Western, central and northern Minnesota under windy, dry weather conditions 

MPR News helps you turn down the noise and build shared understanding. Turn up your support for this public resource and keep trusted journalism accessible to all. 

Turn Up Your Support

State Rep. Marty Seifert, R-Marshall, a GOP candidate for governor, says he wants state government to stop requiring cities and counties to carry out costly new rules and regulations.

Seifert invited three county commissioners to a news conference today, where he proposed a moratorium on unfunded mandates to local government and small businesses. He said the plan was modeled after one recently introduced in New Jersey. If elected governor, Seifert said he would issue an executive order on day one to stop mandates. He also plans to introduce a mandate-reduction bill in the 2010 session.

As an example, Seifert pointed to a state requirement that all counties, rural and urban, hire a weed inspector.

Seifert also talked about the gubernatorial campaign, including his search for a running mate.

Seifert told reporters that he's asked about two dozen people if they'd want to be included on his list of potential lieutenant governors. He partially confirmed 

that state Rep. Laura Brod, R-New Prague, recently turned him down. But he insisted she was only asked to be one of several people on the list. Seifert added that one or two others also said no.

Seifert said he plans to announce a running mate by late March, well ahead of the state GOP convention.

Seifert also distanced himself from an effort to convince another GOP gubernatorial candidate, Rep. Tom Emmer, R-Delano, to run instead for attorney general. One of his supporters recently sent out an invitation to join the "Draft Tom Emmer for Attorney General" Facebook group. But Seifert said he had nothing to do with the effort.

Politics and Government News

Capitol View®

Tim Pugmire

Author

GOP gubernatorial hopeful holds news conference.

Seifert talks mandates, running mates

Go Deeper.

Like this?

News you can use in your inbox