Dwight Dorau
Name: Dwight Dorau
Email: [email protected]
Campaign Phone: 651.494.4009
Campaign Website: VoteforDwight.com
Twitter handle: @DwightDorauMN
Facebook Page: Dwight Dorau For MN
Candidate Bio
As a retired Air Force colonel, I have nearly 27 years of experience working with an incredibly diverse group of people from all branches of the military, various federal and state agencies, and international organizations. Working with others has been the great pleasure of my career, and I know I can effectively work with all sides in the legislature to ensure common-sense solutions to Minnesota’s problems.
During my military career, I’ve had many leadership experiences. I’ve been a three-time commander, including leading a squadron of aerial refueling airplanes in combat sorties over the skies of Afghanistan, as well as leading all airfield support operations at a large and busy airbase in England. I am now working at Johnson High School in St Paul as the Senior Aerospace Science Instructor for the Air Force Junior ROTC program, developing citizens of character dedicated to serving their country and community.
I am a 100% product of the Minnesota public education system. I attended Finlayson High School, Brainerd Community College, and the University of Minnesota, Duluth, culminating with a Master of Education degree.
What would be your top three priorities if elected? How might these priorities be affected by the state's projected economic outlook?
My top three priorities for MN would be to completely eliminate Social Security income taxes on our seniors. As one of only seven states that continues to tax Social Security income, Minnesota continues to double down on this misguided tax that sadly focuses on those in our society who need the money most. Priority number two is to double nuclear energy by eliminating the nuclear moratorium and modernizing our nuclear power plants. This past legislative session focused on being carbon neutral by 2030, including the elimination of coal-produced power (approximately 28% of current production), yet there were and are no plans to get from our current energy production capabilities to this new ideal state. Wind and Solar power alone cannot meet the demand. The only viable solution is clean, safe nuclear power, and I’ll be an enthusiastic proponent of nuclear power to ensure Minnesota’s growing energy needs are met. Finally, there are things we must do to help the economy. Sadly, the 2023-2024 legislature used nearly the entire surplus to fund additional programs, instead of returning it to Minnesota tax payers, including so many who are paying as much as 40% more for gasoline and groceries, increased rent and mortgage rates. Many Minnesotans are relying on credit cards to pay for basic necessities, and many others are currently behind or in default of their payments. I will help provide relief to taxpayers. State income taxes must be reduced, either through creation of new income-based rates, rate freezes, additional credits for children and education, or any combination of those plus additional ideas to help families keep more of their hard-earned income. In addition, Minnesota has the highest business tax of all 50 states, and that also hurts taxpayers and their families. I will propose a 20% business tax reduction to decrease them from as much as 9.8% to place us on par with Wisconsin, which has a rate of 7.9%. The state’s projected economic outlook is bleak due to the bills that will come due as a result of the ~40% state budget increase. As these bills come due in the next two years, Minnesota families will be stretched even thinner. Tax freezes, cuts and incentives will help to stimulate and grow the economy and provide relief going forward.
How would you characterize the business climate in the East Metro? Please elaborate on your answer.
The business climate in Woodbury (where I will represent) is holding up pretty well despite the poor economy overall. We are fortunate to have a steadily-growing population, lower crime than other East Metro areas, and many job and business opportunities. But we can make it so much better with pro-economic growth policies.
Please characterize your perspective on the ideal collaboration between government and the business community when it comes to tackling challenges whether they be education, housing, or workforce development? Do you feel the outcomes of the 2023-2024 legislative session positively or negatively impacted that collaboration and our state's business climate?
To obtain the best possible outcomes in all these areas, government must have complete and ongoing collaboration with businesses in the community; but that doesn’t mean government should be involved in every aspect of business. Sadly, the 2023-2024 legislative session has deeply, and negatively, passed legislation that will financially hurt our business climate in Minnesota, as well as individuals. Unprecedented tax increases, including the metro area sales tax increase, gasoline tax increases, and additional package delivery fees are only the beginning of the negative impacts to our state. As the 65 new education mandates take effect, school districts will need to cover down on the unfunded requirements, increasing local property taxes as well. If the legislature was truly looking out for small businesses and individual families, they failed, and instead only exacerbated the problem, ensuring we remain stuck in a high-cost rut – one that affects not only education, but workforce development and housing costs as well.
