Image via sen.johnmarty.com
Leading up to the November general election, the Roseville Reporter will publish Q&A responses from candidates on the ballot. Readers can get to know the candidates and learn about their goals and stances on current issues to make an informed decision come Election Day.
Candidate responses have edited only for clarity. Views expressed by candidates are their own and do not reflect those of The Roseville Reporter, which remains neutral.
Sen. John Marty
Senate District 40
Senate District 40 represents the cities of Arden Hills, Blaine, Mounds View and Shoreview, as well as New Brighton precincts 6-8 and Roseville precincts 01-07 and 11.
Background
Many years ago, my wife Connie and I chose to make our home in Roseville. We love the community and have never been prouder than this year, when people gave incredible support and protection for neighbors during the ICE surge.
In the Senate, I chair the powerful Finance Committee. My goal is to build a better future, where all people have good healthcare, housing, education and jobs that pay a living wage. My hope, in both my personal life and work as Senator, is to serve others, recognizing that our communities thrive when we work to help each other.
Minnesota has experienced fraud. What specific safeguards and checks and balances do you intend to develop and support to see that this does not continue?
In the Senate, I have long focused on reducing fraud, waste and corruption. Fraud by human service companies is inexcusable and requires an aggressive response. I’ve been actively working to prevent fraud in state contracts/grants and doing so without hurting good non-profits that serve vulnerable Minnesotans. In addition, I pushed for funding the Attorney General to continue their excellent work prosecuting fraudulent businesses.
I’m also working to stop the growing problem of private equity funds buying up healthcare facilities and overcharging taxpayers. As we have seen nationally, this fraud far exceeds the fraud that occurred here, yet many of those wealthy criminals have been pardoned. Though the Trump Administration is excusing it, Minnesota must stop it.
Related to that, I continue pushing to overturn Citizens United so that government is not beholden to corporate interests, which has led to fraud and policies that hurt the public.
Given the current economic situation, what ideas do you have to help with affordability issues?
Minnesotans face growing challenges paying for housing, health, food and transportation. It is unacceptable to have people who cannot afford basic living expenses in the wealthiest country on Earth.
There are serious flaws in our policies when billionaires have more money than they know what to do with while most people struggle to make ends meet. It is essential that we end corporate subsidies and build a fair, progressive tax system. I’m also pushing for higher wages and affordable childcare and housing.
In addition, our dysfunctional healthcare system hurts people’s health and finances. When the United States spends twice what comparable countries spend on healthcare and four of every 10 people have medical debt, healing our healthcare system is urgent. I won’t quit fighting until we enact a healthcare system where all people get comprehensive care, not insurance plans that deny care.
Identify and expand on three major initiatives you would like to work on in the upcoming session. How do you plan to work across the aisle to gain support for your ideas?
Among many initiatives, I want to pursue:
- Patient Centered Care (PCC) legislation to remove bureaucratic insurance middlemen from Medicaid and MinnesotaCare. This will save money, deliver better care to patients and reduce fraud.
- Cutting corporate subsidies. Minnesota has frequently provided large subsidies to wealthy businesses— subsidies that individual taxpayers end up paying for. Wealthy business owners lobby at the Capitol promising big benefits to the state in exchange for subsidies. I plan to continue fighting against this huge ongoing problem.
- Protecting ratepayers from unfair utility company rates.
There are also gun violence/public safety, climate and environmental issues, government ethics and campaign finance reform challenges, consumer protection, and housing initiatives that I’m pursuing. I have bipartisan allies on some, and I enjoy working with both sides of the aisle.
