Minnesota and North Dakota Voter's Guide

Forum Communications Co., in collaboration with the League of Women Voters of Minnesota and of North Dakota, is providing this voter guide to help keep you informed ahead of the 2024 election.

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Voter Guide

Minnesota State House District 23B

State Representatives serve in the Minnesota House of Representatives, the lower chamber of the state legislature. They write and vote on legislation to create, repeal, or change state laws affecting many issues, like health care, the environment, and the economy. They also vote on state taxes and the state spending.

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  • Candidate picture

    Patricia Mueller
    (Rep)

  • Candidate picture

    Joseph Pacovsky
    (DFL)

Biographical Information

If elected, what will your top three priorities be and why? (750 characters)

What will you do to support a vibrant economy across Minnesota and to address inflation? (500 character)

What legislation, if any, would you support to address racial or ethnic disparities in Minnesota? (500 characters)

What legislation, if any, would you support to address climate change and its effects in Minnesota? (500 characters)

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Campaign Website http://www.joepacovsky.com
Contact Phone 5074733276
Campaign Email joe4mn23b@gmail.com
First, I am emphasizing economic development. In 23B, this includes increased Local Government Aid to lower property taxes. Getting state and federal aid for affordable housing and supporting public schools will allow students to reach their goals and learn skills needed by employers. Secondly, Minnesota's burdensome regulatory system needs to be revamped. I would propose a Special Commission whose mission would be to eliminate unnecessary regulations with the same enthusiasm as the Agencies adopt them. Thirdly, I would protect women's privacy and reproductive rights and not allow Minnesota to discriminate against women as is happening in our surrounding states.
23B depends on small businesses for growth and diverse employment opportunities. Minnesota's regulatory system must be streamlined to eliminate unnecessary regulations. Universal broadband service is needed in all areas of Minnesota. The healthcare delivery system has to be simplified. Middlemen are siphoning too many resources. Inflation is primarily a federal issue. The antitrust laws must be enforced and strengthened. Minnesota should do what it can to control prices and eliminate gouging.
The shortage of housing must be addressed. Improving the current zoning laws would reduce the cost of new developments. Outlawing rental application fees imposed by landlords would minimize one disparity that most affects disadvantaged segments of the population. Healthcare must be diverse in settings and providers. Accessibility is vital. Nonprofit organizations must be regulated to ensure they are indeed nonprofit.

Minnesota is at the forefront of addressing climate change. While doing so, we must remain flexible and look for new opportunities. We need to look at dual-benefit options such as pollinators and appropriate livestock raising in conjunction with solar fields. Legislation to encourage solar farms on marginal land rather than prime farmland, partnering with the USDA, would be helpful. Streamlining the permitting and siting laws for renewable generation and transmission would expedite projects.
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The League of Women Voters of Minnesota and North Dakota crafted the questions sent to the candidates in the Spring of 2024. They reached out to candidates based on contact information in their public candidate filings. Candidates with email addresses were invited and reminded with emails. Candidates with only mailing addresses were sent a letter. Candidates with phone numbers received a phone call as well.

Candidate responses are published as they responded and have not been edited, except when responses were longer than the given character limit. In those cases, the responses are truncated.

VOTE411 is brought to you by the League of Women Voters Education Fund and League of Women Voters of Minnesota Education Fund. The League of Women Voters does not support or oppose any political party or candidate for office.