Captioning Provided By AV Captioning www.avcaptioning.com >>> DEBATE NIGHT 2026 IS BROUGHT TO YOU IN PART BY: WE ARE PROUD TO PRESENT DEBATE NIGHT 2026, A LOOK AT OUR AREA LEGISLATIVE CANDIDATES.

YOUR MODERATOR TONIGHT IS BETHANY WESLEY.

AND NOW, THE MINNESOTA HOUSE DISTRICT 7A DEBATE.

>> Bethany: GOOD EVENING, EVERYONE, AND WELCOME TO OUR SECOND NIGHT OF DEBATE NIGHT 2026 AT THE LAKELAND PBS STUDIO IN BEMIDJI.

I'M BETHANY WESLEY, YOUR MODERATOR FOR TONIGHT'S DEBATES.

WE'RE CONTINUING AN EXCITING WEEK OF DEBATES WITH THE SECOND OF THREE STATE LEGISLATIVE DEBATES TONIGHT, COVERING TOPICS AND ISSUES THAT ARE IMPORTANT TO YOU AND YOUR COMMUNITIES.

THERE ARE TWO CANDIDATES RUNNING FOR HOUSE DISTRICT 7A.

THE CANDIDATES ARE: REP.

SPENCER IGO, FROM THE REPUBLICAN PARTY, ANDERIN McCABE NINGEN, FROM THE DEMOCRATIC-FARMER-LABOR PARTY.

WE HAVE THREE PANELISTS TONIGHT ASKING QUESTIONS OF THE CANDIDATES: DENNIS WEIMANN IS THE NEWS DIRECTOR AT LAKELAND PBS.

EMMA KRAB IS THE NORTHEAST MINNESOTA REPORTER AT KAXE.

SHANNON GEISEN IS THE EDITOR AT THE PARK RAPIDS ENTERPRISE.

NOW, FOR THE RULES FOR TONIGHT'S DEBATE: EACH CANDIDATE WILL HAVE THREE MINUTES FOR OPENING COMMENTS.

THE PANEL WILL THEN BEGIN ASKING QUESTIONS.

SOME WILL BE THEIR OWN QUESTIONS, OTHERS MAY BE FROM THE PUBLIC.

CANDIDATES WILL ROTATE THE ORDER THEY SPEAK, BEGINNING WITH OPENING COMMENTS AND FINISHING WITH CLOSING COMMENTS.

EACH CANDIDATE WILL HAVE TWO MINUTES TO ANSWER THE QUESTIONS.

EACH CANDIDATE WILL THEN HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY FOR A ONE-MINUTE REBUTTAL.

CANDIDATES WILL HAVE THE OPTION OF USING ONE MINUTE OF BONUS TIME TO ADD ON TO ONE OF THEIR ANSWERS TONIGHT.

THIS CAN BE USED DURING THE ANSWER TO THE INITIAL QUESTION OR DURING THE REBUTTAL, BUT IT CAN ONLY BE USED ONCE.

QUESTIONS WILL CONTINUE UNTIL WE REACH THE 50-MINUTE MARK, AT WHICH TIME WE WILL MOVE TO CLOSING COMMENTS.

CANDIDATES WILL HAVE TWO MINUTES FOR CLOSING COMMENTS.

SO WITH THAT, WE WILL GO AHEAD AND GET STARTED WITH OPENING COMMENTS, AGAIN YOU HAVE THREE MINUTES AND SPENCER, YOU WILL GO FIRST.

>> Igo: ALL RIGHT, WELL THANK YOU, FIRST OCH THANK YOU TO LAKELAND PBS, THANK YOU TO THIS WONDERFUL FAMILIAR HERE OF OTHER GUESTS.

LOOKING FORWARD TO THIS EVENING.

I'M SPENCER, I HAVE THE DISTINCT PRIVILEGE AND HONOR OF BEING THE REPRESENTATIVE FOR HOUSE DISTRIBUTION 7A THE LAST SIX-YEAR.

THERE PAST TERM I COMPLOTEED, I WAS CO-CHAIR OF THE HOUSING COMMITTEE, SERVED ON THE WAYS AND MEANS SCOMPLET AND ON THE ENERGY COMMITTEE.

THIS PAST TWO YEARS IN SAINT PAUL HAVE BEEN A VERY DYNAMIC AND INTERESTING TIME.

PARTNERSHIP, SOMETHING I'VE BUILT, OUR REPRESENTATION IN HOUSE DISTRICT 7A ON, AND THAT'S NOT ONLY PARTNERING WITH OUR COMMUNITY AND COMMUNITY LEADERS, BUT ALSO MEMBERS OF BOTH SIDES FRT AISLE.

ONE OF MY BIGGEST ACCOMPLISHMENTS THIS YEAR I WANTED TO SHARE WITH EVERYONE TONIGHT IS ACTUALLY GOING TO BE TO EVERYONE'S BALLOT THIS NOVEMBER.

NO MATTER WHERE YOU'RE LISTENING ORR WATCHING FROM.

THAT'S THE PERMANENT SCHOOL TRUST LANDS.

WEEP ABLE TO WORK BIPARTISANLY AND PASS A CONSTITUTIONAL BALLOT INITIATIVE THAT'S GOING TO HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO RAISE EDUCATION FUNDING AT ZERO COST TO THE TAXPAYERS.

WE DID IT BIPARTISANLY.

ALONG WITH LEADING ON OTHER THINGS LIKE THE FIRST INTERGENERATION NUCLEAR ENERGY POLICY, GROUND BREAKING BIPARTISAN HOUSING POLICY THAT'S BRINGING MONEY TO GREATER NONAS WELL AS STREAMLINING REGULATIONS AND WORKING WITH MY DEMOCRATIC COLLEAGUES AND FRIENDS TO BRING THIS STUFF TO MINNESOTA.

THESE ARE THE THINGS THAT NOT ONLY DO I BELIEVE IN, BUT OUR DISTRICT BELIEVES IN.

YOU KNOW, THE IRON RANGE HAS A PROUD HISTORY OF GETTING THINGS DONE WHEN WE WORK TOGETHER AND THAT'S SOMETHING I LEARNED FROM PEOPLE I'VE BEEN SECOND WITH AND MEMBERS I HAVE A LOT OF RESPECT FOR, NAMES LIKE SENATOR TOM BAKK AND DAVID THOMAS SONY.

I BROUGHT THAT TO THIS OFFICE AND I WANT TO CONTINUE DOING IT AND THAT'S WHY I'M RUNNING FOR RE-ELECTION.

IT'S BEEN SO POWERFUL AND HUM BL TOPIC ME TO BE ABLE TO COME HOME AND SERVE THE DISTRICT THAT MADE ME WHO I AM AND NOW BEING MARRIED FOR ALMOST TWO YEARS AND INSPECTING MY FIRST CHILD IN NOVEMBER -- EXPECTING MY FIRST CHILD IN NOVEMBER, IT'S WHAT MAKES LIVING IN NORTHERN MINNESOTA SO SPECIAL AND I WANT TO CONTINUE DOING THAT HONOR AND PRIVILEGE REPRESENTING EVERY SINGLE PERSON.

I RECENTLY WROTE AN ARTICLE IN THE DULUTH NEWS TRIBUNE ABOUT WHY I'M ASKING FOR THAT SUPPORT AGAIN AND ONE OF THE BIGGEST THINGS IS BECAUSE STATES MANSHIP IS A CRAFT DISAPPEARING ACROSS OUR COUNTRY AND MINNESOTA.

IT'S ABOUT GOING INTO A ROOM AND BEING PRACTICING PLAT TICK, LEARNING TO COMPROMISE AND FINDING WAYS TO GET THINGS DONE THAT HELP EVERYBODY AND THAT'S SOMETHING I STRONGLY BELIEVE IN AND I THINK MY LEGISLATIVE RECORD SHOWS.

I'M LOOKING FORWARD TO THIS PANEL TONIGHT AND THANK YOU AGAIN FOR THE OPPORTUNITY.

>> Bethany: THANK YOU, SPENCER.

ERIN, THREE MINUTES FOR OWNING COMMENTS.

>> Ningen: OKAY.

THANK YOU FOR HAVING US TONIGHT AND THANK YOU FOR INVITING ME.

WHEN I WAS 15 YEARS OLD, I SAT IN THE AUDITORIUM AT HIBBING HIGH SCHOOL AND I WATCH AS THE GOVERNOR TOOK HIS OATH OF OFFICE.

HE SPOKE THAT DAY ABOUT THE VALUE OF UNIONS AND THE CONTRIBUTIONS OF THE WORKING CLASS AND THE IMPORTANCE OF PUBLIC EDUCATION AND ABOUT THE MORAL -- THE MORAL NECESSITY OF TAKING CARE OF THE MOST VULNERABLE IN SOCIETY, IT WAS AT THAT POINT THAT I KNEW I WAS A DEMOCRAT.

I WENT ON TO -- THAT SPARK LED ME TO STUDY POLITICAL SCIENCE RIGHT DOWN THE ROAD AT BEMIDJI STATE UNIVERSITY, AND I WORKED IN POLITICS FOR A WHILE.

I INTENDED TO GO BACK TO SCHOOL, BUT LIFE HAD OTHER PLANS.

I ENDED UP WITH WHAT I WOULD CALL A MASTER'S DEGREE IN LIFE.

I NAVIGATED THE EDGES OF THE POVERTY LINE WHILE RAISING TWO CHILDREN AS A SINGLE PARENT, SO I KNOW WHAT IT'S LIKE TO GRIND 60 HOURS A WEEK AND BRING HOME A PAYCHECK THAT'S BARELY FLUFF TO KEEP YOUR FIDS FED.

THESE DAYS YOU FIND ME ONE AT TWO OPERATIONS.

I WAIT TABLES TWO NIGHT AND WEEK AT A POPULAR HIBBING RESTAURANT AND WHEN I'M NOT THERE, I'M A CRISIS CALL SPECIALIST AT THE 988 SUICIDE AND CRISIS LINE.

BOTH THOSE JOBS WILL TEACHER TEACH YOU MORE ABOUT PUBLIC SERVICE THAN ANY POLITICAL SEMINAR COULD.

WHEN YOU WAIT TABLES, YOU LEARN TO WORK LARD AND SERVE THE NEEDS OF OTHERS WITH HUMILITY AND RESPECT.

WHEN YOU ANSWER CRISIS CALLS, YOU LEARN TO LISTEN DEEPLY, PATIENTLY, AND WITHOUT BEING JUDGMENTAL.

