Political junkies attending the State Fair always rush to the Education Building to find the state Senate booth so they can fill out the annual poll on important state issues.  Well, maybe they don't really rush.

The questions for this year's poll (PDF) are now ready, so study the ballot carefully in advance — the way you study the sample ballots for each election. Then vote early and often at the fair, which runs Aug. 26 to Sept. 6.

Most of the questions — prepared by the nonpartisan Secretary of the Senate's office — are pretty wonkish. Here are some examples:

• Should commercial dog and cat breeders be licensed by the state of Minnesota and their facilities inspected by state inspectors?
• Do you think debt collectors should be required to verify they have the correct debtor and the correct amount of the debt before filing a lawsuit against an alleged debtor?
• When there is a budget shortfall, how should the Legislature resolve it?
  
  a Increase state revenue.
  b. Reduce state spending.
  c. A combination of a and b.
  d. Undecided/No opinion.
• Is it important for the Minnesota Legislature to resolve the Vikings stadium issue before their lease expires at the end of the 2011 season?
  a. Yes, because the team will likely be sold or relocated.
  b. No, the team will likely remain in Minnesota.
  c. This issue is not important to me.
  d. Undecided/No opinion.
• Would you support an increase in the state income tax if the money generated was used to reduce your local property taxes?
• If the 2011 Legislature decides to cut funding to resolve a general fund budget shortfall, currently projected to be 15% of the budget, which areas should be cut? The percentages of the general fund budget are listed in parentheses. Select up to three budget areas:
  a. E-12 Education. (37.1%)
  b. Higher Education. (9.2%)
  c. Health and Human Services. (29.6%)
  d. Property Tax Aids and Credits. (9.7%)
  e. Corrections/Public Safety. (5.9%)
  f. State Government. (2.1%)
  g. Transportation. (0.5%)
  h. Environment/Pollution Control. (1.1%)
  i. Economic Development. (0.9%)
  OR select one of the following
  j. I would only support equal cuts across the board.
  k. I oppose any further cuts in state spending.
  l. Undecided/No opinion.