If elected, how are you going to serve your student constituency and higher education?
The best indication of my respect for the students and higher education is that I accepted a gubernatorial candidate debate on the campus of SDSU for Oct. 12, and my opponent refused to face you, answer your questions, and defend the Rounds-Daugaard cuts to higher education of $7.5 million in the 2011 budget. I would not balance the state budget on the back of higher education. Students represent our state’s most important natural resource, and a quality education is the most important thing we can provide to help you succeed. Education is not an expense. It is the state’s best investment.
Many in higher education, students included, are concerned about faculty raises. SDSU’s faculty has not received a raise in three years. Do you support faculty raises this year?
Because education is my first priority 8212; and the first priority of the South Dakota Constitution 8212; education will be the first area to have its funding restored and the first to have it increased. But first we must deal with a $107 million dollar deficit. I will eliminate the deficit by government reform and responsible budgeting. I will make state government smaller, more efficient, and more transparent. It’s time to return state government to the citizens and to restore education to our state’s first priority.
South Dakota is currently involved in a lawsuit against the federal government over thePatient Protection and Affordable Care Act. Do you support this lawsuit?
South Dakota should not be suing the United States of America about the health care. The role of the state and the governor is to take the legislation as passed, see how it works for South Dakota, and then make certain that it works for South Dakota. When we find areas where it is not working as well as it should for South Dakotans, the state and the governor should negotiate to improve it, not sue the United States of America to eliminate it.
Why should the people South Dakota elect you as governor?
It’s time for a change. For eight years, the current leadership in Pierre has spent too much money, wasted precious resources, and failed to provide real leadership while conducting the people’s business in secrecy whenever possible. South Dakotans everywhere tell me they’re tired of the same old politics. They want a government that reflects the values of South Dakota: hard working, honest and sensible. They want a government that makes sacrifices when times are tough, just like South Dakota families and businesses. South Dakotans need and want a governor who is a leader. I am that leader.
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