For Immediate Release, Bloomington, MN – April 13, 2009 – Contact: Carrie Lucking

Thissen releases education plan – ‘Student Bill of Rights’

State Representative Paul Thissen, DFL candidate for governor, announced his comprehensive education plan today in honor of American Education Week.  The  wide-sweeping plan proposes much higher education funding, an aggressive strategy to close the achievement gap, and an effort to broaden the curriculum that Minnesota students learn.

“It’s time to stop bashing teachers and start proposing real solutions for our children,” Thissen said.  “We’ve been pretending that starvation is school reform for nearly a decade.  It is time to comprehensively address the challenges of underfunding, the achievement gap, and accountability in ways that make sense.”

The “Minnesota Student Bill of Rights,” as outlined by Thissen, is as follows:

1.  Every child in Minnesota will receive a high-quality, 21st century education, regardless of where they live, what race they are, or how much money their family has.

2.  The State of Minnesota will fulfill its Constitutional obligation to fully and fairly fund public education from early childhood through college.

3.  Every child in Minnesota has the right to the early care and learning opportunities necessary to start school successfully.

4.  Our children will have access to high quality after-school and summer programming that promotes their success in school.

5.  Every Minnesota student will have access to, and be prepared for, higher education that meets his or her learning and career preparation needs.

6. Our schools will offer a broad curriculum that includes core competencies in math, science, reading and writing, but also emphasizes the arts, citizenship, technology, physical health and foreign languages.

7.  Every Minnesota child will be taught by high-quality, dynamic teachers who are well-trained, certified, and supported.

8.  Class sizes in Minnesota will be reasonable so that our children, and their parents, can build personal relationships with teachers who know them and understand their individual strengths and learning styles.

9.  School Boards, school administrators and teachers will be given local control to make decisions that best protect the children in their communities.

10.  Parents and the broader community will be invested and involved in Minnesota’s schools.

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You can read a summary of the plan here.

Paul Thissen represents Richfield and South Minneapolis in the Minnesota Legislature.  He is a DFL candidate for Governor.

We are proud to announce 3 key community leader endorsements for Paul Thissen for Governor.  It was a very difficult decision, and one that these leaders thought about carefully.  In the end they decided that Paul is the strongest candidate for Governor.

“For me, the deciding factor was when he came to my Rope Power performance.  I want a governor who works hard and shows up,”  Emily Thissen, 11, said.

Griffin Thissen, 8, made his endorsement of his dad after a canoe trip.  “He steered the canoe carefully through some very rough water.  I think he can steer the state in the right direction, too.”

Evan Thissen, 6, was probably the toughest to convince to make an endorsement.  “It was a hard choice, but my dad is great.  He’s the right choice.”

All 3 endorsers attend Burroughs Elementary School in the Minneapolis School District.  They are well-connected in the volleyball, soccer, and math communities – key constituencies in the upcoming DFL endorsement contest.

The Thissens have endorsed different candidates in the past, but this time, they decided to move as a block, intending to carry greater influence into the DFL State Convention.

The press release of the Thissen endorsements concluded, “We believe that our dad is the right person to lead our state.

Happy April Fools Day,

Gia Vitali – Thissen for Governor Campaign Manager

Carrie Lucking – Thissen for Governor Communications Director

For Immediate Release

March 30, 2010

Thissen earns superdelegate endorsement

State Representative Paul Thissen, DFL candidate for governor, announced on a live webchat last night that State Senator Ken Kelash is endorsing his campaign for Governor.

Kelash is a long-time member of the Carpenter’s Union and Building Trades.  He’s been active in the AFL-CIO and is known as a labor leader in Minnesota.  He’s served in the Minnesota Senate since 2008.

Full text of Kelash’s statement is as follows:

Dear DFLer,

Dealing with Minnesota’s budget crisis next year will require a strong pragmatic leader, with a proven record of hard work and understands the challenges we face.  Rep. Paul Thissen’s experience and talent are more than enough to meet the difficult problems the next Governor will face.

