Sue Jeffers interview.
Sue Jeffers Interview
Give us a brief background on your self.
My name is Sue Jeffers and I am a 49 year old mother of three fantastic children. Two are in high school and my oldest in going to be a junior in college. I know first hand that raising children is a full time job and one of my greatest accomplishments. For the last 27 years I have owned and operated my small business in Minneapolis, MN near the University of Minnesota. I have been involved city politics including being a head election judge. I have volunteered at my children’s schools and in our church as well as various committees for my business community, the University of Minnesota and the city of Minneapolis.
My energy, enthusiasm, common sense and problem solving abilities add to any organization I am involved in. My sense of humor has turned mundane or divisive meetings into successful, workable ideas that usually ends with successful solutions.
What qualifications do you have that would make you a good Governor?
I am a citizen of Minnesota. I am over 25 (by a long shot), a resident and have no skeletons in my closet. For 27 years I have run my small business in one of the most business-unfriendly cities in the nation.
My lack of political experience is what I consider one of my best qualifications to be the next governor of the great state of Minnesota.There isn’t any lack of experience at the capitol, and look where that’s gotten us. Our legislators know how to move a bill through the process that the people of Minnesota don’t even want. They know how to keep the special interest groups happy, so they keep contributing to their campaigns. Experienced politicians have the ability to compromise away a brilliant idea into such a mediocre bill, the general public is left wondering what happened.Is anyone looking out for the taxpayer? I will.
Our founding fathers envisioned a citizen-led government of part-time legislators who would do their civic duty for a short time, and then go back to their private lives. I am not a career politician and that is what will make me a great governor.
If elected what would be your top priority?
The taxpayer. My priority is to reduce the size and expense of government. This begins with auditing all levels of government and holding each accountable to the taxpayers for every dime they spend. Eliminating failed and redundant programs and merging same-purpose bureaucracies will streamline government to allow more funding to the issues we care about. Top priorities will include: education, public safety, transportation, affordable health care and Minnesota’s economic health.
Minnesota, like many states faces budget problems. What would you do to have a balanced budget?
Some things never change. Minnesota does not have a budget problem, we have a spending problem and our current elected officials have become the problem not the solution. They refuse to close the checkbook as they continue to "feed the beast" also known as our state budget. Our most recent state budget is up 8% to $30.5 billion, the largest in state history. This year’s bonding bill is another billion dollars, all under a Republican governor. We were told be happy, the Dem’s wanted to raise it 11%. In my book, not good enough, certainly not good enough to reelect for another term. We deserve better. Balancing a budget, from households to small or large businesses, to all levels of government, means living within your means. I support a Taxpayer’s Bill of Rights, limiting government spending growth to population and inflation. If the money isn’t there, we don’t get to spend it.
Both of Minnesota’s pro sports teams want a new stadium. The Minnesota Twins got theirs this last session. Do you believe that there should have been a referendum?
Of course. It’s only right that the citizens of Hennepin County, who are being asked to pay for the stadium have a say in it. The law requires no less. 50 Republicans voted to pass this bill. The only stadium which has voter approval received no funding (Duluth).
How much should the state fund for pro teams stadiums?
I do not favor using public money to fund private business. It is the function of government to provide certain infrastructure to support new construction. Roads, public utility connections, sewage and rainwater runoff, for example. Other than that, I believe Tim Pawlenty had it right back in 1997, when he said, "We’re not going to subsidize billionaires to provide millionaires with a place to play baseball." This is just one of the empty campaign promises Tim Pawlenty vowed to champion for conservative voters when we rewarded him with our votes four years ago. We have laws in place to protect the taxpayers from exactly what happened. Yet some of our republican elected officials chose to ignore those laws and bypass the voters wishes. They should not be rewarded with our votes again.
What are your thoughts on a Stadium being funded by corporation or a company? (Would this be a better way to fund a stadium?)
Absolutely. Professional sports are a private enterprise, which should be privately funded. If the business model doesn’t support the required infrastructure, the business model is faulty, and must be fixed. Professional sports will never get their financial houses in order if the taxpayers keep subsidizing them.
