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?
First and foremost, my top priority will be to restore bipartisan representation to the voters of Woodbury and Maplewood. We all saw what happened when both sides refused to talk to each other, and sadly, highly partisan elected officials have become the norm in Senate District 47 in the past few election cycles. This is not how government should work, and I pledge to work with all parties and legislators who are willing to help the citizens of Minnesota and our district. Of note, I will also be fully engaged with local city councils, mayors, and other local leaders. There have been many missed opportunities recently, so I will work closely and diligently with them to secure bonding for key water infrastructure projects, among other initiatives, to make our communities even better. Second is to help find ways to stop the rampant fraud in the MN government. Estimates are that up to $1 Billion have been lost to fraud in our state. It is almost unimaginable, but it’s happened and may still be happening. We need to protect our tax dollars for those important programs that need it, while also protecting our taxpayers’ hard-earned dollars. Finally, even our local schools cannot pay for all the unfunded mandates the current legislators have heaped upon them. I will work with others to find ways to mitigate costs, scale back on unnecessary mandates, and help our local school districts pay for education without adding even more local taxes to our citizens
How would you characterize the business climate in the East Metro? Please elaborate on your answer.
I would characterize the business climate as resilient. In my discussions with many small business owners, they resoundingly feel shackled by regulations and taxes. Despite this, they are creative in advertising and growing their respective businesses. I sense that a lower business tax, as well as the easing of some restrictions, would create an amazing economic boom in the East Metro. I’d really like to help out, and once elected I will engage fully with local business owners to see what specifics we can accomplish to encourage growth. Setting the playing field to encourage economic prosperity and growth is one of the most important things that the legislature can do to assist businesses. More on that below.
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 recent legislative sessions have 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 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. Legislators need to listen to employers; truly listen. Then, make wise decisions for Minnesotans that will lead to a climate of growth for businesses, as well as growth in employee job opportunities. See below.
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 better able to create a well-trained and prosperous workforce.
The Legislature passed several new mandates on employers in recent years, such as Paid Family Medical Leave, Earned Safe and Sick Time, and Worker Misclassification penalties. Do you support these policies as they are currently structured, or do you believe they need further refinement? If elected, how would you evaluate the impact of such proposals on East Metro employers, and what principles would guide your approach to exemptions or modifications?
I think we can definitely do better, and I will lead and support efforts to improve these policies. These programs are great benefits for workers, and most Minnesotans, including myself, really do appreciate having them. The problem is the one-size-fits-all implementation that does not consider many other factors, which ends up unnecessarily hurting employers and employees. Why make everybody pay into PFML when not everybody will use the program? Why force employers and employees to do it, when they collectively may have worked out other solutions that better fit their specific needs? Why aren’t there exemptions based upon the size of the business and/or the number of full or part time employees? We need to take a hard look at these important questions. In addition, the costs are high, and moving even higher as we learn that the original expected budget for the program was far underestimated, so there will be further burdening of employees and employers as we move forward. In summary, I think there are some very common-sense changes that we should make, and I will work in a bipartisan fashion to reach consensus and improve these programs to help employees and employers of all shapes and sizes.
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. Our law enforcement officers deserve to have the best training and equipment to serve and protect. Priority #1. Period.
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 we now have the Gold Line, so it’s 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 spending. We all know that all bridges and highways have lifespans, so with deliberate planning, we should be able to break the spending 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. I would like to focus on the local level and try to help Minnesota families 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 $18 Billion surplus to taxpayers (many who desperately needed relief), and yet still ended up raising many additional taxes. 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.
Minnesota’s upcoming budget deficit presents a significant challenge in the years ahead. What steps would you take to bring the budget into balance? Please include specific ideas for reducing spending, increasing revenue, or reforming state programs.
The 2023-2024 legislative session went on an enormous spending spree with wanton regard for businesses and taxpayers. Because Minnesota requires a balanced budget, there are not a lot of options other than raising taxes or reducing spending. But there is one more; and, it’s actually the most important one: Growth. Growing businesses expand their operations, locations, and clients. Growing businesses hire more employees, consultants, and construction teams. Business growth is the key factor in increasing revenue. And a key way of encouraging growth is by reducing business tax rates. Currently, Minnesota has the highest tax in the nation, and we are nearly 20% higher than Wisconsin. Reducing this tax by 20% is a high priority of mine. This alone will lead to massive growth, many additional jobs, and increased revenue for the state of 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?
