Minnesota State Senate District 51

The 2010 candidates for Senate District 51 are:

Don Betzold (DFL)
		About Me: Don Betzold has been a Minnesota State Senator since 1993. He chaired the Minnesota Senate Judiciary Committee from 2003-2006 and currently chairs the Senate State Government Budget Division and the House-Senate Pensions Commission. He has authored laws to protect consumer privacy while ensuring public access to government data. He was the chief Senate author of the 1994 law to civilly commit sex offenders. He served on the House-Senate conference committee to establish a compensation fund for victims of the I-35W bridge collapse. He carried the 2010 pension bill which included significant reforms to guarantee the long-term stability of the major public pension funds so they won’t become future costs to the taxpayers. He is highly regarded for his knowledge on legislative procedures and is frequently called upon to preside over floor sessions of the Minnesota Senate. Don has been a lawyer in private practice for over 30 years. He is a retired Colonel in the Judge Advocate Generals Corps of the United States Army Reserves. Don lives in Fridley with his wife Leesa and his son Ben.
Important Issues: The most important issue in the 2011 Session will be balancing the state’s budget with a projected $6 billion deficit. During the past 8 years, the state has relied on budget gimmicks, cuts to most nonessential areas of the state’s budget, and shifts of state programs onto property taxes. The next Legislature will face difficult and painful decisions. We must do whatever we can to help the unemployed and underemployed find jobs. We have to provide quality education for our students so they can be as productive as they can. We also need provide affordable healthcare to those citizens who are disabled or elderly. We have to stop cuts to public safety and our courts.
Political Philosophy: I have supported a balanced budget with appropriate taxes for those who can afford to pay, with budget restraints and reforms. I recognize that we cannot tax our way out of our deficits just as we cannot just cut our way out. It takes a combination of them. As a Legislator from the north suburban area, I have worked for development in our area, whether the Medtronic facility in Mounds View or the North Star commuter rail.
Endorsements: DFL party AFSCME Minnesota Police and Peace Officers Minnesota Association of Professional Employees Teamsters Clean Water Action Sierra Club Planned Parenthood NARAL Education Minnesota
Pam Wolf (R)
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