MOORHEAD, Minn. - Gubernatorial candidate Tim Pawlenty and his running mate, Lt. Gov. Michelle Fischbach, made a stop in Moorhead to talk about the issues they will be running on in Minnesota this year.
In front of a room of reporters Monday morning, June 4, Pawlenty and Fischbach outlined their platform and ideas, including reducing health care costs, cutting back on health care costs, eliminating taxes on Social Security and improving the educational system.
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Pawlenty said the general goal of his campaign is to relieve the pressure on hard-working Minnesotans and bring back a "common-sense conservative vision."
Issues
The candidates briefed through several issues Monday, ranging from education to national security and immigration.
Pawlenty said education is a top priority and called for Minnesota to re-emphasize vocational and technical education and opportunities in high schools. He said this kind of education can help people get good-paying jobs, especially if high schools provide students with internship incentives.
On the topic of national security, Pawlenty said he opposes holding terrorists from Guantanamo Bay in Minnesota. He also opposed turning Minnesota into a "sanctuary state," which he said makes it difficult for law enforcement to work with federal officials on immigration issues.
Pawlenty also spoke about the Fargo-Moorhead flood diversion project and said he needs to side with Minnesotans on the issue. The diversion project is a 36-mile channel to divert flood water away from the communities.
The project was halted when it was discovered the project began without a required permit from Minnesota regulators.
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Minnesota Gov. Mark Dayton created a task force with North Dakota Gov. Doug Burgum in 2017, which increased participation from Minnesota on the project. The task force came up with new compromises between the two states, creating the current so-called "Plan B" version of the project.
Pawlenty said he would work closely with all the stakeholders involved and would advocate for Minnesota to make sure the diversion plan will not flood and lose Minnesota farmlands.
If a permit for the project is approved this year, construction is expected to start in 2019 and be completed by 2025. The price for the project is about $2.4 billion.
Pawlenty skipped the Minnesota Republican Convention this past weekend, instead choosing to force an August primary vote. The GOP endorsed Hennepin County Commissioner Jeff Johnson as its candidate.
"We're confident we're going to win the primary in August," Pawlenty said.
