Tom Dippel
Name: Tom Dippel
Public Office Sought: Minnesota Senate District 41
Email: [email protected]
Campaign Phone: 651-246-5058
Campaign Website: DippelforSenate.com
Twitter handle: @TomDippel
Facebook Page: facebook.com/Dippel2022
Candidate Bio
I founded and built my business, Minnesota Dental Lab, 14 years ago, which gives me a unique perspective on owning and operating a business in our community. Now, I successfully run my business with 20 employees, which comes with its own set of leadership opportunities. Being able to navigate the regulatory state is critical for Senate District 41’s next State Senator, of which I am wholly qualified.
What would be your top three priorities if elected?
When I am elected to the Minnesota Senate, my three top priorities will be:
Provide real tax relief to Minnesotans and cut regulations that have been driving businesses out of the state
Reform and fully fund the Police and Justice system.
Protect our children from harmful curriculum and give parents school choice
How would you characterize the business climate in the East Metro and what role do businesses play in supporting quality of life issues in East Metro communities?
Some cities are very business friendly, while others have shown hesitancy towards growing their business climate. I believe that the overall climate is healthy, as many new neighborhoods and homes are being built in the area.
It is important that the East Metro remain competitive for businesses. If our grocery stores, manufacturers, and restaurants close down or move elsewhere, citizens will suffer and move closer to the Twin Cities. Free market policies can incentivize more competition and more businesses to remain in our communities.
What role do you think the State should have in attracting and retaining jobs, and what steps would you take to solicit new businesses to and retain existing businesses in the East Metro?
While I believe the government has a limited role in the market, we must take steps towards eliminating the bureaucratic red tape and overbearing taxation that have driven businesses to states like South Dakota, or even Florida.
As a Senator, I will actively engage with prospective businesses looking to move into the East Metro – creating a healthy relationship between local municipalities and the state government.
What policies, if any, would you support to help employers address our state’s critical labor shortage?
Throughout the pandemic, government incentivized workers to remain unemployed and take paychecks. I think many are eager to admit that the worst of the pandemic is over, and it is time for workers to return. We must scale back the current unemployment insurance and welfare programs that incentivize workers to stay home.
Do you support any specific employment-related proposals? If so, 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 would gladly sponsor legislation that gives more authority to business owners to run their business freely without harming others. This includes easing back licensure requirements that provide a barrier of entry for new employees and business owners. By easing these restrictions, employees can be hired and trained at a lower cost to the business.
Public safety and rising crime rates are of serious concern to the business community and residents. What strategies or policies would you use to address public safety issues?
I took part in a ride along to better understand the needs of law enforcement in our community. After seeing the issues and talking with other local law enforcement, I believe these brave men and women need the support to pursue fleeing criminals. Many criminals get a free pass when they speed away from police, largely because of community concerns or the lack of funds to equip a squad car for a chase. Each community must have the funds and resources to ensure they have a fully functioning patrol force.
What strategies or policies would you use to address transportation issues? Have your strategies or views changed on transportation since we’ve seen shifts in road use, public transportation use, work from home models, etc. due to the pandemic?
Adding lanes to our roadways and updating existing infrastructure will be a priority for me in office. These enhancements should include support for electric vehicles and self-driving cars (which can be safer and more efficient with the proper roads).
Work from home models greatly reduced congestion over the course of the pandemic. As our population grows, however, congestion will continue to get worse. We must take action that supports population growth based on our current infrastructure.
What strategies or policies would you use to address housing issues?
Regulations on building supplies have exasperated supply chain issues and costs. Transportation costs are rising in the same way. Land and property taxes have driven up the cost of owning a home as well. Many people are moving out of urban areas and into suburban areas because of rising crime. With the recent Federal Reserve interest rate hike, the market will hopefully cool off in the near future. These are all incredibly important factors that should be viewed comprehensively when talking about home ownership in 2022.
Until the market corrects, cities can take steps towards fixing these issues by freeing up green and park space in favor of new housing.
What are your priorities for the State’s budget? Are there any services currently provided by the State that you believe should be expanded, cut back or eliminated? Are there new opportunities to share services with other entities?
