VOTE INFORMED 2024: Election Candidate Responses from Local to Federal Levels
The Austin Area Chamber of Commerce is dedicated to advocating for the business community and promoting a thriving economy. As part of our mission, we provide opportunities for local businesses and residents to stay informed and engaged in civic matters. This election season, we reached out to candidates running for various offices—from local City Council seats to the U.S. Senate—to understand their positions on issues impacting our region.
Below, you’ll find responses from candidates who took the time to share their views. Our goal is to present a transparent, unbiased platform that helps you make informed decisions at the polls. We will continue to update this page as additional responses are received, so check back often for the latest information.
NOTE: THE AUSTIN AREA CHAMBER OF COMMERCE DOES NOT ENDORSE SPECIFIC CANDIDATES NOR DO WE SUPPORT SPECIFIC POLITICAL PARTIES.
City Council Candidates (Austin, MN)
Candidates for City Council in Austin, MN have shared their perspectives on key local issues, from economic development to community services.
Q: What steps will you take to attract new businesses to Austin, and how do you plan to support the growth of existing small businesses in our community?
Miguel Garate (Ward 1)
The first thing would be to make a good TV commercial about the opportunities that exist in the city downtown or maybe use KSMQ or (PBS) about how strong we are in diversity and the help there is in grants, HRA, DLC, the city and how the community is growing, hold a meeting with all the businesses, not only in the downtown but also in the surrounding areas. We have people here in Austin, MN who want to open businesses and we should hold workshops on how to do it and break down the barriers that prevent them from opening their businesses, in different languages, perhaps the most important in the community, just seeing how many people attend the soccer and basketball events there would be good to tell them about the opportunities that exist here.
Rebecca Waller (Ward 1)
The biggest thing we can do to attract business development to Austin is to be an inviting city by encouraging tax incentives and making permits and zoning as simple as possible. Taxes on small businesses can make or break a business. Keeping our taxes as low as possible to help with business growth is important for all of us in Austin. Tax incentives help with the initial start up cost by encouraging investment in our community. We also need to make the processes of permitting and zoning as streamline as possible. If it takes a business too much time to get the permits to start their company they may choose to go elsewhere. Business growth is great for all of us in Austin. Many new businesses started in a community are from local citizens who have a dream. We as a community need to always encourage people to reach for their dreams.
Paul Fischer (Ward 3)
We have advanced economic development measures where our Port Authority has led to creating ''shovel ready sites" for commercial and tax base growth at Creekside Business Park. Austin is open for business and wants to compete for economic development projects to grow high paying and quality jobs. We further expanded our efforts in Creekside by getting a State and Federal grant to help fund a road extension through the business park. I'm happy to report this continues to give Austin a competitive edge for development projects and lower the cost to market for commercial development. We can further build on the success of businesses like Nu-Tek and Harty Mechanical which are in Creekside.
Another project that may not get the attention it deserves is the expansion of the wastewater treatment plant. Our capacity has been challenged and moving forward with a $100 million project helps position our community for economic growth. Without the difficult choices being made to make this expansion become a reality this could have presented an impediment to commercial growth. Having the capacity to help existing and welcoming new businesses is an important step forward to making sure this restriction is eliminated.
Brian Prentis (Ward 3)
NO RESPONSE
Q: What are your plans for revitalizing downtown Austin, and how will you involve local businesses in that process?
Miguel Garate (Ward 1)
It would be good if businesses would open their doors with more signs and tables outside on the sidewalk, do street dancing like we used to do, give a little more life to the buildings that look very serious, make more advertisements and happy hours, which we like and those who are already located there like that, make a good commercial with them about how they started and how they can help others.
Rebecca Waller (Ward 1)
Our downtown is full of beautiful brick buildings that are rich in history. We need to encourage owners of the buildings that having a well kept, attractive building is beneficial in so many ways to all of the people in our city. When visitors come to Austin for events the downtown area needs to be where we make our statement to others that we care and we are willing to invest to make our city as beautiful as possible. We could offer incentives to building owners on updating the appearance of their building. We also need to encourage the businesses in the downtown area to come together and offer specials to encourage all to frequent their businesses. The city should also try to encourage as many events to be held in our downtown area by offering incentives to event organizers. In recent years we have invested in new housing development projects in the downtown area, encouraging residential growth in that area of our city.
