Editor’s note: A District 13 forum is scheduled for 7-8:30 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 7, at Sartell Community Center in Sartell. Coverage of that event will be featured in the Oct. 10 issue.
Election Day, which takes place Nov. 3, is officially a month away. To help voters learn more, the League of Women Voters St. Cloud Area hosted a forum featuring the six candidates competing for seats in District 14
Over 50 people gathered at St. Cloud’s Great River Regional Library Sept. 29 to hear candidates discuss affordable housing, fraud prevention, healthcare, gun policy, data centers and local issues.
The forum featured Senate candidates incumbent Aric Putnam (DFL) and Bernie Perryman (R), the current House representative for 14A; House District 14B candidates Zach Dorholt (DFL) and Sue Ek (R); and candidates for House District 14A. District 14 and 14B includes Minden Township, Precinct 6 in the city of Sauk Rapids, and the Benton County portion of the city of St. Cloud.
LWV St. Cloud Area President Sheila Ferguson moderated the forum, asking questions submitted by email and written by audience members.
“Members of the state Legislature have two important responsibilities: to represent their districts and to enact laws that pertain to Minnesota as a whole,” Ferguson said.
Fraud prevention, government oversight
One of the primary topics addressed during the forum was fraud and how legislators should respond to it.
Putnam spoke about his participation as co-author of the bill that created the Office of the Inspector General, which oversees state agencies and investigates wrongdoing. He also highlighted changes made to the way grants are processed at the Department of Agriculture and the Department of Veterans Affairs.
“If you actually want grant money, … you actually have to be in Minnesota,” he said. “That wasn’t the case before — I changed that.”
Perryman highlighted the need for better protections for whistleblowers, along with the importance of auditing and firing those who do not adhere to the rules.
“I had several agencies and people that said, ‘I’ve seen something, (and) I want to report it,’ but they were told, ‘No, you’re not going to,’” Perryman said.
She said new technology, continuous data monitoring and cross-agency coordination could help identify fraud.
Working in the healthcare field, Dorholt, who served as the 14B representative from 2013 to 2015, echoed his thoughts on ensuring accountability. He suggested modernizing auditing software, tracking state grant applications, performing routine screenings and implementing a database to prevent improper payouts.
Ek expressed concern over public frustration with fraudulent activity in state-funded programs. She called for stricter oversight of entities that receive public money, including unannounced visits, mandatory financial reviews and stronger protections for whistleblowers.
Housing affordability
Affordable housing was another major topic, with candidates offering different ideas on how to increase housing options and help people afford homes.
Putnam discussed his legislative work as a member of the Housing and Homelessness Prevention Committee, arguing that targeted, multi-pronged state investments are essential to alleviate market shortages. He highlighted down-payment assistance for first-time buyers, support for workforce housing developments and legal protections for residents in manufactured housing communities.
“Manufactured housing is a great entry point, and we have not supported folks who live there well enough,” Putnam said.
Dorholt focused on the high cost and amount of time involved in getting housing projects approved. He said synchronizing and standardizing permitting forms should be a priority while also incentivizing cities to build additional housing through renovating vacant lots or buildings.
Ek said she would first meet with contractors and builders to better understand the challenges. She suggested that regulations and zoning should be simplified to create more housing options, especially for first-time buyers. The Starter Home Act and Minnesota’s business climate, which she said plays a role in whether individuals can afford housing, are also crucial.
Perryman echoed the need for economic reform, stating data shows higher construction costs in Minnesota compared to neighboring states. She said the gap could be due to excessive local permit fees, land-use mandates and tax structures that disincentivize private residential investment.
“The down-payment assistance program is a way to help someone with a hand up, but I never want it to be a handout,” Perryman said. “We need to always be thinking about how we can make or get people into housing, stabilize themselves and afford everything that comes with housing.”
Healthcare, gun policy
Healthcare was another topic of discussion, with Perryman stating that rising premiums are driven by insurance providers and unfunded mandates, such as mandated insurance coverage for transgender surgeries. Putnam disagreed, questioning how many transgender surgeries take place while emphasizing the need to decouple healthcare from employment. He also stressed the importance of price transparency, access to prescription drugs and finding care in rural areas, which he said the 340B program can help address.