AND IN BOTH THOSE JOBS, I'M HEARING EVERY DAY FROM ORDINARY MINNESOTANS WHO FEEL UNSEEN, UNHEARD, AND PUSH TO THE EDGE FINANCIALLY.

AND THAT'S WHY I'M RUNNING FOR OFFICE.

LIKE PAUL WELLSTONE SAID, POLITICS SHOULD BE ABOUT THE IMPROVEMENT OF PEOPLE'S LIVES, NOT ABOUT FIGHTING WITH THE OTHER POLITICAL PARTY, NOT ABOUT PUSHING THE AGENDA OF YOUR CAMPAIGN CONTRIBUTORS.

I HEAR FROM YOU, YOU KNOW, YOU SHARED WITH ME THINGS THAT KEEP YOU UP AT NIGHT AND AFFORDABILITY, MEDICAL CARE, ESPECIALLY RURAL MEDICAL CARE, JOBS IN THE NORTHLAND, PROTECTING PUBLIC EDUCATION, AND PROTECTING OUR DEMOCRACY FROM DONALD TRUMP AND EXTREMIST POLITICS, WE NEED MORE POLITICIANS WITH A SPINE TO STAND UP AND STAND UP AND PROTECT THE CONSTITUTION AND PROTECT THE PEOPLE.

I AM LOOKING FORWARD TO DISCUSSING THESE ISSUES TONIGHT IN MORE DETAIL AND I THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR TUNING IN TO LISTEN.

>> Bethany: THANK YOU.

WE WILL NOW MOVE TO THE QUESTIONS TO TONIGHT'S DEBATE.

WE'LL START WITH SLAN NONE AND ERIN, YOU WILL ANSWER FIRST.

>> Shannon: WHAT IS YOUR SPECIFIC PLAN TO DIVERSIFY DISTRICT 7'S ECONOMY TO COMMUNITIES AREN'T OVERLY DEPEND CAN'T ON ONE INDUSTRY WHILE STILL -- DEPENDENT ON ONE INDUSTRY WHILE STYLE SUPPORTING THE MINING INDUSTRY?

>> Ningen: THAT'S A TOUGH ONE.

I DON'T THINK WE'VE DONE A VERY GOOD JOB AT EXPLORING ALTERNATIVES TO MINING.

IN SPEED OF IRRRB'S MISSION, QUITE OFTEN WE COME UP WITH THE NEXT MORE DANGEROUS MINING PROJECT.

THERE ARE SOME GREAT ALTERNATIVES.

FOR INSTANCE, COMPRESSED AIR UNDER WATER ENERGY STORAGE WHICH DOESN'T USE NICKEL OR COPPER, USES VERY LITTLE COPPER, AND BALLOONS AND OUR AREA IS PERFECT FOR IT.

THE GROUNDWORK WOULD BE LAID IN A DRY PIT AND IT COULD BE FILLED UP WITH WATER THAT MAKES THE PROCESS FUNCTION.

WE COULD HAVE A PLAN THE SIZE OF CLAY BOSWELL IN ONE OF THOSE PITS AND POWER MOST OF MINNESOTA JUST FROM THE IRON RANGE AND THE JOBS THAT GO ALONG WITH IT.

WE DON'T EXPLORE THINGS LIKE THAT.

WE SEEM TO BE STRUCK ON THIS LET'S DRY, NONFERROUS MINING.

YOU DON'T HEAR MUCH ABOUT HELIUM, THE LARGESSE DEPOSIT IN THE WORLD.

WE NEED TO DO BETTER JOB OF EXPLORING DIVERSE OPPORTUNITIES BECAUSE WE HAVE A WORLD-CLASS WORKFORCE THAT IS IDLE, CURRENTLY A LOT OF THEM, AFTER THE TWO LAYOFFS.

>> Bethany: THANK YOU.

SPENCER.

>> Igo: THANK YOU FOR THE QUESTION.

IT'S ACTUALLY SOMETHING THAT I'VE BEEN WORKING ON AS YOUR REPRESENTATIVE, BUT ALSO IN COLLABORATION WITH THE REGION.

SO ONE OF THE BIG THINGS THAT'S ACTUALLY PROHIBITED OUR GROWTH IS A LOT OF THINGS CONTRIBUTING TO MINNESOTA'S ECONOMIC STABILITY AS A WHOLE.

WE HAD JUST A FEW YEARS AGO OUTSIDE OF GRAND RAPIDS THE HUBER WOODS PLANT WAS GOING TO COME TO ITASCA COUNTY AND PUT IN ONE OF THE LARGEST INVESTMENTS OF EQUITY WE'VE SEEN IN STATE HISTORY.

UNFORTUNATELY, DUE TO PERMITTING REGULATION AND DELAYS, THAT COMPANY HAD TO LEAVE.

RIGHT?

AND THERE'S BEEN TIME AND TIME AGAIN WHERE WE SEE COMPANIES LOOK TO INVEST IN GREATER MINNESOTA AND IN FACT, JUST HOUSE DISTRIBUTION 7A ALONE IN MY SIX YEARS REPRESENTING IT, WE'VE HAD $17 BILLION, WITH A B, THAT HAS HAD TO LEAVE THIS DISTRICT BECAUSE OF MINNESOTA'S OVERBURDENSOME REGULATIONS, RISING ENERGY COSTS, BURDENSOME BUSINESSMAN DATES, AND UNCERTAINTY IN THE PERMITTING REGULATION FRAMEWORK.

THESE ARE THINGS THAT NEED TO CHANGE BECAUSE THE ECONOMIC INVESTMENT IS READY AND WILLING AND ABLE AND WANTS TO COME, BUT NO BUSINESS IS GOING TO INVEST THAT KIND OF POINT IF WE DON'T GET -- KIND OF MONEY IF WE DON'T GET THESE THINGS BACK ON TRACK.

AGAIN, GOOD CONVERSATIONS ARE HANG, WE'RE WORKING ON THINGS, BUT SOMETIMES YOU HAVE TO ZOOM FURTHER SOUTH AND LOOK AT WHAT'S REALLY THE PROBLEM.

WHY IS THE SOUTHEASTERN PART OF THE COUNTRY GROWING SO FAST?

WHY ARE STATES LIKE TEXAS GROWING SO FAST?

THEY'VE ADOPTED POLICIES THAT DON'T CUT REGULATIONS OR GET RID OF THEM OR WORKERS RIGHTS BECAUSE NONE OF US IN MINNESOTA BELIEVE IN THAT.

WE MAKE SURE THAT GOVERNMENT WORKS FOR BUSINESS AND THAT'S WHAT I'VE BEEN TRYING TO DO AS YOUR STATE REPRESENTATIVE.

>> Bethany: THANK YOU.

ERIN, ANY REBUTTAL?

>> Ningen: WELL, YOU KNOW, I'VE HEARD THE REPUBLICANS OVER AND OVER BLAME THE PERMITTING PROCESS.

I WOULD SAY IF WE'RE GOING TO MAKE A CHANGE IN THE PERMITTING PROCESS, MAYBE THE FIRST THING WE SHOULD START WITH THE A CHARACTER TEST OF THE BUSINESSES THAT WE'RE DEALING WITH.

THE BIG THREE THAT THEY'RE DEALING WITH RIGHT NOW, ANNA COSTA, SR, METALLICS, THERE ARE CONCERNS AND PRIOR TO THEM, EVEN PROPOSING TO BUILD IN MINNESOTA, THERE ARE CONCERNS ABOUT THEIR CHARACTER AND THEIR ABILITY TO FOLLOW ENVIRONMENTAL REGULATIONS, THEIR ABILITY TO KEEP THEIR PROMISES TO WORKERS, AND HIRE UNION WORKERS LOCALLY INSTEAD OF FLYING PEOPLE IN, THAT TYPE OF THING.

WHEN BUSINESSES HAVE HAD PAST PROBLEMS LIKE THAT, PLEADING GUILTY TO FRAUD, FOR INSTANCE, THEY SHOULD JUST BE DISSQUALL CERTIFIED AT THAT POINT AND NOT WASTE THE TIME OF THE PERMITTING PROCESS.

>> Bethany: THANK YOU.

SPENCER, A REBUTTAL?

>> Igo: I'LL JUST FOLLOW-UP QUICKLY.

THERE'S A LOT MORE THAT GOES INTO IT THAN JUST CHARACTER TEST.

THE FACT THAT MINNESOTA USED TO BE WOULDN'T OF THE MOST AFFORDABLE STATES IN THE NATION FOR ENERGY, IT'S RISING TO BE THE MOST SPONES SIEVE.

THERE'S PROPOSALS AROUND TO BAN NATURAL GAS AND DEVELOPMENT, THAT'S PUSHING BUSINESS AND PEOPLE AWAY.

JUST THE WAY WE SET UP OUR NEW PAID FAMILY LEAVE AND ESST SYSTEM, I'M NOT SAYING WE NEED TO GET RID OF THOSE PROGRAMS, BUT I'VE HEARD FIRST HAND FROM PEOPLE WHO ARE TRYING TO USE THOSE LEAVES THAT ARE BROKEN AND LOSING BENEFITS BECAUSE OF IT.

THESE ARE THINGS THAT ARE MAKING BUSINESSES NOT WANT TO INVEST IN MINNESOTA AND LOOKING TO OUR NEIGHBORS, NORTH DAKOTA, SOUTH DAKOTA, AND NOW IOWA.

THESE ARE THINGS THAT WE NEED TO DO TO GET MINNESOTA BACK ON BACK BECAUSE IT WASN'T THAT LONG AGO, MINNESOTA WAS THE HOME OF FORTUNE 500 BUSINESSES AND A HIGH STANDARD IN QUALITY OF LIFE AND WE CAN BRING IT BACK.

>> Bethany: WE'LL MOVE ON OUR NEXT QUESTION FROM DENNIS.

>> Dennis: DATA CENTERS HAVE BECOME VERY CONTROVERSIAL THIS YEAR.

IF ELECTED, WOULD YOU SUPPORT OR OPPOSE SOMEONE WANTING TO BUILD A DATA CENTER IN THE AREA YOU REPRESENT?

>> Igo: YES, THANK YOU FOR THE QUESTION.

THAT HAS TURNED INTO A VERY HOT BUTTON ISSUE AND I THINK REALLY THE REASON IT'S GOTTEN SO DIVISIVE IS BECAUSE IT CAME SO FAST AND IT'S SO NEW THAT PEOPLE DON'T UNDERSTAND THEM.

