2024 State Fair Survey Questions
Fairgoers are invited to weigh in on hot political topics and meet with legislators located in the Education Building at the 2024 Minnesota State Fair. Find out more here
House of Representatives Survey Questions:
- Should students in grades K-12 be prohibited from using cell phones during the school day?
- Should firearm storage laws be expanded to specify that a person must store a firearm unloaded and equipped with a locking device or in a firearm storage unit?
- To encourage recycling, should Minnesota pass a “bottle bill” that would require a refundable deposit on each purchased beverage container such as cans and plastic bottles?
- If gambling on professional and collegiate sports becomes legal, should in-person wagering sites include both tribal casinos and the state's two horse racing tracks, Canterbury Park and Running Aces?
- State law limits when legislators can meet in session during the year. Should restrictions be lifted so the Legislature could meet at any time?
- Should the state create digital driver’s licenses and identification cards?
- Should Election Day be a state holiday?
- Should the MinnesotaCare health insurance program be expanded to include a public option to allow more low-income Minnesotans to buy health insurance?
- Should state and local governments, school districts and postsecondary institutions be prohibited from banning any visual display of rainbows, such as flags or posters, from their property?
- Should school supplies be exempt from sales taxes?
- To help address the housing shortage, should the state require cities to loosen zoning laws to permit more multifamily residential developments in commercial districts and on residential lots?
- Shall the Minnesota Constitution be amended to protect drinking water sources and the water quality of lakes, rivers, and streams; conserve wildlife habitat and natural areas; improve air quality; and expand access to parks and trails by extending the transfer of proceeds from the state-operated lottery to the environment and natural resources trust fund, and to dedicate the proceeds for these purposes?”
Senate Survey Questions:
- The 2024 Legislature required each school district and charter school to adopt a policy on students' possession and use of cell phones in school. Should students be prohibited from using cell phones in school during the school day?
- Currently, cities may pass local zoning ordinances to allow duplexes, triplexes, or accessory dwelling units (e.g. mother-in-law suites) on lots zoned for single-family residences. Should the Legislature enact statewide laws requiring all cities to approve these types of dwellings on lots currently zoned for single-family residences?
- Should owners of prime agricultural land be prohibited from converting their land to solar energy production?
- In recent years, an increasing number of local governments have asked the Legislature and local voters to approve local sales taxes to fund projects that serve users from a broad geographic area such as community recreation centers and park and trail improvements. Do you support funding regionally significant projects like these with a local sales tax?
- Should employees who stop working to participate in a labor strike be eligible to receive unemployment benefits during the labor strike?
- The 2024 Legislature established a traffic safety camera system pilot program to enforce speeding violations and traffic-control signal violations in two Minnesota cities. Under the pilot program, the owner or lessee of a vehicle that violates the law can be issued a citation. Should the legislature authorize communities across Minnesota to use traffic safety camera systems?
- Some states have passed laws to establish a statewide teacher salary schedule or a minimum salary amount for licensed teachers in kindergarten through grade 12 public schools. In Minnesota, teacher pay is negotiated between local school boards and teachers. Should Minnesota establish a minimum salary requirement for licensed public school teachers?
- In 2018, the U.S. Supreme Court struck down a near-total federal prohibition on sports betting. Since then, 38 states have authorized sports betting, including all the states bordering Minnesota. Under current Minnesota law, sports betting is illegal. Should Minnesota legalize sports betting?
- In 2018, the U.S. Supreme Court struck down a near-total federal prohibition on sports betting. Since then, 38 states have authorized sports betting, including all the states bordering Minnesota. Under current Minnesota law, sports betting is illegal. Should Minnesota legalize sports betting?
- If the next state budget and economic forecast projects a budget deficit, how should the state eliminate the deficit?
- Reduce state spending
- A mixture of reductions in spending and increases in state tax revenue
- Increase state tax revenues
- Use money from the state budget reserve
- Undecided/No opinion