Aging – where do Minnesota’s Gubernatorial candidates stand on it?  The Minneapolis Star Tribune did a Q&A series called "It’s About Our Future" with the major candidates and asked each of them the following question:

What must Minnesota do now to prepare for the dramatic aging of its population expected in the years and decades ahead — which could, among other things, increase long-term care costs and cut tax revenues?

Following are each candidate’s response:  [NOTE:  Ecumen also sent questions to each candidate.  Tom Horner was the one candidate who responded with answers.  You can read them here.]

Tom Emmer, Republican

Minnesota is the best place in the world to live and raise a family. It is also the best place to retire, and more Minnesotans will be doing so in the coming years. That will mean fewer Minnesotans in the workforce and more demand for government services.

Raising taxes isn’t the answer to these demographic changes — growing our economy and creating new job opportunities is. Minnesota has to become more competitive, more productive and more attractive to new and established businesses. Economic growth will result in population growth to fill the economy’s need for a skilled workforce. Higher taxes are a short-term fix that will create greater problems in the future.  Workforce quality will become more important than ever. Reforming our education system to ensure more accountability and better results will help. The better educated our workforce, the higher our productivity will be. And more productive workers are better paid, which in turn will generate the revenue to fund what we expect from government.

A robust economy will provide the foundation for a better future. Higher taxes and more government are a recipe for a slower economy and fewer jobs for Minnesotans.

Mark Dayton, Democrat

Between 2010 and 2020, the number of Minnesotans who are 65 or older will increase by 40 percent. This means we need to change the same old way we have been doing things. For example, there are common sense — and cost-effective — solutions to help our elders live at home longer. Minnesota has made significant advances in its utilization of "Elderly Waivers," which fund home- and community-based services for people age 65 and older who need the level of care provided in nursing homes but who want to continue Advances in technology can help people keep track of their elder parents who are living independently with the confidence that their parents will receive immediate help in emergencies. This approach is a win-win; it expands options for people and saves money.

If I’m governor, my lieutenant governor, Yvonne Prettner Solon, will establish a "Seniors Service Center" in her office, which will provide one toll-free number that seniors can call for immediate help with state or federal programs or other needs. Our center, too, will help our seniors live their retirement years with peace of mind and security.

We also need to think more broadly about the tremendous assets that our seniors bring to their communities. People past the traditional retirement age of 65 still have major contributions to make — as business leaders, advocates, classroom volunteers, mentors to small businesses, and contributors in the arts and civic endeavors. Most retirees have many years of energy and experience still to offer their communities. We all stand to benefit enormously from their contributions.

Tom Horner, Independent

The next governor should be a leader in creating a national reform model, changing how older adult services are delivered and how they are funded.  Among my priorities are the following:

• Create more home-based, community and institutional care settings to provide a range of options to meet the needs of older Minnesotans, with a priority on helping people stay in their own homes — to "age in place" — for as long as possible.
• Streamline oversight of long-term care, assuring that high standards are being met but eliminating some of the costly overlap in regulatory agencies. With this, however, has to come strong consumer protection for older Minnesotans.
• Create new incentives for individual savings. One option is to adapt the popular college savings program (the so-called 529 plans) for older adult care. These plans give tax incentives for savings but allow flexibility in how the funds are used.

Beyond care reform, though, Minnesota will need to be a leader in other areas:

• Assure lifelong learning opportunities for those Minnesotans who want to stay in the workforce.
• Promote the expansion of access to high-speed broadband, allowing more Minnesotans — including older adults — to work from home.
• Continue to provide transportation alternatives to the car. More seniors will need more transit options.
• Reform the tax system. With more Minnesotans no longer earning wages, a consumption-based tax system will be fairer for all.