Larry Haws - Rural roads are the backbone of Minnesota's agriculture and tourism industries, and they must have an integral place in our long-range transportation vision and funding plans. Fair treatment of Central Minnesota taxpayers is my overriding concern.

Joshua Behling - With our roads and bridges in major need of repair and taxpayers already having difficulty making ends meet, we need the Legislature to focus on the highest priority items: roads and bridges. Putting a bigger burden on taxpayers at this point isn't wise.

Larry Haws - Minnesota needs a balanced approach to address its 2009 budget deficit, one in which the possibility of increased revenues is not completely off the table. We at least need to fix the school funding formula and prevent constant property tax hikes.

Joshua Behling - We are faced with a train wreck of a deficit due to reckless spending, and I won't stand by and allow the hard working taxpayers to clean up the mess. I guarantee that I will work very hard to eliminate the deficit. That means prioritizing spending.

Larry Haws - Our health care system must be transformed to ensure that every Minnesotan can receive the quality care that they need, at a price that is affordable to them. It is not just people without insurance; health care costs are becoming a universal concern.

Joshua Behling - If there's one place where government activism has hurt private industry, it's the insurance industry...mandates drive up the cost...Offering a cafeteria-style plan, where people can pick...coverage they want, would be a...step in the right direction.

Larry Haws - St. Cloud has been blessed with excellent schools. However, not all school districts are created equal. District 742 has suffered decreasing student population with increasing special needs population. We need a fair funding formula.

Joshua Behling - If ever there was a ...funding in the Twin Cities vs. ... outstate schools, we can't let the status quo continue.