RELATIONSHIP WITH THE LOCAL COMMUNITY.

I ACTUALLY WENT TO A MEETING WHERE THE LOCAL COMMUNITY SHOWED UP AND MANY OF THOSE PEOPLE WERE VERY CONCERNED AND IRATE AND I DIDN'T FEEL LIKE -- I JUST SAT BACK AND I OBSERVED WHAT WAS GOING ON.

SOME FOLKS CAME UP AND TALKED TO ME AFTERWARDS, BUT I DON'T -- I THINK THEY NEED TO DO A BETTER JOB OF BUILDING RELATIONSHIP AND LISTENING TO THE LOCALS IN THAT COMMUNITY BECAUSE THEY HAVE REAL FEARS OF THEIR LAKES AND STREAMS AND FORESTS GETTING RUINED.

AND WE'RE NOT TALKING ABOUT OPEN STRIP MINING.

THIS IS DEEP MINING WHERE YOU BACKFILL IT, BUT WE NEED TO LISTEN TO THE CONCERNS OF THE CITIZENS THAT ACTUALLY LIVE IN THAT AREA WHERE IT'S GOING TO BE MINED.

>> Ray: THANK YOU, BEN.

EARL?

>> Butenhoff: CAN I DIRECT THIS QUESTION TO BEN?

>> Ray: PARDON ME?

>> Butenhoff: I WANT TO DIRECT A QUESTION TO BEN.

DID THE PEOPLE IN THAT COMMUNITY LIKE THE IDEA?

I DON'T KNOW IF THEY DID OR NOT.

I'M NOT VERY UP ON MANGANESE MINING.

>> Ray: I THINK JUST GO AHEAD AND IF YOU HAVE A COMMENT, GO AHEAD AND MAKE IT.

>> Butenhoff: WELL, YEAH, I DON'T KNOW WHAT THE PEOPLE OF EMILY, IF THEY -- HE DON'T WANT TO ANSWER MY QUESTION, THAT'S OKAY.

I DON'T KNOW IF THEY UNDERSTAND WHAT MANGANESE IS AND WHAT IT TAKES TO GET IT OUT OF THE EARTH, AND IF IT'S -- TO LEAVE EVERYTHING CLEAN AND NICE LIKE IT WAS BEFORE IT STARTED, THAT'S WHAT I DON'T KNOW.

>> Ray: OKAY, ANY ADDITIONAL COMMENTS, BEN?

>> Davis: YES, I WILL ANSWER YOUR QUESTION.

I WAS JUST WAITING FOR MY OWN TIME ACCORDING TO THE RULES.

SORRY.

YES, I HAVE TALKED TO RESIDENTS THAT ARE BOTH IN FAVOR OF IT AND I'VE TALKED TO RESIDENTS WHO ARE ACTUALLY ON MY SIDE OF THE AISLE, CONSERVATIVE IN THEIR BELIEFS, WHO ARE VERY CONCERNED AND THEY DON'T WANT IT TO HAPPEN.

>> Butenhoff: THAT'S WHAT I -- I HADN'T TALKED TO ANYBODY.

>> Davis: I TALKED TO FOLKS WHO ARE FOR IT AND AGAINST IT.

>> Ray: ANY ADDITIONAL COMMENTS, EARL?

>> Butenhoff: IT NEEDS TO BE DONE NEAT AND CLEAN.

>> Ray: OKAY, THANK YOU.

OUR NEXT QUESTION, NUMBER NINE, IS COMING FROM DENNIS AND IT WILL BE DIRECTED TO YOU FIRST, EARL.

>> Butenhoff: OKAY.

>> Dennis: COULD YOU GIVE US SOME IDEAS ON WHAT THE STATE LEGISLATURE COULD DO TO HELP CREATE SOME SAVINGS NEEDED TO ENSURE THE SUCCESS OF HEALTHCARE IN MINNESOTA?

>> Butenhoff: I DON'T KNOW WHAT EVERYBODY ELSE'S HEALTHCARE IS LIKE.

MINE IS PRETTY GOOD AND EXPENSES ON MEDICATIONS IS DECENT.

YOU KNOW, WE GET -- SO I DON'T KNOW WITHOUT STUDYING THAT, I COULDN'T REALLY ANSWER YOUR QUESTION.

