Klobuchar and Demuth Pledge No Tax Hikes in Minnesota Forum
Gubernatorial candidates Amy Klobuchar and Lisa Demuth pledged not to raise taxes during an economic forum hosted by the Minnesota Chamber of Commerce.
Democratic U.S. Senator Amy Klobuchar and Republican House Speaker Lisa Demuth pledged not to raise taxes if elected governor of Minnesota during a candidate forum on October 19. Hosted by the Minnesota Chamber of Commerce in East Gull Lake, the debate focused on economic priorities, government spending, and the state's regulatory environment.
Demuth criticized the growth of the state budget under Governor Tim Walz and proposed firing all state commissioners to eliminate a "culture of waste and fraud." She advocated for reducing regulatory hurdles and mandates to lower property taxes, arguing that current permitting delays have driven businesses to other states. Klobuchar proposed a comprehensive tax system review and suggested pursuing economic growth and agency reform to maintain fiscal stability without tax increases.
Both candidates agreed on the necessity of AI guardrails, though Klobuchar emphasized training workers for "AI-proof jobs." They also found common ground on the need to combat fraud in state programs and expressed openness to using state funds for professional sports stadium projects. While Demuth suggested limiting the state's paid family and medical leave program to assist businesses, Klobuchar expressed a willingness to review and improve the existing system.
