Fred Turk
Name: Fred Turk
Public Office Sought: Minnesota State House of Representatives - District 67B
Email:
Phone: 651-231-1293
Campaign website:
Twitter handle:
Facebook page: Fred Turk for MN House 78B
Candidate Bio
What would be your top three priorities if elected?
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?
The business climate is bad right now in the East Metro due to the Covid Virus lockdown, looting, and rioting. Many businesses have closed, many won’t come back. New and remaining businesses can support our quality of life by rebuilding, providing jobs, goods, and services.
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?
I think the state can have a role in attracting and retaining jobs. I generally don’t favor handing out money as is done in states like New York or as Minnesota did for the Vikings Stadium. Government has a poor track record of picking winners and losers. We should get rid of unneeded laws and regulations that are not business-friendly.
Do you support any specific employment-related proposals (such as minimum wage, sick time, or mandatory scheduling notice)? If so, what steps would you take to understand the impact of an ordinance on the many types of businesses in the east metro and how would you define any exceptions to those policies?
No, I don’t support any specific employment-related proposals. Studies have shown that setting a high minimum wage actually hurts the workers it intends to help by increasing unemployment and decreasing hours worked.
What is your strategy to address public safety, transportation, and housing issues?
I generally support the position of the Republican Party on these issues. On public safety I believe that the most fundamental function of government is to keep citizens and our property secure. Governor Walz did a very poor job of keeping us safe during the recent looting and rioting. On transportation I would prioritize roads over light rail. Our roads are a disgrace. I have opposed light rail for over 40 years and I was right to do so. The Green Line has slowed down traffic on University Ave and also on I-94. It is also unsafe and is a virus spreader. On housing I don’t believe that raising taxes makes housing more affordable in the long run. I favor minimizing regulation. I would also look at allowing manufactured 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?
Again I generally support the position of the Republican Party on the budget. My top priority is to rein in wasteful spending like MNLARS, MNSURE, Medicaid, stadiums, light rail, and DHS. I think many programs were allowed to waste a lot of money. Oversight has been lacking under Govs Dayton and Walz. In addition, Gov. Walz has failed to be proactive on the budget and has left a big mess to be cleaned up. Better revenue and spending forecasts are needed and we should have adjusted. Better auditing is also needed.
What will you do to expand your district’s tax base?
Better schools, lower crime, and a better business climate would greatly expand our tax base.
How will you work with K-12 and post-secondary educational institutions and businesses to ensure our region develops and retains an educated workforce?
I was a licensed teacher for 10 years. If you look at ratings of schools in my district on greatschools.org the ratings are very low in spite of high funding. Money isn’t the answer. The school board is a problem since it is dominated by the teachers union. More school choice would help. Firmer discipline would help. I also believe that if a student fails in every subject he should change to a more suitable school.
What is the role of the State in fostering increased minority- and women-owned businesses?
The state can have a limited role in fostering increased minority- and women-owned businesses. Education is one. Lowering taxes is another. Simplifying state involvement and decreasing paperwork are others. Modest supplier diversity initiatives can also help.
What further policies can the State of Minnesota adopt to help the business community recover from the COVID-19 pandemic?
Lifting covid restrictions safely ASAP is the best way to help the business community recover from the COVID-19 pandemic. Gov. Walz has been too heavy-handed. The state also needs to reassure the business community that we will better protect their businesses from looting, arson, and vandalism.
Is there anything else you would like to share with voters not covered above?
I believe that a revenue-neutral carbon tax is the best way to conserve natural resources and slow global warming. In other words I favor lowering income taxes and making up for the lost revenue by raising energy taxes. This can be more effective than the $100 trillion Green New Deal.
Public Office Sought: Minnesota State House of Representatives - District 67B
Email:
Phone: 651-231-1293
Campaign website:
Twitter handle:
Facebook page: Fred Turk for MN House 78B
Candidate Bio
- Many years experience in industry as an engineer and problem-solver with 3M and Goodrich Aerospace. Six patents.