>> Ray: OKAY.

BEN?

>> Davis: THANK YOU.

I WOULD LIKE TO ELIMINATE WASTE AND POTENTIAL FRAUD BECAUSE THAT'S NOW COMING UP AGAIN IN MINNESOTA IN OUR PUBLIC HEALTH PROGRAM, AND LOWER HEALTH COSTS FOR OUR FAMILIES.

GOVERNMENT RAISED HEALTHCARE TAXES BY MORE THAN A BILLION DOLLARS.

GOVERNMENT WANTS TO TAKE OVER ALL HEALTHCARE AND I THINK THAT WOULD BE ABSOLUTELY DISASTROUS BECAUSE, AGAIN, IT'S A GOING THEME.

IT SEEM LIKE WHEN YOU PUT GOVERNMENT IN CHARGE OF SOMETHING, THERE'S UNINTENDED CONSEQUENCES THAT HAPPEN AND THINGS TEND TO GET MESSED UP A BIT.

I'D LIKE US TO FIGURE OUT MORE HEALTHCARE OPTIONS AND PROVIDE AN ATMOSPHERE OF COP TITIAN, ESPECIALLY IN -- OF COMPETITION, ESPECIALLY IN THE PRIVATE SECTOR.

THIS WILL DRIVE DOWN PRICES AND I BELIEVE IT WILL ALSO IMPROVE QUALITY.

DEMOCRATS HAVE INCREASED INSURANCE MANDATES THAT WILL INCREASE THE COST OF HEALTH INSURANCE PREMIUMS AND PLACE MORE BURDENSOME REQUIREMENTS ON HOSPITALS ALL AROUND THE STATE, INCREASING THEIR OPERATING COSTS AND ULTIMATELY COSTING PATIENTS MORE.

THANK YOU.

>> Ray: EARL, ANY ADDITIONAL COMMENTS?

>> Butenhoff: I WOULD HAVE TO CHECK ON THAT STUFF THAT HE TALK ABOUT BECAUSE I'M NOT SURE ABOUT IT.

>> Ray: OKAY.

ANY OTHER ADDITIONAL COMMENTS, BEN?

>> Davis: I DON'T.

>> Ray: OKAY.

OUR NEXT QUESTION IS NUMBER TEN AND IT'S COMING FROM DENNIS AND IT WILL BE DIRECTED TO YOU, BEN.

>> Dennis: I'M GOING TO GO BACK TO ANOTHER VIEWER QUESTION.

WHERE DO THE CANDIDATES STAND ON MINNESOTA END OF LIFE OPTION ACT, HOUSE FILE 930?

CAN THEY GET IT PASSED THIS YEAR?

I'M 78 YEARS OLD AND I'M VERY CONCERNED ABOUT THIS ISSUE.

I PREFER NOT TO MOVE TO ANOTHER STATE WHERE IT HAS ALREADY BEEN PASSED INTO LAW.

>> Davis: THANKS FOR THE QUESTION.

YEAH, THE ASSISTED SUICIDE BILL IS WHAT YOU'RE TALKING ABOUT THERE, AND I DO NOT SUPPORT ASSISTED SUICIDE.

I DO BELIEVE THAT LIFE BEGINS AT CONCEPTION AND ENDS IN NATURAL DEATH, AND WE HAVE GREAT HOSPICE CARE IN MINNESOTA AND THAT'S WHAT I'M BEING TOLD FROM DOCTORS WHO HAVE CONTACT ME THAT ARE TOTALLY AGAINST THE ASSISTED SUICIDE.

SOME OF THEM ARE APPALLED BY IT BECAUSE THAT'S NOT HEALTHCARE.

>> Ray: THANK YOU, BEN.

EARL?

>> Butenhoff: I WOULD NOT BE IN FAVOR OF ASSISTED SUICIDE.

>> Ray: BEN, ANYWAY ADDITIONAL COMMENTS THERE?

OKAY, ANY ADDITIONAL COMMENTS, EARL?

>> Butenhoff: NO.

>> Ray: OKAY, WE'RE GOING TO ASK ANOTHER QUESTION, AND TIM WE'RE GOING TO DIRECT IT TO YOU AND THE FIRST RESPONSE GOES TO EARL.

