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Government - Promote an open governmental system
that is representative, accountable, and responsive.
Voting Rights: Voting is a fundamental
citizen right that must be guaranteed.
Election Processes: Support improvements
in election laws. Support improvements in laws regulating campaign practices.
Allow Instant Runoff Voting. Support timely redistricting based on population.
Organization of Government: Support improved
structure and procedures for the Minnesota Legislature and Executive Branch.
Support an improved process for amending the Minnesota Constitution. Oppose
a unicameral state legislature.
Initiative, Referendum and Recall: Support
continuation of legislative initiative and compulsory voter referendum on constitutional
amendments. Oppose most forms of voter initiative and referendum and recall.
Oppose term limits.
Financing State Government: Support a
balanced and diversified revenue system that is equitable, competitive with
other states, progressive and reliable. Support long-term financial management,
budget projections and budget reserve.
State Government Spending: Belief that
a long-term vision as well as immediate concerns should guide state spending
decisions. Support several broad goals, including: high-quality K-12 educational
opportunities; basic level of health and human services; protected natural resources;
economic self-sufficiency;
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Criminal Justice - Promote social and economic
justice.
Judiciary: Support of a judicial system
with the capacity to assure a speedy trial and equal justice for all.
Selection of Judges: Support (a) initial
appointment by the governor, (b) end-of-term evaluation by commission; (c) retention
election. Oppose allowing candidates to accept and use endorsement by political
parties.
Corrections: Support a correctional system
responsive to the needs of the individual and of society. Support sentencing
decisions based on all relevant circumstances, made by the judge within legislative
guidelines. Oppose reinstatement of the death penalty in Minnesota.
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Natural Resources - Promote an environment beneficial
to life through the protection and wise management of natural resources in the
public interest.
Air Quality: Support measures to reduce
air pollution from vehicular and stationary sources.
Energy: Support energy conservation and
the use of alternatives to fossil fuels.
Transportation: Support long-range planning
and environmentally sound transportation systems.
Land Use: Support a land use plan with
maximum cooperation and implementation at the regional and local levels, with
state help in developing and exercising land use management.
Water Resources: Support a state role
in the preservation and management of Minnesota’s water resources protective
of Minnesota’s current and future needs.
Solid Waste: Support measures to reduce
generation of solid waste and ensure safe treatment, storage and disposal of
all wastes.
Agriculture: Support a system of sustainable
agricultural production which provides safe, healthful food and which preserves
and protects the state’s human and natural agricultural resources and enhances
the environment
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Social Policy - Secure equal rights and equal
opportunities for all. Promote social and economic justice, and the health and
safety of all Americans.
Equal Opportunity: Support policies to
ensure equality of opportunity for all persons. Support enforcement of antidiscrimination
laws. Support state responsiveness to Indian citizens.
Housing: All people have a right to housing.
Public and private sectors should work together to ensure that everyone has
access to adequate, decent, affordable housing.
Health Care: A basic level of quality
health care at an affordable cost should be available to all. Support a national
health insurance plan financed through general taxes to achieve this goal.
Child Health: Support access to comprehensive
pre-natal and child health care.
Teen Pregnancy: Support prevention efforts
to lower the rate of teenage pregnancy.
Alcohol and Tobacco Use: Support educational
programs that advance improved chemical health.
Mental Health: Support a comprehensive
and coordinated system of programs and services for mentally ill adults and
emotionally disturbed children and adolescents.
Child Care: Support coordinated public
policies and funding to ensure safe, affordable, quality child care throughout
the state.
Family and Child Issues: Support early
intervention and prevention measures to help children reach their full potential.
Prevention of Violence: Support violence
prevention programs in our communities.
Family Violence: Support improved procedures
for agencies dealing with family violence.
Child Support: Support stricter enforcement
of court-ordered child support payments.
Child Protection: Support adequate staffing
and resources for child protection services.
Immigration: Support incorporating immigrants
into our communities in every way. Oppose residents with legal immigrant status
running for local office.
Firearms: Support restrictions on the
sale, possession and use of firearms by private parties in the state of Minnesota.
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Education - Secure equal educational opportunities
for all Minnesota children.
Equal Opportunity: Support increased
state responsibility in creating equal public educational opportunities for
all Minnesota children through measures to correct racial imbalance and ensure
adequate financing of public schools.
Financing Education: Support equal access
to a good public education for all Minnesota children. Programs of comparable
substance and quality should be available to all
Collective Bargaining and Tenure: Support
improvements in the collective bargaining and tenure laws of the state as they
apply to K-12 teachers only.
Library Funding: Support for increased
and restructured funding for public libraries.