AND I THINK ONE THING THAT WE NEED TO DO BETTER AS NOT ONLY STATE, BUT WHEN WE PARTNER WITH ANY KIND OF BUSINESS WHO WANTS TO DO ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT, WE NEED TO TELL THAT STORY AND EXPLAIN WHAT A DATA CENTER REALLY IS, THAT IT'S NOT GOING TO DRAIN AQUIFERS OR POLLUTE THE EARTH OR BE REALLY LOUD AND NOISY OR EAT UP THE POWER AND MAKE PRICES GO UP.

IN FACT, WE PASSED A NATION-LEADING BILL THIS YEAR IN A BIPARTISAN WAY THAT'S REGULATING DATA CENTERS SO THOSE THINGS AREN'T GOING TO HAPPEN AND I THINK THOSE ARE THE STEPS I WOULD TAKE IN A DATA CENTER IS GOING TO BE PROPOSED IN HOUSE DISTRICT 7A AND EXPLAIN THE TAX BENEFITS, BUT ALSO EXPLAIN REALLY WHAT DATA CENTERS ARE.

I THINK THE BEST WAY I'VE EVER USED TO EXPLAIN IT IF YOU'RE GOING ON TO WATCH NETFLIX, THERE'S NOT JUST ONE COIN OF THAT MOVIE YOU WANT TO WATCH THAT NIGHT.

YOU NIDE THOUSANDS OF COPIES SO THAT WHEN YOUNT TO, YOU CAN GO WATCH THAT MOVIE.

SAME THING AFLIES FOR FACEBOOK AND INSTAGRAM AND YOUTUBE AND ALL THE OTHER THINGS WE ENJOY IN A HIGHLY DIGITAL WORLD AND WE NEED THE CAPACITY TO SUPPORT THAT.

THOSE ARE THE THINGS THAT ARE, I SHOULD SAW, LEGACY AT THIS POINT.

THAT'S NOT EVEN TALKING ABOUT THE BENEFITS IN WHAT AI IS DOING TO THE WORKFORCE AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT IN THIS COUNTRY.

WE NEED THE COMPUTING, AND I THINK THESE ARE THE CONVERSATIONS WE NEED TO HAVE AND I'VE BEEN HAVING AS YOUR REPRESENTATIVE AND WANT TO HEAR PEOPLE'S CONCERNS, BUT ALSO EDUCATE BECAUSE WHEN WE SIT DOWN AROUND TABLES AND WE LEARN TOGETHER, WE DO BETTER TOGETHER.

>> Bethany: THANK YOU.

ERIN?

>> Ningen: WELL, THERE'S A BIG DIFFERENCE BETWEEN JUST DATA CENTERS AND HYPERSCALED DATA CENTERS.

HYPERSCALED DATA CENTERS HAVE REALLY COME ON LINE ONLY IN THE LAST FEW YEARS AND THEY AREN'T REALLY OPERATING AS DATA CENTERS YET.

THEY'RE LARGELY EMPTY.

THEY DON'T REALLY KNOW HOW THEY'RE GOING TO USE THEM, TRUTHFULLY, AND, YOU KNOW, I THINK THAT FOR ONE THING, IT NEEDSES TO -- WE NEED TO APPROACH FROM THE VERY BEGINNING THE PROPOSAL WITH TRANSPARENCY.

YOU KNOW, NOT SIGNING NDAs AND HAVING QUIET SECRET MEETINGS WITH LOBBYISTS.

THE COMMUNITY NEEDS TO BE CONSULTED.

AND IN SOME CASES, THE ONE IN HERMANTOWN, PEOPLE ARE GOING TO LOSE THEIR HOMES.

THAT'S A MAJOR CONSIDERATION OF THE IMPACT IT'S GOING TO HAVE ON PEOPLE.

WHETHER IT'S NOISY OR NOT, I BELIEVE THAT THEY ARE UNDERESTIMATING THE AMOUNT OF NOISE THAT THEY MAKE AND I BELIEVE THAT THEY ARE ALSO NOT TAKING INTO ACCOUNT THE TEMPERATURE OF THE WATER THAT THEY'RE RERELEASING EVEN IN A CLOSED SYSTEM.

I THINK THERE ARE THINGS THAT ARE UNPROVEN AND I DON'T THINK NORTHERN MINNESOTA SHOULD BE THE TEST GROUND.

>> Bethany: THANK YOU.

SPENCER, A REBUTTAL?

>> Igo: I'LL JUST ADD THAT NORTHERN MINNESOTA NEEDS TO BE OPEN FOR BUSINESS, SO AS WE TALK ABOUT DATA CENTERS AND OTHER ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT, WE NEED TO BE AT THOSE TABLES AND ADVOCATING.

THE PRIOR QUESTION IS HOW WE'RE GOING TO DIVERSIFY THE ECONOMY OF NORTHERN MINNESOTA AND WE CAN'T BE SAYING NO TO THOSE THINGS, ESPECIALLY WHEN WE HAVE TAX BASE ISSUES, WHETHER IT'S ITASCA COUNTY, AITKIN COUNTY, ST.

LOUIS COUNTY.

THE MORE BUSINESS AND COMMERCIAL TAX BASE WE BRING, INDUSTRIAL TAXES WE BRING TO OUR COUNTIES, IT'S HOW WE LOWER PROPERTY TAXES FOR PEOPLE, HOW WE LIFT OUR QUALITY OF LIPE AND THESE ARE THE THINGS WE NEED TO SAY NOT JUST YES TO, BUT OPEN SO WE HAVE THESE CONVERSATIONS AND CAN LOOK FOR A PATH FORWARD THAT BRINGS THAT STABILITY FOR OUR REGION.

>> Bethany:.

THANK YOU, ERIN, REBUTTAL?

>> Ningen: AGAIN, FLY CONCERN IS WE TEND TO GO WITH THE MOST DANGEROUS PROJECTS.

THE UNPROVEN, AND I THINK THAT WE COULD DO BETTER.

WITH A LITTLE IMAGINATION AND I THINK THAT WE TO DO MUCH BETTER THAN TO FIND WONDROUS PROJECT AFTER -- ONE DANGEROUS PROJECT AFTER ANOTHER.

THERE ARE SO MANY INDUSTRIES THAT ONE POLLUTE OUR WATER AND WE'RE NOT EVEN PURR SEEING THOSE.

IT'S LIKE WE WAIT UNTIL THE LOBBYISTS COME AND WE DECIDE WHICH PROJECTS TO PURSUE AND WHICH WE AREN'T EVEN GOING TO LOOK AT.

>> Bethany: ALL RIGHT.

NOW WE'LL GET A QUESTION FROM EMMA.

>> Emma: POWER PROVIDER MUCH AND THE MINNESOTA PUBLIC UTILITY COMMISSION ARE NAVIGATING HOW TO BALANCE ENERGY AFFORDABILITY WITH MINNESOTA'S CLEAN ENERGY BY 2040 LAW.

WHAT WOULD YOU PRIORITIZE BETWEEN SHORT-TERM AFFORDABILITY AND LONG-TERM SUSTAINABILITY?

>> Bethany: ERIN, YOU ANSWER THIS ONE FIRST.

>> Ningen: WELL, I WOULDN'T BE LOOKING AT MIN KNEW NUCLEAR REACTORS.

THEY NOT ONLY WOULD VIOLATE AN AGREEMENT WITH THE PRAIRIE ISLAND INDIAN COMMUNITY, WHICH I THINK WE'VE VIOLATED ENOUGH AGREEMENTS THAT WE HAVE WITH NATIVE AMERICANS, BUT THEY GENERATE 30 TO 40 TIMES THE NUCLEAR WASTE THAT REGULAR REACTOR WOULD GENERATE.

THEY'RE WAY MORE EXPENSIVE TO BUILD AND THERE ARE ALTERNATIVES THAT ARE WORTH EXPLORING, LIKE UNDERWATER COMPRESSED AIR ENERGY STORAGE, WHICH IS CHEAPER TO BUILD AND IS FAR LESS DANGEROUS TO THE ENVIRONMENT.

AND YOU KNOW, IT WOULD SIMP A LOT OF PEOPLE -- EMPLOY A LOT OF PEOPLE, MORE PEOPLE THAN A DATA CENTERING IN FACT.

>> Bethany: SPENCER.

>> Igo: THANK YOU FOR THERE QUESTION.

ENERGY IS SOMETHING THAT I'VE REALLY BEEN FOCUSED ON SINCE I GOT TO THE CAPITOL SIX YEARS AGO.

I'LL START WITH NUCLEAR SINCE THAT'S WHAT MY OPPONENT STARTED WITH.

I WAS THE CLEAVER SPONSOR OF THE NUCLEAR ENERGY STUDY BEING COMPLETED RIGHT NOW BY A NONPARTISAN GROUP CALLED THE GREAT PLAINS INSTITUTE THAT IS DUE BACK TO THE DESK OF LEGISLATORS AT THE END OF JANUARY.

WHAT'S INTERESTING IS THAT BILL WAS DONE COMPLETELY AND 100% BIPARTISAN WITH MOST STAKEHOLDERS AT THE TABLE.

I ACTUALLY WROTE THE BILL WITH PRAIRIE ISLAND INDIAN RESERVATION BECAUSE IF WE'RE GOING TO DO THINGS IN STATE GOVERNMENT, WE SHOULD DO IT TWO WAYS.

THE RIGHT WAY OR THE RIGHT WAY.

AND NOW THAT BILL IS WORKING IT'S WAY THROUGH.

WE'RE GOING TO GET A COMPREHENSIVE STUDY AND WE'RE GOING TO BE ABLE TO HAVE A REAL CONVERSATION GOOD LIFTING THE MORE.

>> Ray: TORM.

NUCLEAR ISN'T THE ANSWER.

JUST BECAUSE WE LIFT THE MORATORIUM NEXT YEAR AND EGG GOES WELL AND AGREEMENTS ARE REACH, THAT DOESN'T MEAN WE'RE GOING TO BUILD ONE OVERNIGHT.

IT'S GOING TO BE A LONG PROCESS AND IT SHOULD BE.

BUT THE BIG PROBLEM WE SEE, ESPECIALLY TALKING ABOUT AFFORDABILITY, WE ARE LOSING BASE LOAD POWER BECAUSE OF THE 2040 BILL AND THAT WAS ONE ONE OF MY BIGGEST COMPLAINTS ABOUT IT, WHY I DIDN'T VOTE FOR IT BECAUSE IT DIDN'T FOCUS ON BASE LOAD ENERGY.

NOW AS WE SEE COAL-FIRE FOUR FLARNTS BEING IDLED AND SHUT DOWN, WE HAVE TWO OTHER WAYS IN THE STATE OF MINNESOTA THAT WE MAKE BASE LOAD ENERGY, AND THAT'S NATURAL GAS AND THE NUCLEAR POWER FLEET WE ALREADY HAVE.

