Sondra Erickson - My vision for Minnesota's transportation system includes securing funding for roads and bridges and paying for it through at least 60 percent of MVST (motor vehicle sales tax), fuel taxes and bonding.

Gail Kulick Jackson - My vision is for safer roads and bridges in Greater Minnesota. I would also like to see the remaining rail infrastructure preserved for increased use of trains to transport grain, ore, goods and equipment, thus reducing the need for expansion of highways.

Sondra Erickson - To eliminate a projected $1 to $2 billion shortfall in 2009, the Legislature must set priorities and then reduce spending and repeal outdated mandates.

Gail Kulick Jackson - First, we identify bad programs that don't work and we eliminate them. Second, we look for duplication and overlap of services, administration or regulation between various departments of state government and between the state and local governments.

Sondra Erickson - Health care is not a right but a privilege. The legislature must enact patient-focused health care reform to lower costs and allow patient access to a greater variety of health plans than are presently available in Minnesota.

Gail Kulick Jackson - We know that preventative care costs a whole lot less than the treatment of most diseases and that if every Minnesotan had access to quality, affordable care we could save millions of dollars which now go to the treatment of chronic conditions and illness.

Sondra Erickson - Neither tweaking nor overhaul can fix a system that is unfair and that does not focus enough on 21st century needs in K-12 education. In 2008-2009 Minnesota will spend $14 billion on K-12 education without much needed reform to make us world-class.

Gail Kulick Jackson - We MUST NOT rely to the extent we have on local property taxes to fund rural public schools. Areas like ours which don't have a strong commercial or industrial tax base simply cannot afford it. The state must equalize funding...