Politics & Government

Local Officials Pair Eggs, Issues

The Oakdale Business and Professional Association hosted a panel discussion with area lawmakers and the Washington County sheriff on Thursday.

It was called “Eggs and Issues.” They mostly focused on the issues.

The Oakdale Business and Professional Association on Thursday brought in area lawmakers and Washington County Sheriff Bill Hutton at the Oak Marsh Golf Club for a discussion on some of the issues facing the area and the state as a whole.

The panel answered questions submitted beforehand and others given via cards during the early-morning event. Sen. Ted Lillie, Sen. Chuck Wiger, Rep. Nora Slawik and Oakdale Mayor Carmen Sarrack were also on hand for the program.

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Following are selected questions posed to the panel and their responses.

What has the change from the DFL holding the majority to the GOP controlling both chambers been like?

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It was interesting that the public elected a DFL governor while giving Republicans control of both chambers, Slawik said. Minnesota voters send “clear messages—sometimes.”

“We’re the state of Jesse Ventura; anything can happen,” she said

The DFL has had trouble moving bills as quickly as it would have otherwise, she said.

Wiger, meanwhile, said there were a few bills—one related to reducing the size of the Legislature and another about compulsory school attendance to age 18, for example—that didn’t receive a hearing.

“It was frustrating,” he said.

For his part, Lillie said the GOP has done well to align House and Senate committees to save money and make it easier for people to track bills. He also said Republicans named more women to leadership roles.

“That was significant for us,” he said.

There have been news reports of late about the U.S. losing the War on Drugs. Where does Washington County stand?

“I would disagree,” Hutton said.

The Washington County Sheriff’s Office takes pride in an educational approach to fighting drugs, in addition to enforcement, he said. Alcohol is the No. 1 problem facing the county, but authorities still see plenty marijuana use, cocaine and methamphetamine.

There’s also been an uptick in heroin use, Hutton said, and the sheriff’s office is continuing to combat the use of synthetic drugs, “bath salts” and abuse of prescription drugs.

Why does Oakdale stress quality-of-life matters in its budget decisions?

Sarrack said those things—parks, police and fire protection and amenities such as golf courses—are the “generator” for boosting the housing market and the economy.

He said the city is continuing to focus on redevelopment, and added that Oakdale is “seriously considering” a hotel at the golf course.

“We don’t want to get on the down slope like a lot of other cities have,” Sarrack said.

What’s the key to winning an election?

Lillie, who hadn’t run for office before 2010, said he approached the election as he would a small business: finding good people and making sure they’re on task. A big part of a campaign is door-knocking, he said, and listening to residents.

Wiger, who said he has been campaigning for most of his adult life, agreed that talking with people is paramount. He also said he uses those opportunities to find out voters’ concerns and help people who have specific issues.

Slawik, serving her seventh term in the House, talked about the importance of visibility, but also noted that the recent rise of the tea party has “made campaigns a lot meaner” and fostered an anti-government sentiment in some circles.  

It’s different at the city level, said Sarrack, who is essentially campaigning every day as he goes about his daily routine. Oakdale residents are generally pleased with the direction of the city in terms of where their tax dollars are going.

“Most people in the city of Oakdale thing they’re getting a heck of a deal,” he said.

Sarrack did add that cities shouldn’t have primary elections because it gives one-issue candidates a chance to move forward if they can mobilize their base.

Hutton ran unopposed last time around and joked that he arrests both Democrats and Republicans.

Politically, “I’m about as independent an individual as you will find,” he said.

(Wiger asked Hutton how often he’s mistaken for former Minnesota Gov. Tim Pawlenty. Hutton said it does happen and his wife also looks a bit like the state’s former first lady.)

What’s your take on the possible effects of a state government shutdown?

Hutton said nearly every facet of the sheriff’s office would be affected, from investigations to the crime lab to use of state systems to check on people.

“It just goes on and on and on,” he said.

Slawik said a possible shutdown on July 1 would be “very serious” and was also concerned that many could lose health care coverage.

“It could be devastating for the state,” she said. “Could it happen? Yes. Could it go on for a while? Absolutely.”

Wiger said there’s currently a “stare down” between GOP leadership and the governor and he predicted a shutdown will happen and last a couple of weeks. He said a judge could decide what jobs would remain in place and noted that there will be affects on parks, state license centers, universities and prisons.

Sarrack said it wouldn’t affect Oakdale much, as the city receives no state funding.

Lillie, part of the GOP budget negotiating team, said the Legislature is taking the possibility seriously.

“This impacts everybody,” he said.

What’s the outlook for a budget compromise?

Slawik said it’s two opposing views: Dayton’s idea to tax the wealthy or the state enacting “massive cuts.”

“We feel the Republicans have not moved on this,” she said, while the governor has offered compromises.

“Both sides need to come to the middle,” Slawik said, and the GOP must show where additional revenue will come from.

Wiger said public safety and a "safety net" for the most vulnerable Minnesotans must be in place, but he seemed optimistic.

“Something will ultimately be agreed to,” he said.

Lillie said conversations between the two sides have generally been positive, but Gov. Mark Dayton’s numbers for the budget are “pixie dust.”

“We’re trying to get this done in a way you can afford,” he said.

What’s your take on the Oakdale Mall property?

Sarrack said the plans for a mixed-use development make sense and responded to the idea that it would be better used as space for a community center.

A community center would be a drain on the city’s tax base rather than a development, which will bolster it, he said. The city hasn’t considered a community center at the site “and probably never will.”


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