Bill Fisher
Democrat | Minnesota
Candidate Profile*
Liberal
*Additional information appears below for educational purposes; however, only data received prior to the candidate deadline was considered during Panel Evaluation.
BIOGRAPHY
Name
Bill Fisher
Party
Democrat
Election Year
2022
Election
General
Race
State Rep., Dist. 31B
Incumbent
No
Links
EDUCATION
Winona State University, Winona, BA: Mass Communications and Political Science, 1995
Normandale Community College, Bloomington, AA, 1992
John F. Kennedy Senior High School, Bloomington, HS Diploma, 1989
WORK & MILITARY
Candidate did not provide
AFFILIATIONS
Candidate did not provide
POLITICAL OFFICES HELD
N/A
POLITICAL OFFICES SOUGHT
N/A
Race
ENDORSEMENTS*
*These endorsements were received after the deadline and were not considered in the Panel Evaluations and are for additional educational purposes only.
LIBERAL (4)
*Progressive Turnout Project
SEIU Minnesota
*Minnesota Democratic Farmer Labor Party (DFL)
Education Minnesota PAC
OTHER (2)
*NASW-MN Chapter
MN DFL Senate District 31
REPORTED BY CANDIDATE (6)
Planned Parenthood
Education Minnesota
Service Employee International Union
Out Front Minnesota
Mom's Demand Action
OTHER INFORMATION
QUESTIONNAIRE
RIGHT TO LIFE
Under what circumstances should abortion be allowed?
A woman's (or anyone's) right to make their own individual decision regarding their healthcare is between the individual, their doctor and higher power PERIOD.
Abortion providers, including Planned Parenthood, should not receive funds from federal, state, or local governments (including Title X grants).
Strongly Disagree
I support 'aid in dying' laws which legalize assisted suicide and euthanasia.
Agree
ECONOMY
What changes, if any, should be made to the tax code?
Increase tax credits for children 16 and under. Open to learning more on the elimination of taxation of Social Security Benefits. Tax Credits to business that invest in Green Infrastructure --fleet conversion to electric vehicles, infrastructure investments such solar power and wind power conversion.
What government spending would you reduce in order to balance the budget?
I would ask each department to look to eliminate 3% and ask the mainline state workers where the waste and where efficiency could be improved. Every private industry I've worked in there is waste and ways to be more efficient government should be no different,
Taxpayer-funded public education should be guaranteed through college.
Agree
I believe pre-K thru 2 year College, Technical School or Trade Apprenticeship.
RELIGIOUS LIBERTY
Individuals and businesses should be required to provide services even if it would violate their moral and/or religious beliefs.
Agree
Under what circumstances can government close churches?
If they fail to comply with the recognized standards of what is recognized as a church.
HEALTHCARE
What most closely matches your view on healthcare: A) Healthcare for all should be guaranteed and funded by the government with no private healthcare option. (includes "universal healthcare," "medicare for all," etc.) B) Healthcare insurance funded by the government should be available for all who want it, along with private healthcare options. C) Medicaid and Medicare should remain available, but no other taxpayer-funded programs are necessary. D)Tax-payer funded health care should be abolished in all forms, and Medicaid and Medicare should be de-funded.
The United States is one of the only industrialized countries in the world without Universal Healthcare. It would take the burden off business and level the playing field with the rest of the world. I believe it is immoral to healthcare a for profit business.
Under what circumstances (if any) should a government, school, or employer be allowed to require vaccinations?
When there is a threat of a spread of a communicable disease.
NATIONAL SECURITY
What should the United States do to help eradicate the threat of Islamic terrorism?
The United States should provide support, assistance and expertise to participating States and civil society to promote democracy, rule of law, human rights and tolerance and non-discrimination.
I support the Boycott, Divestment, Sanctions (BDS) movement to pressure Israel to withdraw from occupied territories, remove the separation barrier in the West Bank, allow full equality for Arab-Palestinian citizens of Israel, and promote the rights of Palestinian refugees.
Neutral
IMMIGRATION
The U.S. should do more to physically secure the southern border.
Disagree
A physical barrier is more symbolic than it's effectiveness in keeping people from wanting to immigrate.
Who should be allowed to immigrate to the U.S. and under what circumstances?
Any foreign citizen that can comply with current visa and immigration laws. With the exception of the indigenous population, the entire country was founded by immigrants.