What policies, if any, would you support to help employers address our state’s critical labor shortage?
I would support a 20% business tax decrease, which would free up businesses to recruit new employees with higher wages. Thriving and prosperous small businesses will naturally attract labor, and those businesses who want to succeed will be able to create a better-trained and prosperous workforce.
The 2023-2024 Legislature passed many new mandates on employers, such as Paid Family Medical Leave, Earned Safe and Sick Time, and Worker Misclassification penalties. Do you support the PFML program in its current form or do you believe there needs to be further refinement before the program comes into effect in January 2026? If elected, what steps would you take to understand the impact of a proposal on the many types of businesses in the East Metro and how would you define any exceptions to those policies?
I do not support the PFML in its current form because it adds additional costs to employers and employees while not recognizing that many businesses already have great programs that they are able to accomplish by themselves, without creating yet another new government program. There should be some business and employee exemptions based upon size and/or full and part-time employees, and there should also be incentives for businesses and individuals who do not use PFML, to help keep its overall costs down and prevent fraud. Minnesota’s Paid Leave webpage says that, “the State of Minnesota will pay individuals” taking paid leave, but we all know that employers and employees are the actual payers; and they are also paying for the new agency and state employees who will manage the PFML program. I expect very large cost increases as PMFL moves toward implementation, further burdening businesses and employees in the East Metro. Ultimately individual families will feel it most, as it taxes them more when they really need some relief from the high costs we are currently witnessing.
What are your strategies to address public safety challenges in your district and the state?
Since retiring from the Air Force and moving back home to Minnesota, a close family member was the victim of a violent car-jacking very close to Woodbury. Public safety is very personal and important to me, and, according to Article 1, Section 1 of the Minnesota state constitution, “Government is instituted for the security, benefit and protection of the people,” so it is actually the most important role of our state government. As such, I will ensure all state law enforcement agencies receive full funding. At the local level, I’m very proud of Woodbury’s Police force, and I’m happy to see they just hired another two outstanding officers.
How would you work to improve transportation options in the district/state, including improved safety for transit riders, pedestrian/bike, and drivers alike?
I believe the East Metro already has many fine options for these modes of transportation, and with the new bus line coming to Woodbury it’s far more enhanced than ever. I will always work to improve safety in transportation, and I would like to see a more stable, and predictable, funding stream for our infrastructure projects, as opposed to the lean years versus big years of road construction. We all know that every bridge and highway has a lifespan, so with deliberate planning, we should be able to break the cycle of peaks and valleys in a very bipartisan fashion.
What ideas do you have to address housing shortages and affordability?
Encourage affordability through reducing taxes and allowing families to have more disposable income. Period. There are numerous issues regarding high costs in the East Metro, but many are caused by macro inflationary pressures of printing and spending too much at the federal level. In Minnesota, I will focus on the local level and try to help all Minnesota taxpayers keep more take-home pay to help afford housing. The last legislative session completely failed in helping to keep all costs low, as they increased the budget by 40%, didn’t return the surplus to taxpayers (many who desperately needed relief), and yet still ended up raising many taxes, as discussed earlier. It’s truly remarkable how the taxpayers were completely ignored the past two years, considering the Minnesota legislature had the most perfect opportunity to provide relief to so many. I want to shift focus to working families and small businesses. They have been burdened tremendously these past few years, and it will only worsen with the additional tax increases that are looming as a result of the 2023-2024 legislative session.
In light of projected budget deficit/"structural imbalance," what are your priorities for the State's budget?
This oncoming deficit should not surprise anybody. The 2023-2024 legislative session went on an enormous spending spree with wanton regard for businesses and taxpayers. My priorities will be program cuts and/or freezes, tax cuts and/or freezes, and a wide variety of pro-small business and pro-taxpayer legislation. We cannot tax our way out of the oncoming deficit, but with the right business and individual tax policies and climate, we can economically grow our way out of the deficit and set a course for prosperity in Minnesota.
