Individual Responses:
Dave Broden (7.5) (10) (7.5) (10) (10)
1. Looming crisis underappreciated. I
suggest that perhaps giving Minnesotans more credit for what they
understand would be an appropriate step forward. Minnesotans do
understand that the demographics are shifting—the impact may not be
fully understood but citizens do know that there is an impact. The
challenge for policy wonks is to communicate effectively and engage
the population in the needed change, not tell people how to do it.
2. Increase state taxes. Sales tax
revenue should be increased—sales tax percent should be appropriately
adjusted. The 67/33 % shift or reversal is real and needs to be
communicated and understood. We need a tax policy for the 21st century
not a tax policy based on an agrarian and industrial society. People
know that change has occurred and all people are changing their lives,
so why not government?
3. Seniors must share burden. Let’s
start this dialogue with what and when is retirement. Retirees should
and will share in the cost of government provided it provides services
efficiently and effectively to all citizens. Let’s also keep those
approaching 60+ in the workforce longer. Let’s adjust the payout to
those who do stay in the workforce so that others can be sure of their
retirement. As people age and live longer we need a model for the life
of citizens in the 21st century, not based on life expectancy of the
1930’s. This means retirees must share.
4. Hold educators accountable. This
issue goes around and around and around. How can the system measure
accountability in a cost effective manner so that the real cost goes
to education rather than a system of measurement. Also what is the
result that is to be measured?
5. Use data to assess and redesign. A
very valid and appropriate topic and focus. The problem is however
that to make this work wisdom must be applied in the definition of
metrics, in the accumulation of and compiling and analysis of data.
Look at the cost of the data system for the health exchange—perhaps a
valid need but is nearly $100million to set up the system valid in
other areas. How to design and use a data driven solution is in itself
an issue to be addressed as much as the redesign itself.
Jim Olson (10) (7.5) (10) (10) (10)
Chris Brazelton (7.5) (7.5) (7.5) (5) (10)
2. Increase state taxes. Revenue needs
to increase if we intend to maintain our current standard of living
while meeting these challenges.
3. Seniors must share burden. Retirement
age was sent when life span was much shorter. It is unrealistic to
think we can live 15-20 years longer, all in retirement without
significant changes in whether and how society supports that with
social security payments and health care/long term care.
4. Hold educators accountable. Educators
must be accountable for what they can control. Far too many issues
impact the capacity for children to learn, including
poverty/diet/nutrition, environmental stressors/community/family
violence, IQ/brain development/Autism and other disorders, etc.
5. Use data to assess and redesign.
Absolutely. Why would we do otherwise? This applies to many areas of
policy. Do what works, based on reliable results from well-designed
studies. Innovate and expand based on what works even better. Well
done science/studies should be a primary driver of policy, or at least
weighted far more heavily than in the past. Whether it is climate
change, health policy, education, policy must be set based on what is
most effective to meet long-term goals.
John Crosby (10) (10) (10) (10) (10)
4. Hold educators accountable. Be sure
that the measures are not too narrowly based. Test scores alone only
measure a portion of progress.
Roger R. Imdieke (10) (7.5) (10) (7.5) (7.5)
2. Increase state taxes. I think the
proposed sales tax is a good start. But we also need to address the
problem of snowbirds that claim residence in states that pay no or
lower state taxes, and then receive the benefit of MN services that
others pay for.
3. Seniors must share burden. While I
would not advocate denying social security, the older generation is
holding most of the wealth in the state and country.
4. Hold educators accountable.
Technology and competition is used in nearly every industry sector.
Education should also remain competitive and up-to-date in applying
technology. We need to find a way to educate more of our young people,
and do it better.
5. Use data to assess and redesign. You
can't manage what you don't know.
Anonymous (10) (2.5) (5) (10) (10)
Dennis L. Johnson (7.5) (0) (2.5) (10) (10)
Bruce Lundeen (10) (2.5) (10) (7.5) (10)
3. Seniors must share burden. The range
of income of seniors from multiple sources is as variable as the
income of the work force. I see no problem with "leveling the field"
for seniors with extraordinary incomes for the benefit of the less
fortunate.
