State Rep. Pat Garofalo, a Republican from Farmington, is considering a run for the Dakota County Board of Commissioners, reports ThisWeek newspaper.
First elected to the Legislature in 2006, Garofalo is now chair of the Education Finance Committee.
He told the paper he’s interested in the seat that will be vacated by Joe Harris, who’s been on the board since 1981 but isn’t seeking reelection next year.
Garofalo said several people have encouraged him to run for the office, but declined to name names.
Said the story:
He said working as an elected official at the county level appeals to him for several reasons.
An advocate of local control, Garofalo said he likes the idea of maintaining a “laser like focus” on the community where he lives.
“At the state, you’re dictating policy for 87 counties and hundreds of school districts,” Garofalo said, referring to some state legislative actions as “top-down control.”
In addition, he said he likes Dakota County’s fiscal discipline, as exemplified with its rare triple-A bond rating and low property tax rate.
And, working as a county official, Garofalo said, would allow him more time with his family.
“The Legislature is not family-friendly,” he said, referring to late-night floor sessions.
Anything like his party’s “laser-like” focus on jobs this past session?
Great he did his best to wreck the state, now he plans on returning and doing the same to Dakota County! Arrgh!
Garofalo actually was elected in 2004, as noted here: http://www.house.leg.state.mn.us/members/members.asp?id=12262
One wonders whether part of his reason is that as a county board member, he could have ribbon-cuttings on his literature, whereas as Education Finance chair, he is simply offering modest amounts to schools, which are then borrowed against to balance the budget.