Duluth and this whole area has been losing jobs for many years. What would you do to try to attract business to this area?
The question is why would a company want to do business in Minnesota? There are some key ingredients to making a business-friendly environment. We are falling short on several. An infrastructure has to be in place to support commerce. A sound transportation plan is needed to handle the volume of traffic generated by new business. That means un-congested roads with the capacity to support growth. Taxes must be at a reasonable level so Minnesota businesses can be competitive with other states. Regulations must be based only on sound scientific facts, and they must be uniformly applied. Many start-up businesses require an educated, skilled labor force. In the long term, our schools must be up to the task of providing a solid, competitive education to future workers. With an educated workforce, proper infrastructure, low taxes and fees, and reasonable regulations in place, new and expanding employers will be attracted to the area.
Minnesota has many people move here because of our social programs ( i.e. Welfare, housing programs, food stamps) . This adds to the fiscal problems of the state.
We need clear guidelines of who qualifies. Residents only?Our generosity works against us. There is a need for a safety net, to catch people who fall on hard times, and help get them back on their feet, but it can’t be used as a means of indefinitely supporting people who are able to provide for themselves. Welfare reform helped take us a couple steps in the right direction, but subsequent changes in social services at many levels have taken us backwards again. We have again turned welfare in to a career option for those who know how to work the system.
What if any of these programs would you make changes to?
All of them. The goal has to be to offer a hand up, not a hand out. The criteria must be changed. Residency requirements must be implemented.
What if any would you or could you eliminate?
Many are redundant, we must determine which ones work and implement them statewide. Eliminate the ones that are not working and consolidate programs that duplicate effort. There are many examples of small programs that are effective, which have a cousin program with the same purpose that doesn’t work. The one that produces results would get more funding. The other would be cut, or absorbed by the effective program.
What do you think the number one problem facing the State is? What would you do to fix it?
Expecting the government to solve all of our problems. This means none get solved. Right now, the State of Minnesota is the single biggest employer in the State of Minnesota. Government is eating up too many resources, and not producing anything. We must hold all levels of government accountable for how our tax dollars are spent.
Anything else you would like to add to this section.
People in Minnesota deserve better, they deserve a champion who will solve the issues voters care about. We deserve elected officials who will remember why they were elected, what they promised to do once elected and will listen to the wishes of the people who put them in office.What is your hope for the State?To restore the trust and respect residents have for elected officials to respond to issues voters care about. To solve the tough issues before they are out of control (pensions, immigration, social services, regulations, fees) and before these issues become even more expensive to solve.Do you feel that your run puts the party in any turmoil?Not at all. Setting aside the fact that both major parties are already in turmoil, the Republicans have the problem of voters wanting to stay home, I give them a reason to come out and vote.The Republicans also have the problem of offering up a candidate who is "not as bad as the other guy." Is this really a reason to vote for a candidate?The Democrats have no message. They will do anything to win, no matter who they put on the ballot. The third parties lack the political machine and with a deck firmly stacked against them, face an uphill battle. It’s not unheard of for a Republican who isn’t endorsed to win the Primary in Minnesota. Whatever the outcome, there will be one Republican candidate, and the party will unite behind that candidate.As an aside, government has no business financing campaigns; I also plan to eliminate the campaign refund program. Sorry folks, you like a candidate, use your own money to get them elected, Minnesota has other needs for that money.What has been the best part about running?Visiting all parts of the state and meeting all the people and hearing their stories. Minnesota really is a wonderful and beautiful state. I appreciate it all the more for having met more of my fellow residents, and seeing more of the cities and towns. I have learned so much about issues I never had reason to look into before. It is an amazing experience.What has been the worst part about running?The shocking waste of money at all levels of government. I repeatedly say, if the general public only knew what goes on behind the scenes they would support term limits tomorrow. We should be able to trust our elected officials to do the right thing for the residents our state, it isn’t happening.Also