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From YouTube: Bloomington League of Women Voters: State House of Representative Candidate Testimonials
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A
B
My
name
is
Steve
Elkins
I'm
running
for
the
House
of
Representatives
in
district
49
B,
which
consists
of
Western
Bloomington,
southern
Edina
and
portions
of
Minnetonka
and
Eden
Prairie.
So
I've
lived
in
Bloomington
for
33
years
of
my
home,
near
Mountain,
Lake
Norman
Dale,
with
my
wife
Judy,
and
it
was
a
retired
schoolteacher,
and
so
we
both
feel
very
strongly
that
public
support
of
state
support
of
education
is
extremely
important.
B
A
major
part
of
my
priorities
as
well
so
I
have
over
20
years
of
service
to
the
citizens
of
Bloomington
I
first
started
serving
as
a
traffic
commissioner
and
planning
Commissioner
back
in
the
late
1990s
served
on
the
City
Council
for
nine
years,
representing
Northwest
Bloomington,
and
for
the
last
eight
years,
I've
been
Bloomington's
representative
on
the
Metropolitan
Council,
where
I've
served
on
the
Transportation
Committee
in
the
community
development
committee,
which
has
jurisdiction
over
both
parks
and
housing.
So
transportation
and
housing
and
parks
are
all
going
to
be
priorities
for
me
as
well.
B
A
B
So
those
are
all
things
that
I've
been
advocating
for
20
years
and
are
now
funded
and
will
either
under
construction
or
soon
will
be
in
the
future.
Looking
forward
that
the
biggest
thing
I'm
concerned
about
is
that
we're
very
heavily
reliant
on
gas
taxes,
registration
fees,
sales,
tax,
a
vehicle
sales
taxes
as
a
sources
to
fund
our
surface
transportation
system,
and
when
the
era
of
where
the
cars
are
shared
and
electric
those
those
revenue
sources,
are
going
to
dry
up
and
they're
going
to
have
to
be
replaced,
probably
with
some
sort
of
mileage
related
fee.
B
B
My
priority
is
on
Environmental
Policy,
our
clean
air,
clean
water
preservation
of
natural
resources,
including
the
excellent
parks
that
we
have
in
this
area.
So
as
a
member
of
the
Metropolitan
Council
Community
Development
Committee,
which
has
oversight
over
regional
Park
Planning
in
the
whole
area,
we
did
the
park
planning
and
doled
out
park
grants
for
projects
all
over
the
the
region,
including
things
like
the
the
park
at
Bloomington,
Central
Station
in
East
Bloomington,
and
a
number
of
improvements
at
Lake,
Norman,
Dale,
Busch,
Lake
Highland,
like
in
in
Bloomington
as
well.
I.
B
Think
that
I
believe
that
climate
change
is
is
real
and
we
need
to
take
substance.
Steps
to
conserve
energy
rely
more
on
renewable
source
sources
of
energy
to
get
more,
they
stopped
putting
quite
so
much
co2
and
other
greenhouse
gases
into
the
atmosphere
and
I.
You
know
as
a
and
in
when
it
comes
to
mining
in
in
northern
Minnesota.
We
need
to
make
sure
that
whatever
mining
activities
occur
up
there
don't
affect
the
water
quality
and
the
Boundary
Waters
or
other
areas
of
the
north
northern
Minnesota.
That's.
A
C
Thank
you,
Tim's
and
I'm,
so
happy
to
be
here
with
the
League
of
Women,
Voters
and
I
appreciate
the
almost
100
years
that
the
league
has
devoted
itself
to
making
sure
that
we
have
democracy
for
all,
especially
women,
and
a
little
bit
back.
Honor
of
myself.
I
grew
up
here
in
Bloomington
and
went
to
Bloomington
schools.
I
went
to
Penn
junior
high
school
and
Lincoln
High
School
even
attended
Normandale
junior
college
and
from
there
went
on
to
st.
John's
University
I
also
worked
for
the
city
of
Bloomington
all
the
years
when
I
was
working.