>> Tim: SO MENTAL HEALTH HAS BEEN A SERIOUS ISSUE FOR MANY YEARS IN MINNESOTA FOLLOWING THE CLOSURE OF MENTAL HEALTH HOSPITALS.

WHAT CAN THE LEGISLATURE DO TO CORRECT THAT ISSUE?

>> Butenhoff: CAN U REPEAT THE QUESTION?

>> Tim: YES, MENTAL HEALTH HAS BEEN A SERIOUS ISSUE IN MINNESOTA FOLLOWING THE CLOSURE OF MENTAL HEALTH HOSPITALS.

WHAT CAN THE LEGISLATURE DO TO CORRECT THAT ISSUE?

>> Butenhoff: I'M GOING TO START OFF BY SAYING I WISH WE WOULD HAVE NEVER CLOSED OUR STATE HOSPITAL YEARS AGO BECAUSE WE COULD REALLY USE IT RIGHT NOW.

I USED TO WORK AT A DUAL DIAGNOSIS FACILITY RIGHT HERE IN BRAINERD CALLED MINNESOTA ADULT AND TEEN CHALLENGE, AND WHAT WE FOUND WAS THAT MENTAL HEALTH AND ADDICTION GOES HAND IN HAND.

NOT ALWAYS, BUT A LOT OF THE TIMES IT DOES AND WE DO NEED MORE DUAL DIAGNOSIS FACILITIES AND MENTAL HEALTH FACILITIES.

I TELL YOU, A GREAT WAY TO START SOLVING THIS PROBLEM WOULD HAVE BEEN MAYBE TO TAKE A LITTLE BIT OF THAT $18 BILLION SURPLUS THAT'S NOW GONE AND PUT IT TOWARDS OUR MENTAL HEALTH AND MENTAL HEALTH FACILITIES.

SO I THINK THAT WOULD HAVE BEEN A GREAT START.

>> Ray: THANK YOU.

AND EARL?

>> Butenhoff: THERE USED TO BE A GOOD MENTAL HEALTH HOSPITAL IN FARIBAULT AND THERE USED TO BE A GOOD ONE IN WILLMAR, AND I DON'T THINK -- MY OPINION IS I DON'T THINK THEY SHOULD HAVE CLOSED.

>> Ray: ANY ADDITIONAL COMMENTS?

>> Davis: I AGREE COMPLETELY.

>> Ray: OKAY.

OUR NEXT QUESTION IS COMING FROM MEGAN AND THIS IS GOING TO BE DIRECTED TO YOU, BEN.

>> Megan: WHAT RESPONSIBILITY DO YOU HAVE STATE REPRESENTATIVES HAVE IN PREVENTING THE SPREAD OF MISINFORMATION?

>> Davis: STOPPING THE SPREAD OF MISINFORMATION.

WELL, IF SOMEONE IS -- FIRST OF ALL, WE NEED TO PROTECT OUR FIRST AMENDMENT RIGHTS, AND MY QUESTION -- I WOULD HAVE A QUESTION FOR THAT QUESTION.

WHO WOULD YOU HAVE DETERMINING -- WHO WOULD YOU HAVE THAT DECIDES WHAT MISINFORMATION OR DISINFORMATION IS?

WHO WOULD BE THE ONE DETERMINING THAT?

I CAN TELL YOU RECENTLY, GOVERNOR WALZ, IN A TV INTERVIEW, JUST SAID THAT WE NEEDED TO LIMIT THE FIRST AMENDMENT.

TO STOP -- HE CALLED IT TO STOP HATE SPEECH AND I CAN'T REMEMBER IF I USED -- I THINK HE USED THE TERM MISINFORMATION.

I THINK GOVERNOR WALZ WOULD WANT TO BE THE ONE DETERMINING WHAT HE THINKS IS HATE SPEECH AND MISINFORMATION.

FOLKS, THE FIRST AMENDMENT IS COMING UNDER ATTACK AND DON'T BUY INTO ANY -- [ AUDIO DIFFICULTIES ] BY RUSSIAN AS -- [ AUDIO DIFFICULTIES ] WATER FOR HER.

