Jim Hovland Live Blog

Hello and thank you for inviting me this evening. Thank you, Minnesota Monitor, for inviting me to this online discussion; I appreciate the opportunity to “speak” one-on-one with you and 3rd District voters tonight. We’re online and ready to go.

Youth in the Campaign Mr. Hovland,

Thank you for running, and especially for participating in this kind of forum. 

My question is-In what ways do you plan to involve young people in this effort?  I am curious both about your plans to involve them in your campaign, as well as among your staff in Congress, should you be elected.

Thank you.
Max

Thanks for dropping by We all appreciate you taking the time out of your schedule to talk with us, Mr. Hovland.  My opening question is a pretty straightforward two-parter — what’s the issue of greatest importance to this district right now, and why are you the best candidate to do something about it?

Rising College Costs I’m concerned about skyrocketing college tuition.  How are families supposed to send their kids to college without totally tapping themselves out?  What can Congress do to help in this area?

Youth in the campaign We are actively seeking the help of youth, and interviewed a new graduate this afternoon. We have another young graduate starting after the New Year to organize high school and college students. We also will have several volunteers home from college who will be helping us over the holidays. We welcome the participation of youth in our campaign and later when I’m in office; we need to encourage young voices in the democratic process.

Rising college costs We tell our young people that education is critical to their futures-but we’ve demonstrated precious little leadership in recent years to this ideal.

The recent move by Congress to overhaul federal aid was a great start in the right direction when $2.9 billion in subsidies to private lenders was diverted to lower loan rates and to increase grant opportunities for students. But there’s still so much we must do.

Just consider what’s happening in our state. Tuition rates are rising faster here than the national average, and 60 percent of students now graduate college with debt averaging $20,500, the 6th highest in the nation. At the same time, the greatest jobs growth is in low-wage sectors that not only fail to put this education to use, but offer such low wages that repayment becomes almost impossible. Nationwide, only six of the fastest-growing occupations require education beyond high school-true for roughly 60 percent of job openings right now in our state.

But we also must look at education beyond simply being a training ground for the job market and imagine it-as we once did-as a place where youngsters develop as individuals and engaged citizens. Not all kids arrive at school in the same place. We need to assure funding for critical programs like Headstart and the reduced- and free-meal program so kids are prepared to enter school and are given a chance to learn everyday. We also must rethink programs like No Child Left Behind that do less to educate our kids than punish them-and the schools they attend-if they fail national standards.

Both of my parents were public school teachers. My wife, LaRae, and I, along with our two grown girls, all attended public school-and after 25-plus years LaRae still goes to work in a classroom each day. My commitment to good public education is a priority so that every child has the opportunity to learn, to succeed and to become an active citizen in our public life.

Greatest issue before the district now As critical as a new course for our foreign policy is, we have many other issues here at home that equally require new outlook, leadership and vision. Our needs are great: the housing crisis, threats against our environment, 47 million Americans without healthcare, a transportation system that is failing to safely and efficiently move people and goods. But perhaps the biggest is the toll that unparalleled defense spending has taken on American workers and our economy.

The income gap has nearly doubled in the last 30 years, creating a level of social and economic instability unequaled since the Great Depression. The top 300,000 Americans now have incomes virtually matching 150 million wage-earners at the bottom. Without an overhaul in our priorities the situation only will worsen given that just six of the 30 fastest-growing occupations nationwide require education beyond high school.

With the right incentives and investments, we can solve the environmental, energy, transportation and healthcare challenges we face while rebuilding our economy with good-paying jobs. But this will take committed leaders who understand how all of these issues intertwine, leaders who have the vision to craft a new domestic policy that doesn’t leave behind working Americans or the places they live.

Employment Discrimination Hello Mr. Hovland-

In the majority of states, it is legal to fire someone for identifying as lesbian, gay, bisexual or transgender. Would you support making such discrimination illegal and do you support the inclusion of gender identity (transgender Americans) in any legislation to stop such discrimination?

