On the ballot 2012: Bill Weber

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Name: Bill Weber

Office sought: Minnesota State Senate District 22

City in which you reside: Luverne

Occupation: Owner/Operator of Jensen Management Service Inc. a real estate appraisal, brokerage, management and consulting firm. Started working for Jensen & Jensen Accounting and Jensen Management Service in 1976. Became a partner in Jensen Management Service in 1978, President of Jensen Management Service, Inc. in 1987 and owner of Jensen Management Service, Inc. in 1988.

What qualifications do you feel you have for the office you seek? Being in business for over 36 years and having served in local government for 16 years, I am well aware of the many issues we face. I believe I have the ability to articulate those issues and provide an effective voice for rural Minnesota. I understand the importance of compromise to achieve common goals. Over the years, as mayor and councilman, I have gone before local, state and national leaders as an advocate for Southwestern Minnesota, and will do the same as your state senator.

What is your top priority in state government? I believe that budget priorities leading to strong job growth are vital to southwestern Minnesota. Setting the right priorities in the budget and being a prudent manager of the hard-earned tax dollars of our citizens is crucial. Two years ago the state faced a $6.2 billion deficit, and today there is a small surplus because of tough decisions made by the Legislature. The budget priorities and decisions will help lead to a strong jobs growth climate, which is vital to the success of south western Minnesota.

Explain ideas you have to achieve your top priority: I believe that the Legislature needs to reform the way it plans the state budget and levies taxes. State spending has increased at a rate far above inflation. In the decades prior to 2011, we had seen a constant back and forth between deficit and surpluses and astronomical spending increases. This has led to much government waste, as it has fostered a “use it or lose it” mentality in state agencies. I will work hard to ensure that this typical liberal agenda of wasteful spending and bureaucracy is no longer achieved on the back of Greater Minnesota.

What do you hope to see accomplished during the state during your term, should you be elected? There are two things: First, I want to see more quality jobs here in southwestern Minnesota. State policies can either enhance or put up barriers to job growth. With many of our companies leaving for South Dakota in recent decades, I want to help stop this loss. We can do this through responsible reform to the state tax code and regulation. Secondly, I would say that fighting for fair and equitable reimbursements for our schools, our nursing homes and our hospitals would be a top priority for me.

Additional comments: I am determined to ask the hard questions and reform government as necessary to produce solutions for southwestern Minnesota. While special groups may not like this, I am not worried about them liking me. At 56 years old, I am not running to start a 20-30 year political career – I am running to make Minnesota better!

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