WE NEED TO BE VERY AGGRESSIVE ON MAKING SURE WE APPROACH WITH AN ALL OF THE ABOVE ENERGY APPROACH.

IT'S NOT JUST NUCLEAR.

I'VE BEEN WORKING ON TRYING TO GET A BIOMASS BILL DOWN SO WE CAN UTILIZE OUR MARKS UP HERE IN LOGGING TO -- MARKETS UP HERE IN LOGGING TO PROVIDE MORE BASE LOAD POWER IN REAL IDLED COAL PLANSES.

IT CARBON CAPTURE AND SEQUESTRATION POLICY.

THAT'S HOW YOU TAKE A COAL-FIRE POWER PLANT AND MAKE IT CARBON NEUTRAL AND SEQUESTER THE UNDERGROUND CARBON AND IN OUR DISTRICT NOW, DISTRICT 7A, YOU CAN PUT THAT CARBON UNDERGROUND AND IT CARBONIZES FOR LONG-TERM PERPETUITY.

>> Bethany: THANK YOU.

ERIN, A REBUTTAL?

>> Ningen: I TOTALLY LOST MY TRAIN OF THOUGHT THERE FOR A MINUTE.

I GUESS I SEE THE MINI NUCLEAR REACTORS AS A PROPOSAL RELATED TO ACADEMICS DATA CENTERS -- RELATED TO DATA CENTERS AND ALSO I JUST WANT TO SAY THAT THE A LOT OF STOPPAGE OF EXPERIMENTAL ALTERNATIVE ENERGIES IS BECAUSE OF PRESIDENT TRUMP AND HIS TARIFFS AND WHAT HE DID AS FAR AS HAMPERING THE PREVIOUS BENEFITS TO THE EXPLORING SOLAR POWER.

WE SEE THAT AT THE CLAY BOSWELL PLANT, HAVING TO SCRAP THEIR PLANS TO CONVERT TO SOLAR.

I THINK ENERGY POLICY, WE NEED TO LOOK TOWARD CLEAN ENERGY.

AND I THINK THERE'S REASONABLE ALTERNATIVES THAT WE'RE NOT EXPLORING.

>> Bethany: OKAY, THANK YOU.

SPENCER?

>> Igo: I'LL JUST CLOSE.

I MEAN, BASE LOAD POWER IS SO CRITICALLY IMPORTANT, NOT JUST FOR THE INDUSTRIES IN THE IRON RANGE OF MINNESOTA.

OUR MINES USE HUNDREDS OF MEGAWATTS 24/7/365.

THAT'S MORE FOUR THAN THE ENTIRE CITY OF MINNEAPOLIS AND SAINT PAUL AND IF WE START LOSING BASE LOAD POWER BECAUSE WE DON'T DIVERSIFY, WE'RE GOING TO HAVE SERIOUS PROBLEMS IN MINNESOTA AND THAT'S WHY WE NEED TO BE TALKING ABOUT CARBON CAPTURE, NUCLEAR, BIOMASS, AND TRYING TO EXTEND COAL AND BUILD MORE NATURAL GAS PLANTS BECAUSE SOLAR AND WIND HAVE A PLACE IN OUR ENERGY GRID, ABSOLUTELY THEY DO.

I HOPE ONE DAY WE GET TO NINE AND MELT AND MANUFACTURING THEM RIGHT HERE IN MINNESOTA, BUT THEY AREN'T GOING TO BE ABLE TO PROVIDE US EVEN WITH BATTERY STORAGE THAT KIND OF POWER POTENTIAL AND THAT'S SOMETHING WE REALLY NEED TO HAVE A LONG CONVERSATION ABOUT.

>> Bethany: OKAY.

THANK YOU.

WE'LL MOVE TO A QUESTION FROM SHANNON.

>> Shannon: MORE AND MORE MINNESOTANS ARE BEING PRICED OUT OF OWNING A HOME.

WHAT STEPS WILL YOU TAKE TO INCREASE OPPORTUNITIES FOR RENTERS, FIRST-TIME HOMEBUYERS, OR FOR HOME REHAB?

>> Bethany: SPENCER, YOU GET THIS ONE FIRST.

>> Igo: I'M ACTUALLY CHIEF AUTHOR OF A BILL TO DO THIS.

IT'S CALLED THE MINNESOTA STARTER HOME ACT.

I WROTE THIS BILL WITH MY CO-CHAIR, CHAIR MIKE HOWARD OF THE TWIN CITIES.

WHAT THE BILL DOES IS ACTUALLY COMPREHENSIVE LAND USE AND ZONING REFORM.

ONE OF THE THINGS WE'RE SEEING ACROSS MINNESOTA IS THAT THE HOMES THAT WE BUILT IN THE 1950s AND 1960s, I'M TALKING 13, 1400-SQUARE-FOOT, SLAB ON GRAY RAM BRERS THAT MADE UP OUR FIRST RING SUBURBS IN THE TWIN CITIES AND MANY NEIGHBORHOODS ACROSS MINNESOTA HAVE ZONE OUT OF EXIST TEN OF BEING ABLE TO BUILD.

-- EXISTENCE OF BEING ABLE TO BUILD.

THERE'S COMMUNITIES HERE IN MINNESOTA, TO BUILD A NEW STORIES, YOU HAVE TO HAVE TWO STORIES AND A THREE STALL GARAGE AND BRICK FASCIA.

THESE ARE THINGS THAT THIS BILL SEEKS TO ACHIEVE AND STREAMLINE, SO WHETHER IT'S A YOUNG FAMILY THAT WANTS TO GO OUT AND BUY A NEW HOME OR A RETIRE PERSON THAT WANTS A SMALLER, MORE STREAMLINE HOME OR ANYONE IN BETWEEN, WE NEED TO HAVE OPTIONS.

WHEN I WAS CHAIRING HOUSING COMMITTEE, A COUPLE THINGS I LED THE COMMITTEE ON IS YOU NEED TO HAVE DIVERSITY IN HOUSING, MULTI FAMILY, SINGLE FAMILY, TOWN HOMES, ROW HOUSES, YOU CREATE AFFORDABILITY IN THE MARKET AND KEEP THINGS COMPETITIVE.

IT GIVES PEOPLE OPTIONS AND WHEN YOU COMBINE IT TOGETHER, YOU CREATE STABILITY NOT JUST FOR THE COMMUNITIES WE LOVE, BUT THE ENTIRE STATE OF MINNESOTA.

THIS BILL IS TAKING THINGS FROM RED STATES AND BLUE STATES.

IT'S BEEN WORK ON WITH THE LEAGUE OF MINNESOTA CITIES, COALITION OF GREATER MINNESOTA CITIES, AND IT'S GENG CLOSE TO PASSAGE, BUT THERE'S A LOT OF CONVERSATIONS TO HAVE.

I AM TALKING ABOUT LAND USE AND ZONING CONTROL AND YOU HAVE PEOPLE THAT PUT IN LOCAL CONTROL IS REALLY IMPORTANT, BUT ALSO THE FACT THAT LAND USE AND ZONING SHOULD BE TAKEN INTO EFFECT IF THINGS GET OUT OF CONTROL.

SO IT'S A REALLY, REALLY STRONG BILL AND I ENCOURAGE VIEWERS AT HOME TO LOOK IT UP AND LEARN MORE ABOUT IT.

IT'S A REALLY GREAT PIECE OF LEGISLATION.

>> Bethany: THANK YOU.

ERIN.

>> Ningen: I WOULD FOCUS ON, IN $2003, THE LEGISLATURE PASSED A HISTORIC ONE BILLION DOLLAR FUNDING BILL FOR HOUSING.

UNFORTUNATELY, THE BULK OF THAT MONEY GOES TO THE SAME PEOPLE THAT CAUSE THE HOUSING CRISIS IN THE FIRST PLACE.

WE NEED TO -- WE NEED TO START INVESTING IN MINNESOTA FAMILIES.

ONE THING I WOULD DO, AND IT GOT DROPPED OUT I THINK OF YOUR BILL, THE ZONING BILL, WAS ACCESSORY DWELLING UNITS OR GRANNY PODS.

FAMILIES, MULTIGENERATION LIVING SOLVES A LOT OF PROBLEMS.

SOMEBODY LEAVES A LOUSE IN THE COMMUNITY, SO IT MAKES -- A HOUSE IN THE COMMUNITY, SO IT MAKES AVAILABLE A STARTER HOME IF CORPORATIONS DON'T SWOOP IN AND BUY IT UP, AND IT ALSO SOLVES SOME ISSUES WITH LIKE SHORTAGES OF PCAs FOR OLD PEOPLE TRYING TO LIVE IN THE COMMUNITY, COULD POTENTIALLY SOLVE SOME AFTER-SCHOOL CHILDCARE SHORTAGES AND IT GIVES REGULAR MINNESOTA FAMILIES A CUT IN ON THE DEAL.

I WOULD FUND THOSE WITH REBATES, ETCETERA, A LOT.

YEAH.

>> Bethany: OKAY, THANK YOU.

SPENCER, REBUTTAL?

>> Igo: I'LL JUST FOLLOW UP MORE ON THE BILL.

THE ADU PART WAS NOT TAKEN OF THE BILL.

IT WAS A HUGE AND CRITICAL COMPONENTMENT OF DIVERSIFIED HOUSING.

BUT AT THE END OF THE DAY, HOUSING, IT'S NOT ABOUT PUTTING MORE MONEY IN THE PROBLEM.

I CAN TALK TO MY COLLEAGUES ON THE OTHER SIDE OF THE AISLE, THEY AGREE ON THIS.

YOU PUT MONEY INTO A HOUSING MARKS, ALL YOU DO INCREASE PRICES.

WE NEED TO STREAMLINE THE ABILITY AND BUILD AND PLAINTIFF HOMES AND THAT'S REALLY -- AND MANUFACTURE HOMES AND THAT'S WHAT WE'RE TRYING TO GET AT.

ONE OF THE THINGS PASSED IF 2023 WAS ACTUALLY ENERGY EFFICIENCY MANDATES FOR NEW CONSTRUCTION WHICH SOUNDS LIKE A GREAT THING DON'T GET ME WRONG, BUT THE NUMBERS ARE OUT.

IT'S GOING TO ADD ANYWHERE FROM 30 TO $40,000 TO THE COST OF A NEW HOME AND THAT'S GOING TO TAKE DECADES TO SEE A RETURN ON INVESTMENT.

PEOPLE DON'T WANT SO SEE THAT RIGHT NOW.

PEOPLE WANT TO OWN A HOME.

