Candidate: Arne Carlson Position: Governor Document: State Convention Speech E-Released: 8/24/1994 Governor Carlson's State Convention Speech Thank you very much. As your Independent Republican Governor, it is indeed an honor to be addressing you today. I came here today to fight... but I did not come here today to fight with you. I came here to fight for the future of Minnesota... This is a fight for welfare reform... This is a fight against a welfare system that is contributing to the breakdown of our families. As a Governor, as a father, as an Independent Republican, I will not allow this to happen. This is a fight against crime. This is a fight against a liberal system which returns violent predators to the streets. And, this is a fight against the tax and spend policies of the DFL which created a $2 billion deficit. This is a fight on behalf of every Independent Republican Legislator who helped me turn this deficit into a $623 million surplus.... and who will help me next year beat back what I know the Democrats want to do most..... RAISE YOUR TAXES. You know, the DFL is probably getting the champagne ready in anticipation of what they think we Independent Republicans are going to do this weekend. We know the Democrats don't want to reform welfare: They buried my welfare reform plan..... Let me tell you about my plan: My plan says it's not OK to have a child when you're 16. It's not OK to father a child out of wedlock. It's not OK to have children if you cannot support them yourself. But it is OK to work for a living. That's why our plan says when you come to Minnesota expecting welfare... and unfortunately many people do... you should not expect a check. Under my plan, you go out and get a job... And unlike President Clinton's plan, our proposal will cost the taxpayers nothing. We will pay for our plan by cutting welfare elsewhere. As I said, we know the Democrats don't want to fight welfare. They created this system and they like it. But, I'll tell you something: What we don't like about this system is that it destroys the American family.... and we know that broken families are the number one cause of juvenile crime. But crime.... that's something else the Democrats don't want to fight about. This past legislative session I proposed a "three- time-loser" law ... a law that would have taken violent predators off our street and locked them up for a good long time. I am proud of my fellow Independent Republican legislators who fought for this proposal. But, once again ... the DFL said NO. But we all know what the DFL is dying to say YES to: They'll say YES to raising your taxes... and they'll do it. But there's something in their way... (pull out pen).... The Big Veto.... and the Independent Republican Legislators who uphold my vetoes every time. You know they say I've thrown more vetoes than any Governor in Minnesota. That may be the case.... But I will continue to say no to big spenders like John Marty. Oh, yes... I'm familiar with John Marty. John Marty says his first priority is to restore "economic justice" to Minnesota. But make no mistake about it: economic justice is just a code word for higher taxes. It's a code word for bigger, fatter, slower government. And it's a code word that let's everybody off the hook except the poor taxpayer. Now let's talk a moment about code words... because there's somebody I'd like to put back on the hook. My Republican opponent has distorted my record on great many issues. On the issue of graduation standards and outcome-based education, let me tell you exactly where I stand. I support the traditional grading system and rigorous programs for gifted and talented students. I support the development of rigorous academic standards in English, math, science, history, and geography. Values should be taught at home or in church, NOT in our schools. Let me be clear about my standards for judicial appointments. I HAVE NO PRO-CHOICE LITMUS TEST FOR JUDGES. Just ask Terry Dempsey or Kathleen Blatz, two outstanding appointments to the bench who I happen to know are pro-life. And on this nonsense on condoms in schools: There is no state appropriation to provide condoms to school children and I would approve no such state expenditure. And I deeply resent the implication that my fellow Independent Republican legislators would have let anything like this slip by. Finally, this administration does not promote a homosexual agenda. That is ludicrous and offensive statement. This Administration does not support giving special privileges to gays and lesbians, period. The bill I signed in 1993 guarantees equal access to housing and employment to all people. To do otherwise is discrimination. But there is a big difference between discrimination and special privileges. I do not support, for example, extending benefits to domestic partners. What I do support and treasure is our heritage as the party of Abraham Lincoln. I want every child to have an equal opportunity to succeed. And I will not allow anyone to tell my 10-year-old daughter, Jessica, that she cannot be a leader, that she cannot succeed because of some artificial barrier. I told you I came here today to fight. I came her to fight for Jessica, for my baby granddaughter, Allie, for your children and grandchildren. My fight is not with you. My fight is with the Democrats whose policies will mortgage their future. Join me in this fight. Let's come together today, in September and in November. Because this is a fight we simply cannot afford to lose. Thank you very much. ---------------------------------- Carlson/Benson Volunteer Committee 1821 University Avenue West Suite 135 South St. Paul, Minnesota 55104 Phone: (612) 646-0468 Fax: (612) 646-3018 Prepared by the Carlson/Benson Volunteer Committee Wheelock Whitney & Chris Fritsche, Co-Chairs