EDUCATION
I support school choice, including voucher programs, tax credits, charter schools, private schools, and home schools.
Disagree
VALUES
Judeo-Christian values established a framework of morality which is necessary for our system of limited government.
Disagree
I support adding gender identity as a specially protected class in non-discrimination laws.
Strongly Agree
Marriage is a God-ordained, sacred and legal union of one man and one woman. No government has the authority to alter this definition
Strongly Disagree
In terms of Government marriage is a legal union not specified by sex.
I agree with Critical Race Theory (CRT) which asserts that the institutions in the United States are fundamentally racist.
Agree
CRT is a dog whistle topic. Our history has shown that there has been institutional bias and racism. That is not theory that is fact. By presenting our history from records of actual events from multicultural perspectives could help to creating a better future or at least to keep us from committing the same mistakes.
Briefly describe your spiritual beliefs and values.
I was raised Catholic but consider myself agnostic. I have study many different religion and find value, beauty and mystique to settle or identify with any particular faith or church. I believe we should treat EVERYONE with love and respect (ironically the tenet of most religion). However, I believe that everyone has a right to their own religious beliefs but do not have the right to force their beliefs on others. I believe in the separation of church and state.
ELECTIONS AND VOTING
People should be able to vote without photo identification.
Strongly Agree
It is not currently required currently. We have one of the most highly regarded election laws here in Minnesota now, no need to change.
What laws would you propose to change present voting practices?
I believe that Election Day should be a National Holiday.
EQUALITY
Is racism a threat to domestic security in the United States? Why or why not?
Absolutely, currently the biggest threat to the United States currently are domestic terrorist whose fundamental values are race based and anti American.
Reparations should be given to people on the basis of race.
Neutral
ENERGY & ENVIRONMENT
Which comes closest to your view? A) Stricter environmental laws and regulations cost too many jobs and hurt the economy. B) Stricter environmental laws and regulations are worth the cost.
B. Protecting the environment is in the best interest to everyone and everything.
I support the use of hydraulic fracking to extract oil and natural gas resources.
Disagree
ABOUT YOU
What do you think is the general purpose of government?
The purpose of government is to provide essential services, fulfill the fundamental duties of safety, prosperity, and justice, ensure the rights of each individual citizen.
When you consider your views on a wide range of issues from economic and social matters to foreign policy and religious liberty, which of the following best describes you overall?
Lean Liberal
Please provide publicly available information, including interviews and media reports, validating your answer to the previous question (other than your website).
n/a
Have you ever been convicted of a felony or been penalized in either civil or criminal court for sexual misconduct? If so, please explain.
n/a
What else would you like voters to know about you, including your legislative priorities?
I want to represent that folks in my district that want to protect an individuals right to choose their own healthcare. I believe that every child in the state of Minnesota deserves a quality education regardless of zip code from pre-k through a 2 years of college, tech school or apprentice program. I support a workers right to organize and bargain. I believe that a person working full time should earn a living wage. I support investment in state Infrastructure as it creates jobs and facilitates commerce for the state. I believe in my district 31B we need to fast track investment in road improvements to Hwy 65. I believe in offering scholarship to individuals pursuing careers in areas of critical need such as healthcare and education. I believe in protecting out environment and natural resources for future generations. I think politics has become too polarizing. I negotiate resolutions daily in my current career. It starts with points of agreement, I would like to be part of a collaborative effort in building the future of the great state of Minnesota.
CRIMINAL JUSTICE & PUBLIC SAFETY
Police officers should be personally immune from prosecution for conduct consistent with departmental policy (qualified immunity) while on duty.
Agree
Key distinction is within departmental policy.
I support redirecting funds from police departments to mental health and community programs.
Disagree
I believe resources should not be taken away from Police but additional mental health resources should be given to help our police.
2ND AMENDMENT
What restrictions on gun ownership are needed to protect public safety?
I believe that we should elevate the status of "AR" type weapons to handgun level age limit of 21. If one wants to use or train prior to 21 join a branch of the military. I believe in background checks, red flag laws in threats of harm and domestic abuse history. We need to restrict the manufacture of "ghost" guns. I do believe in the 2nd Amendment but I do believe that common sense restrictions should be put into place.
Victims of gun violence should be able to sue firearms dealers and manufacturers.
Neutral
