Paul H. Anderson - My vision includes mass transit and improved roads in rural Minnesota. User fees such as tolls should be looked at for the heavily traveled metro routes. The gas tax is a fair way to pay for road projects.

Bruce Shuck - My vision includes an LRT to St. Cloud so that outstaters have a rapid connection to the metro area for events. Also a full four-lane highway connecting Willmar and towns beyond to St. Cloud. Pay for it by a mix of bonding, ridership and gas tax dollars.

Paul H. Anderson - I expect little, if any, new funding in the upcoming session. I also anticipate business conditions improving, largely because the price of energy is moderating, so tax collections may be better than anticipated.

Bruce Shuck - There will need to be some creative things to balance, I'm fearful that LGA and HHS programs will be in the scope. There will be some cuts but also some revenue raisers but they must be constructed to minimize negative economic consequences.

Paul H. Anderson - Universal rights to quality health care sounds very much like socialized medicine which means a huge increase in cost (much higher taxes) and another layer of government. Minnesota has a pretty good system but some tweaking is definitely needed.

Bruce Shuck - If we don't make it a right, who is going to pay for the uninsured? We must make it affordable for all or people will continue to use the ER as their primary provider. Preventive medicine is cheaper than treating a full-blown chronic disease.

Paul H. Anderson - To be fairer to outstate districts, the system needs an overhaul. Increases given to districts last session were heavily weighed in favor of the metro area. Equity in school funding is still the biggest need. We owe districts that stable consistency.

Bruce Shuck - I feel it needs tweaking. A fair, equitable and reliable funding source must be put in place so as not to pit one district against another and at least keeps up with inflation. Also need to control unfunded mandates for special education.