THE MEDIAN AGE OF BUYING A FIRST HOME IN THE STATE OF MINNESOTA IS NOW 41 YEARS OLD.

THAT'S A CRISIS AND WE NEED TO THINK OUTSIDE THE BOX ON HOW TO MAKE IT HAPPEN.

>> Bethany: THANK YOU.

ERIN, REBUTTAL?

>> Ningen: I GUESS I WOULD SAY THAT THE SECTION 8 PROGRAM LARGELY, I MEAN, THERE'S BEEN THIS MOVE TO PRIVATIZE PUBLIC HOUSING AND IT'S LED TO A HUGE HOUSING SHORTAGE.

ONCE THE GOVERNMENT GOT INVOLVED IN THE HOUSING MARKET, CORPORATIONS SAW FIT TO GO AHEAD AND BUY UP STARTER HOMES AND START RENTING THEM.

RENTS WENT WAY UP AND PEOPLE ARE NOW TRAPPED IN RENTALS AND THE FIXER-UPPERS WHERE THEY COULD BUILD SWEAT EQUITY IS GONE.

A LOT OF PEOPLE IN MINNESOTA, WHAT I WOULD DO IS ACTUALLY HAVE THE STATE BUILD SOME HOUSING AND ALLOW PEOPLE THE OPPORTUNITY TO BUY BECAUSE IN MINNESOTA, WHAT PEOPLE ARE LACK -- A LOT OF PEOPLE ARE LACKING, THEY HAVE THE JOBS AND ANNUAL BIGS, THEY JUST DON'T -- AND AMBITION, THEY JUST DON'T SO THE COSIGNER AND BY DOING THAT IS CORRECT IT WOULD BE AN INVESTMENT THAT THE STATE COULD GET BACK MAYBE AFTER TEN YEARS.

THEY HAVE FLUFF HE CAN, THEY GET THEIR OWN MORTGAGE, THE STATE GETS PAID BACK.

AS IT SITS NOW, THEY JUST PUT OUT MONEY AND PUT OUT MONEY TO LANDLORDS AND THE ONLY ONES THAT ARE BENEFITING ARE THE LANDLORDS.

>> Bethany: THANK YOU.

LRZ.

WE WILL MOVE TO OUR NEXT QUESTION FROM DENNIS AND THEN ERIN, YOU'LL ANSWER FIRST.

>> Dennis: WHAT DO YOU SEE AS THE CHALLENGES SCHOOL DISTRICTS ARE FACING IN DISTRICT 7A AND WHAT WOULD YOU SUPPORT OR CONSIDER SUPPORTING TO HELP THEM?

>> Ningen: WELL, YOU KNOW, THE TWO BIGGEST CHALLENGES THAT THEY'RE FACING ARE FIXED COSTS IN RURAL AREAS, YOU KNOW, TO PAY FOR -- IT COSTS THE SAME AMOUNT TO HEAT THAT BUILDING WHETHER THERE'S 100 STUDENTS OR A THOUSAND STUDENTS.

THERE ARE CERTAIN FIXED COSTS THAT MAKE IT WAY MORE EXPENSIVE TO EDUCATE PEOPLE IN RURAL AREAS, AND THEN ON TOP OF THAT, THERE ARE FEWER TAXPAYERS, HOMEOWNERS, TAXPAYERS TO PROVIDE THE PROPERTY TAXES TO MEET THOSE INCREASED COSTS.

I DON'T THINK WE'RE DOING ENOUGH TO ADDRESS THAT.

THE OTHER THING THAT'S JUST KILLING US IN SCHOOLS IS HEALTHCARE.

THEY'RE SPENDING A THIRD OF THEIR BUDGET ON JUST TRYING TO PROVIDE HEALTHCARE FOR THEIR EMPLOYEES AND I THINK UNIVERSAL, YOU KNOW, MINNESOTA PLAN, UNIVERSAL SINGLE PAYOR HEALTHCARE WOULD GO A LONG WAY TOWARDS SOLVING THAT.

YOU KNOW, I'M SUPPORTING THE AMENDMENT THAT REPRESENTATIVE IGO AUTHORED, BUT ULTIMATELY, THAT ONLY PROVIDES ABOUT ONE-HALF OF ONE PERCENT OF ANY SCHOOL'S BUDGET, SO IT'S NOT REALLY GOING TO MAKE A DIFFERENCE.

IT'S JUST A DROP IN THE BUCKET OF WHAT REALLY NEEDS TO HAPPEN.

>> Bethany: THANK YOU, ERIN.

SPENCER.

>> Igo: I'VE BEEN HEARING A LOT OF SAME THINGS.

WE'RE IN VERY CONNECTED COMMUNITIES.

I THINK ONE OF THE BIGGEST THINGS I SEE HIGHLIGHTED A LOT IS THE UNFUNDED EDUCATIONAL PLAN DATES.

THE WAY THE STATE BUDGET WORKS WHEN IT COMES TO EDUCATION IS WE SEE A LOT FRD FUNDING THAT MAKE ITS WAY TO OUR SCHOOL DISTRICT, BUT BE TOLD THIS IS FOR X AND Y AND Z, SO YOU HAVE TO DO THOSE THINGS AND THEN ALSO, TAG LINE ON THE BOTTOM, YOU HAVE TO DO THESE COUPLE THINGS, BUT THERE'S NO MONEY FOR THAT, SO YOU'VE TO FIND THAT IN YOUR GENERAL FUND.

THAT'S REALLY HURTING OUR RURAL DISTRICTS AND LAST TIME I CHECKED, WE'RE INDEPENDENT SCHOOL DISTRICTS.

WE ELECT SCHOOL BOARDS, THEY PICK A SUPERINTENDENT AND THE SCHOOL DISTRICT IS RAN BY THE PEOPLE AND PARENTS AND WHEN THESE UNFUNDED MANDATES AND DIRECTIVES ARE GIVEN BY THE STATE HOUSE AND SENATE AND THE GOVERNOR, THAT DOESN'T COME TO THE SPIRIT OF WHAT MINNESOTA IS FOUNTAINED ON IN OUR ISD MODEL.

THAT'S ONE THING THAT WE'VE BEEN TRYING TO STREAMLINE AND WORK OUT SO WE CAN GIVE SCHOOL DISTRICTS THE MONEY THEY DESERVE AND THEN THE LOCAL ELECTEDS GET TO DECIDE HOW TO INVEST IN THEIR OWN SCHOOLS.

THAT'S HOW WE MAKE THINGS A LOT BETTER FOR OUR ZROOXS.

IT'S ALSO AGAIN, FLIPPING OVER EVERY COUCH CUSHION AND LOOKING FOR THE NICKELS TO FUND BRICK EDUCATION.

I FIRMLY BELIEF THERE THAT.

I TALK ABOUT THE PERMANENT SCHOOL TRUST FUND, IT'S A DRON IN THE BUCKET, BUT THE MONEY COMES UNENCUMBERED AND PLAN DATED.

SO THE SMALL SCHOOL DISTRICT NEEDS TO FIX A LEAKY ROOF, THEY CAN USE THAT POINT.

IF THEY WANT TO KEEP A TEACHER, THEY CAN DO THAT.

HOPEFULLY IT'S GOING TO KEEP GROWING AND GROWING AND TURN INTO A LARGER FUND JUST LIKE THE FOUNDING FATHERS WANTED.

I THINK THE OTHER THING, TOO, IS EDUCATION AT THE CAPITOL.

TOO OFTEN THAN NOT, MY COLLEAGUES WHO REPRESENT THE SUBURBS DON'T SEE THESE JAISHS IN EDUCATION BECAUSE ALL THEY HAVE TO DO IS GO FOR A REFERENDUM AND IT COSTS THE TAXPAYERS AN EXTRA THREE DOLLARS A YEAR.

THAT'S IS DIFFERENCE BETWEEN GREATER MINNESOTA COMMUNITIES AND URBAN COMMUNITIES THAT'S BEEN LOST AND IT'S ABOUT EDUCATING A LOT OF MY FRIENDS ON THE OTHER SIDE FD AISLE AND I'M HOPEFUL NEXT YEAR WITH DIFFERENCES IN GOVERNMENT, WE SHOULD TRY TO RETURN SOME OF THAT BALANCE TO THE EDUCATION FORMULA.

>> Bethany: THANK YOU.

ERIN, ANY RESPONSE?

>> Ningen: I DON'T THINK WE SHOULD BE CHECKING THE COUCH CUSHIONS FOR COINS WHEN IT COMES TO PUBLIC EDUCATION.

PUBLIC EDUCATION IS PARE MOUNT TO THE FUTURE OF OUR STATE AND OF OUR COUNTRY.

AND, YOU KNOW, AT A CERTAIN POINT, DURING THE PERIOD OF JESSE VENTURA, WE STOPPED PRIORITIZING THAT IN MINNESOTA AND WE ABANDON THE MINNESOTA MIRACLE.

WE NEED TO TAKE A GOOD HARD LOOK AT THAT BECAUSE WE'RE EITHER GOING TO BUILD SCHOOLS OR BUILD PRISONS, AND I WOULD MUCH RATHER BUILD SCHOOLS.

UNFUNDED MANDATES AND THE PERMANENT SCHOOL FUND ARE NOT GOING TO SOLVE THE PROBLEM.

IT'S THE -- THE PROBLEM FOR RURAL MINNESOTA IS JUST TOO HUGE.

WE NEED TO CHANGE THE FUNDING FORMULA THAT REALLY DISADVANTAGES OUR RUR STUDENTS.

>> Bethany: SPENCER, A RESPONSE?

>> Igo: I'M GOOD.

>> Bethany: ALL RIGHT.

EMMA.

>> Emma: BOTH DATA CENTERS AND THE MINING INDUSTRY HAVE BEEN DISCUSSED TONIGHT.

CONSIDERING THOSE INDUSTRIES AND OTHERS, DO YOU SUPPORT PROVIDING TAX INCENTIVES TO COMPANIES LOOKING TO BUILD AND OPERATE IN MINNESOTA?

WHY OR WHY NOT?

>> Igo: TAX INCENTIVES IS NOW A REALLY INTERESTING CONVERSATION BECAUSE IT CAN MEAN A LOT OF THINGS.

IT CAN MEAN WHETHER THAT LOCAL CITY IS GOING TO DO TIF FINANCING OR IT COULD MEAN COUNTIES ARE GOING DO SOME SORT OF THING OR IT COULD MEAN THE STATE.