Thanks,

Experience counts I’ve been a longtime public servant, serving on the Edina City Council for 11 years and as mayor for the last three. In that time Edina has taken the lead on reducing global warming and carbon emissions to reduce the city’s environmental impact. I’ve also made solving our regional and statewide transportation dilemmas a priority. This year I was named Public Advocate of the Year by the Minnesota Transportation Alliance, but I also have served as chair of the I-494 Corridor Commission, member of the MVST Vote YES Committee and co-chair for Programming on the Transportation Advisory Board to the Met Council.

Of equal importance, under my leadership and that of the City Council, Edina has been able to meet city budget needs without creating undue burden on property owners or at the expense of public employees.

My experience in city government and on regional and statewide planning issues equip me well to step into Congress as an effective leader and a seasoned advocate on these and other critical issues we face as a nation.

Health Care Health Care reform is a hot campaign issue right now given rising costs and more people without insurance. What are your ideas to address the health care costs issue and how would you work to insure the uninsured?

Thanks,

Employment discrimination I am a lawyer who spent my life fighting for people’s rights. I’m pro-tolerance and do not believe in discrimination.

One question I haven’t heard asked of the three candidates…. is about Transportation, specifically transit solutions for the Metro area.  If elected to Congress, would you push for federal assistance to help the Twin Cities build a Metro-wide light rail network?  If so, how?  If not, why not?  As a suburban mayor, I’m sure this issue has come up once or twice in your city…….

Health care It is unconscionable that 47 million Americans exist day-by-day without access to healthcare-and that tens of millions more are under threat of losing their coverage because of rising premium costs. The United States spends nearly double the amount on healthcare as the average industrialized nation, yet ranks low when it comes to critical areas of care.

The need to overhaul our nation’s health system isn’t just driven by the moral obligation we have toward our citizens. Out-of-control costs are swamping businesses and creating enormous burdens for working families: forcing employers to cut jobs, reduce coverage or require employees to cover more of their own expenses.

Curbing administrative costs is central to bringing profound and necessary change to our system. According to a 2003 report by Harvard researchers, bureaucratic costs accounted for 31 percent of all healthcare expenditures in the United States-other studies since have consistently located that number between 20 and 25 percent. Compare that to the federal Medicare program, in which only 2 percent of costs are lost to bureaucracy.

Going from 31 percent administration costs down to 2, the cost savings alone would allow us to extend coverage to all the uninsured without adding a penny to the bill.

How do we get there? Obviously, people who are happy with their coverage should keep it. But those for whom healthcare costs are either jeopardizing their economic wellbeing or have no coverage at all, we should apply the administrative cost savings to the healthcare system so everyone has access to quality, reliable healthcare.

What’s the right threshold then? If you’re advocating an expansion of Medicare, what’s the right threshold for that expansion?  What’s the axis, if you will?  Age?  Income?  Family size?

long answer coming… This is one of Jim’s strongest issues.

Good Inquiring minds want to know :-)

Thankings for coming by today Mr Hovland. First a personally story and then a question.

The first time I heard of you was a poster advertising a event with you and my friend J. Drake Hamilton. So good on you for being strong on global warming.

My question for you today is would you support public financing of elections as proposed by Rep. John Tierney in H.R.1614  the Clean Money, Clean Elections Act of 2007?

Transportation issues Right now, the metro area ranks 3rd nationally for growth in commuter times, and each of these drivers averages 2.6 tons of greenhouse gas emissions every year. We need to invest in mass transit on a regional, statewide and national level to draw down emissions, lower our overall dependence on oil and produce good-paying jobs in the process.

For the last decade I have supported investments in our transportation system, including mass transit, through additional new revenue sources like increases in the gas tax.

At present Minnesota receives almost $500 million from the federal government for transportation. With the effective leadership of the Minnesota congressional delegation, especially Jim Oberstar, Tim Walz and me when I arrive in Congress, we will be able to effectively bring opportunities for additional monies to our state.

This federal investment requires state matching funds, so it will be incumbent upon the Legislature — and the Governor — to take advantage of these opportunities. One present opportunity for the state is the Urban Partnership Agreement, which requires matching funds from the state in order to expand mass transit in the metro area.