Scott Halstead (10) (10) (7.5) (0) (7.5)
2. Increase state taxes. As the housing
market improves, income and property tax increases encourage our many
seniors with the financial resources to change their residences to
locations with less taxes and more comfortable climates. Some take up
residency elsewhere, but spend their summers in Minnesota. Usually
they are not vitally involved. Consider a cap on capital gains. Many
of the very wealthy are using every tax avoidance method and shift
their taxes onto the middle class and at the same time they are at the
trough seeking tax breaks from the communities. Many very large
businesses have very large profits and don't pay any income taxes yet
they want a well-educated workforce, efficient infrastructure, are
shifting jobs overseas, not contributing to employees retirement
accounts and not paying for government in proportion to their needs.
3. Seniors must share burden. Seniors,
everyone including public and private insurance and employers need to
provide incentives (policy and financial) for individuals to live a
healthier lifestyle and reduce our use of medical services. Like all
other insurance, place a higher cost on those with the highest risk.
Provide a small tax break for volunteerism.
4. Hold educators accountable. Everyone
wants to pick on our educators. With the challenges they face, they do
a pretty good job. Perhaps we need to extend our school year and
provide pre-school education. We need to hold our state elected
leaders accountable. How about a annual report card of their
accomplishments? How about a report of their wasted time? How about a
very minimal salary and performance pay? How about reducing our Senate
and House by 50%? [How about] longer terms, term limits, removing the
responsibility of redistricting?
5. Use data to assess and redesign. We
need long term planning, reformed improved processes, health,
education and welfare systems that improve outcomes and a balanced tax
system. We need to provide businesses benefits based upon increased
employment in Minnesota jobs with good benefits and tax Internet
acquisitions.
Don Anderson (10) (7.5) (7.5) (7.5) (10)
Fred Morrison (10) (7.5) (10) (7.5) (10)
Leigh Lenzmeier (2.5) (2.5) (7.5) (10) (10)
1. Looming crisis underappreciated. The
teachers unions will block this but a dramatic expansion of online
learning/resources would greatly help. Higher education is already
pricing itself out of the market.
2. Increase state taxes. Higher taxes
are a Band-Aid. Incentives for senior self-insurance need to be
developed.
3. Seniors must share burden. Especially
with incentives mentioned above
4. Hold educators accountable. Online
education programs and life-long learning option to facilitate career
changes.
5. Use data to assess and redesign. The
data is out there, has to be collected and reformatted.
Lyall Schwarzkopf (9) (5) (8) (9) (8)
Carolyn Ring (8) (5) (8) (10) (10)
After the baby boomer population increase
following World War II there was a sustained period of declining
enrollment in our schools. That will impact resources for retirees. It
is imperative that the dropout rate of high school students be
drastically reduced.
Vici Oshiro (na) (na) (na) (na) (10)
I think number 5., "Use data to assess
and redesign", is already underway. We must also change our
paradigm: less emphasis on GDP growth and more emphasis on quality of
life; less emphasis on profit and more on triple bottom line; less
emphasis [on] individuals and more on community. Current emphasis on
consumerism is destructive.
Fred Zimmerman (5) (4) (10) (10) (10)
Manufacturers have been having to redesign
their activities using data-driven, results-oriented analysis for
years. The same methodologies are now appropriate for education,
government, finance, and health care.
Wayne Jennings (8) (6) (7) (8) (8)
A good alert, but with a "sky-is-falling"
tone. Data is essential to decision making and can often be used to
make opposite arguments depending on paradigms. I liked her view of a
willingness to try new approaches without guarantees for success for
problems. Accountability requires careful thought because of its
different applications and contexts.
Chuck Lutz (6) (9) (8) (9) (9)
Tom Swain (8) (9) (10) (7) (10)
Roger A. Wacek (0) (0) (5) (5) (0)
The issue is defining necessary services the
state provides in a flat line economy.
Paul and Ruth Hauge (9) (8) (8) (8) (9)
Susan has picked up on many of the critical
issues that our legislators have failed to grapple with. She has done
a good analysis of many of the critical problems of the state covering
future years.
Robert J. Brown (10) (5) (10) (10) (10)
2. Increase state taxes. That is a too
simplistic and ultimately disastrous for the state. The tax system
needs to be reformed, broadened, and periodically reviewed to make and
keep it equitable. The system should also take into account tax
competition from other states so that we don't lose either citizens or
businesses because of tax policy.
Dave Hutcheson (8) (7) (9) (na) (9)
Of course educators need to be accountable for results; but
accountable how, and for what results specifically? Let's consider the
possibility that we hold prospective employers primarily responsible
for training that is directly job-related, and investigate ways that
the educational system can support and assist.
