On the ballot 2012: Alan Oberloh

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Name: Alan Oberloh

Office sought: Minnesota State Senate District 22

City in which you reside: Worthington

Occupation: Self-employed small business owner since 1983, Quality Auto Body Inc., and Quality Storage of Worthington

What qualifications do you feel you have for the office you seek? I have been actively involved in the community for most of my working career, having served on various Chamber committees, City of Worthington Planning and Zoning Board, Worthington Public Utilities Wind Energy Task Force, Blandlin Community Advantage Leadership Program, Okabena-Ocheda Watershed Joint Powers Board, the E.O. Olson Board for water quality, Worthington Regional Economic Development Board and most recently as President of the Coalition of Greater Minnesota Cities. In addition, I have served as Worthington’s mayor since January 2003 and am a former member of the District 518 school board. That past and current involvement has helped me grow as an individual and become knowledgeable about issues of importance in the area.

What is your top priority in state government? The number one priority I would have is the work to get Minnesota’s budget back on track, but NOT through borrowing from education, tobacco funds or the rainy day budget reserves but through meaningful changes. We cannot continue to operate as we have in the past 10-plus years, we must figure out ways to permanently fix the deficit problem.

Explain ideas you have to achieve your top priority: We must take off the blinders and look at all ways to reduce spending, simplify the complex Minnesota tax system, streamline the regulatory process and incentivize small businesses that grow their companies and add jobs. We also need to once and for all close the corporate tax loopholes that exist and research ways to tax Internet sales. This can be done if legislators are willing to work together for the health of the State.

What do you hope to see accomplished during the state during your term, should you be elected? I hope to see a prosperous Minnesota with added high-paying jobs throughout the state, an emphasis on educating our future workforce in place to keep our young people here and a complete overhaul of the complex Minnesota tax system. I would hope we will have added additional funds to help fix the problems that exist with our aging infrastructure throughout the state as well. I believe the most important thing that can and should happen in my first term would be to get the gross partisanship that exists out of government and work together for the entire state. The only way we can make things happen in this state is to work together.

Additional comments: I am asking you to elect the person who has demonstrated over the years to be an independent minded individual who is willing to make tough decisions and work side by side with people with differing views for the betterment of the city, the county, the district and the state. I firmly believe we need more common-sense individuals in the legislature who will work to end the gridlock and get things done. It is my hope that you will cast your vote on Nov. 6 for Alan Oberloh for your State Senator. Thank you.

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