This weekend was like a dream come true for me because I got to campaign for Paul … in Spanish! We went to the La Feria Latino Family Resource Fair which had all kinds of fantastic information booths on education, job training, healthcare, arts etc, combined with a farmers market and fun fest. I spent two years doing social work in Latin America, and it was wonderful to be able to use my Spanish. People were so nice to indulge me and let me practice. Lucky for me, Paul couldn’t understand what I was saying because I did mention more than once that he is probably the only candidate who has won a Salsa dance contest (I made him take lessons with me one year). Just another way in which he is uniquely qualified to lead Minnesota!
As always, we look forward to seeing you on the campaign trail.
This is Nine Mile Creek in Bloomington. When I was a kid, my neighborhood friends and I spent long summer days exploring these banks all the way down to the Minnesota River.
Those are great memories, and I know every Minnesotan has a similar story. Outdoor experiences like that, and access to tranquil natural places of solitude and reflection, should be every Minnesotan’s birthright.
I believe the overriding goal for Minnesota’s approach to environment policy must be conservation and sustainability. Making sure that we are responsible stewards of the remarkable natural resources we have in our state, so that they remain for my kids and yours.
And we must apply that ideal beyond the traditional environmental issues of air and water and noise and waste. Sustainability is also the goal in our energy and transportation policy, and in the long-term project of creating of creating vibrant, healthy communities in every part of our state.
As in nature itself, these seemingly disparate things are all vitally interconnected. On our website, and in the companion video, I explain more of my thinking on protecting Minnesota’s magnificent natural environment.
I’m Paul Thissen, and I welcome your thoughts and ideas.
I should have known that our kids would inherit their dad’s obsession with mini-donuts (OK, now the candidate’s secret is out!). It has become our innocent little ploy to get the kids excited about many a campaign event. Whether it be a fun fest, carnival or yesterday’s Meeker County Fair, just the mention of mini donuts turns reluctance into exuberance! Yesterday’s fair was awesome. Old fashioned horse drawn carriage, great rides, demo four-wheelers for the kids to climb on, generous game judges who rewarded the kids’ near misses with stuffed animal prizes, and of course …. lots of mini donuts!
We look forward to more minis and great conversations on the campaign trail in the upcoming months. Hope to meet everybody soon!
Minnesota’s next governor will get a unique chance to convert the growing public awareness of our connection to, and reliance on, a healthy environment into meaningful, leading-edge reforms. It’s important that we get this job done right.
My record of public service reflects both the dedication and the depth of knowledge that we’re going to need to seize the momentum on environment policy.
In my first term in the legislature I became an early, active, and strong advocate for renewable energy. Our subsequent progress on that issue has been personally rewarding.I’ve also been very concerned about our state’s waters. I was the Chief Author of legislation that significantly reduced the sources of phosphorous in lakes and streams. And I’m proud to have earned perfect scores from Conservation Minnesota for several years.
I know from experience that our state can lead by example, both nationally and globally, on how to integrate environmental policy with energy, agriculture, transportation, and the economy.
From the Governor’s office, I’ll prioritize three things:
First we need to meet or beat the targets for reducing greenhouse gas emissions by 2015. Of course climate change is a global issue, and Minnesotans can only do their part, but we absolutely have to be part of that change. It will be good for our environment and for our economy.
Second: diligent stewardship of the gift that was last year’s Legacy Amendment to the Minnesota Constitution. As Governor, I’ll make certain that we don’t squander this historic opportunity to preserve and improve water, habitat, and natural places. And I’ll make sure that those dollars are used for nothing less than the full benefit of all Minnesotans.
Third: the next governor needs to understand energy issues in all of their 21st-century complexity. In simplest terms, we need to move aggressively in the direction of distributed energy generation from local renewable sources using smart grid technology and and every other new resource available to us. And we need to shape our policy so that the wealth and ownership remain in our communities.
We have a great opportunity and we can’t afford to mismanage it. Real progress toward protecting our natural world has never been more within our reach. But leadership from the governor’s office will make all the difference.
This weekend was like a dream come true for me because I got to campaign for Paul … in Spanish! We went to the La Feria Latino Family Resource Fair which had all kinds of fantastic information booths on education, job training, healthcare, arts etc, combined with a farmers market and fun fest. I spent two years doing social work in Latin America, and it was wonderful to be able to use my Spanish. People were so nice to indulge me and let me practice. Lucky for me, Paul couldn’t understand what I was saying because I did mention more than once that he is probably the only candidate who has won a Salsa dance contest (I made him take lessons with me one year). Just another way in which he is uniquely qualified to lead Minnesota! 
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