Paul Fischer (Ward 3)
We are always looking at things to see if a zoning ordinance or regulation is a barrier to economic growth. The City and County worked together to refresh our Comprehensive Plan / Downtown Master Plan as to not limit growth because of a zoning code or ordinance which will help grow economy. The City is always looking at ways attract new businesses as well as accommodating to our existing businesses and not to limit growth.
Brian Prentis (Ward 3)
NO RESPONSE
Q: How do you plan to streamline the permitting process for new and existing businesses? Are there any local regulations you believe need to be updated or removed to foster economic growth?
Miguel Garate (Ward 1)
There are times when these permits are very complicated to fill out and sometimes in only one language. Having bilingual staff in these offices would help a lot, being more flexible when it is your first time opening a business, giving classes on how important it is to have a safe business, on how important it is to have licenses and insurance, which are very important rules, and telling them that everything is possible if we seek help.
Rebecca Waller (Ward 1)
Permit and Zoning regulations are very complex systems but if we can help new and existing business owners understand the proper processes, we then become a city that welcomes investment. When the permit or zoning process takes a long time, that discourages businesses from adding on or starting up. As a City we always need to look at what our current process is and see if there is an improved way that will make us as business friendly as we can be without sacrificing our city integrity.
Paul Fischer (Ward 3)
One of Austin's strengths is the size of our community and the sweet spot we have of being just the right size to have enough staffing in place to deal with approvals and professionally handle development projects. This allows us to effectively attend to growth factors while not being too large and create bureaucratic system that can often result in larger organizations. We often know people by their first name and new developers are welcomed with an appreciation that they are working to help improve Austin's economic standard. In short, this proactive staffing allow the City to work as a team with developers and help them navigate the requirements that are in place as well as responding in a very timely manner.
I feel an objective consideration shows that Austin is not a heavy regulatory city and I and other City leader appreciate that with any rules which are established we have to look at the positive as well as any unintended consequences. I think we have a strong balance and one would be hard pressed to find regulations which are not customarily in place in a similar sized community across Minnesota.
To name a few examples we are in the midst of adopting rules for cannabis businesses with the passage of new permissive laws at the state level. While others have taken an approach to regulate these businesses out by using restrictive zoning rules we have modeled the ordinances to reflect how we regulate tobacco and liquor. This is a pragmatic approach while protecting the public interests.
We also took a business-friendly approach recently to our catering liquor licensing and particularly with a premise license with a smaller bar in town to make sure they did not have to deal with difficult rules that ultimately didn't impact the control of alcohol and found a solution that still protects public safety. In both these instances we provided flexibility while creating inviting environments to socialize with your neighbor.
Brian Prentis (Ward 3)
NO RESPONSE
Mayoral Candidates (Austin, MN)
Austin's Mayoral race is critical in shaping the future of our city. Below, you'll find insights from candidates running for Mayor on topics such as housing, business growth, and community well-being.
Q: What steps will you take to attract new business to Austin, and how do you plan to support growth of existing small businesses in our community?
Bradley Johnson
I have business experience in the Austin area for forty years. I managed with my brother a family-owned business called RW Johnson Co. Inc. At our peak we employed 25. There is no cookie cutter approach to attract a new business. All of their needs are different. The best way to attract new business is to determine why we are not getting them. Is it a marketing strategy, a tax issue, infrastructure or a workforce issue. The issue can then be addressed better once those questions are answered. I would work closely with the DCA to try and recruit new business.
Steve King
Attracting new businesses to any city is complex and certainly not without challenges and Austin is no different. In order to attract new businesses, we need to support and ensure we have strong schools, available housing options in good condition, a safe community, amenities folks have come to expect in a city and an employee base that can meet the demand. In the past four years as mayor, I have been intentional about creating more housing and specifically housing in the core of our city. The Mill on Main 91-unit market rate apartment complex was something I pushed for and we proved the market that high end apartments would be appreciated in downtown Austin. These 91 units filled up fast with 75 of the apartments being rented by first timers to Austin. Mill on Main 2 will break ground in a week or two and will add an additional 103 units to the housing market. These two projects allow for folks to live in the core of our city and frequent the local businesses and establishments thereby honoring the investment our small businesses made to Austin. These apartments also open up the single-family homes that are vacated when residents have an option to age into apartment living.