troubling is the audacity of many public officials and how out of touch they have become with the people of Minnesota. Too many ignore laws, facts, and truth.I love the parades, except when it rains. I am more comfortable in my jeans than a business suit and those high heels are not conducive to the kind of schedule I am keeping. Reader Questions.Do you think Minnesota has a problem with Illegal Immigration? What do you think the State needs to about illegal immigration? Don (St. Cloud)Yes Minnesota has a problem with illegal immigration. We can know how many cell phones, cars, and cows we have in Minnesota but we have no idea how many illegal immigrants live in the state. The estimates range from 20,000 to 85,000. How can this be?Illegal immigrants cost the state government approximately $180 million dollars per year and another $6 million to keep those who have committed crimes in our prisons. Schools, hospitals, affordable housing, police forces, prisons, even some entire towns are overwhelmed. We need to establish residency requirements for social services, tougher penalties for businesses that hire illegal immigrants and eliminate sanctuary cities. Violent criminals belong in jail and/or should be deported.Fundamental changes in how legal immigration works are also needed to address this problem. There are a very limited number of visas issued each year for immigrants, and the path to citizenship can be long and torturous. Streamlining our system will provide a legal, documented path for hard working families to move to Minnesota, become productive members of society, and make better lives for themselves without straining our infrastructure.Why run against Tim Pawlenty? Jeff (Duluth)I had hoped Tim Pawlenty would be the conservative he promised us he would be back when I worked on his campaign four years ago. He has let us down. His track record proves it. Pawlenty’s tenure as governor started out strong, and has been declining ever since. His term hit a new low in the last session, raising taxes, and pushing through public subsidies for a stadium without voter approval. I am a better candidate who will work to further sound conservative principles.Do you believe marriage is to be between a man and a women? Would you veto any bill favoring this? Mary (St. Paul)I do believe marriage is between a man and a woman and should remain so. I would not veto a bill which protects the definition of marriage.What will you do to insure that the whole state has good jobs? Mike (Duluth)Wishful thinking, Mike, but I can make it better. If businesses paid less business and property taxes and applicable regulations were based on sound fiscal and scientific principles companies could pay higher wages, expand and hire more people. If our children were better prepared for college or trade schools more would attend and graduate better prepared to handle jobs that pay well. Our state should not be in the business of providing jobs. Private enterprise should. Currently the state of MN is the number one employer in the state. The federal government ranks second. That would change under my watch. My focus on jobs creation will be in the private sector.Sue, Why did you seek the endorsement of the Libertarian Party, then attempt to challenge Governor Pawlenty for the endorsement of the Republican Party? You have always claimed to be a republican, so why did you flirt with the Libertarians? Erik (Duluth)Erik,I went to the Republicans first, second and even third. They asked me to run for House, Senate, City Council and most recently for Martin Sabo's seat in the 5th Congressional District just a couple months ago. I was encouraged to run for any office except governor. I personally met with various members of the Republican Party including Chair Ron Carey. First asking what happened to our Republican principles, then informing him of my intention to run for governor and to finally to challenge Tim Pawlenty from within the party.As the Republicans continued to vote more like the Democrats, and the Republican leadership made it clear that they would not allow me to run for governor, I looked for other options. I share the Libertarian belief in smaller, more affordable, effective government. I share the belief in the Constitution, common sense and personal responsibility. I want a candidate who will work to further conservative beliefs not compromise away our rights and liberties. I won’t settle for a mediocre candidate because he (or she) “isn’t as bad as the other guy” or has an R behind their name. I want the best candidate.As I got my campaign going, I came to realize that the Republican state executive committee doesn’t decide who can run as a Republican, the delegates do! Or, that’s how it’s supposed to work. The Republican Party leadership was successful in keeping me out of open debate at the 7 of the 8 Congressional Endorsement Conventions and at the Republican State Convention. One convention had the courage to stand up to the party and say, “we welcome the debate, step right up.”I will now take my case directly to the people, and let them have their say. I will proudly be the Republican to lead the party in the conservative direction I believe most Minnesotans strive for.
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