C
My
way
through
college,
so
I'm
very
familiar
with
the
city
and
loved
the
city.
After
college
I
took
over
at
st.
John's
University
as
a
college
soccer
team
there
and
had
championship
teams
there
and
eventually
went
was
hired
at
gabbard's
furniture
right
down
the
street
here,
where
we
all
made
our
homes
that
Deb
herbs
and.
D
C
Through
at
gabbard's
having
a
successful
career
there,
I
then
went
back
into
business
for
myself
and
I've,
been
doing
communication
trainings
and
helping
as
an
expert
in
communication,
both
in
business
and
as
a
family
law
mediator
and
as
a
parenting
consultant.
So
I
bring
those
skills
as
a
mediator
to
help
resolve
problems
in
our
state
legislature,
especially
working
across
party
lines.
Thank.
A
C
Thank
you,
Tim
said
I
appreciate
that
in
the
area
of
transportation,
I
would
highlight
like
three
areas.
The
first
area
would
be
simply
to
really
evaluate
from
our
citizens,
be
a
good
listener
as
to
what
their
needs
are,
what
our
citizens
feel
in
our
community
as
what's
important
to
us
in
order
to
transport
people
and
across
the
the
lines,
whether
it's
work,
whether
it's
for
our
just
pleasure
and
we're
going
to
have
all
kinds
of
things
coming
up
in
the
future.
A
C
E
F
Yeah
hi,
my
name
is
Kirsten
Johnson
I'm
running
for
House
District,
50
a
so
that
runs
from
old
cedar
over
to
Columbus
everything,
north
of
86th
and
then
from
Columbus
to
France
everything
north
of
90th,
and
that's
important
to
me
because
it's
where
I
grew
up,
so
my
mom's
house
is
still
in
this
district
on
13th
Avenue.
My
first
paper
route
was
on
this
district.
F
My
first
waitressing
job
was
over
at
the
Perkins
on
lyndale
I've
had
best
friends
here,
I've
had
boyfriends
here,
I've
had
all
my
life
experiences
happen,
so
it's
something
that's
near
and
dear
to
my
heart,
but
I.
Think
a
lot
of
candidates
are
gonna
say
that
so
it
gets
down
to
why
me
personally
should
be
representing
the
city
of
Bloomington,
and
that
comes
down
to
three
issues.
Number
one
is
that
I'm
representing
a
lot
of
underrepresented
groups.
F
So
when
you
look
at
Congress
there
aren't
many
women
or
military
veterans
or
single
moms
or
Native
Americans
and
I
want
to
have
a
voice
at
the
table
when
we're
making
laws
not
just
having
them
put
on
us
and
I
want
a
spearhead
change
that
more
people
follow.
Behind
and
join
in,
Whitney
I'm
also
running
on
a
low
tax,
low
regulation
platform.
Limington
especially
got
hit
really
hard
last
year
with
taxes
between
state
county
city
and
school
board,
and
it's
something
where
I
think
state
can
set
an
example
to
really
lead
the
way
and
lower.
F
E
F
Think
there's
been
a
problem
with
gun
violence
since
the
advent
of
guns,
it's
kind
of
the
nature
of
the
weapon,
but
really
it's
been
declining
since
the
90s
and
that's
because
of
a
culture.
Shame
changed
because
we
started
realizing
things
that
can
really
address
the
actual
issues.
I
believe
that
gun
violence
is
a
symptom
of
a
bigger
disease
and
we
need
to
get
to
that
disease,
and
a
lot
of
that
covers
mental
health
cover
is
better
tracking
and
regulation.
It
covers
better
awareness
and
better
communication
and
engagement
with
the
people
in
your
communities.
F
You
know
happening
so
I
think
once
we
get
into
those
really
difficult
issues
and
really
dig
deep,
that's
gonna
start
naturally
helping
the
issues.
I
also
think
it's
gonna
be
something
that
we
can't
regulate.
