State of Minnesota Archives: on Technology
Al Franken:
Apply oil subsidies to upgrade transportation infrastructure
Among the issues the candidates discussed Wednesday:Transportation: Franken said he would free up money to upgrade transportation infrastructure by ending subsidies for oil and gas companies
and reducing spending on upgrading our nuclear weapons arsenal.
McFadden said the money would have to come from general revenues as part of an overhaul of the tax code.
Source: Twin Cities Pioneer Press on 2014 Minnesota Senate debate
Oct 8, 2014
Amy Klobuchar:
Opposes recent FCC decision to eliminate net neutrality
Net Neutrality: Require internet providers to provide equal access to all users?
Klobuchar: Yes. Opposes recent FCC decision to eliminate net neutrality.
Newberger: Unknown.
Source: 2018 CampusElect.org Issue Guide on Minnesota Senate race
Nov 1, 2018
Jason Lewis:
Prioritizing highway spending instead of urban light rail
Twin Cities' traffic is getting worse. According to a new MNDOT report congestion is set to jump again in 2015 by 2%, with highways now clogged nearly 1/4 of the time in rush hour. Believe it or not, some area roadways are congested 5 hours per day.
But before we rush to raise gas taxes, shouldn't we first stop diverting up to $6 billion or 17% from the federal highway trust fund away from roads and bridges?
Prioritizing federal highway spending on where 95% of commuter trips occur--instead of on the $1.9 billion light rail scheme, hiking trails, and urban planning--would be a good first start towards solvency.
Yet federal spending on such projects has increased 38% since 2008, according to the Wall Street Journal. We need to solve our infrastructure problems and new revenue streams should be found, but we have to be serious about our priorities.
Source: 2016 Minnesota House campaign website JasonLewis2016.com
Nov 8, 2016
Lori Swanson:
Crucial need to repair and modernize infrastructure
Poor roads cost Minnesota motorists $1.2 billion every year in extra car repairs, and the average Minnesotan wastes 40 hours a year stuck in traffic. 40% of our 4,800 bridges are at least 40 years old, and 50 percent of our highways are at least
50 years old. We need to improve our roads, bridges, and mass transit networks. Minnesota needs a modern transportation infrastructure to bring products to market and to allow people to get to and from work and to go about their daily lives.
Source: 2018 Minnesota governor campaign website LoriSwanson.com
Jul 4, 2018
Mark Dayton:
Investing in transportation infrastructure improves business
Another crucial area of investment is in transportation. Minnesota suffers today from the failed legacy of twenty years of declining investments in our highways, roads, and bridges; in our public transit systems; and in other critical infrastructure.
Our decline has been worse than most other states, which means we are falling further behind in what I consider one of the most important "business climate" measures: the quality and capacity of our transportation systems and other infrastructure.
It doesn't have to be that way. Look at our Metropolitan International Airport, where new investments have been made continuously during those same twenty years. It's not perfect, but it's remarkable.
Virtually an entire new airport has been constructed while continuing to operate the old one. It is rated one of the best-managed airports in the country and even the world.
Source: 2011 Minnesota State of the State Address
Feb 9, 2011
Mark Dayton:
$6B investment in highway projects & infrastructure
[Some of] the most important investments we can make are in transportation and other infrastructure improvements. I have spoken about the need to improve our state's highways, roads, bridges, and public transit systems during every one of my previous
State of the State Addresses.Roads, highways, and public transit are to our state's economy, like arteries to the human body. If the arteries are healthy and efficiently transport blood, oxygen, and nutrients throughout the body, everything works at
its best. If, however, the arteries become decrepit or clogged, the body's performance suffers.
Minnesota is at a critical juncture with its transportation systems. Our investments are inadequate to maintain even their current conditions, much less to
expand them. My transportation funding proposal would not only generate that $6 billion of additional revenues for state highway projects; it would also provide an additional $2.8 billion over the next decade for improvements.
Source: 2017 State of the State address to Minnesota Legislature
Jan 23, 2017
Scott Jensen:
Banned by TikTok: "Sure feels like being canceled"
Jensen was banned by TikTok for spreading COVID-19 misinformation against its guidelines, the company said. "It's really pretty confusing, but it sure feels
like being canceled," Jensen said. "I've said it more than once and I'll say it again. If it can happen to me, why couldn't it happen to you?" he added.
Source: Insider.com on 2022 Minnesota Gubernatorial Race
Mar 11, 2021
Tim Walz:
Supports Net Neutrality (equal access to Internet)
Q: Net Neutrality: Require internet providers to provide equal access to all users?
Jeff Johnson (R): Unknown.
Tim Walz (D): Yes.
Source: 2018 CampusElect.org Issue Guide on Minnesota Governor race
Oct 9, 2018
Tina Smith:
Helped rebuild collapsed Interstate-35 bridge in Minneapolis
Smith, the lieutenant governor, is a former marketing professional who served as chief of staff to former Minneapolis Mayor R.T. Rybak. She worked at the mayor's office in 2007, when the Interstate 35W bridge collapsed in Minneapolis,
and played a role in helping rebuild the bridge in the months that followed.Smith has worked with Dayton since 2010, first on his campaign and as his chief of staff and later as his running mate.
Source: Politico.com on 2017-18 Minnesota Special Election
Dec 6, 2017
Royce White:
Use anti-trust to break up big tech, social media companies
I know there are some readers who are shocked to read that there is a COVID-19 power grab and deceit. That's only because the media is in on it: part of the globalist scam, skillfully suppressing the truth. I am in search of truth and lifting of the
veil of censorship. The big tech and social media companies have damaged our nation's spirit--and therefore, they must be broken up by using anti-trust laws created for just such a condition as we face today.
Source: 2024 Minnesota Senate campaign website RoyceWhite.us
Jul 2, 2024
Jeff Johnson 2018:
Moratorium on light rail; focus on first-class bus system
Transportation is the lifeblood of Minnesota's economy. By employing common sense and long-term planning there is no reason we can't achieve great roads and solve our broader transportation issues without breaking the bank.
The Johnson Administration will put a moratorium on light rail and focus transit money on a first-class bus system. In the Metro, I'll base my transportation funding decisions on projects that relieve congestion and provide mobility to the citizens.
Source: 2018 Minnesota JohnsonForGovernor.org campaign website
Sep 1, 2018
Royce White:
Big tech and social media companies must be broken up
I am in search of truth and lifting of the veil of censorship. The big tech and social media companies have damaged our nation's spirit--and therefore, they must be broken up by using anti-trust laws created
for just such a condition as we face today. We have faced this evil down as a Free People before with great success, and We, the People, will succeed together once again.
Source: 2026 Minnesota Senate campaign website RoyceWhite.us
Jul 23, 2025
Page last updated: Feb 07, 2026