I will continue to support projects that increase amenities offered to Austin residents. The 3-year-old Austin Recreation Center has made a significant impact in this regard. I support the whitewater project which is in a feasibility study currently. I believe this project will accomplish two things. It will reconstruct a 100-year-old dam that if it were to fail the DNR would not rebuild. Without the dam, Mill Pond would empty. This project will also beautify and anchor Fourth Avenue and spur future business and housing development.
Additionally, I will continue to support a strong and engaged police force to ensure the needs of the public are met and our residents and visitors feel safe and a place where business owners feel their investment will be protected.
The City of Austin has developed a plan in partnership with the DCA, and the Port Authority to offer incentives for new business who are considering building in Austin. The formula largely offers greater incentives with the promise of additional higher wage jobs. NuTek Bio-Sciences is a good example of how this partnership works. NuTek completed a nationwide search and found a home in Austin and I could not be more grateful. Their promise of 30 good paying jobs resulted in incentives that certainly played a role in their decision to locate here. I will continue to support creative initiatives that put the best options forward from the city and future business perspective.
Supporting existing businesses in Austin is paramount. I have come to understand what has been termed “The Silver Tsunami.” This is a concept where we have aging business owners who wish to retire and sell. This is a concern I have for many long-term business operators in Austin. I was pleasantly surprised when the Sorenson brothers found young buyers in Austin’s Meyer brothers to buy, expand, and continue to operate the 40-year-old Muffler Center on a high visibility corner. The city was able to help the Muffler Center in gaining a property line setback variance to build their addition. I was encouraged when Randy South of Tech Tool was able retire and sell the business he grew from his two-stall garage to a large square foot building in the industrial park. He also sold to a young ambitious Austin resident. There is much to celebrate in these two businesses being able to continue operating and I want to support in anyway I can the other business owners who find themselves in the position to retire and sell their businesses that are the fabric of our community.
Q: What are your plans for revitalizing downtown Austin, and how will you involve local business in that process?
Bradley Johnson
Tax increment financing should be offered to property owners willing to update their buildings. We need to ask the building owners what impediments are stopping them from improving the structures. If we feel that entertainment attractions would be helpful that avenue could be explored. Part of my focus would be on volunteers to help with projects, citizens will participate when asked for a project that appeals to them.
Steve King
The City of Austin and Mower County are in the beginning stages of a Comprehensive Plan that is shared individualized to both entities. A project inclusive of the Comprehensive Plan is a Downtown Master Plan. We are partnering with The Velocity Group and SEH Engineering to accomplish this goal. This process will include input from city and county staff, citizens and downtown business owners. Once completed this document should be the guide to how to improve and revitalize downtown and the entire city. This Comprehensive Plan will be a viable plan through 2045.
As I mentioned in my response to the previous question, my goal as mayor was and continues to be revitalizing the core of our city. I wanted to bring housing to downtown and that was accomplished in a transformational way with the addition of The Mill on Main and soon to be Mill on Main phase 2. Offering housing options in downtown allows those with disposable income to frequent our downtown merchants in order to honor the investment made by the likes of the B&J, South Central Athlete, Brick Furniture, Steve’s Pizza and many, many more businesses that continue to invest in Austin.
KSMQ Public Television locating in downtown was also an initiative that I pushed when others on the council at the time thought we could put KSMQ out on some greenspace that the city already owned. The push to buy the old Piggly Wiggly/Plunkett’s Law property and help KSMQ get out from the corner of the Vocational building and bring vibrancy and a sense of being engaged in the community has proven successful. That property is a revitalization win.
Q: How do you plan to streamline the permitting process for new and existing businesses? Are there any local regulations you believe need to be updated or removed to foster economic growth?
Bradley Johnson
Permit requirements are different for each business. Again, the key to all success is communication. If there is an impediment to growth, we need to identify and correct that where possible.
For all business issues our response to all concerns should be how do we arrive at an amicable solution. We should not hinder progress we should embrace it. No was seldom used when I was asked to complete a project. My response has always been how can we accomplish what we need to.
