Gubernatorial candidates stress post-secondary education at forum

At least a third of the candidates running for governor say they want to make sure post-secondary education is affordable and accessible.

Four DFLers and two Republicans made pledges Wednesday during a gubernatorial forum at Anoka Technical College. Republican state Rep. Marty Seifert of Marshall said his top priority as governor would be providing jobs for college graduates.

Seifert said he also wants to lower community college tuition, which he says is too high in Minnesota compared to other states.

"When I appoint MnSCU board of trustees members, I'm going to give them the directive from the governor's office that their job is to get us out of the top ten in tuition costs for our community college students," Seifert said. "We are pricing people out of the market and the ability for them to work their way through school."

DFL Rep. Paul Thissen of Minneapolis criticized Representative Marty Seifert and other GOP candidates for their repeated claims that Minnesota has a bad business climate.

"It's a great place to start of business, and these myths that Rep. Seifert and others throw around saying everybody's flocking away from Minnesota because of one single thing, is terrible for this state," Thissen said. "We don't need a governor who's going to continue down that path."

Former DFL state Sen. Steve Kelley told the audience of students and faculty members that he plans to raise taxes to solve the state budget deficit and allow increased spending for higher education.