Sexual Health Education The federal government had continued to increase funding for abstinence-based sexuality education in public schools. Do you support an increase, flat funding or a decrease for abstinence-based sex education?

Greetings Have you endorsed, or stated a preference for the Presidential Race.

Kurt ‘Flash’ Schiebel
Centrisity.com

Medicare for whom? Hello Mayor Hovland. Thanks for liveblogging with us. I didn’t understand your health care answer very well. Do you propose expanding Medicare to all who want it, while leaving alone those who are content with their current coverage? If so, what would it cost and how would you pay for it?

Arts Thank you for the response to my previous question.  I have another couple.  The next is about the arts.

Minnesota is a uniquely rich state for the arts, much of which relies on federal funding.  How large a role should the federal government play in funding arts, if at all?

Health care follow-up It is important that we provide universal health coverage that offers choice and affordability. There are a variety of ways to accomplish that goal, and I have no preconceived notion of what will work best.

And if you can keep up… What is your view on Net Neutrality?  To what extent do you feel you grasp the issue entirely, and do you believe in any core principles when it comes to internet use?

Money in campaigns The concept of public financing for campaigns is certainly appealing for all of the Democratic candidates who have been spending an extraordinary amount of time raising money when we could be concentrating more fully on meeting people in the district and discussing their concerns.

Oooh, ditto this one Telecom amnesty in the current FISA bill is another interesting topic, if you have time and the carpal tunnel strength left to discuss it….

Presidential candidates I haven’t made an endorsement or indicated any preference because the process is still unfolding. I’m studying the candidates and their positions.

FISA Jim,

Where do you stand on FISA and secret wiretapping?

Thanks!

Have you had a chance to read the bill? Sorry if I sound rude but every canidate says that. Even Republicans. The hard part is saying you will be all for clean elections and working for them.

Healthcare follow-up I’m in favor of providing universal coverage. While the expansion of Medicare beyond those presently covered seems like an intriguing concept, I don’t know enough about the implications of such a position to fully answer your question.

Warrantless wiretapping FISA, as originally written, seemed to do a decent job of balancing individual rights with national security.

Mayor to Congressman How do you think your experience as a suburban mayor has prepared you to represent the 3rd CD in the U.S. Congress?

Net neutrality/Internet I’ve been approached on this issue by concerned citizens; it’s an important issue that ties into our future economic competitiveness, and I’m working to learn more about it. I would love to hear your thoughts. Give me a call.

Habeas Corpus Jim,

Would you say something about removal of the great writ of habeas corpus and defending our constitution?

Thanks!

You bet I will :-)

Mayor to Congress I am the only candidate in this race who is leading on the issues specific to every community in our district.

As mayor, I’m proud to say Edina has been a leader in addressing issues of global warming/carbon emissions and of seeking and finding ways to reduce our city’s environmental footprint. But there’s a limit to what we can accomplish on the municipal and regional level without national leadership that shares our commitment.

In Congress, I will work to ensure that we reverse course on the environmental devastation wrought in the last seven years-beginning when this administration pulled out of the Kyoto Accords in 2001.

As a mayor, I’ve also been a leader on transportation issues, as previously mentioned. For years I’ve worked on the issue of congestion, in terms of how it affects quality-of-life and commerce in all the beltline cities of the 3rd.

I look forward to going to Washington to continue my work on assuring that we have the most-effective state and national transportation infrastructure.

Thank you Folks, this was a wonderful, lively discussion of the issues. I very much appreciate that you took the time to spend part of your evening with me.

I apologize, but I do now have to go. I will try to answer any other outstanding question tomorrow.

Have a great. And thanks again.

Jim

Many thanks We appreciate you taking the time out of your evening to chat with us as well, Mr. Hovland — thanks.

Commenters/questioners:  I’ll cull the unanswered questions from the thread, and send them along via email to Jim’s campaign, and will try to update you with some of his answers.

