Tim Pawlenty in Survey of Gubernatorial campaign websites, 2001-2009

On Crime: More prisons; tougher penalties for sex offenders

Proposed and signed the most comprehensive crime bill in modern Minnesota history, including:
• Better tracking and tougher penalties for sex offenders, including life in prison for the worse offenders, with no possibility of release.
• Put prisoners to work cleaning Minnesota’s highways.
• Introduced double-bunking at over-crowded prisons and preparing for a major expansion of the Faribault prison.
• Streamlining prison administration by eliminating duplicate tasks.

On Drugs: Tougher penalties for meth offenders

Proposed and signed the most comprehensive crime bill in modern Minnesota history, including:
• Tougher penalties for meth offenders, more resources to enforce meth laws and aggressive restrictions on methamphetamine-making materials plus strict new standards to clean up meth sites.
• Combined and strengthened the Gang and Drug Strike Forces.
• Introduced America’s most secure, tamper-resistant driver’s licenses.

On Education: Require Pledge of Allegiance in public schools

• Signed legislation requiring the Pledge of Allegiance in Minnesota’s public schools.
• Expanded access and increased funding for Advanced Placement (AP) and International Baccalaureate (IB) Programs.
• Repealed the Profile of Learning and raised the bar on education with: Minnesota Academic Standards--rigorous academic requirements for math, reading, science, social studies and arts.

On Energy & Oil: Encourage development of locally owned wind energy sources

• Achieved the nation’s largest tracks of certified sustainable forests, totaling over 4 million acres
• Increased the state’s commitment to renewable energy for the future through Prairie Island legislation.
• Advanced the Community Based Energy Development Tariff to encourage the development and use of locally owned wind and clean energy sources and established a goal of obtaining 800 megawatts of community based wind to be added to our electric system by 2010.

On Gun Control: Statewide background checks to carry firearms

On Homeland Security: Over $2M for National Guard and numerous military programs

Enacted historic funding for members of the military service, including:
• 100% tuition reimbursement for members of the National Guard
• Substantial bonuses for re-enlistees
• Special fund to assist military families through “Support our Troops” license plates.
• Increase of $2 million for State Soldiers Assistance Program that provides a financial assistance & medical coverage
• Service enhancement grants for County Veterans Service Officers
• In-state tuition rates for all veterans.

On Tax Reform: Supports Single Sales Tax Reform

• Opposed tax increases that would have stunted job growth in Minnesota.
• Proposed and signed Single Sales Tax Reform, a fairer tax formula that encourages employers to make investments in Minnesota.

On Education: Student standards & teacher standards

On Health Care: Expand coverage: purchasing pools &Medical Savings Accounts

On Jobs: Spur job growth by investing in Minnesota

Pawlenty’s job growth agenda includes:
1. stimulating new investments in MN businesses;
2. more aggressive deployment of the U.of MN’s research into the local economy, including support for the translational research facility;
3. stepping up investments in Greater Minnesota through tax-free zones;
4. restoring corporate responsibility and credibility; and
5. promoting and encouraging Minnesota agriculture & related industries.