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John Hoffman's Issue Positions (Political Courage Test)

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John Hoffman did not provide voters with positions on key issues covered by the 2022 Political Courage Test, despite repeated requests from Vote Smart and voters like you.

What is the Political Courage Test?
This candidate has responded to a Political Courage Test in a previous election. As a continued effort to provide the American public with factual information on candidates running for public office, these archived responses are made available here.

Minnesota State Legislative Election 2020 Political Courage Test

Pro-choice a) Do you generally support pro-choice or pro-life legislation?
Yes b) Do you support legalizing abortion when the pregnancy resulted from incest or rape?
No c) Do you support the prohibition of public funds for organizations that perform abortions?
d) Other or expanded principles:
No a) In order to balance the budget, do you support reducing state employee salaries AND/OR pensions?
Yes b) In order to balance the budget, do you support an income tax increase on any tax bracket?
the Top Tier income tax earners still do not pay the same percentage and/or parity of income tax and that needs to change. The same when it comes to property tax equalization. Property poor districts have to pay more on a comparable piece of property to achieve the same State funding then those from property rich areas.
Yes a) Do you support a limit on campaign contributions to state candidates?
Yes b) Do you support the regulation of indirect campaign contributions from corporations and unions?
Yes c) Do you support the use of an independent AND/OR bipartisan commission for redistricting?
No d) Do you support requiring a government-issued photo identification in order to vote at the polls?
Yes e) Do you support automatic voter registration?
No f) Should Minnesota move toward a ranked-choice voting system?
Ranked Choice Voting should be determined locally.
No a) Do you support capital punishment for certain crimes?
No b) Should an individual under 18 accused of a violent crime be prosecuted as an adult?
No c) Do you support the enforcement of federal immigration laws by state and local police?
No d) Do you support the use of private prisons in Minnesota?
No e) Do you support mandatory minimum sentences for non-violent drug offenders?
Yes f) Do you support the legalization of recreational marijuana?
Will support expansion of recreational marijuana only when we have a robust discussion about taxing and regulation. This must include ALL individuals from local law enforcement and including civic leaders and tax regulators. Also, there must be discussion about how insurance plays into this discussion with those that have substance abuse and/or recovery with the right recovery experts.
Yes a) Do you support state government spending as a means of promoting economic growth?
Yes b) Do you support lowering state income taxes as a means of promoting economic growth?
Yes c) Do you support reducing government regulations on the private sector?
No d) Do you support requiring welfare applicants to pass a drug test in order to receive benefits?
Yes e) Do you support an increase of the minimum wage of Minnesota?
Yes f) Do you support requiring employers to provide paid family leave?
Yes g) Do you support providing financial relief to businesses AND/OR corporations negatively impacted by the state of national emergency for COVID-19?
The legislature should consider two main goals when it comes to economic development: immediate action that helps businesses survive the pandemic, and long-term policies that will help them thrive in the very new business environment that will exist once this is behind us. A tax bill could be an important economic development tool, but it must be targeted effectively at businesses and individuals who most need the financial help. A tax giveaway for corporations is not helpful. A tax incentive program for businesses that create or maintain jobs in Minnesota is more helpful.
No a) Do you support adopting federal education standards in Minnesota?
Yes b) Do you support state funding for charter schools?
Yes c) Do you support increasing teacher salaries AND/OR benefits in Minnesota?
Yes d) Should immigrants unlawfully present in the United States who graduate from Minnesota high schools be eligible for in-state tuition at public universities?
In Minnesota, we are now 2 billion dollars under investing in our education system and need to get caught up. I have always talked about funding education, having been the chief author of the all day preschool bill in 2014 and the chief author of the compensatory finance bill the same year. I miss being on education finance and policy and would love to come back in the majority and get back to where I do my best work, Education. Having said that, most decisions regarding education are done and should be done on the local level. (LEA)
Yes a) Do you support state funding for the development of renewable energy (e.g. solar, wind, geo-thermal)?
