The primary for the special election in Senate District 25 is Dec. 18. In addition to the election survey we published in the newspaper, we posed additional questions to the Republican primary candidates to appear online. Rod Tietz and Ray Cox chose to submit additional information. Keith Swanson did not.

-Shannon Fiecke

Rod Tietz

Republican Tom Neuville has been the local senator since 1991. Rate his tenure.

(No answer)

What's your review of the previous legislative session?

(No answer)

What do you think of the school funding formula in Minnesota?

Despite its flaws, the Minnesota education funding formula remains one of the best in the country. There is a balance between dependency on income tax funding sources and property tax funding sources. This balance is necessary to properly support an inflexible budget during changing economic times. This does not mean that there is no reason for change. As mentioned, I strongly believe the property tax support for education must change from voter approved to a set formula. The Legislature needs to be held accountable for the adequacy and fairness of the formula. That is where the discussion must remain. Local superintendents and school boards need to return their attention to the needs of students and the quality of education rather than seeking political support through seemingly endless operating levy questions.

Some argue the federal No Child Left Behind Act legislation is flawed and is weakening children's education. What's your opinion of the act? Should the state forgo federal education dollars to opt-out of the mandates?

Minnesota has some of the most professional, knowledgeable and creative leadership in education yet the federal mandates limit the ability to make common sense decisions. The students of this state are overly tested because the mandated tests do not provide teachers with the information needed to meet the needs of individual students. It seems that if there are tests that teachers support and give the information they need, these are tests that should meet any federal requirement. The goals of No Child Left Behind are unrealistic. In a few short years, schools will be judged substandard if 100 percent of all students do not succeed. There has never been a time in my schooling that I have a known a classroom much less an entire school district where every child is ready and willing to succeed. To hold a system to an unattainable goal is not going to motivate anyone to perform better. The decision to opt out of dollars is also not realistic. The solution has to come from strong discussion and creative political leadership.

Do you support the state's conceal-and-carry law?

Yes.

Do you support a unicameral legislature?

There probably is a reason only one state has adopted such a government. Unicameral governance is a simplistic approach to a complex issue. It may bring efficiency and lower cost but it also reduces some important checks and balances. We are a democracy based in voter voice and public debate. Anything that limits the voter representation or reduces debate weakens our government.

Should the state be allowed to put caps on how much local governments can raise their taxes?

No.

Anything else readers should know?

My belief and value system aligns with the voters in the Czech country, the Minnesota River Valley and Southern Minnesota Lakes Region. I can’t recall the last time the Senate representative was located in this area. The Democrats again endorsed an educator from Northfield and said no to representation from this area. Mick McGuire a seasoned politician and Czech country resident lost the endorsement. Unfortunately, their best candidate is not on the ballot.

Ray Cox

Republican Tom Neuville has been the local senator since 1991. Rate his tenure:

Tom has been an excellent, thoughtful senator. He has worked tirelessly to protect children and families at every opportunity. His work on public safety issues has been top shelf. I cannot think of a senator that works as hard as Tom has and that researches issues as thoroughly.

What's your review of the previous legislative session?

The legislature increased spending by roughly 10 percent, but still managed to poorly fund our nursing homes. That must be addressed. Transportation funding should have been increased as well. I would have liked to see more investment in higher education.

It seemed the session was not managed well in that there was far too much work left undone. This included a tax bill, a bonding bill and other legislation. The way the House stopped debate of bills indicated there was more concern about adjourning than there was about creating good laws for Minnesota. Just a few weeks after the session we were already hearing calls for a special session to deal with unfinished business.

On the other hand, there were some good environmental successes including the renewable energy standard, electronic waste recycling, phosphorus reductions, and other provisions.

What do you think of the school funding formula in Minnesota?

The formula is skewed heavily to send dollars to the metro area at the expense of greater Minnesota schools.

The formula needs major revisions and should have more emphasis on performance of schools. We cannot continue to exist with schools that are based on an 1880s agrarian format. We must create world-class schools where our students are equipped to deal with global competition.

Some argue the federal No Child Left Behind Act legislation is flawed and is weakening children’s education. What’s your opinion of the act? Should the state forgo federal education dollars to opt-out of the mandates?

NCLB has not been improved enough in the past years to make it workable. It does not include federal funding for the requirements it includes, making it very difficult to support. It has some good provisions, such as the measurement of minority and low-income student progress, but overall it is problematic. If Minnesota can budget the dollars to opt out of NCLB I would support that position.

Do you support the state’s conceal-and-carry law?

I have no problems with the law because there do not seem to be any legal or law enforcement problems with the law. I would have preferred to see a provision in the bill that would give public safety officials more leeway in granting permits, including written responses for permits that are denied. I also do not like the confusion surrounding institutions of higher education with the differences between private and public schools.

Do you support a unicameral legislature?

I would consider such a system if it was designed properly.

Should the state be allowed to put caps on how much local governments can raise their taxes?

It might be more appropriate to put a cap on how much a local government spending can increase. The whole reliance on LGA enters into the scenario if tax caps are put in place. As long as local governments are ‘winners’ in LGA they don’t have to increase taxes substantially, yet their spending can increase.

Anything else readers should know?

Minnesota has a progressive tax structure, something I and many other Minnesotans support. However, that system also relies heavily on income and sales tax revenue. When there is a downturn in the economy we must all be prepared to make reductions in spending to balance our budget. I don’t think we can have a progressive tax system, but then increase it when the economy softens. The state must either be prepared to lower spending in a soft economy, or scrap our progressive tax system in favor of one that places much more reliance on property taxes. I prefer to operate with a progressive tax system that includes budget adjustments as necessary.