Our
way
out
of
this
is
something
where
illegal
gun
owners
are
going
to
get
ahead
of
the
laws,
no
matter
what
and
the
Second
Amendment
is
still
protected
and
still
important
in
this
country.
So
it's
gonna
be
something
that
we
cannot
necessarily
do
something
just
in
the
house.
We
need
to
make
a
culture
change.
We
need
to
lead
by
example.
E
F
Think
the
biggest
thing
is
to
meet
people
where
they
are
so
it's
going
to
be
about
really
going
to
the
mediums
that
people
go
to
naturally.
So
I
think
this
is
a
great
experience
and
especially
here
in
Bloomington,
where
we're
doing
the
cable
news
channel,
but
now
they're
adapting
to
where
they
are
putting
it
on
YouTube,
and
you
can
see
it
on
Facebook
and
it's
gonna
be
on
the
web,
and
it's
gonna
be
in
these
small
snippets
that
more
generations
II
kind
of
get
their
information
where
it's
through
means.
F
It's
through
just
online
bursts
gifs
and
shorter
bytes
of
information
rather
than
sitting
down
and
watching
the
news
or
sitting
down
reading
newspaper.
But
it's
getting
out
to
every
level
and
really
digging
in
and
grabbing
people
and
I've
been
doing
that
at
the
meaning
by
example,
through
the
Richfield
Facebook
community
page,
where
it's
I've
been
engaging.
F
The
residents
I've
been
starting
discussions,
I've
been
leading
up
to
elections
and
giving
them
information
on
who's
running
and
what's
up
for
it
and
what's
happening,
and
why
your
vote
really
matters
so
I
think
doing
all
those
things
is
going
to
help
a
lot
and
continuing
to
do
those
things
and
grow
as
other
people
grow
growing
with
them
and
where
they
are
will
be
important.
Okay,.
E
A
G
The
law
of
the
land
and
currently
I
serve
on
the
Richfield
City
Council,
where
we've
made
our
city
a
more
welcoming
inclusive
place
for
everyone
with
really
an
eye
to
the
future
and
as
state
representative
I
want
to
serve
the
interests
of
everyone
in
our
community
and
build
up
a
more
equitable
future.
And
so
for
me
that
means
investing
in
our
public.
Schools
means
addressing
our
affordable
housing
crisis
and
it
means
addressing
the
urgent
need.
I'm
gonna,
balance
prevention.
G
A
You
for
sharing
the
next.
We
have
two
questions
that
our
youth
members,
when
it
asked
just
to
reminder
you
have
one
minutes
and
45
seconds
to
answer
each
question.
Your
first
question
is:
do
you
believe,
there's
a
problem
with
gun
violence?
If
so,
what
is
your
recommendations
and
resolving
the
problem
in.
G
A
word
yes
and
frankly,
it's
been
a
frustration
that
I
know.
Minnesotans
and
folks
across
the
country
have
shared
that
we
haven't
been
able
to
address
the
urgent
need
to
address
gun
violence,
we've
seen
shootings,
and
yet
our
leaders
at
the
Capitol
here
in
Minnesota
and
at
the
federal
level,
have
not
taken
action
and
it's
time
that
we
stand
up
to
the
NRA
and
take
strong
action
and
the
reality
is
there
are
things
that
we
can
do
to
address,
gun
violence
and
save
lives.
G
Number
one
I
believe
that
we
need
to
have
background
checks
on
every
gun,
know
exception
in
Minnesota,
there's
a
huge
gun
hole
loophole.
Currently
we
need
to
close
it
I
believe
we
should
ban
the
prohibit
the
sale
of
military-style
weapons
like
ar-15,
which
has
been
used
in
countless
school
shootings.
There's
no
reason
for
civilians
to
have
a
weapon
like
that,
and
three
I
support
red
flag
laws,
as
well
as
research
into
gun,
violence
prevention.
G
A
G
Minnesota
is
traditionally
a
state
that
has
high
voter
turnout.
You
know
and
I
think
as
Minnesotans.
