Mike Parry says he's ready to get to work

The newest elected member of the Minnesota Senate says he's ready to get to work.

Republican Mike Parry won Tuesday's special election in southern Minnesota to replace Dick Day, who's retiring to become a lobbyist for gambling interests. Parry said he supports adding casinos at the state's two horse tracks.

"I believe it's a voluntary thing," Parry said. "People can do what they want to do as far as if they want to gamble they can gamble. We're not forcing them."

Parry said he thinks the Legislature can erase a $1.2 billion budget deficit by cutting spending. He said he couldn't specify which programs he would cut.

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