Economic vitality doesn’t just help the business community, it’s the key to the University’s future, said Norm Coleman, Republican gubernatorial candidate.
Coleman said he’ll strengthen the state’s economy by cutting taxes and creating jobs, which will generate more revenue for state-supported schools like the University.
While the New York native doesn’t offer financial aid programs like other candidates, he said his plan for a strong economy offers more: jobs for University graduates.
The governor can influence and veto the University’s budget from the state Legislature. Coleman said he thinks the University is an economic engine in the state and he supports Yudof’s vision for the school, though he refrained from commenting on dollar figures for the 1999 budget proposal before the Board of Regents approved it.
Coleman also favors bolstering elementary and secondary schools to reduce the need for remedial education in colleges and universities. However, he said he supports the General College because it provides access to an education in line with the University’s mission as a land grant institution.
Coleman is serving his second term as mayor of St. Paul, but his first as a Republican. Coleman switched from the Democratic-Farmer-Labor Party to the Republican Party following disagreements on policy issues and political advancement.
He worked in the attorney general’s office under his opponent for the governor’s seat, Hubert H. “Skip” Humphrey III, for 17 years.