Thanks to all the contributors as well — any comments, concerns, ideas for these live blogs (including future targets subjects — email me here

Hello and thank you for inviting me this evening. Thank you, Minnesota Monitor, for inviting me to this online discussion; I appreciate the opportunity to “speak” one-on-one with you and 3rd District voters tonight. We're online and ready to go.

Youth in the Campaign Mr. Hovland,

Thank you for running, and especially for participating in this kind of forum. 

My question is-In what ways do you plan to involve young people in this effort?  I am curious both about your plans to involve them in your campaign, as well as among your staff in Congress, should you be elected.

Thank you.

Max

Thanks for dropping by We all appreciate you taking the time out of your schedule to talk with us, Mr. Hovland.  My opening question is a pretty straightforward two-parter — what's the issue of greatest importance to this district right now, and why are you the best candidate to do something about it?

Rising College Costs I'm concerned about skyrocketing college tuition.  How are families supposed to send their kids to college without totally tapping themselves out?  What can Congress do to help in this area?

Youth in the campaign We are actively seeking the help of youth, and interviewed a new graduate this afternoon. We have another young graduate starting after the New Year to organize high school and college students. We also will have several volunteers home from college who will be helping us over the holidays. We welcome the participation of youth in our campaign and later when I'm in office; we need to encourage young voices in the democratic process.

Rising college costs We tell our young people that education is critical to their futures-but we've demonstrated precious little leadership in recent years to this ideal.

The recent move by Congress to overhaul federal aid was a great start in the right direction when $2.9 billion in subsidies to private lenders was diverted to lower loan rates and to increase grant opportunities for students. But there's still so much we must do.

Just consider what's happening in our state. Tuition rates are rising faster here than the national average, and 60 percent of students now graduate college with debt averaging $20,500, the 6th highest in the nation. At the same time, the greatest jobs growth is in low-wage sectors that not only fail to put this education to use, but offer such low wages that repayment becomes almost impossible. Nationwide, only six of the fastest-growing occupations require education beyond high school-true for roughly 60 percent of job openings right now in our state.

But we also must look at education beyond simply being a training ground for the job market and imagine it-as we once did-as a place where youngsters develop as individuals and engaged citizens. Not all kids arrive at school in the same place. We need to assure funding for critical programs like Headstart and the reduced- and free-meal program so kids are prepared to enter school and are given a chance to learn everyday. We also must rethink programs like No Child Left Behind that do less to educate our kids than punish them-and the schools they attend-if they fail national standards.

Both of my parents were public school teachers. My wife, LaRae, and I, along with our two grown girls, all attended public school-and after 25-plus years LaRae still goes to work in a classroom each day. My commitment to good public education is a priority so that every child has the opportunity to learn, to succeed and to become an active citizen in our public life.

Greatest issue before the district now As critical as a new course for our foreign policy is, we have many other issues here at home that equally require new outlook, leadership and vision. Our needs are great: the housing crisis, threats against our environment, 47 million Americans without healthcare, a transportation system that is failing to safely and efficiently move people and goods. But perhaps the biggest is the toll that unparalleled defense spending has taken on American workers and our economy.

The income gap has nearly doubled in the last 30 years, creating a level of social and economic instability unequaled since the Great Depression. The top 300,000 Americans now have incomes virtually matching 150 million wage-earners at the bottom. Without an overhaul in our priorities the situation only will worsen given that just six of the 30 fastest-growing occupations nationwide require education beyond high school.

With the right incentives and investments, we can solve the environmental, energy, transportation and healthcare challenges we face while rebuilding our economy with good-paying jobs. But this will take committed leaders who understand how all of these issues intertwine, leaders who have the vision to craft a new domestic policy that doesn't leave behind working Americans or the places they live.

Employment Discrimination Hello Mr. Hovland-

In the majority of states, it is legal to fire someone for identifying as lesbian, gay, bisexual or transgender. Would you support making such discrimination illegal and do you support the inclusion of gender identity (transgender Americans) in any legislation to stop such discrimination?

