Q&A

H-Hatch
O-Ole Savior
L-Lourey
K-Steve Kelley

#1 Will you run in the primary? (I got this one wrong-sorry! Thanks for the correction, everyone)

H-Yes
O-Yes
L-Perhaps
K-No

Question 2 was about Meth...missed most of it, sorry. Will do better on Question 3.

#3 What's your position on a woman's right to choose?

L-We must never compromise a woman's right to choose. We have fought hard for family planning opportunities. Pawlenty has taken away some access to these things. We will reverse that.

K-I have been a consistant supporter of woman's right to chose and women's health care. Supports emergency contraception. Work to remove restrictions already in place.

H- It's a troubling issue, but it's ultimately up to the woman and he supports that. Mentions Gomez decision supporting right to privacy in addition to Roe.

O- I can see both sides of the issue. Both sides should try to come some kind of agreement. He has three kids of his own, he's both pro-life and pro-choice. Doesn't like to be labeled.

#4 What do you propose for tax reform?

K-Pawlenty has been responsible for raising regressive property taxes. Fund schools with State dollars, not local $s. Forcing local support creates inequality. Pawlenty has cut taxes on wealthy, raise high end income tax to promote property tax relief.

H-First, call a tax a tax. Don't waste time and legal resources defending fee language. Second, State Auditor's report shows T.Paw not attempting to collect a billion dollars in loopholes. Close those loopholes for individuals. Third, close "Foreign owned corporations" loophole. Use money for education.

O-Not in favor of raising taxes on anyone poor, middle or rich. We need more income, we need money from oil companies.

L-We need fair, equitable taxation. She has defended her record on Patriot Radio. Taxpayer's league and other groups only worried about protecting wealth, not poor and middle class. We need to look at progressivity of income tax.

#4-Commitment to and action taken on behalf of income inequality for all minnesotans(?) Not sure what the question is asking

H-He's supported justice for all as AG. Gone after those overcharging poor.

O-We need to help everyone and move beyond economic warfare.

L-Equality is directly connected to opportunity. We have a great heritage and we need to maintain it. We need to remove the high cost of health care from the cost of living in MN. Supports living wage legislation. Quality infrastructure so everyone has access.

K-ONe of our MN values is everyone should have an opportunity. First place to express this is children birth-5 years. Early childhood programs. Work with parents from families with chemical dependency issues, mental health issues, etc. Then we need to make sure everyone has access to higher ed. We need to build infrastructure for outstate MN.

#5 Will you sign death penalty legislation or support a constitutial amendment for it?

O-I don't belive in the death penalty. Countries around the world are getting rid of it we shouldn't be going in the other direction. Now he's talking about outsourcing to China?

L-Lourey also strongly opposed to death penalty. We need to increase opportunity so there is less crime.

K-Opposed to death penalty (short answer!)

H-Not opposed to DP. But it should be used judiciously.

Q&A over. Moment of unity between candidates.