Steve King
One of Austin’s strengths is the size of our community and the sweet spot we have of being just the right size to have enough staffing in place to deal with approvals and professionally handle development projects. This allows us to effectively attend to the growth factors while not being too large and create bureaucratic systems that can often result from larger municipalities. We often know people by their first name and new developers are welcomed with an appreciation that they are working to help improve Austin’s economic standard. In short, this proactive staffing allows the city to work as a team with developers and help them navigate the requirements that are in place as well as respond in a timely manner.
I feel an objective review shows that Austin is not a heavily regulatory city and I and other city leaders appreciate that with any rules which are established we have to look at the positives as well as any unintended consequences. I think we have a strong balance and one would be hard pressed to find regulations which are not customarily in place in similar sized communities across Minnesota.
To highlight a few examples, we are in the midst of adopting rules for cannabis businesses with the recent passage of laws at the state level. While others have taken an approach to regulate these businesses out by using restrictive zoning rules, we have modeled the ordinances to reflect and mirror how we regulate tobacco and liquor. This is a pragmatic approach while protecting public interests.
We also took a business-friendly approach recently to our catering liquor licensing and particularly with a premise license with a smaller bar in town to make sure they did not have to deal with difficult rules that ultimately didn’t impact the control of alcohol and found a solution that still protects public safety. In both instances we provided flexibility while creating inviting environments.
More broadly, we have initiated economic development measure where our Port Authority has led to creating “shovel ready sites” for commercial and tax base growth at Creekside Business Park. Austin is open for business and we want to compete for economic development projects to grow high paying quality jobs. We further expanded our efforts in Creekside by getting a State and Federal grant to help fund a road extension through the business park. I’m happy to report this continues to give Austin a competitive edge for development projects and lowers the cost for commercial development. We can further build on the success of businesses like NuTek and Harty Mechanical which are in Creekside.
Another project that may not get the attention it deserves is the expansion of our wastewater treatment plant. Our capacity has been challenged and moving forward with a $100 million project helps position our community for economic growth. Without the difficult choices being made to make this expansion become a reality this could have presented an impediment to commercial growth. Having the capacity to help existing and welcoming new businesses is an important step forward to making sure this restriction is eliminated.
The City of Austin consistently reviews processes to determine what might be limiting our options as a result of zoning regulations that might unintentionally be a barrier for economic growth. I was happy to advocate for our joint City /County effort to produce a much-needed update to our Comprehensive Plan, Downtown Master Plan and other planning tools so we can be nimble and not unduly limiting because of our zoning code or other existing ordinance. I look forward to this public process where we can balance community norms with our city code.
Minnesota House of Representatives Candidates | MN 23B
The race for MN House District 23B is crucial in influencing state legislation that affects Austin’s business community and beyond.
Q: What measures will you support to help reduce healthcare costs for small businesses and their employees?
Patricia Mueller (R)
This past legislative session was very harmful to small businesses because of the new heavy-handed mandates imposed such as ESST and Paid Family Leave. As I listen to job providers all over the district, they share about their desire to do what is best for their employees. But not every job or employee is the same and so the type of coverage needed is not the same. And yet the state requires businesses regardless of size or occupation to provide the exact same coverage. On top of that, I have heard from many job providers of additional excessive taxes and compliance costs that make it difficult to put money aside for healthcare for your employees.
First, we need to bring back a business friendly environment and recognize that not all businesses are the same. Make it profitable again so that you can direct more of your earnings to your biggest asset: your employees.
Second, we need to think outside the box and really think about a direct patient care service model like the HELPCare Clinic in Austin and now Rochester. These clinics allow memberships for a nominal fee and provide great service.
I hope to advocate for these two changes when I am elected in November.
Joe Pacovsky (D)
We need accessible, affordable healthcare. Small businesses including farmers and individuals should have the ability to join large insurance pools to avoid a poor incidence factor. The healthcare delivery system must be streamlined to eliminate middlemen which in the most current data consume 34% of total healthcare cost but provide absolutely no health services. We need to get our cost of healthcare closer to the state average.
Q: What changes, if any, do you propose to the state tax code and regulatory environment to make it more business-friendly, particularly for small businesses?
Patricia Mueller (R)
Our small businesses are the lifeblood of our communities. Not only do they provide jobs for people but they invest in the local schools and churches and other organizations. And yet, we see more job providers deciding to move just across the border because it is a more tax-friendly environment for businesses. Demographers discovered that Minnesota migration had a net loss of 20,000 people. Those people took almost two billion dollars with them and out of our state.
