Calvin Larson Jr
IndependentQ1 If elected, in what capacities would you refer to scientists when you are deciding how to vote on a policy?
“If it regards natural resources and peoples health, i will seek the opinions of experts in the stated fields to better understand the good, the bad and the ugly of new proposals. If it regards monetary policy, i would not be open to listening to the experts.”
KEYWORDS: Research, Determine, Act
Q2 Recently H.J. Res 140 passed, overturning a 20-year mining ban in the National Forest System land surrounding the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness. What is your position on mining projects in this region and what policies, if any, would you support to protect the surrounding watershed?
“Keeping the boundary waters free of mining in any capacity and preserve the state’s natural resources and not to exploit them. Keep foreign interests out of the state’s interests.”
KEYWORDS: Protect, Preserve, Restore
Q3 Contamination from PFAS and other “forever chemicals” in 21 community water systems in Minnesota exceed national regulations, putting residents at risk of negative health impacts. What policies, if any, do you propose to protect Minnesota residents from the potential impacts of PFAS?
“Ban PFAS for creation and use in the state of Minnesota. PFAS have repeatedly been linked to cancer and contaminating water sources.
Citizens are subjected to PFAS for corporate profit and not safety.”
KEYWORDS: Safety over profit
Q4 There have been multiple hyperscale data centers proposed throughout the state, including one currently under construction. What policies and regulations, if any, do you support to assess and act on the potential impacts of these data centers?
“Repeal the Data Center “sales tax exemption.”
Artificial Intelligence Transparency Act
- Require a disclaimer for companies using AI on the building and website stating the purpose for the AI.
- Information deletion policy, after 30 days AI must delete all personal data on the individual.
- Ban on social score/public rating.
- AI must be used to improve working conditions and not as a replacement for workers.
- Companies utilizing AI must develop training and safety policies for AI and its use.
- Prohibition of AI accessing healthcare data (medical bills, treatment, medical history)
- A human must approve of all decisions of an AI (Accountability)
- Require company disclaimer to employees of use of AI in its purpose, functionality and applications in the job.”
KEYWORDS: Inform, Regulate, Safety
Q5 In 2025 alone, the National Institute on Health (NIH) awarded over $700 million for research grants and contracts to Minnesota universities, which directly supported over 7,000 jobs and $1.79 billion of economic activity in Minnesota. What policies, if any, do you plan to implement or support regarding funding for continued science research either at the state or federal level?
“State will continue to fund scientific research regardless of federal cuts. More funding on the state level will be required to continue the amount of research currently.
Establishing a “surplus investment program” could help fund scientific research. The Surplus Investment Program or SIP would use funds from a state surplus to be invested in stocks, bonds, or CDs to promote future growth in the budget by generating money instead of purely spending it. Between the years of 2022-2026 if this program was created in 2022 and invested 5 billion of the 11.5 billion in surplus funds, this program would have profited approximately 2.5 billion in 5 years. This could have kept us out of a budget deficit in 2027 and had money for new programs into the future.”
KEYWORDS: Surplus Investment Program
Q6 Fatal drug overdoses in Minnesota have significantly declined in recent years, representing a 28% drop from a record peak of 1,392 overdose deaths in 2022. However, compared to White Minnesotans, Indigenous Minnesotans are 7 to 15 times more likely to experience a fatal drug overdose, while Black Minnesotans are 2 to 3 times more likely to die from a drug-related overdose. What policies, if any, do you support to continue the downward trend of overdose deaths for Minnesotans?
“Low income communities tend to be farther from Hospitals and Police Departments, this could potentially lead to the stat discrepancy stated above.
Minorities have always faced disparities in treatment for health and the law. Racism plays a big role.
Drugs should be treated as a health problem and not a legal problem.
Drug possession offenses should require addiction treatment on the first 2 offenses as the “punishment.””
KEYWORDS: Treatment, Disparities, Racism