Question 4:

The Governor of Minnesota will be asked to come up with solutions to a variety of issues that culminate in the tension between the need to protect the environment, and the need to sustain economic development. Solutions to conflicts that have arisen through issues such as the BWCA, timber resources, agriculture, including feedlots, and others will require making difficult choices and creating consensus. What are some of the tradeoffs you see in these rural and urban issues? In your rebuttal please respond to these two questions. Can you create consensus between these divergent Minnesota interests to work out some of these problems. If so, how would you create that consensus?

MONDALE Response to Question 4

A governor’s job is to figure out how to foster economic growth for Minnesota while protecting our environmental resources.

To suggest we must choose between economic growth and protecting the environment represents the old way of thinking. Most Minnesotans believe that we can do both, and I agree. We are fortunate to have an abundance of natural resources in Minnesota, and it is our responsibility to be good stewards of these resources.

The debate raging on feedlots is a perfect example. Livestock production is a major contributor to the state’s economy. The issue is how do we protect the state’s air and water quality without stunting our agricultural economic growth. By enforcing strong environmental standards, and making sure that there is no damage to the surrounding air or water, we can have both.

Urban sprawl is another issue that often pits these interests against each other. We can use incentives to encourage redevelopment and economic growth in our urban core and first ring suburbs, instead of spreading out development. This issue was a central focus for me when I was in the Legislature. I opposed the relocation of the airport because it would have fueled urban sprawl, and consumed thousands of acres of prime farmland in Dakota County.

Another way to ensure the balance of environmental protection and economic growth is to support the research and development of industries which develop green technologies and create jobs.

The bottom line is that we can do both. We all have a strong stake in protecting our natural resources. A primary goal of the governor must be to maintain a strong quality of life that includes a clean environment, good jobs, and strong growth.