First, we must reduce taxes - both individually and for our businesses. When job providers have the chance to pay less towards the government, they have more of a chance to increase wages.
We also need to analyze the regulatory code. There are many jobs that cost more simply because of the time it takes to get a license or approval after jumping through unnecessary regulatory hoops. It makes it harder and more expensive to do business and many job providers are looking for other places.
Second, we need to have a serious examination of compliance costs and documentation. Everyone wants to work in a safe and thriving environment. However, if job providers have to spend more time filling out paperwork or even hire someone to simply do that as their full time job, you have less time to do what you love: investing in your business. When more money stays with the business, they can invest back into their business.
Joe Pacovsky (D)
Income tax levels for all taxpayers, whether individuals or businesses, should be considered equitably with consideration of needs and resources. The bigger issue is the costs that small business incurs whether they have a taxable profit or not. For example, Minnesota’s regulatory system has gone overboard for individuals and businesses alike. The staff of the Agencies are focused on pursuing their Agency’s mission. The problem is that no one is responsible for monitoring the total system and getting rid of outdated, duplicative, or unnecessary regulations.
Some have proposed to sunset regulations after a period of time. Sunsets will not work. They will only result in the agencies hiring more staff to repromulgate the sunsetted rules.
I would propose a Special Commission with the mission and power to review the State’s rules and regulations to eliminate unneeded regulations and to consider the cost/benefit of those regulations.
The other sources of costs are utility costs and property taxes. Local Government Aid to local governmental units must be increased to reduce the pressure on property taxes to reduce cost for individuals and business alike.
Local projects must be included in State Bonding Bills and the Bills must be approved to reduce property taxes. Bonding bills cannot be held hostage to unrelated policy differences. Holding the Bonding Bill hostage is costing our residents dearly.
Q: What changes, if any, do you propose to the state tax code and regulatory environment to make it more business-friendly, particularly for small businesses?
Patricia Mueller (R)
As a teacher for 20 years, I know that education is the key to success. But I am hearing from job providers that kiddos are not being prepared for the jobs that actually exist in our society now. I strongly support apprenticeship programs and allowing schools to partner with private entities to provide more authentic learning experiences. It is vital that we reimagine what school could look like so that you can hire people that are ready and teachable.
As the only candidate that has been endorsed by the Minnesota Chamber of Commerce and the National Federation of Independent Businesses, who was just awarded the NFIB Guardian of Small Business Award, I thank you for your time and your work in our communities. It has been an honor to bring your voice to the Capitol and I hope to continue to do so in this next legislative session.
Joe Pacovsky (D)
Our education system should be supported at the level that traditional and non-traditional students can reach their potential. Again, increased levels of State funding will contribute resources and keep property taxes more reasonable.
Our existing schools including Riverland are flexible and provide a broad variety of programs. They must be supported when additional needs are identified.
All types of curriculums must be provided including academics and the trades. Businesses must communicate the skills they need so that students can make informed career decisions. Cooperative internships or apprenticeship programs should be encouraged between students, schools and business.
U.S. House of Representatives Candidates | Minnesota District 1
Candidates for Minnesota’s 1st Congressional District play a pivotal role in shaping federal policies that impact our local businesses and economy, from economic growth and infrastructure to health care and workforce development.
Q: What specific policies do you advocate to support small businesses, particularly in rural areas like ours?
Rachel Bohman (D)
Southern Minnesota has such a vibrant small business community and I’ve met so many amazing entrepreneurs as I’ve traveled this district. From small shops making the best cookies to start-up innovators bringing new technology to our region, these folks are pouring everything they have into building their futures. And those futures are what build our communities.
Small businesses, especially, feel the impact when a community does not have what it needs to thrive. Without affordable housing, childcare, or quality education, our businesses cannot attract the employees they need to grow. Without modernized infrastructure like high speed internet and well-maintained roads and bridges, they cannot broaden their markets or transport their goods.
As your Congresswoman, I believe that improving all of these areas will revitalize our struggling communities which will help every small business thrive. I will advocate for more infrastructure investments especially expansion of high speed internet service to our rural areas. I will fight for more affordable housing and childcare options in every community.
I will also get a Farm Bill done on time because I know our family farmers are not only small businesses themselves but support every other business on Main Street.