We
like
it
when
we're
at
the
top
of
one
of
those
ratings,
but
even
here
in
Minnesota
we
can
do
a
better
job
and,
in
particular,
improving
our
outreach
and
to
some
of
our
youngest
Minnesotans
who
traditionally
haven't
had
as
high
a
voter
turnout.
G
If
we
do
a
better
job
at
creating
a
space
of
the
capital
for
our
young
leaders
to
come
and
have
a
voice
and
work
together
to
create
change,
I
think
we
can
increase
voter
participation
and
we
should
also
do
more
to
just
expand
and
make
it
easier
to
vote.
Things
like
making
early
voting
and
absentee
voting
have
been
very
positive
reforms,
and
we
need
to
continue
to
make
it
easy
and
accessible
for
folks
to
vote.
That's
folks,
power
to
have
their
vote
and
the
more
people
vote.
The
stronger
democracy
will
have
that's.
A
A
H
Hello,
everybody
I'm
state
representative,
Andrew,
Carlson
and
serving
you
in
the
Minnesota
House
is
truly
an
honor
in
a
job
I
take
very
seriously
one
of
the
most
important
parts
of
my
job
is
to
make
sure
that
state
government
works
well
for
you.
So
if
you
ever
have
any
questions
or
if
I
can
be
of
any
additional
service,
please
don't
hesitate
to
give
me
a
call.
I
do
appreciate
hearing
from
you
so
I'm
running
again
for
the
Minnesota
House,
so
I
can
continue
to
be
a
strong
voice
for
Bloomington
at
the
State
Capitol.
Thank.
A
H
The
cost
of
higher
education
is
becoming
more
and
more
of
a
crisis
for
our
for
our
students
and
I'll.
Take
a
step
back
and
talk
just
briefly
about
what
we
can
do
throughout
the
entire
educational
career
of
our
students,
starting
with
pre-k
I
was
supportive
of
a
bill
that
would
provide
for
voluntary,
free
pre-k
that
needs
to
be
expanded
throughout
the
entire
state
study
after
study
has
shown
that
the
sooner
we
can
get
kids
in
school,
the
better
off
they're
going
to
be.
We
also
need
to
look
at
and
investigate
Community
Schools.
H
This
is
a
full-service
school
that
provides
for
all
the
services
and
activities
that
kids
need
in
order
to
thrive.
We
also
need
to
provide
for
the
teacher
support
the
support
staff
so
that
kids
that
have
special
needs
are
receiving
the
help
that
they
deserve
onto
higher
education.
Our
graduating
our
graduates
are
suffering
from
crushing
debt,
so
a
loan
forgiveness
program,
I
think
definitely
needs
to
be
considered
and,
lastly,
the
legislature
needs
to
do
its
part
in
funding
higher
education.
H
A
H
It's
a
good
question
and
I
can
see
with
everything
that
we're
hearing
in
the
news
today
that
that
needs
to
be
looked
at.
What
I
can
tell
you
is
that
here
in
Minnesota
we
have
a
very
trustworthy
process,
mainly
because
in
Minnesota
we
have
paper
ballots.
So
everybody
knows
that
when
they
vote
that
their
vote
has
been
counted,
I
do
believe
in
the
integrity
of
the
process.
I
think
that
Minnesota
always
has
high
voter
turnout,
we're
usually
in
the
top
three
states
for
voter
turnout
and
that
high
voter
turnout
is
not
not
a
coincidence.
H
A
H
A
I
Thanks
for
having
me
I'm,
JD
Anderson,
my
wife,
Annie
and
I
have
four
children
ages,
eight
and
younger
that
attend
Bloomington,
Public,
Schools
I'm,
the
third
generation
of
my
family
to
call
Bloomington
home
and
I
graduated
from
Kennedy
High
School
and
then
also
attended
Normandale
Community
College
I'm
really
excited
to
get
back
to
the
House
of
Representatives.
This
year,
I
was
honored
to
serve
Bloomington
in
the
House
of
Representatives
in
2016
and
while
I
learned
a
lot
while
I
was
in
office,
I
also
learned
a
lot
being
out
of
office.