- Longtime Republican activist working with local party, campaigns, and striving for bipartisan solutions.
- Army veteran. Served with 247 Military Intelligence Detachment, Army Reserve, Madison, Wi
- Married 39 years, two sons.
- 15 years volunteer baseball and soccer coaching experience.
- BS Mechanical Engineering, University of Wisconsin.
- 10 years licensed high school math teacher.
What would be your top three priorities if elected?
- Passing a budget that puts a lid on wasteful spending and minimizes tax increases.
- Putting the obese Metropolitan Council on a diet.
- Making health care more affordable by doing things like aligning Minnesota’s health care data privacy laws with federal law, which the Chamber of Commerce estimated would save $200 million per year.
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?
The business climate is bad right now in the East Metro due to the Covid Virus lockdown, looting, and rioting. Many businesses have closed, many won’t come back. New and remaining businesses can support our quality of life by rebuilding, providing jobs, goods, and services.
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?
I think the state can have a role in attracting and retaining jobs. I generally don’t favor handing out money as is done in states like New York or as Minnesota did for the Vikings Stadium. Government has a poor track record of picking winners and losers. We should get rid of unneeded laws and regulations that are not business-friendly.
Do you support any specific employment-related proposals (such as minimum wage, sick time, or mandatory scheduling notice)? If so, what steps would you take to understand the impact of an ordinance on the many types of businesses in the east metro and how would you define any exceptions to those policies?
No, I don’t support any specific employment-related proposals. Studies have shown that setting a high minimum wage actually hurts the workers it intends to help by increasing unemployment and decreasing hours worked.
What is your strategy to address public safety, transportation, and housing issues?
I generally support the position of the Republican Party on these issues. On public safety I believe that the most fundamental function of government is to keep citizens and our property secure. Governor Walz did a very poor job of keeping us safe during the recent looting and rioting. On transportation I would prioritize roads over light rail. Our roads are a disgrace. I have opposed light rail for over 40 years and I was right to do so. The Green Line has slowed down traffic on University Ave and also on I-94. It is also unsafe and is a virus spreader. On housing I don’t believe that raising taxes makes housing more affordable in the long run. I favor minimizing regulation. I would also look at allowing manufactured 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?
Again I generally support the position of the Republican Party on the budget. My top priority is to rein in wasteful spending like MNLARS, MNSURE, Medicaid, stadiums, light rail, and DHS. I think many programs were allowed to waste a lot of money. Oversight has been lacking under Govs Dayton and Walz. In addition, Gov. Walz has failed to be proactive on the budget and has left a big mess to be cleaned up. Better revenue and spending forecasts are needed and we should have adjusted. Better auditing is also needed.
What will you do to expand your district’s tax base?
Better schools, lower crime, and a better business climate would greatly expand our tax base.
How will you work with K-12 and post-secondary educational institutions and businesses to ensure our region develops and retains an educated workforce?
I was a licensed teacher for 10 years. If you look at ratings of schools in my district on greatschools.org the ratings are very low in spite of high funding. Money isn’t the answer. The school board is a problem since it is dominated by the teachers union. More school choice would help. Firmer discipline would help. I also believe that if a student fails in every subject he should change to a more suitable school.
What is the role of the State in fostering increased minority- and women-owned businesses?
The state can have a limited role in fostering increased minority- and women-owned businesses. Education is one. Lowering taxes is another. Simplifying state involvement and decreasing paperwork are others. Modest supplier diversity initiatives can also help.
What further policies can the State of Minnesota adopt to help the business community recover from the COVID-19 pandemic?
Lifting covid restrictions safely ASAP is the best way to help the business community recover from the COVID-19 pandemic. Gov. Walz has been too heavy-handed. The state also needs to reassure the business community that we will better protect their businesses from looting, arson, and vandalism.
Is there anything else you would like to share with voters not covered above?
I believe that a revenue-neutral carbon tax is the best way to conserve natural resources and slow global warming. In other words I favor lowering income taxes and making up for the lost revenue by raising energy taxes. This can be more effective than the $100 trillion Green New Deal.