Q&A: Pam Cunningham

Talk about it

The Bulletin asked legislative

candidates the following questions:

1. What role do you think government should play in people’s lives?

2. As you see it, what are the most pressing local issues to the residents in your district?

3. Do you believe the state’s public unions, like Education Minnesota, should retain collective bargaining power? Explain.

4. Would you support a tax increase to help balance the state’s budget? Explain.

5. Will you be voting for or against the marriage amendment at the polls? Explain your reasons.

Here are Pam Cunningham's responses:

1. As minimal as possible: government should serve as a safety net to provide support and empower individuals and families in time of needs.

2. Jobs and the economy: when out meeting potential voters I hear over and over again from them their concerns about finding or keeping a job for themselves or a member of their family and how it will impact them financially. We must continue to work to grow and support the small businesses of our community in order to support job growth, and increase the economic security of the families of our community.

3. Yes. As a registered nurse, I have been a member of the Minnesota Nurses Association, and unions serve an important role for the workforce in Minnesota. However, individuals should not be required to join a union as a condition of their employment. This would force unions to do a better job of marketing and listening to their members.

4. No. Just like in our own homes, the state of Minnesota needs to live within its budget. It needs to set its financial priorities and fund them without unfunded mandates or shifts or increased taxes. The best way to help balance the state’s budget is to stimulate the economy through job growth and supporting small businesses.

5. It is always very serious when we talk about amending our constitution, but this is a very personal, private issue that should be decided by individual voters and not legislated by a judge or a group of legislators. In state statute marriage is already defined as a union between a man and a woman. Putting it into our constitution just makes it more permanent and harder to change.

Tags: news, elections