>> Butenhoff: THE MISINFORMATION THAT MR. TRUMP IS PUTTING OUT ABOUT THE -- IN FLORIDA.

SO I AGREE WITH YOU THAT MISINFORMATION NEEDS TO STOP.

AND I NEVER HEARD -- WALK AROUND SAYING THAT THE ELECTION WAS STOLEN FROM HER, BUT I HAVE HEARD DONALD TRUMP SAY AS OF JUST A COUPLE DAYS AGO, HE SAID THE 2020 WAS STOLEN FROM HIM.

>> Ray: ANY ADDITIONAL COMMENTS, BEN?

>> Davis: NO.

>> Ray: ANY ADDITIONAL COMMENTS, EARL?

>> Butenhoff: NO.

>> Ray: HEARING NONE, WE WILL POLICE OFFICER TO THE CLOSING COMMENTS.

YOU EACH HAVE TWO MINUTES AND EARL, YOU'LL BE UP FIRST?

>> Butenhoff: ALL RIGHT.

ONCE I'M -- AFTER I'M ELECTED, I ALSO PLAN ON USING SOME OF THE INCOME THAT YOU GET PAID FOR THIS JOB, WHICH IS SOMEWHERE BETWEEN 50 AND 80,000 A YEAR, THAT'S THE TWO NUMBERS I'VE HEARD, SO I PLAN ON OPENING UP A COUPLE OFFICES IN MY TERRITORY, IN MY DISTRICT, AND I'VE GOT A COUPLE PEOPLE THAT ALREADY SAID THEY WANT TO WORK IN ONE IN GRAND RAPIDS AND ONE IN CROSBY.

SO THAT'S ONE OF THE THINGS THAT I'M PLANNING.

AND THEN IF ANYBODY WANTS TO KNOW, THEY CAN GET AHOLD OF ME, I'LL LEAVE MY PHONE NUMBER HERE.

IF THEY WANT TO FIND OUT WHAT BILLS BEN DAVIS VOTED AGAINST AND WHAT HE VOTED, FOR I CAN GET THAT INFORMATION TO THEM, BUT I THINK THEY SHOULD KNOW THAT ALSO.

LOST AND STOLEN FIREARMS REPORTING IS WHAT HE VOTED NO ON IT.

AND I THINK THERE IS SOMETHING THAT NEEDS TO BE DONE ABOUT ALL THE SHOOTING AND I AM ABSOLUTELY 100% NOT IN FAVOR OF ANYBODY TAKING ANYBODY'S GUNS AWAY.

THEY CAN BUY MORE IF THEY WANT THEM.

JUST DEAL WITH THEM ON A RESPECTFUL MANNER.

I'VE GOT TROPHIES AT HOME THAT I WON AT GUN CLUBS, SO I KNOW WHAT SHOOTING IS ABOUT.

THAT IS MINE.

>> Ray: OKAY, THANK YOU, EARL.

BEN.

>> Davis: DEMOCRATS PASSED UNCONSTITUTIONAL MANDATES ON SMALL BUSINESS AND JOB CREATORS, PROVIDED FREE HEALTHCARE AND COLLEGE TUITION FOR ILLEGALS, PASSED THE MOST EXTREME RADICAL LAWS REGARDING ENDING THE LIFE OF AN UNBORN CHILDREN, AND WITH THAT BILL, I DIDN'T EVEN GET INTO TONIGHT, I'LL GET INTO IT RIGHT NOW, HOW RIGHT NOW, HF-1, LOOK IT UP A 13-YEAR-OLD GIRL CAN GO INTO AN UNLICENSED ABORTION CLINIC AND GET STERILIZED FOR THE REST OF HER LIFE WITHOUT HER PARENTS EVEN KNOWING ABOUT IT.

FOLKS, IT'S TRUE.

GO LOOK UP THE DEBATE ON YOUTUBE ON THE HOUSE FLOOR FROM THAT DEBATE.

THE AUTHOR OF THE BILL CONFIRMED THAT IT WAS TRUE.

THEY ALSO -- I WILL JUST REMIND YOU, THEY MADE ABORTION LEGAL UP UNTO THE MOMENT OF BIRTH.

REPUBLICANS TRIED TO BRING AN AMENDMENT ON THE HOUSE FLOOR TO NOT INCLUDE THE THIRD TRIMESTER OF PREGNANCY.