With the $9.25 billion budget surplus, many Minnesotans are left feeling that they have been vastly overtaxed by the state. Instead of pouring that money back into well-funded programs like education, it should be returned to the people in the form of surplus checks and tax relief. We must also be more strict on federal funds that are handed out to scam groups like Feeding Our Future, of which $100 million in taxpayer money was funneled to shell groups in the Middle East and Africa.
What will you do to expand your district’s tax base?
If expanding Senate District 41’s tax base is the goal, then we must make it easier to live in the district. This includes cutting back on business regulations and red tape that make it hard to start a business. Then, we should look into expanding opportunity zones, where businesses in poorer income areas are allowed to operate tax free. When businesses come, so do tax-paying workers.
How will you work with K-12 and post-secondary educational institutions and businesses to ensure our region develops and retains an educated workforce, and address the achievement gap?
Too many students graduate high school with no plan as to what is next. Many are thrust into college with no plan as to what career they will choose, only to graduate with hundreds of thousands in student debt. We must expand opportunities for trade education in high schools and post-secondary institutions to ensure that everyone has an opportunity to learn valuable skills.
What is the role of the State in fostering increased minority- and women-owned businesses?
Many minority- and women-owned businesses can be found in Minneapolis and St. Paul – areas that have been subject to the increasing crime wave. The best thing the state can do for these businesses is protect the streets in which they serve. The government must ensure that police are trained and equipped to keep these businesses safe and open to the public.
What further policies can the State of Minnesota adopt to help the business community recover from the COVID-19 pandemic?
As President Trump did at a Federal Level at the beginning of the pandemic, Minnesota can suspend its payroll tax for businesses that are struggling to pay employees. As always, cutting bureaucratic rules will help as well.
Is there anything else you would like to share with voters not covered above?
I am excited to work for you in St. Paul! As a business owner, I know the pain of closing my business during the pandemic. Though I was able to maintain my livelihood, many business owners could not. I stand with those business owners, and want to prevent the effects that any kind of future lockdown that may occur.
Public Office Sought: Minnesota Senate District 41
Email: [email protected]
Campaign Phone: 651-246-5058
Campaign Website: DippelforSenate.com
Twitter handle: @TomDippel
Facebook Page: facebook.com/Dippel2022
Candidate Bio
I founded and built my business, Minnesota Dental Lab, 14 years ago, which gives me a unique perspective on owning and operating a business in our community. Now, I successfully run my business with 20 employees, which comes with its own set of leadership opportunities. Being able to navigate the regulatory state is critical for Senate District 41’s next State Senator, of which I am wholly qualified.
What would be your top three priorities if elected?
When I am elected to the Minnesota Senate, my three top priorities will be:
Provide real tax relief to Minnesotans and cut regulations that have been driving businesses out of the state
Reform and fully fund the Police and Justice system.
Protect our children from harmful curriculum and give parents school choice
How would you characterize the business climate in the East Metro and what role do businesses play in supporting quality of life issues in East Metro communities?
Some cities are very business friendly, while others have shown hesitancy towards growing their business climate. I believe that the overall climate is healthy, as many new neighborhoods and homes are being built in the area.
It is important that the East Metro remain competitive for businesses. If our grocery stores, manufacturers, and restaurants close down or move elsewhere, citizens will suffer and move closer to the Twin Cities. Free market policies can incentivize more competition and more businesses to remain in our communities.
What role do you think the State should have in attracting and retaining jobs, and what steps would you take to solicit new businesses to and retain existing businesses in the East Metro?
While I believe the government has a limited role in the market, we must take steps towards eliminating the bureaucratic red tape and overbearing taxation that have driven businesses to states like South Dakota, or even Florida.
As a Senator, I will actively engage with prospective businesses looking to move into the East Metro – creating a healthy relationship between local municipalities and the state government.
What policies, if any, would you support to help employers address our state’s critical labor shortage?
Throughout the pandemic, government incentivized workers to remain unemployed and take paychecks. I think many are eager to admit that the worst of the pandemic is over, and it is time for workers to return. We must scale back the current unemployment insurance and welfare programs that incentivize workers to stay home.