THESE CONVERSATIONS CAN GET REALLY INTERESTING, SO IF WE'RE TALKING FROM EXPERIENCE LIKE WORKING ON THE HUBER BOARD PROJECT OUTSIDE GRAND RAPIDS, THE TAX INCENTIVES THAT WE WORK ON AT THE STATE LEVEL IN A BIPARTISAN WAY WAS A TAX INCENTIVE FOR EVERY BOARD PRODUCED TO KIND OF MAKE UP THE GAINS FOR HOW MUCH MONEY THEY WERE GOING TO INVEST IN MINNESOTA.

THESE ARE ALL KIND OF TOOLS IN THE TOOLBOX TO TRY AND UNLOCK INVESTMENT BECAUSE, YOU KNOW, WHEN WE'RE TALKING ABOUT ATTRACTING VERY LARGE MULTI-MILLION, HUNDREDS OF MILLIONS OF DOLLARS IN INVESTMENTS THAEPS NOT ONLY GOING TO PROVIDE THOUSANDS OF CONSTRUCTION JOBS, BUT HUNDREDS OF LONG-TERM FAMILY WAGE JOBS, WE'RE COMPETING NOT JUST AGAINST OURSELVES IN ANYONE, WE'RE COMPETING AGAINST THE ENTIRE COUNTRY.

THE THING IS THESE TAX INCENTIVES COULD BE A WAY FOR US TO BREAK THROUGH EARLIER WHILE WE FIX SOME OF THE THINGS THAT ARE MAKING MINNESOTA UNAFFORDABLE, THAT ARE MAKING MINNESOTA INATTRACTIVE FROM SITE SELECTORS AND BUSINESSES THAT WANT TO DO BUSINESS HERE.

I'M ALWAYS HOPE TO HAVE A TALK ABOUT TAX INCENTIVES.

I'M NOT GOING TO BE A RUBBER STAMP FOR THEM BECAUSE SOMETIMES THEY CAN RUN AKNOCK AND THE COMMUNITIES WRUPT -- AMOK AND SOMETIMES THE COMMUNITIES DON'T SEE A BENEFIT BECAUSE THE INCENTIVES ARE TOO HIGH, BUT I'M ABSOLUTELY OPEN TO THEM.

>> Ningen: I THINK TAX INCENTIVES ARE A USEFUL TOOL BUT ARE OVERUSED AND I THINK PERHAPS WHEN WE STARTED THEM, WHY DON'T HAVE MUCH FORESIGHT AS THE POSSIBLE CONSEQUENCES.

QUITE OFTEN, FOR INSTANCE WITH BIG BOX CHAIN STORES GETTING PROPERTY TAX FORGIVE NRS OR INCENTIVES THAT THEY WOULDN'T HAVE TO PAY PROPERTY TAXES REALLY HURTS RURAL SCHOOL DISTRICTS.

THAT TOOK SO MUCH OUT OF THE SCHOOL FUNDS TO HAVE THESE LARGE BOX STORES NOT HAVE TO PAY TAXES, AND LIKE IN HERMANTOWN WITH THE DATA CENTER, FORGIVING STATE SALES TAX ON UTILITIES TILL 2101?

THAT SEEMS A LITTLE EXTREME TO ME.

IF I WAS PAYING FOR FOUR DOWN THERE, I WOULD RESENSE THAT AND AS A STATE TAXPAYER, I RESENT THAT.

IT'S GOING TO EMPLOY LIKE 350 PEOPLE.

I DON'T THINK IT'S WORTH IT.

>> Bethany: SPENCER?

OKAY.

ALL RIGHT, QUESTION FROM SHANNON.

>> Shannon: MANY COMMUNITIES NEED THE NEXT GENERATION TO STAY OR COME BACK AFTER COLLEGE OR OTHER TRAINING.

WHAT CAN YOU DO AT THE STATE LEVEL TO CREATE CAREER, HOUSING, OR JOB OPPORTUNITIES THAT GIVE YOUNG PEOPLE A REASON TO LIVE IN THERE DISTRICT?

>> Bethany: ERIN.

>> Ningen: WELL O THAT ONE, ONE THING I WOULD DO IS I THINK THAT WE NEED TO LOOK AT -- WE LEARNED DURING COVID THAT IT IS POSSIBLE TO TELECOMMUTE, TO ELECTRONICALLY COMMUTE AND FOR LARGE AGENCIES TO BE ABLE TO WORK WITH EACH OTHER FROM A LARGER GEOGRAPHICAL AREA.

I WOULD DECENTRALIZE OUR STATE GOVERNMENT AND ASK THAT SOME OF THE MAIN AGENCIES BE MOVED OUT INTO DIFFERENT DISTRIBUTIONS.

I THINK THE SEVENTH DISTRICT WOULD BE PERFECT FOR PARTS OF THE DNR, FOR CERTAINLY, YOU KNOW, THE LAND USE FOLKS MAYBE IN DULUTH, THE TRANSPORTATION DEPARTMENT.

THOSE ARE GOOD UNION, SOLID JOBS, AND THAT WOULD LEAD TO OPPORTUNITIES IN THE AREA AND A BOOST TO THE ECONOMY WOULD ALSO LEAD TO SECONDARY OPPORTUNITIES.

AND ALSO FOCUSING ON MAKING SURE THAT WE HAVE BROADBAND.

>> Bethany: OKAY.

SPENCER.

>> Igo: YOU KNOW, I THINK HOUSING IS REALLY AT THE FOREFRONT OF THAT.

YOU KNOW, AGAIN, I SAID EARLIER TONIGHT, THE MEDIAN AGE OF BUYING A FIRST HOME IN THE STATE OF MINNESOTA IS NOW 41 YEARS OLD AND WE NEED 100,000 HOUSING UNITS.

RETAINING OUR YOUTH AND ATTRACTING PEOPLE TO LIVE HERE, IT'S REALLY HARD IF WE DON'T HAVE THE SUPPLY IN HOUSING BECAUSE PEOPLE LOOK HERE AND GO, OKAY, THERE'S GREAT OPPORTUNITY, GREAT JOBS.

THERE'S GREAT OPPORTUNITY ALL ACROSS HOUSE DISTRIBUTION, GREAT OPPORTUNITY ACROSS MINNESOTA, BUT IF THE HOUSING IS NOT THERE, PEOPLE AREN'T GOING TO MAKE THAT JUMP.

I ALSO THINK, TOO, THAT'S PART OF REASON WHY WE'RE REALLY STRUGGLING WHEN WE SEND OUR NEXT GENERATIONS OF MINNESOTANS OUT TO NEIGHBORING COLLEGES AND TRADE SCHOOLS.

THEY GRADUATE AND LOOK AROUND AND THEY GO, WAIT, THERE'S HOUSING HERE IN THIS COMMUNE IN SOUTH DAKOTA.

THERE'S HOUSING HERE IN WISCONSIN, I'M JUST GOING TO STAY HERE.

RATHER THAN TRY TO JUMP THROUGH THE HOOPS TO FIND A PLACE IN MINNESOTA AND I THINK WE'RE LOSING OUT ON A TON OF PEOPLE THAT WANT TO BE HOME, THAT WANT TO GROW IN THEIR COMMUNITIES, MOVE BACK TO THEIR RURAL COMMUNITY, SO I THINK IF WE CAN LEAD BETTER ON HOUSING IN A BIPETZ WAY, WE'RE GOING TO -- BIPARTISAN WAY, WE'RE GOING TO HOPE THAT DOOR FOR PEOPLE.

I ALSO THINK, TOO, IT'S JUST AN OVERARCHING TERGE OF AFFORDABILITY.

MINNESOTA IS NOW THE THIRD HIGHEST TAX STATE IN THE NATION.

WHEN YOU ARE -- WHETHER YOU'RE LOOKING READY TO RETIRE OR YOU'RE A YOUNG FAMILY MAKING CAREER CHANGES OR STARTING YOUR CAREER, YOU ARE GOING TO LOOK AT THOSE THINGS AND IF YOU'RE GOING TO SEE THAT YOUR PAYCHECK IS GOING TO BE AN EXTRA $500 A MONTH IF YOU ARE IN ONE OF THE NEIGHBORING STATES, THOSE ARE THE DECISIONS PEOPLE ARE MAKING AND THAT'S WHY WE'RE SEEING PEOPLE LEAVE MINNESOTA AND WE'RE NOT ATTRACTING ANYMORE.

SO THERE IS A BALANCE HERE WHERE WE CAN STILL BE A STATE OF HIGH BENEFITS AND A HIGH QUALITY OF LIFE AND TAKING CARE OF PEOPLE.

THAT'S SOMETHING WE ALL BELIEVE IN.

IT'S MINNESOTA NICE, BUT THERE'S A WAY TO DO IT THAT'S RESPECTFUL SO WE CAN CONTINUE TO ATTRACT NOT ONLY THE NEXT GENERATION, BUT FUTURE GENERATIONS SO MINNESOTA CAN CITIZEN TO GROW AND PROSPER.

>> Bethany: ERIN, A RESPONSE?

YOU DON'T HAVE TO.

>> Ningen: NO, I'M -- I GUESS I WOULD JUST SAY THAT HOUSING IS -- AFFORDABILITY, FIRST OF ALL, AFFORDABILITY, WHAT'S KILLING US IS TRUMP AND TARIFFS AND THE WAR THAT IS UNNECESSARY.

YOU KNOW, AFFORDABILITY ISSUES RING A LITTLE HOLLOW WHEN WE COME UP THAT WAY.

HOUSING, I DON'T THINK HOUSING IS REALLY KEEPING PEOPLE FROM STAYING IN NORTHERN MINNESOTA.

I THINK IT'S OPPORTUNITY.

I THINK IT'S JOBS.

I THINK IT'S CULTURE, CULTURAL OPPORTUNITY, AND I THINK WE CAN DO A BETTER JOB WITH ALL OF THAT.

>> Bethany: OKAY.

SPENCER?

>> Igo: I THINK IT'S JUST REALLY IMPORTANT THAT WE DON'T -- I MEAN, HOUSING, THIS IS MY LIVED EXPERIENCE HEARING FROM MY FRIENDS ACROSS NOT ONLY OUR DISTRICT, BUT ALL AROUND THE STATE WHO ARE STUCK IN A RENTAL HOME, STRUGGLING WITH PARENTS THAT CAN'T FIND A PLACE TO LIVE OR IF THEY DO FIND A PLACE TO LIVE, THEY OVERLEVERAGE THEMSELVES IN A MORTGAGE BECAUSE OF HOUSING PRICE BE THAT ARE NOT BEING ENOUGH SUPPLY IN THE MARKET AND I THINK IT'S NOT THE WAY IT USED TO BE WHERE IT'S, YOU KNOW, ONE OF THE COMMENTS I SAW THIS YEAR WHEN I WAS WORKING ON MY POLICIES WAS, YOU KNOW, NEXT GENERATION NEEDS TO STOP BUYING STARBUCKS AND THEY CAN AFFORD A HOME.