First and foremost, my top priority will be to restore bipartisan representation to the voters of Woodbury and Maplewood. We all saw what happened when both sides refused to talk to each other, and sadly, highly partisan elected officials have become the norm in Senate District 47 in the past few election cycles. This is not how government should work, and I pledge to work with all parties and legislators who are willing to help the citizens of Minnesota and our district. Of note, I will also be fully engaged with local city councils, mayors, and other local leaders. There have been many missed opportunities recently, so I will work closely and diligently with them to secure bonding for key water infrastructure projects, among other initiatives, to make our communities even better. Second is to help find ways to stop the rampant fraud in the MN government. Estimates are that up to $1 Billion have been lost to fraud in our state. It is almost unimaginable, but it’s happened and may still be happening. We need to protect our tax dollars for those important programs that need it, while also protecting our taxpayers’ hard-earned dollars. Finally, even our local schools cannot pay for all the unfunded mandates the current legislators have heaped upon them. I will work with others to find ways to mitigate costs, scale back on unnecessary mandates, and help our local school districts pay for education without adding even more local taxes to our citizens
How would you characterize the business climate in the East Metro? Please elaborate on your answer.
I would characterize the business climate as resilient. In my discussions with many small business owners, they resoundingly feel shackled by regulations and taxes. Despite this, they are creative in advertising and growing their respective businesses. I sense that a lower business tax, as well as the easing of some restrictions, would create an amazing economic boom in the East Metro. I’d really like to help out, and once elected I will engage fully with local business owners to see what specifics we can accomplish to encourage growth. Setting the playing field to encourage economic prosperity and growth is one of the most important things that the legislature can do to assist businesses. More on that below.
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 recent legislative sessions have 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 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. Legislators need to listen to employers; truly listen. Then, make wise decisions for Minnesotans that will lead to a climate of growth for businesses, as well as growth in employee job opportunities. See below.
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 better able to create a well-trained and prosperous workforce.
The Legislature passed several new mandates on employers in recent years, such as Paid Family Medical Leave, Earned Safe and Sick Time, and Worker Misclassification penalties. Do you support these policies as they are currently structured, or do you believe they need further refinement? If elected, how would you evaluate the impact of such proposals on East Metro employers, and what principles would guide your approach to exemptions or modifications?
I think we can definitely do better, and I will lead and support efforts to improve these policies. These programs are great benefits for workers, and most Minnesotans, including myself, really do appreciate having them. The problem is the one-size-fits-all implementation that does not consider many other factors, which ends up unnecessarily hurting employers and employees. Why make everybody pay into PFML when not everybody will use the program? Why force employers and employees to do it, when they collectively may have worked out other solutions that better fit their specific needs? Why aren’t there exemptions based upon the size of the business and/or the number of full or part time employees? We need to take a hard look at these important questions. In addition, the costs are high, and moving even higher as we learn that the original expected budget for the program was far underestimated, so there will be further burdening of employees and employers as we move forward. In summary, I think there are some very common-sense changes that we should make, and I will work in a bipartisan fashion to reach consensus and improve these programs to help employees and employers of all shapes and sizes.
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. Our law enforcement officers deserve to have the best training and equipment to serve and protect. Priority #1. Period.
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 we now have the Gold Line, so it’s 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 spending. We all know that all bridges and highways have lifespans, so with deliberate planning, we should be able to break the spending 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. I would like to focus on the local level and try to help Minnesota families 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 $18 Billion surplus to taxpayers (many who desperately needed relief), and yet still ended up raising many additional taxes. 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.
Minnesota’s upcoming budget deficit presents a significant challenge in the years ahead. What steps would you take to bring the budget into balance? Please include specific ideas for reducing spending, increasing revenue, or reforming state programs.
The 2023-2024 legislative session went on an enormous spending spree with wanton regard for businesses and taxpayers. Because Minnesota requires a balanced budget, there are not a lot of options other than raising taxes or reducing spending. But there is one more; and, it’s actually the most important one: Growth. Growing businesses expand their operations, locations, and clients. Growing businesses hire more employees, consultants, and construction teams. Business growth is the key factor in increasing revenue. And a key way of encouraging growth is by reducing business tax rates. Currently, Minnesota has the highest tax in the nation, and we are nearly 20% higher than Wisconsin. Reducing this tax by 20% is a high priority of mine. This alone will lead to massive growth, many additional jobs, and increased revenue for the state of Minnesota.