Thanks,

Experience counts I've been a longtime public servant, serving on the Edina City Council for 11 years and as mayor for the last three. In that time Edina has taken the lead on reducing global warming and carbon emissions to reduce the city's environmental impact. I've also made solving our regional and statewide transportation dilemmas a priority. This year I was named Public Advocate of the Year by the Minnesota Transportation Alliance, but I also have served as chair of the I-494 Corridor Commission, member of the MVST Vote YES Committee and co-chair for Programming on the Transportation Advisory Board to the Met Council.

Of equal importance, under my leadership and that of the City Council, Edina has been able to meet city budget needs without creating undue burden on property owners or at the expense of public employees.

My experience in city government and on regional and statewide planning issues equip me well to step into Congress as an effective leader and a seasoned advocate on these and other critical issues we face as a nation.

Health Care Health Care reform is a hot campaign issue right now given rising costs and more people without insurance. What are your ideas to address the health care costs issue and how would you work to insure the uninsured?

Thanks,

Employment discrimination I am a lawyer who spent my life fighting for people's rights. I'm pro-tolerance and do not believe in discrimination.

One question I haven't heard asked of the three candidates…. is about Transportation, specifically transit solutions for the Metro area.  If elected to Congress, would you push for federal assistance to help the Twin Cities build a Metro-wide light rail network?  If so, how?  If not, why not?  As a suburban mayor, I'm sure this issue has come up once or twice in your city…….

Health care It is unconscionable that 47 million Americans exist day-by-day without access to healthcare-and that tens of millions more are under threat of losing their coverage because of rising premium costs. The United States spends nearly double the amount on healthcare as the average industrialized nation, yet ranks low when it comes to critical areas of care.

The need to overhaul our nation's health system isn't just driven by the moral obligation we have toward our citizens. Out-of-control costs are swamping businesses and creating enormous burdens for working families: forcing employers to cut jobs, reduce coverage or require employees to cover more of their own expenses.

Curbing administrative costs is central to bringing profound and necessary change to our system. According to a 2003 report by Harvard researchers, bureaucratic costs accounted for 31 percent of all healthcare expenditures in the United States-other studies since have consistently located that number between 20 and 25 percent. Compare that to the federal Medicare program, in which only 2 percent of costs are lost to bureaucracy.

Going from 31 percent administration costs down to 2, the cost savings alone would allow us to extend coverage to all the uninsured without adding a penny to the bill.

How do we get there? Obviously, people who are happy with their coverage should keep it. But those for whom healthcare costs are either jeopardizing their economic wellbeing or have no coverage at all, we should apply the administrative cost savings to the healthcare system so everyone has access to quality, reliable healthcare.

What's the right threshold then? If you're advocating an expansion of Medicare, what's the right threshold for that expansion?  What's the axis, if you will?  Age?  Income?  Family size?

long answer coming… This is one of Jim's strongest issues.

Good Inquiring minds want to know :-)

Thankings for coming by today Mr Hovland. First a personally story and then a question.

The first time I heard of you was a poster advertising a event with you and my friend J. Drake Hamilton. So good on you for being strong on global warming.

My question for you today is would you support public financing of elections as proposed by Rep. John Tierney in H.R.1614  the Clean Money, Clean Elections Act of 2007?

Transportation issues Right now, the metro area ranks 3rd nationally for growth in commuter times, and each of these drivers averages 2.6 tons of greenhouse gas emissions every year. We need to invest in mass transit on a regional, statewide and national level to draw down emissions, lower our overall dependence on oil and produce good-paying jobs in the process.

For the last decade I have supported investments in our transportation system, including mass transit, through additional new revenue sources like increases in the gas tax.

At present Minnesota receives almost $500 million from the federal government for transportation. With the effective leadership of the Minnesota congressional delegation, especially Jim Oberstar, Tim Walz and me when I arrive in Congress, we will be able to effectively bring opportunities for additional monies to our state.

This federal investment requires state matching funds, so it will be incumbent upon the Legislature — and the Governor — to take advantage of these opportunities. One present opportunity for the state is the Urban Partnership Agreement, which requires matching funds from the state in order to expand mass transit in the metro area.

