By creating a foundation of infrastructure, education, housing and mass transit, she added, these opportunities will become more viable. She also took issue with a kind of divisive cronyism that characterized these dealings, she said-with Amazon pushing the state to make concessions to attract its business, often to the detriment of industries and companies that already invested in Minnesota. Murphy: First off, Murphy criticized the lack of transparency on the issue of the state's courting of Amazon-'If there's going to be a public process, if there's going to be a public bid, then the information should be open to the people of Minnesota,' Murphy said.In early 2018, Minnesota (specifically, the Twin Cities) did not qualify for the 20-city shortlist of cities the online retail giant was considering for its new second headquarters-an initiative that looked to bring 50,000 jobs, as well as construction spending in the ballpark of $5 billion to whichever area it was established.Ĭandidates were asked to give their thoughts on the subject of attracting huge businesses like Amazon to Minnesota. 'Are our people happy and safe and have opportunities?'

'The highest measure (for prosperity) is quality of life,' Walz said.

Walz: The former high school teacher and former enlisted soldier extolled on Minnesota's strongest resource-its people-and said he would push for bipartisan coalitions that build up the workforce in a holistic manner, through improving wages, working conditions, infrastructure, health care, housing, etc.

'It's making sure people can have a shot at a decent job, they can pay the bills, that they can have health care that isn't going to bankrupt their families, that their children can get a good, affordable education and that someday when they retire they can have a pension and a dignified retirement.' 'That's what it's really about,' said Swanson, who touted her credentials as a 'problem solver' in this regard.

Swanson: The three-term Minnesota state attorney general said government plays a vital role in ensuring people have the right social foundation-from cradle to grave-to pursue a secure, prosperous life.

That's exactly what I want to do as this state's next governor and I want to do it with you.' 'And when we use that together as Minnesotans we can build a future for the people of Minnesota. 'I grew up in a family who taught me about a powerful kind of politics about improving people's lives,' Murphy said in her opening remarks.

Murphy: The DFL-endorsed candidate for governor pointed to a career of service in the state Legislature-under both GOP and DFL governors-as well as an upbringing that emphasized the well-being of people.

Louis County commissioner, who criticised what he sees as a state hostile to business, a product of bloated, overbearing government agencies and regulations that hurt the endeavors of individual entrepreneurs.

Johnson: 'I came to give people more control over their own money, more control over their own businesses, and over their own kids and education, and over their own health care,' said the St.In their opening remarks at the Economic Development Association of Minnesota's 2018 Summer Conference session-billed as 'All Things Legislative: What to Expect Moving Forward'-each candidate was invited to introduce their compulsions for running and their general economic positions as gubernatorial hopefuls. Louis County Commissioner Jeff Johnson, were asked to expound on a number of complex topics that look to shape much of Minnesota's future.

Though this was hardly a superficial take on the subject, the candidates, including DFLers state Attorney General Lori Swanson, Rep. NISSWA-The state's gubernatorial candidates-with the notable exception of Tim Pawlenty-converged on Grand View Lodge in Nisswa Thursday, June 28, to tackle economics.

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