I
I
realized
that
people
just
want
to
be
heard.
They
want
their
elected
officials
to
listen
to
what
they
say
and
then
govern
and
make
laws
accordingly
and
I
want
to
do
that.
I
want
to
make
sure
my
door
is
always
open
that
everybody
feels
comfortable.
They
can
come
in
and
tell
me
their
ideas
and
we
need
everybody
to
participate
and
through
those
conversations
we
will
agree
on
some
things
and
disagree
on
others,
but
through
those
discussions,
I
think
we
can
come
up
with
good
compromises
and
continue
to
build
a
better
future
for
Bloomington
and
I.
I
Also
think
that
as
Bloomington
residents
and
residents
of
Minnesota,
we
need
to
put
the
party
politics
aside
and
really
focus
on
the
issues
that
are
important
to
people.
There's,
affordable
health
care,
affordable
housing,
good
paying
jobs,
good
quality
schools,
and
we
can't
have
good
compromise
if
we're
not
willing
to
listen.
So
everybody
needs
to
just
say
other
side
get
in
a
room
and
really
come
up
with
good
solutions
and
I
think
we
can
do
that.
I'm
really
excited
to
listen
and
I'm
really
excited
to
join
everybody
to
build
a
better
future
for
Bloomington.
Thank.
A
I
I
think
one
thing
that
we
are
doing
that
helps
defray
the
cost
of
education
is
post-secondary
options
and
getting
kids
college
credits
without
before
they
actually
go
to
college.
So
we
have
a
post-secondary
education
option
where
people
can
get
those
education
credits
and
they're
not
paying
for
them,
so
they
go
into
college
and
maybe,
instead
of
going
for
four
years
paying
for
four
years,
they
only
have
to
pay
for
three
years.
Another
great
thing
that
we
have
in
Bloomington
is
the
College
and
Career
Academy
and
there's
different
aspects
of
that
that
people
can
go.
I
There's
cosmetology,
there's
automotive,
there's
information,
technology
manufacturing,
Public
Safety.
If
we
can
get
the
kids
in
there,
they
can
go
on
their
sophomore
junior
and
senior
year
and
we
can
get
them
in
there
learning
life
skills.
So
when
they
graduated
from
high
school
they
have
the
skills
that
can
get
them
a
job
and
there's
companies
now
automotive
repair
that
are
paying
fifty
thousand
dollars
to
kids
right
out
of
high
school
and
the
longer
they
work
there.
I
They
can
make
up
to
seventy
thousand
dollars,
so
I
think
kind
of
really
pushing
those
programs
making
sure
that
everybody
is
aware,
aware
of
the
post-secondary
options
that
College
and
Career
Academy,
and
so
when
they
leave
high
school
they're
already
on
their
way
to
either
a
college
degree
or
on
their
way
there
a
good-paying
job.
Thank.
A
I
We
can
tell
by
the
primary
election
that's
coming
up
here
next
week,
is
that
we
have
record
number
of
people
that
are
early
voting,
that
they
can
send
in
their
ballots.
They
can
vote
early,
it's
up
to
200
or
300
percent
increase
in
some
cases.
So
I
think
people
are
understanding
that
their
vote
really
matters.
They
they
can
vote
early.
They
can.
They
can
mail
in
their
ballot.
They
can
register
at
the
polls.
I
There's
Facebook
posts,
there's
everything
that
social
media
is
really
pushing.
It,
so
I
think
that
people
realize
that
their
vote
is
matter,
that
their
vote
matters
and
that
they
can
go
out
and
in
these
elections,
whether
it's
fifteen
or
twenty
thousand
votes
and
they're
they're
decided
by
a
hundred
votes,
people
realize
that
they
need
to
go
and
vote
and
they
need
to
get
their
friends
to
go
and
vote
and
get
excited
and
realized
that
they
can
be
part
of
this
great
process
that
we
have
that's.