I will also support the proposed Harris-Walz small business plans which include: expanding the startup expense deduction from $5,000 to $50,000 and improving access and affordability of capital to small businesses who want to locate, innovate, and create jobs in rural Minnesota.
Brad Finstad (R)
- I was just awarded the National Federation of Independent Businesses (NFIB’s) Guardian of Small Business Award.
- I introduced – it has also passed both the Judiciary and Small Business Committees – the Prove It Act, which gives small businesses a seat at the
regulatory table by requiring government agencies to assess and limit the direct and indirect costs of their regulations. If this is not done, small businesses will be exempted from the regulation. - I have cosponsored and supported on the House Floor many Congressional Review Acts to combat burdensome overregulation by the Biden-Harris Administration from the EPA and Department of Energy, to the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau and Securities and Exchange Commission, among many others.
- I have cosponsored several pro-small business tax provisions, including but not limited to:
- Main Street Tax Certainty Act to make permanent the tax deduction for qualified business income;
- American Innovation and R&D Competitiveness Act to eliminate the five-year amortization requirement for research and experimental expenditures; and,
- Death Tax Repeal Act to repeal the estate and generation-skipping transfer taxes.
Q: What reforms do you support to make healthcare more affordable and accessible for small businesses and their employees?
Rachel Bohman (D)
Small businesses feel the impact when a community does not have what it needs to thrive. And small business owners, especially, know how important affordable healthcare is when you’re self-employed or need a small group plan. As your Congresswoman, one of my top priorities will be working on improved access to healthcare for every rural community and strengthening the Affordable Care Act so everyone can continue to benefit from lower premiums and keep protections for pre-existing conditions. I will also advocate to continue the progress being made in negotiating lower prescription drug costs.
I also believe that we must direct resources towards two frequently forgotten health issues in rural Minnesota: mental health services and first responder and EMT services. I will also advocate for better funding, training, and support for those who care for our loved ones so our small, rural communities can keep our hospitals and long-term care facilities.
Brad Finstad (R)
- I support health care reforms that will empower employers, especially small employers, with greater choice and control over the health care options they offer
their employees. - We know that American workers place tremendous value on their workplace health benefits.
- I know that there are proposals out there to tax employer-provided health care coverage; rest assured, as this discussion continues, it will be a priority of mine to ensure that employers and employees have more access, not less.
- We also need to embrace telehealth, especially in our rural communities, as the one silver lining that came of COVID-19.
- I introduced the Rural Wellness Act to prioritize direct loans and grants for the development of behavioral and mental health services facilities, including
facilities that provide treatment services. Loans and grants provided under the program may be used to develop facilities and systems to provide telehealth services for behavioral and
mental health treatment. - Further, broadband will continue to be a topic of discussion through the Farm Bill, which as you know has not been completed yet, which is a critical component to successful telehealth.
- Finally, I have supported several pieces of legislation to increase access to care for patients throughout southern Minnesota, including but not limited to:
- Rural Health Clinic Burden Reduction Act, which modernizes a 30-year-old law governing Rural Health Clinics to increase operational flexibility for facilities and remove outdated regulations that restrict providers’ ability to treat patients;
- Medicare Multi-cancer Early Detection Screening Coverage Act to allow for Medicare coverage of multi-cancer early detection screenings once they are FDA approved;
- Equitable Access to Pharmacist Services Act to continue Medicare coverage of pharmacists administered tests for common respiratory illnesses and allow pharmacists to prescribe treatments when warranted by testing and administer vaccinations when needed.
Q: What steps will you take to ensure that local businesses have access to federal grants and programs designed to support economic development?
Rachel Bohman (D)
Historically, small businesses have been left out of federal programs but, when I’m in Congress, I will support the current Democrat plans to make changes and add programs so small, rural businesses have the same access as big corporations.
Just a few of the federal programs we plan to enact:
- One-third of federal contract dollars will go to small businesses.
- Cut red tape, remove barriers, and update regulations so new business owners can get up and running more quickly.
- Make it easier for small businesses to file taxes by developing a standard deduction (like the one available to individual filers) so small businesses can save time and money but still know they are tax compliant.
- Expand financing options for small, rural businesses including re-capitalizing and expanding the State Small Business Credit Initiative (SSBCI).
