Paul Torkelson: Minnesota House 15B
Minnesota House 15B
Paul Torkelson
1.) What is your background and why are you running for House 15B?
My wife, Cindy, and I live on Lake Hanska in southern Brown County. Born and raised in Watonwan County, I am a lifelong member of East Sveadahl Lutheran Church. I graduated from St. James High School and Gustavus Adolphus College. Following college graduation, I taught in Fairfax, Minnesota for four years. My wife is a retired elementary school teacher, and we recently celebrated our 44th wedding anniversary. We have two adult daughters, and one grandson. I am actively engaged in the operation of my family farm where we raise corn, soybeans and hogs on the farm first established by my great-grandfather in 1878.
In November of 2022 I was elected to serve my eighth consecutive term in the Minnesota House of Representatives. I returned to serve as a member of the House Republican Caucus. I was honored to be asked to serve as Deputy Leader of the Caucus. My committee assignments for the 2023-2024 Session include serving as GOP Lead of the Elections Committee and as a member of the Rules and Ethics Committees. In May of this year, I was unanimously endorsed by the District 15B Republican Delegates to run for a ninth term.
I have enjoyed my work in the legislature. The last two years under complete control of the Democrats has put our State in a very difficult situation. Minnesota needs to elect a Republican majority in the House and I intend to be part of it. My experience gives me a base of knowledge about my constituents, my district, and my state. Utilizing who and what I know I will strive to represent all of them and use my experience to be an effective legislator. If the voters of 15B are kind enough to re-elect me this Fall I stand ready to represent them.
2.) What is the top issue facing the district?
The top issue I discuss with my voters is their frustration with single party control of Minnesota government. The DFL trifecta spent every penny of a very large surplus, expanded the size and scope of State government, raised billions of dollars in higher taxes, and failed to make anyone in government accountable for fraudulent spending.
Education – Last session’s increase in spending was coupled with too many mandates. We should allow school boards, working with parents, the authority to do the job they were elected to do.
Infrastructure – Roads, bridges, broadband, wastewater treatment and drinking water systems need repair and replacement. The State plays an important role in this work and should continue at a steady and predictable pace.
Nursing homes, day care facilities and emergency medical response services also need our attention.
Tax reform that allows Minnesotans to keep more of what they earn including Social Security tax relief for ALL senior citizens.
Regulatory reform to relieve Minnesotans that are burdened by overly aggressive rules and regulations.
3.) Day care shortage is a statewide problem. Is there anything the legislature can do to improve access?
The legislature can help by reducing burdensome regulations that have resulted in a shortage of child care services across Minnesota. Proposed regulatory revisions generated by the Department of Human Services would make the situation even worse for family child care providers. The legislature should work to make child care more affordable and accessible through sensible regulations that encourage local participation.
4.) Minnesota has seen many long-term care and skilled nursing homes close in the last year, what can the state do to provide and protect senior care.
The state should reduce heavy handed regulations that require care givers to spend so much of their time on paperwork. Nursing homes are also plagued with inadequate reimbursement rates and delayed payments at a point in time where employees are hard to find. This is a critical issue for our region.
5.) If elected, what will be your top goal be for this term
My top goal will be to reverse the negative impacts of one-party control that brought the largest state budget in history. Money could have been used to alleviate problems in areas such as child care, emergency medical services and nursing homes. Instead funds have been wasted through overspending on items like a palace for politicians and fraudulent activities such as “Feeding Our Future.” The nearly 40% growth in spending also results in a huge increase, of about 6,000, in the number of state employees. I along with my fellow Republican legislators will do our best to bring us efficient and affordable state government.