Yes b) Do you support government regulations of greenhouse gas emissions?
Yes c) Do you support increasing state funding for clean drinking water initiatives?
Yes d) Do you support state regulations on fuel economy standards?
As the Chief Author of the Clean Water Accountability Act for Minnesota in 2013 we worked collaboratively to get positive results. As a Co Author of our States increased Solar Standards, enhancing, and supporting the Renewable Energy Standard of 2008, we worked together to achieve a positive impact for Minnesota. Because of that forward thinking over 59,000 new jobs were created. Clean energy jobs grew twice as fast as overall Minnesota job growth. We can continue smart proactive policies that enhance this growth and work with regulation to achieve positive results for all Minnesotans.
Yes a) Do you generally support gun-control legislation?
Yes b) Should background checks be required on gun sales between private citizens at gun shows?
No c) Should teachers be allowed to bring guns into the classroom after passing gun safety training?
Yes d) Should a license be required for gun ownership?
When it comes to gun reform and regulation, we have not been having open conversations. If we did, I believe we could make real impactful reforms. Universal Background checks is not a partisan issue and it is one that many people on all sides of politics can see as being a reasonable piece of legislation that I can support. We need to have discussions on different legislation together to ensure examining the safety and rights of Minnesotan's from every angle together. This is how we build comprehensive and effective legislation.
Yes a) Should the state government increase funding for treatment facilities to combat opioid abuse?
Yes b) Do you support Medicaid expansion through Minnesota's health care programs?
Yes c) Do you support requiring individuals to purchase health care insurance?
No d) Do you support legislation that grants citizens the right to choose to die through euthanasia?
No e) Do you support eliminating religious exemptions for vaccinations?
Yes f) Do you support requiring businesses to provide paid medical leave during public health crises, such as COVID-19?
I want to bring about a real health care plan for Minnesota and believe its time to bring back the Minnesota Health Plan. I want to make sure those on Elderly Waivered services and those on Disability waivers are finally offered the same level of health care without having to deal with a spend down. MA SPEND DOWN has to go away. We still have people who are penalized if married and that restriction because of a disability is discriminatory. MNCARE could have been expanded at a far less cost then what was offered in 2018 with reinsurance.
Yes a) Do you support the inclusion of sexual orientation in Minnesota's anti-discrimination laws?
Yes b) Do you support the inclusion of gender identity in Minnesota's anti-discrimination laws?
Yes c) Do you support greater efforts by Minnesota state government in closing the pay gap between men and women?
Yes d) Do you support expanding anti-discrimination laws to include hair textures and protective hairstyles?
Yes e) Do you support legislation that prohibits sexual orientation conversion therapy for individuals under the age of 18?
When Minnesota passed the Women's Economic equity bills, I was honored to be a co author of one of the bills that was included. That same year, Governor Mark Dayton developed, the Young Women's Cabinet which authored the Blue Print Action plan with 20 key recommendations engaging cross-sector partners from nonprofits, businesses, government, universities, philanthropies, and young women in strategies to eliminate disparities in outcomes for young women of color, American Indian young women, LGBTQ youth, young women with disabilities, and young women from Greater Minnesota. This started to address intersectionality and needs to be expanded.
We must put aside political bickering and focus on what is important to our communities. Affordable and accessible health care, fully funded schools and building up local business is the Minnesota Way. It should never be a polarized divide. As your state senator, I will continue to be your bi partisan leader. I will keep working across party lines to deliver real results to Brooklyn Park, Champlin and Coon Rapids. We do Better working together. That isn't just a slogan it is a reality and can be achieved with over 90% of my bills bipartisan. That is my commitment.
Education Equity- Our area still provides more for less and I will bring forth my Compensatory Education bill including property tax equalization statewide. Medical Assistance Spend down and HHS Reform- We still have individuals that are kept in poverty to maintain their health insurance this is evident in our Elder population; those on Elderly Waivers. Expanding our State investment is needed as Minnesota is a 50/50 State meaning we get a match from the Federal Government for our State investment.

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