From the category archives:

About Tom

Leading Minnesota in a Refreshingly Honest Way

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It’s about time we had a Governor who will be upfront with the people.
I think you deserve to know what I fundamentally believe in as you consider voting for me as your next governor. In a few words, I want to give you a sense of my governing principles and how I will lead Minnesota.

#1 [...]

What Others Say About Tom

Tom Rukavina has a reputation as a straight talking, hard working and passionate advocate for what’s best for Minnesota:
“Campaigning. Rukavina is a campaign favorite of nearly everybody. His style is agressive, humorous, and engaging. If we could market the Rukavina style in a bottle, we would never lose.
“Win in November? I didn’t give a Rukavina [...]

Liberty Before Government

I believe that government can improve people’s lives and help make Minnesota a good place to live, yet I also believe in liberty.  So for every law you make that hammers people, you have to pass one to let them breathe a little more freely.  I have worked on many bills to further the cause [...]

Minnesota Taxes and Budget

Fair, Progressive Taxes

Fair, progressive taxes based on income are the most reasonable way to fund the needed functions of government and I have authored and supported legislation consistently to make taxes fair.
I proposed legislation to add a surtax to income taxes that would blink on when during economic crises and blink off during normal economic [...]

Diversity

Equal Rights and Opportunity for Everyone

I am committed to equal rights for all regardless of race, religion, gender or sexual orientation and I have authored many pieces of legislation to ensure those rights including equal rights for domestic partners.
In funding the University of Minnesota, I included special appropriations for the cost of programs to preserve [...]

Veterans

Tax Rebates for the Disabled

To support vets who have protected this country, I authored legislation providing property tax rebates for those who are disabled
Gulf War Bonuses
After the Persian Gulf war, I sponsored legislation to give bonuses to veterans who fought in that conflict.
Tuition Benefits
To help vets reintegrate into civilian life, I have worked to increase [...]

Energy & Environment

Biomass Fuel Use

Working with local public utility plants in northern Minnesota, I authored legislation to convert them to biomass fuel use, a model that can be applied statewide using local available crops and supporting local farmers instead of sending our money to western states for coal purchasing.
To control costs and improve sustainability, I supported legislation [...]

Health Care

Prescription drugs are critical but not always affordable, so I took on the Governor and more than a dozen pharmaceutical lobbyists to give access to discounted prescriptions for families with no prescription insurance that would have saved them an average of 38% on costs.  Money to administer the program was vetoed, but I [...]

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