Ek said individuals should be allowed to find insurance companies beyond Minnesota. Doctors should also be allowed to practice in ways that best fit their values and communities.
“You probably have heard of boutique medical practices where people pay cash, and they’re not restricted to the limitations of their health insurance,” Ek said. “I think a variety of options makes the most sense.”
Dorholt mentioned the impact of federal Medicaid cuts, saying those with serious mental illnesses are not always able to afford treatment.
“We’re supposed to be fighting for universal coverage, but instead, we’re abandoning what I believe should be taking care of those in the dusk, dawn and shadows of life,” he said.
Dorholt also proposed several solutions, such as weighing affordability as a factor and denying excessive premiums through the Department of Commerce. This can then allow tax breaks for small businesses that provide insurance and expand bulk purchasing. Another priority of his was preventing artificial intelligence systems from denying medical treatment.
On public safety and gun policy, Perryman urged expansion of community mental health services and early intervention programs, highlighting co-responder models where mental health professionals work directly alongside local law enforcement officers.
Putnam discussed his response to the Annunciation Catholic Church shooting, stating that lawmakers need to take meaningful action around gun-related issues that come before the Legislature. He also said he consults with law enforcement officials when considering gun-related policies.
Dorholt, drawing on his background as a mental health provider, said mental health and gun violence should be considered together. He said firearms are a leading cause of death for children and young people and that he does not believe assault rifles are necessary.
Ek said she supports the Second Amendment while also supporting efforts to address mental illness and ensuring firearms are not in the possession of those who pose a danger. She also said strengthening school safety should be part of the conversation.
Data centers
Throughout the United States, many people are concerned about the environmental impacts of data centers, including District 14 residents. Dorholt said data centers will be needed to make Minnesota an agricultural and technological state. He suggested data centers should operate off the grid using renewable energy while utilizing closed-loop cooling systems to protect water supplies.
“In my former career, I worked for a company called American Tower Corporation, where it was my job to engage in land use, zoning and environmental regulation compliance for the placement of wireless telecommunication equipment,” he said.
Ek said communities need to be fully supportive of data centers moving into their areas, as it is a necessary evil in many ways. She mentioned fear of the unknown as a cause of pushback, along with residents worrying about the depletion of water and electricity. However, Ek said the community needs to understand the pros and cons before making a decision.
“If a community is on board with it, then I would be on board with it,” she said. “There are definitely some pluses to it: jobs will be created and the potential property tax base will be better.”
Perryman agreed, saying communities, cities and data centers need to work together to ensure accuracy and safety. Additionally, the centers bring more job opportunities and can grow the workforce, she said.
Legislatively, Putnam said the state needs to provide consistency, leadership and parameters for individual cities to follow. Banning nondisclosure agreements is another step the Legislature can take, he said. He also mentioned having data centers possibly installed in rural areas, where companies would then be required to invest in infrastructure such as schools or hospitals.
Local issues
Focusing on the development and growth of the St. Cloud area, Putnam pointed to many projects and investments he worked on, including the Riverwalk and his work involving St. Cloud State University and St. Cloud Technical & Community College. He said those institutions and projects are important to the area’s economic and social infrastructure, and he would continue adding to them.
Dorholt focused on the diversity and challenges created by St. Cloud’s location across three counties. He said greater cooperation and shared services throughout the area could help address issues including criminal justice and public safety.
Ek highlighted her experience serving on local civic boards, emphasizing a nonpartisan, community-first approach.
Perryman then highlighted her 27 years as a local business owner and active community leader in St. Cloud. She emphasized that economic growth, workforce development and supporting local businesses will guide her legislative agenda.
Looking ahead to Election Day
While the candidates presented different and similar ideas for addressing state and local challenges, the forum provided District 14 voters with an in-depth look at those listed on the upcoming ballot.
As candidates continue campaigning, door-knocking and connecting with the community, residents across the area are preparing to cast votes that will shape the area and Minnesota’s legislature.
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