North Dakota state senate candidates for District 43 discussed a number of topics relating to seniors Monday at the Grand Forks Senior Center as part of a series of candidate forums.
The topics touched on echoed those covered last week by District 17 state legislative candidates: Meals on Wheels, the Homestead Tax Program and the Housing Incentive Fund.
Both District 43 candidates - incumbent Sen. Lonnie Laffen, R-Grand Forks, and former Sen. JoNell Bakke, D-Grand Forks, were given 30 minutes to speak and answer any questions posed by the 10 seniors in attendance.
Laffen spoke first, saying Meals on Wheels, a meal delivery service for senior citizens, is an important program for many seniors because it allows them to stay in their homes, which is a huge cost saver compared to moving into assisted living facilities.
He added he’d like to see increased funding for both the Homestead Tax Program and the Housing Incentive Fund in order to help seniors to afford housing.
ADVERTISEMENT
“Our housing costs are rising dramatically,” he said, pointing to increases in construction and population in the area.
Bakke, who last served as state senator from 2006 to 2010 before being ousted by Laffen, also advocated for more funding for the three programs.
She added she was in support of a bill creating a tax credit for people who rent their housing. Bakke noted Laffen voted against a similar bill in 2013.
She added Laffen voted for a bill giving tax cuts to oil companies, which she said she wouldn’t have supported.
Laffen was unable to comment on these statements because he had to leave to catch a flight immediately after speaking.
The Senior Center’s next candidate forum will be held next Monday at 1 p.m. and host candidates for the commissioner of agriculture.