I NEVER -- I TOOK THAT REALLY PERSONALLY BECAUSE I THOUGHT OF ALL MY FRIENDS WHO ARE STRUPG LING OUT THERE THAT WANT TO AFFORD HOMEOWNERSHIP AND ACCOMPLISH THAT AMERICAN DREAM, BUT WE NEED TO DO THINGS THAT PUT HOUSING FIRST AND IF HOUSING GOES FIRST TRK THE BETTER THINGS ARE GOING TO FOLLOW.

>> Bethany: THANK YOU.

DENNIS.

>> Dennis: THANK YOU, WE'VE ASKED OUR VIEWERS AGAIN THIS YEAR TO SEND IN QUESTIONS FOR THE DEBATES.

I'M GOING TO ASK ONE OF THOSE RIGHT NOW IN DAN.

HE SAYS PUTTING FRAUD ASIDE BECAUSE EVERY POLITICIAN IS GOING TO WANT TO ELIMINATE FRAUD, WHAT ARE YOU GOING TO DO SO I CAN ACTUALLY RETIRE?

I AM SELECTING SOCIAL SECURITY AND WORKING FULL-TIME TO TRY TO GET AHEAD OF INFLATION?

>> Bethany: SPENCER.

>> Igo: THAT'S A REALLY GOOD QUESTION.

THERE'S A LOT OF WAYS TO LOOK AT THIS.

ONE OF IT, ESPECIALLY AS YOU'RE LOOKING READY TO RETIRE AND DRAWING SOCIAL SECURITY, I WOULD ANSWER TO IS WE NEED TO MAKE SURE THAT YOUR PROPERTY TAXES GO DOWN AND THAT THAT COST DOESN'T CONTINUE TO RISE.

ONE OF THE WAYS WE CAN DO THAT IN STATE GOVERNMENT IS BY TRIMMING THE WASTE AND NOT -- YOU WERE ASKING TO SAY DON'T TALK ABOUT FRAUD, SO I'M NOT GOING TO GO THERE YET, BUT WRA WE CAN DO, THERE'S A LOT OF REDUNDANCY IN STATE GOVERNMENT.

THERE MIGHT BE FIVE OR SIX PROGRAMS THAT DO THE EXACT SAME THING.

IF WE'RE ABLE TO CONSOLIDATE THAT AND STREAMLINE THE, THOSE COST SAVINGS CAN FLOW DOWN TO THE TAXPAYER, THE COUNTY GOVERNMENT, THE CITY GOVERNMENT.

THAT'S NOW WE PUT MORE MONEY IN EVERY MINNESOTANS POCKET.

THESE ARE THINGS I'VE BEEN LOOKING AT AND TRYING TO ACCOMPLISH IN THE STATE GOVERNMENT.

WE DID SOME OF THAT IN THE HOUSING COMMITTEE IN YEAR THAT I HAD THE OPPORTUNITY TO CO-CHAIR.

I THINK THAT'S LOW-HANGING FRUIT THAT WE CAN GO AFTER AND TRY TO DELIVER, LIKE YOU SAID, MORE MONEY TO RETURN TO AFFORDABILITY.

I THINK ONE OF THE OTHER THINGS WE CAN DO IS RIGHT NOW, THE GAS TAX IN MINNESOTA, WE HAD A HUGE HIKE IN THE YEAR 2023-2024, ONE THAT I DID NOT SUPPORT.

THAT'S ONE OF THE REASONS WE'RE SEEING SUCH HIGH PRICES AT THE PUMP.

THAT'S NOT THE WHOLE REASON, I WON'T TRY TO SUGAR COAT THAT WAY, BUT THESE ARE THINGS WE HAVE TO LOOK AT BECAUSE THE GAS TAX AS REGRESSIVE TAX.

IT AFFECTS THOSE WITH THE LEASE FLEENS AND WHEN YOU START -- LEAST MEANS AND WHEN YOU START TALKING ABOUT WERT WAYS TO FUND TRANSACTION AND MAKE SURE EZ CARS PAY THEIR FAIR TAX AND THERE'S WAY IF YOU ROLL UP YOUR SLEEVES AND GET PRAGMATIC GOOD BOFT, YOU CAN BALANCE BUDGETS WHILE RETURNING MONEY TO TAX PICTURES.

IT WASN'T LONG AGO THAT THE STATE BUDGET GREW OVER 40%.

JUST BY FIGURING OUT WHAT PROGRAMS WORK AND DON'T WORK, WE CAN RETURN MONEY TO TAXPAYERS AND HELP GIVE YOU STABILITY IN YOUR LIFE.

>> Bethany: THANK YOU.

ERIN.

>> Ningen: WELL, I THINK AS FAR AS THE EXPENSES IN RETIREMENT, FIRST OF ALL, I WOULD TAKE SOME OF THE IRRRB MONEY BEING USED TO ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AND QUESTIONABLE PROJECTS AND I WOULD MAKE IT -- I WOULD MAKE THE PROPERTY TAX, SUBSIDIZE PROPERTY TAXES FOR SENIORS THROUGHOUT THE 7th DISTRICT SO THAT NOBODY IS GOING TO LOSE THEIR HOME BECAUSE THEY COULDN'T PAY PROPERTY TAXES IN RETIREMENT.

THAT WOULD SEEM TO BE A BETTER USE OF THAT MONEY THAN SOME OF THE PROJECTS I'VE SEEN FUNDED.

I WOULD DEAL WITH MEDICAL CARE.

YOU KNOW, THAT'S A HUGE EXPENSE, AND WE NEED SINGLE PAYOR MEDICAL CARE.

WE NEED TO GET INSURANCE COMPANIES OUT OF THE MIX AND MEDICAL CARE WOULD BECOME A LOT MORE AFFORDABLE FOR ALL OF US.

AND YEAH, I THINK THERE ARE SOME DUPLICATIONS IN STATE PROGRAMS AND I THINK THAT THERE'S ALSO SOME WASTED MONEY IN TERMS OF HAVING EVERYTHING CENTRALIZED IN SAINT PAUL, DECENTRALIZING WOULD ALLOW A CHEAPER PRICE PER FOOT FOR THOSE AGENCIES TO BE LOCATED IN OUT-STATE AREAS.

THERE WOULD BE SOME COST SAVINGS THERE.

BUT MOSTLY I THINK PROPERTY TAX RELIEF WOULD BE THE BIGGEST THING FOR SENIORS TO KNOW THAT YOU'RE NOT GOING TO LOSE YOUR HOUSE BECAUSE YOU CAN'T PAY YOUR PROPERTY TAXES.

>> Bethany: OKAY.

SPENCER, A RESPONSE?

>> Igo: I'LL JUST ADD A LITTLE MORE TO THE PROPERTY TAXES PART.

I MEAN, GOING THROUGH COVID, BASICALLY BETWEEN ITASCA, ST.

LOUIS AND AITKIN, THEY WERE THREE OF THE TOP FIVE COUNTIES WITH THE HIGHEST PROPERTY VALUATION INCREASE BECAUSE OF COVID HOUSE BUYING, BECAUSE CASH WAS AFFORDABLE DUE TO LOW INTEREST RATES AND PEOPLE THAT HAD MEANS WERE USING IT AND THEY PURCHASED HOMES ALL ACROSS OUR DISTRICT THAT THEY TURN THREE-SEASON HOMES INTO FOUR-SEASON HOMES AND THAT VALUATION INCREASE INCREASED PROPERTY TAXES AND THAT'S WHERE YOU SAW THOSE RECORD JUMPS, ESPECIALLY IN THE YEAR 23 AND 24.

AND WE NEED TO START LOOKING AT SERIOUS POLICIES THAT PROTECT SENIORS WHO HAVE LIVED IN THAT HOME FOR 20, 30, 40 YEARS SHOULD NOT FALL MEANS FOR A VALUATION FORMULA THAT'S GOING TO MAKE THEIR LIVES HARDER.

IT'S STATES LIKE CALIFORNIA HAVE POLICIES LIKE THIS, AND I BELIEVE STATES LIKE FLORIDA AND TEXAS ARE ALSO WORKING ON IT, SO IT'S NOT A RED OR BLUE ISSUE.

IT'S A BIPARTISAN REAL POLICY THAT WE SHOULD BE EVALUATING HERE IN MINNESOTA.

IT GOES BACK TO SOME OF THE THINGS WE TALK ABOUT.

IF WE WANT TO STABILIZE PROPERTY TAXES, WE NEED TO PAVE THE WHAT I FOR ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT.

>> Bethany: ERIN, A RESPONSE?

>> Ningen: THIS ONE ISSUE BACKS A RED OR BLUE ISSUE WHEN YOU LOOK AT THE REPUBLICAN 2026 ACTION PLAN THAT'S ON THE GOP WEBSITE.

THEY CALL FOR THE ELIMINATION OF SOCIAL SECURITY AND THEY CALL FOR THE ELIMINATION OF MEDICARE.

WHAT ARE OUR SENIORS GOING TO DO THEN?

>> Bethany: OKAY, GREAT.

WE MOVE TO OUR LAST QUESTION, BUT NO REBUTTAL.

EMMA.

>> Emma: WHAT DOES REPRESENTATIVE DEMOCRACY MEAN TO YOU?

>> Bethany: ERIN.

>> Ningen: REPRESENTATIVE DEMOCRACY MEANS THAT THERE'S A PLACE FOR ALL OF US, THAT HE HAVE BEEN MATTERS, THAT IT'S NOT JUST LOBBYISTS AND, YOU KNOW, I'M NOT TAKING ANY SPECIAL INTEREST MONEY, NO CORPORATE CASH, NO LOBBYIST DONATIONS BECAUSE I BELIEVE THAT A REPRESENTATIVE SHOULD HAVE THEIR TIME, THEIR ENERGY BELONG EXCLUSIVELY TO THE PEOPLE WHO ELECT THEM.

WE HAVE GOTTEN OFF BASE WITH THAT.

WE TEED TO END CITIZENS UNITED AND SPEND MORE TIME CONSULTING WITH THE VOTERS AND LESS TIME CONSULTING WITH THE LOBBYISTS.

REPRESENTATIVE DEMOCRACY MEANS THAT WE CAN MAKE SPACE FOR EVERYONE AND WE ASK THEN FOR PEOPLE'S TRUST THAT WE'LL MAKE THE BEST DECISIONS FOR THE PEOPLE OF THE AREA.

