Japuntich with a campaign sign that she hand-knit (via rachel4mn.com)
Leading up to the Nov. 3 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.
Candidates sent their responses to the Roseville Reporter via email. The Roseville Reporter remains neutral and publication of a candidate’s responses does not indicate endorsement.
Rachel Japuntich
Candidate for 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
City of Residence: Shoreview, with my husband and kids
Occupation: Engineering
I work in engineering where I collaborate with many teams to build medical products that improve people’s health. I graduated from Roseville Area High School, then the University of Minnesota with a degree in engineering. I have served as a Ramsey County Election Judge, on the Shoreview Economic Development Commission and on the Shoreview Economic Authority for several years.
I feel our state is heading in the wrong direction and with my engineering background, I would collaboratively help find solutions to the problems facing our state. I am a fiscally responsible moderate and support term limits of elected officials.
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?
The Office of Legislative Auditor (OLA) has put out many reports on different agencies within the state over the years with suggestions for strengthening controls. The state agencies should be addressing the concerns raised by the OLA and when the OLA comes back to review, there should be better controls in place. If not, people should be held accountable.
Given the current economic situation, what ideas do you have to help with affordability issues?
Taxes and fraud need to be addressed. Taxes continue to increase in all areas; sales taxes, income taxes, tab fees and property taxes. Like subscriptions, they all add up to higher costs. Minnesota has always been a high tax state, but we are not getting the quality services we expect for it anymore. We all need to balance our checkbooks for our families and we expect our state government to do the same. People work hard for their money and they expect it is being spent wisely and not going to fraud. Fraud is not only stealing from tax payers, it is hurting the people the money was intended to go to in the first place. Fraud is unacceptable. These are non-partisan issues and we should be able to work together to make it work.
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?
Minnesotans have shared desires; we want good educations for our children, to live in safe neighborhoods and to afford to live comfortably. I think we all can agree that these areas need improvement, though we may have different opinions on the approach. The current approach is not working and it is time to try a different approach. I will bring a logical, data driven voice to the legislature. The state needs to get back to the basics and focus on education, public safety and fiscal responsibility. It is our country’s 250th birthday this year, the whole point of voting in a democracy is to hold our elected leaders accountable when things are not working and vote them out.
Read about the other Senate District 40 candidate here:
