Bennett stances are worrisome

Published 3:46 pm Saturday, November 1, 2014

A special thanks goes out to Albert Lea-Freeborn County Chamber of Commerce leader Randy Kehr for organizing what he called the “meatiest” of the District 27A debates, the one between Rep. Shannon Savick and candidate Peggy Bennett.

Much of what I thought I knew about Shannon Savick was borne out in her explanation of issues like the minimum wage (she supports the raise and future raises tied to inflation), voter ID (she does not support it because it would keep older voters and others from exercising their right to vote, and there is no documented fraud), support for firefighters, EMTs and first responders. We know all this because she has a voting record to support what she says.

It was Peggy Bennett’s responses that were more revealing.

Email newsletter signup

We found out Bennett not only doesn’t support the recent increases in the state minimum wage to $8 an hour (next year $9 an hour, $9.50 an hour the third year), but she also does not favor any future increases to the minimum wage. Bennett said she favors employers setting the terms on wage increases and that the government should not get involved.

Bennett used the word “reality” quite often during the debate, but it seems her concept of reality is only anecdotal. For example, Bennett said companies are moving to Iowa because the business climate is better in Iowa. In response, Rep. Savick cited Forbes Magazine’s listing of the best states for business and careers. Forbes ranks Minnesota No. 8 and Iowa No. 12. Further, Forbes ranked Minnesota as No. 13 and Iowa No. 43 in growth prospects. The reality is that a conservative magazine like Forbes believes that Minnesota is actually much better than Iowa for business and careers.

On the issue of taxing Internet sales, Bennett now supports the tax. But a few months ago in a column, Bennett criticized Rep. Savick for voting for the tax. She was concerned that teenages would have to pay more for their Internet music. Rep. Savick has pointed out that she voted for the tax to protect and support local businesses.

Bennett said she favors voter ID. She feels that voter fraud is a problem in District 27A, but she did not explain any documented cases. Rep. Savick said the voter ID law is undemocratic as it undermines the basic sacred right of voting in a democracy.

Bennett attacks the metro area for the funding they receive to pay for light rail. Bennett calls light rail a want and not a need. Rep. Savick said that many people in the metro area need it to get around such as working low-income people or students who cannot afford cars. She said she believes that it will help the metro grow and prosper and that is good for all of Minnesota.

Bennett was very dismissive of Rep. Savick’s firefighter, EMT, first responder bill. Savick said she was proud of the bill which gives $500 as a stipend to those who volunteer to help out in our small towns in rural Minnesota. And she pointed out that she recently received the Minnesota State Fire Chiefs Association award as its top legislator.

So what are we to learn from this debate?

Rep. Savick brought home all-day kindergarten, free breakfast for all kindergartners, paid the public school districts back the money the Republicans borrowed, increased rural public school funding, increased the minimum wage and brought home the funding for the dredging of Fountain Lake when legislators in the past have failed. She runs on her record.

Bennett would let the minimum wage increase lapse, would support a voter ID bill, wants Minnesota to be more like Iowa, is not influenced by information which conflicts with her own beliefs, and is afraid of any tax increases, no matter the need.

Please vote for Rep Shannon Savick on November.

Mary Hinnenkamp

Albert Lea