>> Bethany: OKAY.

SPENCER.

>> Igo: YOU KNOW, THAT'S A REALLY GREAT AND POWERFUL QUESTION.

I THINK BACK TO THE FOUNDATION OF THIS COUNTRY.

I THINK ABOUT SOME OF THE MOST AMAZING PEOPLE THIS WORLD'S SEEN, PEOPLE THAT SACRIFICED THEIR LIVES, SACRIFICED THEIR OPPORTUNITIES TO PUT PEOPLE FIRST.

AND I DON'T THINK THERE'S A MUCH LARGER CALLING IN LIFE THAN YOU CAN DO THAT.

I LOOK AT REPRESENTATIVE DEMOCRACY AS WHEN YOU TAKE THAT OATH OF OFFICE, YOUR JOB IS NOT TO REPRESENT THE RIGHT OR THE LEFT, DEMOCRATS OR REPUBLICANS.

YOUR JOB IS TO REPRESENT THE 40,000-PLUS PEOPLE THAT ARE IN YOUR DISTRICT AND YOU'RE SUPPOSED TO TO THAT IN A CONSTRUCTIVE WAY AND A WAY THAT LISTENS AND FIND COMPROMISE AND DELIVER REAL RESULTS.

THAT'S WHY WE'RE HERE, AND I THINK THAT'S WHAT MY RECORD HAS SHOWN AND THAT'S WHY I WANT TO CONTINUE DOING THIS JOB AND I'M ASKING AGAIN FOR YOUR VOTE AND I THINK THE OTHER IMPORTANT PART OF THAT QUESTION IS THAT THE JOB DOESN'T STOP WHEN I COME HOME FROM SAINT PAUL.

IT DOESN'T STOP WHEN -- OR START WHEN I GO TO SAINT PAUL.

IN FACT, MOST OF THE POLITICS, IF YOU WILL, THAT OCCURS WITH THIS IS WHEN I GO TO SUPERONE TO GET GROCERIES.

WHEN I STOP AT L&M TO PICK UP STUFF FOR THE GARAGE TO FIX SOMETHING.

IT'S BEING APPROACHABLE IN A WAY THAT NO MATTER WHERE YOU ARE IN THE DISTRICT OR WHAT YOU'RE DOING, PEOPLE WANT TO COME UP TO YOU AND SHARE THEIR CONCERNS OR GIVE AN IDEA OR JUST CATCH UP ON HOW LIFE IS.

THAT'S WHAT MAKES OUR COMMUNITIES STRONG AND THAT'S WHAT MAKES DEMOCRACY AND REPRESENTATIVE GOVERNMENT EVEN STRONGER.

>> Bethany: WITH THAT, WE'LL MOVE INTO CLOSING COMMENTS.

SO AGAIN, CLOSING COMMENTS WILL BE TWO MINUTES, AND ERIN, YOU'LL GO FIRST.

>> Ningen: OKAY.

WELL, WE'VE TALKED A LOT ABOUT THE ISSUES TONIGHT AND I REALLY ENJOYED THIS, AND I HAVE NO DOUBT THAT REPRESENTATIVE IGO IS A GOOD AMERICAN WHO LOVES THIS COUNTRY AND HAS DONE THE BEST HE COULD.

IT'S BEEN SIX YEARS.

I THINK IT'S TIME FOR A CHANGE.

I THINK THAT'S HEALTHY IN A COMPLES.

I'M A BIG BELIEVER IN TERM LIMITS, AND I THINK IT'S HEALTHY IN A DEMOCRACY FOR A PERSON TO SERVE FOR A WHILE AND THEN STEP ASIDE AND MAKE ROOM FOR SOMEONE ELSE AND GO HOME AND LIVE UNDER THE LAWS WHICH THEY'VE CREATED.

I GUESS A BIG QUESTION WHEN THE CAMERAS TURN OFF IS WHO'S GOING TO GO TO SAINT PAUL AND FIGHT FOR YOU.

NOT FOR LOBBYISTS AGENCIES, NOT FOR CORPORATE CASH.

FOR THE PEOPLE LIVING IN NORTHERN MINNESOTA.

AND I THINK THAT ULTIMATELY WE ALL HAVE TO BE HONEST ABOUT THE FACT THAT THIS MIDTERMS IS A LOT RIDING ON THESE MIDTERMS, AND WHEN I TALK TO PEOPLE, THEY'RE TALKING TO ME ABOUT BEING AFRAID FOR OUR DEMOCRACY, AND I THINK WE HAVE TO MAINTAIN A DFL MAJORITY BECAUSE I THINK WE MAY NEED THAT PROTECTION SHOULD DONALD TRUMP NOT LIKE THE OUTCOME OF THE ELECTION.

I THINK WE HAVE TO BE READY FOR THAT, AND WE NEED POLITICIANS WITH A SPINE TO STAND UP AND PROTECT THE CONSTITUTION AND PROTECT THE PEOPLE.

>> Bethany: THANK YOU.

SPENCER.

>> Igo: WELL, FIRST OFF, THANK YOU TO THOSE WATCHING AT HOME.

THANK YOU TO LAKE PBS AND THIS PANEL AND MY OPPONENT FOR BEING HERE TONES.

THIS IS A GREAT CONVERSATION.

THIS IS REPRESENTATIVE GOVERNMENT.

THIS IS A CONSTITUTIONAL REPUBLIC RIGHT HERE AT WORK.

SO THANK YOU FOR THIS OPPORTUNITY.

SOMETHING THAT I'VE BUILT MY CAREER AROUND AT SAINT PAUL, WORKING FOR ALL OF YOU, HAS BEEN THE SUCCESS IS NEVER ACCOMPLISH ALONE.

SOME OF THE BILLS I TALKED ABOUT TONIGHT THAT HAVE PASSED WEREN'T DOWN JUST BECAUSE I WENT DOWN THERE AND DID THEM.

IT'S BECAUSE WE WORKED TOGETHER.

NOT ONLY OUR DISTRICT, BUT THE STATE OF MINNESOTA, REPUBLICANS AND DEMOCRATS, WE FOUND ISSUES THAT WE CAN GET ALONG AND COMPROMISE ON, AND WE CAN DELIVER FOR EVERYBODY.

AND THAT'S SOMETHING THAT I HOLD REALLY CORE AS BEING YOUR REPRESENTATIVE AND WHY I'M ASKING TO CONTINUE DOING THIS WORK.

BECAUSE I BELIEVE THAT WE CAN CONTINUE TO BRING A LOT IN THIS CAMPAIGN AS OUR REPRESENTATIVE, YOU'RE BEST STATE REALITY AND WE CAN DO IT THROUGH THAT PARTNERSHIP AND HAVE THAT SUCCESS.

I LOOK AT THIS JOB AS BEING ONE OF THE GREATEST HONORS OF MY LIFE BECAUSE I NEVER SAW MYSELF DOING IT.

AND THE CALL TO RUN DIDN'T COME FROM UP HERE.

IT CAME FROM RIGHT HERE.

AND WHEN YOU HAVE THAT CALLING FROM INSIDE, BUT ALSO YOUR COMMUNITY AND THEY'RE SAYING, PLEASE CONTINUE TO REPRESENT THIS AREA, PLEASE CONTINUE TO CARRY THESE ISSUES AND CHAMPION, THOSE WHO FEEL LIKE THEY HAVEN'T BEEN HEARD JUST AS MUCH AS THE PEOPLE WHO ARE HEARD, AND I TAKE THAT VERY SERIOUSLY WHEN I ROSE THAT HAND TO GIVE THAT OATH OF OFFICE NOW THREE TYPES AND I TAKE IT SERIOUSLY EVERY TIME I PUSH A BUTTON FOR A VOTE, WHETHER IT'S RED OR GREEN, AND I'M NOT AFRAID TO BE ABLE TO VOTE ON THE OTHER SIDE OF ISSUES, EVEN AS A CONSERVATIVE, BECAUSE AT THE END OF THE DAY, I AM YOUR REPUBLICAN CANDIDATE, I'M YOUR REPUBLICAN MEMBER OF THE MINNESOTA HOUSE, BUT MY JOB IS FOR THE PEOPLE OF HOUSE DISTRICT 7A AND THAT'S HOW I WILL ALWAYS VOTE AND HAVE VOTED.

THIS NOVEMBER 3rd, I'M ONCE AGAIN ASKING FOR YOUR VOTE OF COVERS, YOUR VOTE OF -- VOTE OF COVERS, YOUR VOTE OF SUPPORT SO WE CAN CONTINUE WORKING TOGETHER TO BRING THE BEST TO REALITY NOT JUST TO HOUSE DISTRIBUTION 7A, BUT THE DESIRE STATE OF MINNESOTA.

THANK YOU ALL.

>> Bethany: THANK YOU BOTH FOR PARTICIPATING IN TONIGHT'S DEBATE.

THANK YOU TO OUR PANELISTS FOR THE QUESTIONS.

AND THANK YOU ALL FOR TUNING IN.

IF YOU MISSED ANY PORTION OF TONIGHT'S DEBATE OR WOULD LIKE TO WATCH IT AGAIN, IT WILL BE AVAILABLE ON THE LAKELAND PBS WEBSITE WITHIN 24 HOURS.

THAT WEBSITE IS LPTV.ORG.

TO LEARN MORE ABOUT ALL THE LOCAL CANDIDATES IN THIS YEAR'S ELECTION, CHECK OUT THE VOTER'S GUIDE AVAILABLE ONLINE AT PARK RAPIDS ENTERPRISE.COM.

THE DIGITAL VOTER'S GUIDE AND ALL ONLINE LOCAL ELECTION STORIES ARE FREE TO READERS REGARDLESS OF SUBSCRIPTION STATUS.

YOU CAN HEAR THE KAXE NEWS TEAM'S "UP NORTH REPORT" NEWSCAST ON 91.7 GRAND RAPIDS, 90.5 BEMIDJI AND 89.9 IN BRAINERD, OR ON YOUR FAVORITE PODCAST APP.

FIND MORE LOCAL NEWS AND A 2026 ELECTION GUIDE AT KAXE.ORG AND FOLLOW KAXE ON FACEBOOK AND INSTAGRAM.

NOW, DON'T GO TOO FAR.

WEFR ONE MORE COMING UP IN JUST A FEW NONES.

AT 9:00 P.M., WE'LL HAVE THE SENATE DISTRICT 5 DEBATE WITH REPRESENTATIVE MIKE WIENER AND CANDIDATE SKYLAR FYNBOH.

THANK YOU ALL FOR WATCHING.

STAY TUNED.

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