Politics & Government

MN House 44A Candidates Anderson, Britton Debate in Plymouth

The two candidates vying for MN State House Representative 44A debated issues at a public forum Oct. 4 at Plymouth City Hall.

As the 2012 Election season heats up, local candidates are discussing and debating issues that matter to Patch readers at local public forums.

Patch attended the Oct. 4 public forum of Sarah Anderson (GOP) and Audrey Britton (DFL) vying for MN State House Representative 44A. The forum was hosted by Wayzata/Plymouth Area League of Women Voters at Plymouth City Hall.

The two candidates were asked questions submitted by the audience, collected by Girl Scout volunteers and given to the moderator throughout the forum.

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Each candidate was given two-minute opening and closing statements, a minute response to questions, a minute rebuttal with one rebuttal each and 15-second responses during the lightning round.

Among the variety questions asked, topics included: funding priorities, solving the achievement gap, transportation and more.

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Anderson and Britton agreed the key is focusing on job growth for improving the economy. 

Anderson said she has worked with the governor on streamlining permitting process for businesses with bipartisan support.

"We still have more work to do, but if a restaurant owner has to get as many as six permits to operate we need to look at working on these efforts and combine all the permits that must done so that businesses can still comply with the laws in place," Anderson said.

Focusing on jobs, the economy and fiscal accountabilitiy are tied together for Britton.

"With our state deficit we're considered an unstable place to locate your business," Britton said. "We must fix the budget and pay back our schools. We need an educated workforce with a healthy education system."

Anderson said the state is spending beyond its means, but talked about a projected increase in revenue in the near future.

But Britton said there is no surplus because the state owes money to schools. 

"We used to be a state that works and people moved here because we led the nation in education, but now I've heard from people who say they wished they hadn't moved here," Britton said. "We need to tackled the achievement gap through early childhood education."

Studies show every dollar put into early childhood education gives $20 more because that student grows up, goes through school and higher education and becomes a taxpayer, Britton added.

Anderson touted during her time as a legislator she helped add another $2 million to scholarships for at-risk youth for early childhood education. 

"We wanted to make sure those dollars go to at-risk youth, those who need it most," Anderson said. "We must make sure they enter kindergarten right off the bat and are prepared as good students right away. Literacy is key to hone better reading skills and math skills."

In their closing statements, Britton asked the voters elect someone who will focus on the issues most important to everyone. 

"Let's elect people who can work across party lines, has real life experience and people who know how to get things done," Britton said. "We are in a tough political climate. We have led the nation before and we must vote for change if we want to be there again."

Anderson talked about what she will focus on District 44A.

"My focus is, has been and will be job growth and make sure government is smaller and smarter on how it uses tax dollars," Anderson said. "My record speaks for all I've done to achieve different goals, by putting more money in schools and streamlining the business permit process in government."

Wondering about more questions answered by the candidates? The forum was videotaped and will be replayed on Northwest Community Cable Channel 12. You can watch the full video from YouTube with this article.

(Editor's Note: This article is meant as an informative, brief recap of the public forum Oct. 4 and accompanies the full video of the entire debate for those who missed it or were unable to see the entire forum.)


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