Boldon, Howie clash over affordability issues, improving the business climate and data centers

ROCHESTER — DFL Sen. Liz Boldon and Republican challenger John Howie presented very different views on how they would tackle affordability concerns and improve the state’s business climate during a candidate forum held at the Rochester Public Library on Thursday, Sept. 10.

Boldon and Howie,Rochester residents, are competing to represent Minnesota Senate District 25, also offered sharply contrasting views on data centers and legalized recreational marijuana during the debate sponsored by the Rochester chapter of the League of Women Voters.

In his opening remarks, Howie said he spent many years in the corporate world before starting his own businesses. The last firm he owned was a manufacturing business that employed 18 people. He said he loves the state, but is frustrated by its DFL-driven policies.

Howie was sharply critical of the direction taken by the state when the DFL controlled both chambers and the governor’s mansion. He said taxes on his property have gone up 31% since 2017 and blamed DFL legislators for being spendthrifts when they were in control.

“That’s absurd. That’s ridiculous,” Howie said about the escalating property taxes. “And there’s one party that’s responsible, because we had an excess of $18 billion dollars that they squandered. And if that wasn’t enough, they raised our taxes $10 billion.”

Boldon, a first-term senator, drew parallels between her work as a registered nurse and that of a legislator.

“Taking care of people is what I do. It is in my DNA. It is what I know how to do,” Boldon said. “And every skill that I learned as a nurse is valuable and utilized in the Legislature.”

Minnesotans are facing challenges, she said. They are feeling that the system is rigged against them. And many people now feel that playing by the rules is no longer sufficient to achieve the American dream, as they are squeezed by the cost of groceries, healthcare and fuel.

“I want to do everything I can to build a community in Minnesota where people can live and have the freedom to live their full, authentic lives,” Boldon said.

When asked about their proposals for making life more affordable in Minnesota, Howie again cited what he described as the DFL’s unrestrained spending in St. Paul.

“What can make the state more affordable? We could get back that $28 billion that the Democratic Party has squandered,” Howie said. “The state government really doesn’t have much control other than to stop raising our taxes and forcing unmandated, unfunded bills.”

Boldon said affordability is a top concern of neighbors. She said the Legislature can do more to increase the housing supply and bring down their cost. As some people lose their SNAP assistance or/and government healthcare due to federal changes, the state has tried to step in and backfill some of those funds.

On the issue of data centers, Howie said he supported the physical facilities that house servers and computer systems as economic boons for communities. He said schools have been built and sewer systems refurbished in cities where data centers reside. They boost local employment, too.

“I’m all for the data (centers),” Howie said.

Boldon said she would support a moratorium on data centers until greater assurances can be provided by tech companies that they can be built safely. She listed concerns about noise and light pollution and expressed worries about how long-lasting the jobs are. Plans also need to be spelled out for how tech firms plan to decommission such centers when they are no longer needed, so they are not a blight on communities.

“I really think we need to take a pause and be sure that this is happening safely,” Boldon said.

When asked how to improve the business climate and make the state more competitive, Boldon highlighted two themes she has heard from small businesses. Childcare was one. Businesses are struggling to recruit and retain staff because staff are having troubles finding affordable childcare. She said she would be in favor of “taking a serious look at universal childcare policy.”

She said small businesses also complain about being mired in the minutiae of paperwork related to the healthcare of their employees. It’s not why they went into business.

“There are multiple things we could look at,” Boldon said. “Whether that is expanding MinnesotaCare, whether that is universal primary care, taking that healthcare piece off the plate.”

Howe blamed the DFL and its tax policies for chasing businesses and residents out of the state. Government, he said, isn’t the answer to all of life. Government regulations cost business money and are reflected in the price of products. Presidents John Kennedy, Ronald Reagan and Donald Trump all ignited economic booms by lowering taxes and cutting regulations.

“So let’s cut regulations. Let’s cut taxes on businesses,” he said.

With regard to the legalization of recreational marijuana, Howie said he would “vote to cancel it.” He claimed that it causes testicular cancer and reduces sperm counts in young men. He indicated that he was appalled that pregnant women are being allowed to smoke to quell morning sickness.

“But the government likes the taxes. That’s the reason they want to sell it. The government is now a drug dealer,” he said.

Boldon, who voted to legalize recreational cannabis, said the state was still in the early stages of opening marijuana dispensaries. She said she is open to “tweaks and changes” to the cannabis legislation based on the feedback she gets.

“It is here to stay, I believe, and we want to make sure it is working for everyone,” Boldon said.