Email: [email protected]
Campaign Phone: 651.494.4009
Campaign Website: VoteforDwight.com
Twitter handle: @DwightDorauMN
Facebook Page: Dwight Dorau For MN
Candidate Bio
As a retired Air Force colonel, I have nearly 27 years of experience working with an incredibly diverse group of people from all branches of the military, various federal and state agencies, and international organizations. Working with others has been the great pleasure of my career, and I know I can effectively work with all sides in the legislature to ensure common-sense solutions to Minnesota’s problems.
During my military career, I’ve had many leadership experiences. I’ve been a three-time commander, including leading a squadron of aerial refueling airplanes in combat sorties over the skies of Afghanistan, as well as leading all airfield support operations at a large and busy airbase in England. I am now working at Johnson High School in St Paul as the Senior Aerospace Science Instructor for the Air Force Junior ROTC program, developing citizens of character dedicated to serving their country and community.
I am a 100% product of the Minnesota public education system. I attended Finlayson High School, Brainerd Community College, and the University of Minnesota, Duluth, culminating with a Master of Education degree.
What would be your top three priorities if elected? How might these priorities be affected by the state's projected economic outlook?
My top three priorities for MN would be to completely eliminate Social Security income taxes on our seniors. As one of only seven states that continues to tax Social Security income, Minnesota continues to double down on this misguided tax that sadly focuses on those in our society who need the money most. Priority number two is to double nuclear energy by eliminating the nuclear moratorium and modernizing our nuclear power plants. This past legislative session focused on being carbon neutral by 2030, including the elimination of coal-produced power (approximately 28% of current production), yet there were and are no plans to get from our current energy production capabilities to this new ideal state. Wind and Solar power alone cannot meet the demand. The only viable solution is clean, safe nuclear power, and I’ll be an enthusiastic proponent of nuclear power to ensure Minnesota’s growing energy needs are met. Finally, there are things we must do to help the economy. Sadly, the 2023-2024 legislature used nearly the entire surplus to fund additional programs, instead of returning it to Minnesota tax payers, including so many who are paying as much as 40% more for gasoline and groceries, increased rent and mortgage rates. Many Minnesotans are relying on credit cards to pay for basic necessities, and many others are currently behind or in default of their payments. I will help provide relief to taxpayers. State income taxes must be reduced, either through creation of new income-based rates, rate freezes, additional credits for children and education, or any combination of those plus additional ideas to help families keep more of their hard-earned income. In addition, Minnesota has the highest business tax of all 50 states, and that also hurts taxpayers and their families. I will propose a 20% business tax reduction to decrease them from as much as 9.8% to place us on par with Wisconsin, which has a rate of 7.9%. The state’s projected economic outlook is bleak due to the bills that will come due as a result of the ~40% state budget increase. As these bills come due in the next two years, Minnesota families will be stretched even thinner. Tax freezes, cuts and incentives will help to stimulate and grow the economy and provide relief going forward.
How would you characterize the business climate in the East Metro? Please elaborate on your answer.
The business climate in Woodbury (where I will represent) is holding up pretty well despite the poor economy overall. We are fortunate to have a steadily-growing population, lower crime than other East Metro areas, and many job and business opportunities. But we can make it so much better with pro-economic growth policies.
Please characterize your perspective on the ideal collaboration between government and the business community when it comes to tackling challenges whether they be education, housing, or workforce development? Do you feel the outcomes of the 2023-2024 legislative session positively or negatively impacted that collaboration and our state's business climate?
To obtain the best possible outcomes in all these areas, government must have complete and ongoing collaboration with businesses in the community; but that doesn’t mean government should be involved in every aspect of business. Sadly, the 2023-2024 legislative session has deeply, and negatively, passed legislation that will financially hurt our business climate in Minnesota, as well as individuals. Unprecedented tax increases, including the metro area sales tax increase, gasoline tax increases, and additional package delivery fees are only the beginning of the negative impacts to our state. As the 65 new education mandates take effect, school districts will need to cover down on the unfunded requirements, increasing local property taxes as well. If the legislature was truly looking out for small businesses and individual families, they failed, and instead only exacerbated the problem, ensuring we remain stuck in a high-cost rut – one that affects not only education, but workforce development and housing costs as well.
