RESPONSE - Carlson

Arne Carlson (carlsona@Free-Net.Mpls-StPaul.MN.US)
Mon, 24 Oct 1994 12:06:00 -0500 (CDT)


Governor Carlson's response to the first E-Debate question:

     As a Republican, I truly believe that the family  is  the  first
level of government. I believe that families  should  be  allowed  to
live their lives with as little interference from the government  as
possible.  Stronger families will lead to stronger communities.
     However, I also  believe  that  schools  and  other  government
institutions do have a role in fostering and  encouraging  moral  and
ethical behavior. I am deeply concerned about the decline  of  moral
values in our society. We know, for example, that  our  growing  rate
of juvenile crime is related to the increasing  number  of  children
growing up in broken or dysfunctional families,
     I believe  we  must  reform  our  current  welfare  system  that
penalizes families who want to stay together; I believe  we  must  do
more  to  require  parents  to  live  up  to  their   child   support
obligations and I believe that we must start to  emphasize  programs
and policies  that  encourage  families  and  individuals-  to  take
personal responsibility for their actions,
     Specifically, I have proposed and will again  submit  a  welfare
reform package called "Workfare" which requires able  bodied  adults
to work if they are going to receive any benefits.      Our   current
welfare system creates dependency, and the focus is entirely on
receiving welfare checks.    This system has failed.     Welfare   in
Minnesota must be changed to a system that helps people get  off  the
public dole and recognize the value of work and independence.
     Another indication of the  breakdown  of  civic  values  in  our
communities is the rising violent crime rate.  That  is  why  I  have
been proud to support and sign tough crime legislation  each  of  the
last three years. These crime  bills  have  increased  the  sentences
for violent predators, outlawed  stalking  and  provided  more  money
for  prison  construction.    Punishment  is   the   only   effective
deterrent to crime.  We must insist that if someone commits a crime
they are held accountable for their actions  and  punished.  My  1994
proposal included a "three-time loser" provision that  called  for  a
minimum 15 years in jail for those who commit  three  violent  crimes
against a  person.  Unfortunately,  the  DFL-controlled  legislature,
including Senator Marty, vetoed this proposal.
     In addition, early childhood education will continue  to  remain
a top priority of my administration. Since 1991, state funding for
Head  Start  has increased  50%  or  $10  million.    Child    abuse
prevention, child support enforcement, parental education and the
school breakfast program  have  also  received  substantial   funding
increases. In addition, I proposed and signed  into  law  funding  to
artist block  watch  organization.,  and  established  a  violence
prevention clearinghouse with the Department of Public Safety.
     The  Minnesota  Children's   Initiative,   largely   under   the
direction of First Lady  Susan  Carlson,  is  reforming  how  family
services have delivered and  created  an  $8  million  grant  program
which  gives  communities  incentives  to  work  together  to   serve
families more effectively.
     Clearly, there are problems in our communities that need  to  be
addressed.  The government must enact policies that will encourage
families to stay together, help people to get off of welfare and
show criminals that they will be punished.      If we all work
together, we can halt the moral breakdown in our communities.