Do you support any specific employment-related proposals? If so, 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 would gladly sponsor legislation that gives more authority to business owners to run their business freely without harming others. This includes easing back licensure requirements that provide a barrier of entry for new employees and business owners. By easing these restrictions, employees can be hired and trained at a lower cost to the business.
Public safety and rising crime rates are of serious concern to the business community and residents. What strategies or policies would you use to address public safety issues?
I took part in a ride along to better understand the needs of law enforcement in our community. After seeing the issues and talking with other local law enforcement, I believe these brave men and women need the support to pursue fleeing criminals. Many criminals get a free pass when they speed away from police, largely because of community concerns or the lack of funds to equip a squad car for a chase. Each community must have the funds and resources to ensure they have a fully functioning patrol force.
What strategies or policies would you use to address transportation issues? Have your strategies or views changed on transportation since we’ve seen shifts in road use, public transportation use, work from home models, etc. due to the pandemic?
Adding lanes to our roadways and updating existing infrastructure will be a priority for me in office. These enhancements should include support for electric vehicles and self-driving cars (which can be safer and more efficient with the proper roads).
Work from home models greatly reduced congestion over the course of the pandemic. As our population grows, however, congestion will continue to get worse. We must take action that supports population growth based on our current infrastructure.
What strategies or policies would you use to address housing issues?
Regulations on building supplies have exasperated supply chain issues and costs. Transportation costs are rising in the same way. Land and property taxes have driven up the cost of owning a home as well. Many people are moving out of urban areas and into suburban areas because of rising crime. With the recent Federal Reserve interest rate hike, the market will hopefully cool off in the near future. These are all incredibly important factors that should be viewed comprehensively when talking about home ownership in 2022.
Until the market corrects, cities can take steps towards fixing these issues by freeing up green and park space in favor of new housing.
What are your priorities for the State’s budget? Are there any services currently provided by the State that you believe should be expanded, cut back or eliminated? Are there new opportunities to share services with other entities?
With the $9.25 billion budget surplus, many Minnesotans are left feeling that they have been vastly overtaxed by the state. Instead of pouring that money back into well-funded programs like education, it should be returned to the people in the form of surplus checks and tax relief. We must also be more strict on federal funds that are handed out to scam groups like Feeding Our Future, of which $100 million in taxpayer money was funneled to shell groups in the Middle East and Africa.
What will you do to expand your district’s tax base?
If expanding Senate District 41’s tax base is the goal, then we must make it easier to live in the district. This includes cutting back on business regulations and red tape that make it hard to start a business. Then, we should look into expanding opportunity zones, where businesses in poorer income areas are allowed to operate tax free. When businesses come, so do tax-paying workers.
How will you work with K-12 and post-secondary educational institutions and businesses to ensure our region develops and retains an educated workforce, and address the achievement gap?
Too many students graduate high school with no plan as to what is next. Many are thrust into college with no plan as to what career they will choose, only to graduate with hundreds of thousands in student debt. We must expand opportunities for trade education in high schools and post-secondary institutions to ensure that everyone has an opportunity to learn valuable skills.
What is the role of the State in fostering increased minority- and women-owned businesses?
Many minority- and women-owned businesses can be found in Minneapolis and St. Paul – areas that have been subject to the increasing crime wave. The best thing the state can do for these businesses is protect the streets in which they serve. The government must ensure that police are trained and equipped to keep these businesses safe and open to the public.
What further policies can the State of Minnesota adopt to help the business community recover from the COVID-19 pandemic?
As President Trump did at a Federal Level at the beginning of the pandemic, Minnesota can suspend its payroll tax for businesses that are struggling to pay employees. As always, cutting bureaucratic rules will help as well.
Is there anything else you would like to share with voters not covered above?
I am excited to work for you in St. Paul! As a business owner, I know the pain of closing my business during the pandemic. Though I was able to maintain my livelihood, many business owners could not. I stand with those business owners, and want to prevent the effects that any kind of future lockdown that may occur.