- Build on the successful pilot program Rural Partners Network to make sure small business owners have access to the information they need to identify and successfully apply for federal funds.
I will be a champion of small business when I get to Washington D.C. because I know that the First District was built on the hard work and ingenuity of folks who are not only growing their small businesses but building communities for the future.
Brad Finstad (R)
- I will always support ensuring that our local businesses and communities have access to federal grants and programs.
- Oftentimes our grant programs are written in far too broad, all-encompassing manners that end up with our more rural communities competing with sprawling
urban centers for grant funding. - I have been a consistent supporter of successful economic development-related grant programs throughout the appropriations process, including but not limited to:
- Rural Emergency Medical Services Training Grants;
- The ReConnect program to provide for investments in high-speed internet infrastructure;
- Child Care and Development Block Grant to safeguard the long-standing, federal-state early childhood education partnership;
- Apprenticeship Grant Programs; and,
- The Clean Water Compliance Technical Assistance Program to ensure small and rural communities to improve water quality , operate and maintain public wastewater treatment facilities, and comply with federal Clean Water Act standards.
- I also introduced the Investing in Rural Manufacturing Act to authorize the SBA to make loans for certain costs to businesses that manufacture goods essential to
critical infrastructure sectors in rural areas.
U.S. Senate Candidates
Federal representation matters. Hear from candidates vying for the U.S. Senate and their stance on national issues that affect local businesses and residents.
Q: What specific policies do you advocate to support small businesses, particularly in rural areas like ours?
Amy Klobuchar (D)
NO RESPONSE
Joyce Lacey
Independence-Alliance Party of Minnesota
When addressing specific policies to support small businesses, particularly in rural areas, I believe we need to grow the workforce to help grow the economy without causing inflation by investing in skills development and education. This would include investments in child care, pre-k and higher education. This helps worker productivity which can help tackle inflation by producing more goods and services in less time. I would also work to adopt policies to make it easier to own a home.
My overall goal is the need to keep America first and reflect that in both internal policies and in our international efforts, such as trade policy. I favor a trade policy based on bilateral trade. In doing this we will strengthen America's economy and create quality jobs all across the country.
Fortunately, you are blessed to have Hormel Foods located in Austin. World renowned Spam has been a staple across the globe! The workforce at the Hormel Plant keeps other small businesses in Austin going strong by contributing to the economy on a daily basis. Austin is a shining example of a rural area thriving throughout the decades!
Royce White (R)
NO RESPONSE
Rebecca Whiting (L)
NO RESPONSE
Q: What reforms do you support to make healthcare more affordable and accessible for small businesses and their employees?
Amy Klobuchar (D)
NO RESPONSE
Joyce Lacey
Independence-Alliance Party of Minnesota
We can ensure quality healthcare at an affordable price by being patient-centered which involves compassion, empathy, and responsiveness to the needs and preferences of the individual patient; by providing a skilled, motivated and adequately supported health workforce to help improve the quality of care and by following the lead of Arkansas and West Virginia, which now require insurers and Pharmacy Benefit Managers to share savings with patients at the pharmacy counter. In doing so, we can make healthcare more affordable and accessible for small businesses and their employees.
Royce White (R)
NO RESPONSE
Rebecca Whiting (L)
NO RESPONSE
Q: What steps will you take to ensure that local businesses have access to federal grants and programs designed to support economic development?
Amy Klobuchar (D)
NO RESPONSE
Joyce Lacey
Independence-Alliance Party of Minnesota
I favor a couple of reforms to the Small Business Administration including Title VII to ensure that programs are administered on a first-come, first-serve basis, and requiring the SBA, through Title X, to examine the impacts of increased taxes, government spending, inflation, supply chain, regulatory costs, minimum wage, and pandemic effects on small businesses. I also favor allowing businesses to remain open during pandemics.
Henceforth, local businesses will be ensured access to federal grants and programs designed to support economic development.
Royce White (R)
NO RESPONSE
Rebecca Whiting (L)
NO RESPONSE
The Austin Area Chamber of Commerce encourages all members of our community to participate in the upcoming election. Your vote helps shape the future of our local and national policies, directly impacting our businesses and families. If you have questions about the candidates or would like to learn more, feel free to contact us. We are here to support an informed and engaged business community.