Racing towards Bismarck
Written by Aaron Skjerseth Monday, 27 October 2008 19:00
The presidential election is not the only important election next week. The race for North Dakoa’s Governor’s house is also in full swing seven days before election day. The candidates are incumbent Republican John Hoeven, who was first elected in 2000, and Democrat Tim Mathern, who has served in the North Dakota Senate for 22 years. Last week both candidates took the time to talk to us at The Spectrum. The following is a portion of those interviews.Gov. John Hoeven
The Spectrum: Measures one and two have been getting some attention on campus. We are hearing they will be detrimental to both funding and scholarships. What do you think about these measures?
Governor Hoeven: Well I don’t support measures one or two. Measure two would provide income tax relief and I put forward a plan to provide property tax relief and I think that is a better way to go. And on measure one, we are already building a good reserve. I don’t think that we need that measure in the constitution. I think we should continue to build the reserve the way we are. We have built it up to $400M, and we will continue to build it inline with the growth of our economy.
We need to make sure we balance our budgeting between three major areas. The first area is investing in our priorities, like education. Second, build a good reserve as we go, and third provide cash relief.
SP: How will you help students here in North Dakota, especially after graduation?
GH: Well the key to keeping graduates in the state is to create more jobs, higher paying jobs and more career paths. That is exactly what we are doing. This is one of the fundamental differences between myself and my opponent. Since I have been in office we have created more than 30,000 new jobs. It is about opportunity for our young people. That has been my number one focus as governor that is why I ran for governor. Aggressive economic development is my background. My opponent has no experience in that area.
When I came into office, we were losing people and the last five years we have gained over 7,000 people, because we are creating more jobs.
SP: How then do you feel about Tim Mathern’s plan to pay back tuition?
GH: Well, his concept is a failed concept. It has been on the ballot and its been voted down by the people. It has also been voted down by the legislature. It is an old idea and it has always been rejected.
The reason is because how do you plan for it. College students, do you go ahead and load up with debt and then hope, maybe, to get it repaid. What is going to keep you in North Dakota is an opportunity - a job.
SP: A lot of students are paying attention to the presidential race. Would you care to endorse somebody?
GH: Well, I mean, I am a Republican, so I support McCain.
SP: If you had any final quick message to tell students at NDSU, what would it be?
TM: That they are doing a fantastic job. I am excited about NDSU and all the great things going on there. We just have a tremendous student body. I get up there for sporting events and all kinds of different things and I am always impressed with the caliber of students.
Sen. Tim Mathern
The Spectrum: Measures one and two have been getting some attention on campus. We are hearing they will be detrimental to both funding and scholarships. What do you think about these measures?
Tim Mathern: Well, I don’t think they necessarily have to do that. I believe one and two should be voted down. I believe a “no” vote is important. However, I don not believe we ought to be using that kind of tactic, to tell people, specifically, they are going to be hurt. I think people are gonna express stress all over the state, regarding a “yes” vote on one and two.
If I was governor, I would say wait a minute, we should actually do a bigger investment in our young people. That is what is going to turn the economy around.
Actually, number two is like Hoeven’s Plan. His tax plan gives a lot of money to a lot of rich people.
SP: How will you help students here in North Daktoa, especially after graduation?
TM: It is a shame that the budget has been balanced on the back of students. When folks in the Republican Party say they haven’t raised the taxes, when John Hoeven says he hasn’t raised the taxes, it’s just not true.
Property taxes have gone up almost 50 percent since John Hoeven has been governor. The tuition of students has gone up dramatically. I think North Dakota, right now, is the second highest in the nation in terms of the amount of tuition students have to pay.
In the bank of North Dakota since John Hoeven has been governor our greatest profit is on student loans. We make millions and millions of dollars on student loans. I just think that is wrong.  .
We have to do some things to address that. We continue the student grants program but we add another feature. And that is, pay them back every dollar that they paid in over an eight-year period if they stay in North Dakota, work in North Dakota or start a business in North Dakota.  .
If all these people stay that is the best investment we have ever made. Now if they don’t stay, this costs zero
SP: A lot of students are paying attention to the presidential race. Would you care to endorse somebody?
TM: Sure, I am going to vote for Barack Obama. No question that Barack Obama is somebody who has a value system that reflects a positive future. I believe Barack Obama has the ability to bring a lot of despaired groups together. I believe Barack Obama’s voting record is good for ND.
SP: If you had one quick message to tell students at NDSU, what would it be?
TM: Help us build a positive future for ND. You are our next leaders. Step up now to be our leaders. Make sure that the future of ND is more positive. The students, that are graduates of our institutions are our greatest valued assets for the future of North Dakota.