What policies, if any, would you support to help employers address our state’s critical labor shortage?
I would support a 20% business tax decrease, which would free up businesses to recruit new employees with higher wages. Thriving and prosperous small businesses will naturally attract labor, and those businesses who want to succeed will be able to create a better-trained and prosperous workforce.
The 2023-2024 Legislature passed many new mandates on employers, such as Paid Family Medical Leave, Earned Safe and Sick Time, and Worker Misclassification penalties. Do you support the PFML program in its current form or do you believe there needs to be further refinement before the program comes into effect in January 2026? If elected, what steps would you take to understand the impact of a proposal on the many types of businesses in the East Metro and how would you define any exceptions to those policies?
I do not support the PFML in its current form because it adds additional costs to employers and employees while not recognizing that many businesses already have great programs that they are able to accomplish by themselves, without creating yet another new government program. There should be some business and employee exemptions based upon size and/or full and part-time employees, and there should also be incentives for businesses and individuals who do not use PFML, to help keep its overall costs down and prevent fraud. Minnesota’s Paid Leave webpage says that, “the State of Minnesota will pay individuals” taking paid leave, but we all know that employers and employees are the actual payers; and they are also paying for the new agency and state employees who will manage the PFML program. I expect very large cost increases as PMFL moves toward implementation, further burdening businesses and employees in the East Metro. Ultimately individual families will feel it most, as it taxes them more when they really need some relief from the high costs we are currently witnessing.
What are your strategies to address public safety challenges in your district and the state?
Since retiring from the Air Force and moving back home to Minnesota, a close family member was the victim of a violent car-jacking very close to Woodbury. Public safety is very personal and important to me, and, according to Article 1, Section 1 of the Minnesota state constitution, “Government is instituted for the security, benefit and protection of the people,” so it is actually the most important role of our state government. As such, I will ensure all state law enforcement agencies receive full funding. At the local level, I’m very proud of Woodbury’s Police force, and I’m happy to see they just hired another two outstanding officers.
How would you work to improve transportation options in the district/state, including improved safety for transit riders, pedestrian/bike, and drivers alike?
I believe the East Metro already has many fine options for these modes of transportation, and with the new bus line coming to Woodbury it’s far more enhanced than ever. I will always work to improve safety in transportation, and I would like to see a more stable, and predictable, funding stream for our infrastructure projects, as opposed to the lean years versus big years of road construction. We all know that every bridge and highway has a lifespan, so with deliberate planning, we should be able to break the cycle of peaks and valleys in a very bipartisan fashion.
What ideas do you have to address housing shortages and affordability?
Encourage affordability through reducing taxes and allowing families to have more disposable income. Period. There are numerous issues regarding high costs in the East Metro, but many are caused by macro inflationary pressures of printing and spending too much at the federal level. In Minnesota, I will focus on the local level and try to help all Minnesota taxpayers keep more take-home pay to help afford housing. The last legislative session completely failed in helping to keep all costs low, as they increased the budget by 40%, didn’t return the surplus to taxpayers (many who desperately needed relief), and yet still ended up raising many taxes, as discussed earlier. It’s truly remarkable how the taxpayers were completely ignored the past two years, considering the Minnesota legislature had the most perfect opportunity to provide relief to so many. I want to shift focus to working families and small businesses. They have been burdened tremendously these past few years, and it will only worsen with the additional tax increases that are looming as a result of the 2023-2024 legislative session.
In light of projected budget deficit/"structural imbalance," what are your priorities for the State's budget?
This oncoming deficit should not surprise anybody. The 2023-2024 legislative session went on an enormous spending spree with wanton regard for businesses and taxpayers. My priorities will be program cuts and/or freezes, tax cuts and/or freezes, and a wide variety of pro-small business and pro-taxpayer legislation. We cannot tax our way out of the oncoming deficit, but with the right business and individual tax policies and climate, we can economically grow our way out of the deficit and set a course for prosperity in Minnesota.