Rob Kupec

This area has been well served by retiring Senator Kent Eken. I think it's important to have representation in St. Paul that looks out for the needs of western Minnesota and consults with local leaders and citizens and places those needs above party politics. I would like to continue that tradition. Clay county is that fastest growing county outside of the Twin Cities metro. That growth will bring increased demands on our infrastructure and I want to make sure we are getting the resources we need from St. Paul.

In the 22 years that I have lived in Moorhead I have worked with a wide variety of groups and organizations including River Keepers, F-M Heritage Society, Lutheran Social Services and I am a member of the Moorhead Business Association. Working in the media for the last 20 years has allowed me to meet and develop relationships with many local leaders on both sides of the border. In weather, often times the best forecast is one that is based on a consensus between different meteorologists. I have found that this is a good lesson to bring to other parts of my life and I believe it's a good skill to bring to the legislature.

Inflation, continued growth and labor shortages are three of the biggest challenges and they are tied together in many ways. Inflation is tied to national and global events, as a state legislator we can work to lower costs that are in our control. Taxes and healthcare are two specific areas we could work on lowering cost. Making sure our infrastructure is funded in bonding bills and appropriations, to continue the growth in our area. Targeting areas such as the trades that are particularly short of workers by helping with educational costs and apprenticeships.

Top would be to pass the budget bill that did not make it through the senate this past session. It contained money for schools, infrastructure and public safety, while eliminating the tax on social security. Secondly, we are heading for a crisis with long term care facilities. Over 10,000 baby boomers per day are entering long term care. If the state does not increase funding for these facilities, we will see closures. We can also aid these facilities by streamlining the state payment process and help with recruitment of nurses. Third, I would like to work on ways to lower prescription drug prices and make more options available for people to purchase health insurance.

Childcare is one of the largest barriers to women entering the workforce. We have a shortage of childcare centers and workers. Moving towards universal Pre-K would help encourage more people back to work. As mentioned above, apprenticeships and scholarships for careers that are especially short on workers. Ensuring quality schools and other amenities that would attract new workers and families to our area.

Making sure our border city legislation remains in place. It helps us have parity with North Dakota and is now something we can count on. That stability is important.

I support continuing and increasing local government aid for Moorhead and other smaller greater Minnesota cities.

I support tax Increment financing (TIF), bonding bills for new infrastructure and to maintain what is already in place. Private-public partnerships on housing and economic development.