THE DEMOCRATS VOTED IT DOWN.

THEY ATTACKED OUR FIRST AMENDMENT RIGHT TO FREE SPEECH AND OUR SECOND AMENDMENT RIGHT TO BEAR ARMS.

THAT WOULD BE WHY I VOTED NO ON THAT BILL.

I VOTED NO ON ALMOST ALL THE BILLS, ESPECIALLY THE OMNIBUS ONES THAT WAS GOING TO COST YOU, THE TAXPAYER, EVEN MORE MONEY.

I WON'T HAVE IT, FOLKS.

SMALL GOVERNMENT.

CONSTITUTIONAL RIGHTS.

THAT'S WHAT I STAND FOR.

I WANT THE RESIDENTS OF THE DISTRICT OF 6A TO KNOW THAT MY RECORD SHOWS I'VE GOT THE BACKS OF OUR LAW ENFORCEMENT.

I AUTHORED LEGISLATION TO LOWER TAXES AND KEEP MORE OF YOUR HARD-EARN MONTH ININ YOUR OWN POCKET BECAUSE -- HARD-EARN MONEY IN YOUR OWN POCKET BECAUSE A MINNESOTAN KNOWS HOW TO SPEND THEIR MONEY MORE THAN THE GOVERNMENT DOES.

I DEFENDED OUR CONSTITUTIONAL RIGHTS BECAUSE I LOVE MY COUNTRY AND I LOVE MY FELLOW AMERICANS WHETHER YOU'RE A REPUBLICAN OR DEMOCRAT.

WITH RECORD-HIGH INFLATION, THE PRICE OF GROCERIES AND THE PRICE OF GAS AT THE PUMP, THERE'S NEVER BEEN A BETTER TIME TO VOTE REPUBLICAN.

WE HAVE SO MUCH POTENTIAL FOR GREATER PROSPERITY WAITING TON UNLEASHED, BUT OUR CURRENT GOVERNMENT KEEPS HOLDING US BACK.

THANK YOU AND I WILL CONTINUE TO BE THE COMMON SENSE VOICE FOR OUR DISTRICT.

>> Ray: THANK YOU, EARL AND BEN, FOR APPEARING TONIGHT.

I PREESHT YOUR SHARING YOUR VIEWS.

THANK YOU TO THE PANELISTS FOR THE GOOD QUESTIONS, AND WE'RE GOING TO WRAP THIS UP.

IF YOU MISSED ANY PORTION OF TONIGHT'S DEBATE OR WOULD LIKE TO PARTICIPATE, YOU'RE WELCOME TO GO TO LAKELAND NEWS PBS WEBSITE AND THE PBS APP WITHIN 24 HOURS.

FINE MORE LOCAL AND NATIONAL ELECTION COVERAGE AND SPECIALS ON THE LAKE VOTES PORTAL AT LPTV.ORG.

BE SURE TO CHECK OUT THE BRAINERD DISPATCH FOR COVERAGE OF THE DEBATES AND OTHER STORIES ON UPCOMING NOVEMBER 5th GENERAL ELECTION.

FOR MORE INFORMATION ON BRAINERD LAKES AREA CANDIDATES AND ELECTION INFORMATION, VISIT LAKESAREA.VOTE FOR YOUR NONPARTISAN GUIDE TO THIS ELECTION SEASON.

YOU CAN HEAR THE UP NORTH REPORT NEWSCAST ON 91.7 KAXE, 90.5 KBXE AND 89.9 IN BRAINERD OR ON YOUR FAVORITE PODCAST APP.

FINE MORE LOCAL NEWS AND ELECTION COVERAGE AT KAXE.ORG OR FOLLOW KAXE/KBXE ON FACEBOOK AND INSTAGRAM.

WE HAVE THE LAST NIGHT OF DEBATES.

TOMORROW NIGHT, WE'LL START AT 7:00.

WE HAVE HOUSE DISTRICT 6B DEBATE AND AT 10:00, WE'LL HAVE DISTRICT 10-A DEBATE.

HAVE A GREAT NIGHT AND DON'T FORGET TO TUNE IN TO YOUR LOCAL NEWS ON PBS.

THANK YOU.

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