Ron Shimanski aims to hold line on spending

This fall will find Republican State Rep. Ron Shimanski working his proverbial tail off. It’s not just election season: It’s apple picking time.

Shimanski, who owns and operates an orchard northwest of Silver Lake, has been doorknocking close to home, but has avoided hitting Hutchinson until after the primary election. With a full slate of City Council and County Board candidates pounding the pavement prior to the Sept. 9 vote, Shimanski doesn’t want his message to get lost in the din.

Much of Shimanski’s work during his first term in the Legislature has centered on his roles on policy and finance committees dealing with agriculture, rural economies and veterans affairs.

He helped pass bills to increase benefits for returning veterans, including young soldiers going to college. Shimanski’s committee work also included funding University of Minnesota research on sustainable agriculture. “That will help small farmers,” he said.

Leadership goals
If re-elected, Shimanski’s top priorities include keeping government spending in check and pursuing more equitable distribution of education funding.

Minnesota is a good place to live, Shimanski said, because the quality of its health care and education rank high in the nation. But the key to future economic health is holding the line on taxes. “One of the biggest complaints we hear is the taxes in Minnesota are too high,” he said.

Shimanski wants to encourage economic development through a fair tax policy that entices established businesses to stay in Minnesota, and encourages new businesses to start here.

For more on this story, see the Leader’s Aug. 28 print edition.

(Jorge Sosa is a staff writer for the Hutchinson Leader. He can be reached at sosa@hutchinsonleader.com)