On the ballot 2012: Rod Hamilton
Name: Rod Hamilton Office sought: Minnesota House of Representatives City in which you reside: Mountain Lake, Minnesota
Name: Rod Hamilton
Office sought: Minnesota House of Representatives
City in which you reside: Mountain Lake, Minnesota
Occupation: Pork Producer
What qualifications do you feel you have for the office you seek?
Previous experience: First elected to Minnesota House in 2004; Member, Minnesota House Republican Executive Board; Majority Whip; Chairman, Agriculture and Rural Development Finance and Policy Committee; Past President, Minnesota Pork Producers; Past Member, Mountain Lake School Board; Past Member, University of Minnesota Southwest Research Outreach Center Advisory Board; Member, Governor’s Livestock Task Force; Past Winner, Young Farmers and Ranchers Discussion Meet; Co-Chair, Minnesota Ag Education Leadership Council; Board Member, AURI.
Community Involvement: Member, Trinity Lutheran Church, Mountain Lake; Member, Jackson Kiwanis; Member, Minnesota Pork Producers; Member, Minnesota Farm Bureau; Member, Minnesota Farmers Union;
Awards and other notable accomplishments: Leadership Award, Minnesota Assistance Council for Veterans, 2008; Certificate of Leadership for Latino Youth of Minnesota, 2005; Farm and Rural Leadership Award, Minnesota Farmers Union, 2007-2008; Legislator of Distinction Award, Coalition of Greater Minnesota Cities, 2008; Northwest Chapter Leadership Award, Sierra Club; Guardian of Small Business Award, National Federation of Independent Businesses, 2006, 2008, 2010, 2012; The ARRM Cares Leadership Award, 2010; Legislator of Distinction Award, Transportation, Rural Development, Taxes — Coalition of Greater MN Cities.
2012 Endorsements (as of September): Farm Bureau PAC; Minnesota Citizens Concerned for Life (MCCL); Care Providers of Minnesota; Minnesota Chamber of Commerce; Minnesota Dental Association; Regional Council of Carpenters Union; International Union of Operating Engineers; National Rifle Association;
What is your top priority in state government and what do you hope to see accomplished? Visiting with constituents, it’s clear — it shouldn’t be an “us versus them” environment, we need balance. Everyone recognizes we must promote a healthy economy — a thriving economy depends on high quality education, and we cannot provide high quality services to those in need, if we don’t have people working to pay for those services.
Jobs and the Economy — Goal is to have one of the lowest unemployment rates in the country.
Continue to develop sensible regulations that support our businesses — address the tax burden and permitting process, while protecting workers.
We must also have policies that give businesses financial options.
Creating good paying jobs will revive the economy faster than expanding government programs.
Continue to address government spending, duplication of services and fraud.
We did pass policies in 2011/12 that promote rural job growth — whether it’s the rural angel investment tax credit or investments in rural job training and intern programs. The area that must be addressed is the area of pay that care providers receive — it’s disgusting what people who work in nursing homes and with the disabled receive for pay based on their responsibilities. We had a small victory for low rate receiving nursing homes this past year when my bill passed that gave them a modest increase but there is still much work to be done.
Additional Comments: I am known as a legislator that can work with people on all sides of an issue and my voting record supports this statement. Out of 134 House members there are only two members who have a more bipartisan voting record than mine. I was the only Chairman who had their Omnibus bill signed into law by the Governor during the 2012 regular session and I have a wide assortment of endorsements — from the Regional Council of Carpenters Union to the Minnesota Chamber of Commerce — from the International Union of Operating Engineers to National Federation of Independent Businesses.
It has been an honor to serve District 22B for the past eight years and If I am blessed to have your support in November, I will continue to work honorably, respectfully and diligently on your behalf.
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