Sexual Health Education The federal government had continued to increase funding for abstinence-based sexuality education in public schools. Do you support an increase, flat funding or a decrease for abstinence-based sex education?

Greetings Have you endorsed, or stated a preference for the Presidential Race.

Kurt 'Flash' Schiebel

Centrisity.com

Medicare for whom? Hello Mayor Hovland. Thanks for liveblogging with us. I didn't understand your health care answer very well. Do you propose expanding Medicare to all who want it, while leaving alone those who are content with their current coverage? If so, what would it cost and how would you pay for it?

Arts Thank you for the response to my previous question.  I have another couple.  The next is about the arts.

Minnesota is a uniquely rich state for the arts, much of which relies on federal funding.  How large a role should the federal government play in funding arts, if at all?

Health care follow-up It is important that we provide universal health coverage that offers choice and affordability. There are a variety of ways to accomplish that goal, and I have no preconceived notion of what will work best.

And if you can keep up… What is your view on Net Neutrality?  To what extent do you feel you grasp the issue entirely, and do you believe in any core principles when it comes to internet use?

Money in campaigns The concept of public financing for campaigns is certainly appealing for all of the Democratic candidates who have been spending an extraordinary amount of time raising money when we could be concentrating more fully on meeting people in the district and discussing their concerns.

Oooh, ditto this one Telecom amnesty in the current FISA bill is another interesting topic, if you have time and the carpal tunnel strength left to discuss it….

Presidential candidates I haven't made an endorsement or indicated any preference because the process is still unfolding. I'm studying the candidates and their positions.

FISA Jim,

Where do you stand on FISA and secret wiretapping?

Thanks!

Have you had a chance to read the bill? Sorry if I sound rude but every canidate says that. Even Republicans. The hard part is saying you will be all for clean elections and working for them.

Healthcare follow-up I'm in favor of providing universal coverage. While the expansion of Medicare beyond those presently covered seems like an intriguing concept, I don't know enough about the implications of such a position to fully answer your question.

Warrantless wiretapping FISA, as originally written, seemed to do a decent job of balancing individual rights with national security.

Mayor to Congressman How do you think your experience as a suburban mayor has prepared you to represent the 3rd CD in the U.S. Congress?

Net neutrality/Internet I've been approached on this issue by concerned citizens; it's an important issue that ties into our future economic competitiveness, and I'm working to learn more about it. I would love to hear your thoughts. Give me a call.

Habeas Corpus Jim,

Would you say something about removal of the great writ of habeas corpus and defending our constitution?

Thanks!

You bet I will :-)

Mayor to Congress I am the only candidate in this race who is leading on the issues specific to every community in our district.

As mayor, I'm proud to say Edina has been a leader in addressing issues of global warming/carbon emissions and of seeking and finding ways to reduce our city's environmental footprint. But there's a limit to what we can accomplish on the municipal and regional level without national leadership that shares our commitment.

In Congress, I will work to ensure that we reverse course on the environmental devastation wrought in the last seven years-beginning when this administration pulled out of the Kyoto Accords in 2001.

As a mayor, I've also been a leader on transportation issues, as previously mentioned. For years I've worked on the issue of congestion, in terms of how it affects quality-of-life and commerce in all the beltline cities of the 3rd.

I look forward to going to Washington to continue my work on assuring that we have the most-effective state and national transportation infrastructure.

Thank you Folks, this was a wonderful, lively discussion of the issues. I very much appreciate that you took the time to spend part of your evening with me.

I apologize, but I do now have to go. I will try to answer any other outstanding question tomorrow.

Have a great. And thanks again.

Jim

Many thanks We appreciate you taking the time out of your evening to chat with us as well, Mr. Hovland — thanks.

Commenters/questioners:  I'll cull the unanswered questions from the thread, and send them along via email to Jim's campaign, and will try to update you with some of his answers.

Thanks to all the contributors as well — any comments, concerns, ideas for these live blogs (including future <strike>targets</strike> subjects — email me here