I appreciate the work of all my DFL friends who ran in the crowded field for Governor.  Rep. Paul Thissen stands out as the leader in that field. Paul is the kind of leader that Minnesota needs right now.  He’s got a proven ability to get things done in the hyper-partisan environment at the state capitol.  He listens to Minnesotans and he works hard on behalf of working class Minnesotans – last session providing an extension in health insurance coverage for those who lose their jobs, making sure that government is being more efficient, and earning top ratings from labor organizations.

Paul understands that jobs for hard working Minnesotans drives our State’s economic engine.  That’s who Paul represents in the Legislature and it’s who he will serve as governor.  And Paul works for all Minnesotans, not just those at the top.

I urge you to join me in supporting Paul Thissen as the next governor of Minnesota.

Thank you,

Sen. Ken Kelash

Thissen adds this endorsement to his current superdelegate supporters and a growing list of high-profile endorsers like Former Minneapolis Mayor and Congressman Don Fraser.  He also has endorsements fro the Minnesota Nurse’s Association, Take Action Minneosta, and eQuality Giving.

“I am honored to have Ken’s support.  It is heartening to know that pragmatic leaders who care about working families, like Ken does, see my candidacy as the best chance to take back the Governor’s office,” Thissen said of the endorsement.

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Paul Thissen represents Richfield and South Minneapolis in the Minnesota Legislature.  He is a DFL candidate for Governor.

Contact: Carrie Lucking

March 29, 2010

Bloomington, MN

Thissen holding live webcast tonight, announcing superdelegate support

State Representative Paul Thissen, DFL candidate for governor, announced today that he will hold a live webchat tonight from 7-8pm.

The webchat will take place at http://www.ustream.tv/channel/thissen-netcaucus. This is the Thissen campaign’s third webcast.  The last webcast was targeted at college students.  Thissen announced support from a young DFL activist and superdelegate, Dan Weinand, during his campaign’s first webchat in November 2009.

Tonight’s webcast is for DFL activists, delegates, and alternates to the DFL State Convention.  Thissen will also announce the support of a superdelegate on the webcast this evening.

Paul Thissen represents Richfield and South Minneapolis in the Minnesota Legislature.  He is a DFL candidate for Governor.

March 23, 2010

IT’S TIME TO STOP PLAYING POLITICS WITH GAMC

Governor Pawlenty continues to play politics with General Assistance Medical Care (GAMC) and expects the legislature to blink once again.  Today, he issued a letter threatening to do what his goal has been all along — namely, to balance the state budget by dropping health care coverage for tens of thousands of the most vulnerable Minnesotans and inflicting more damage to hospitals across the state.

Minnesotans should stand up to his threats and bullying.  Because of the federal health care reform bill passed and signed this week, another more reasonable solution exists.

The legislature and Governor should agree to extend GAMC until June, 2010; something already contemplated in the “compromise.”  Then, in the next few weeks, a new, workable proposal to serve those currently served by GAMC can be crafted, using the new federal dollars to the extent possible.  The proposal can be developed in an open and transparent process that includes the providers who actually serve these patients.

It has become clear that the GAMC “compromise” will not work.  We’ve heard that from hospitals and other providers from all across the state.  We have heard that from advocates for the clients currently served under GAMC.  We should not enact bad public policy simply because of a “deal” reached behind closed doors.

The federal health care reform bill passed this week allows Minnesota the opportunity to get an immediate 50% federal match to serve the people now covered under GAMC.  The details and implications of that proposal need to be explored, but it is not an option that should be rejected out of hand as the Governor proposes.

We need to set aside politics and solve this problem for Minnesotans.

March 16, 2010

State Representative Paul Thissen earned the endorsement of eQuality Giving, a national LGBT organization that raises money for candidates who support equal rights and an end to discrimination based on sexual orientation.

Paul was chosen by eQuality Giving due to his excellent record on civil rights, strong campaign team, and growing momentum in his campaign.  In the organization’s words, Paul earned the endorsement because, “…Minnesota could have marriage equality by passage of a bill and signature from the Governor. Thissen, who has delivered pro-equality legislation and who is a strong contender that can win, promises to be that governor if elected.”

Thissen said, “I am proud to receive eQuality Giving’s endorsement.  I look forward to the day when organizations that have to fight for equal rights and against discrimination no longer have to exist.  I am willing to do the hard work as an ally to make that happen,”

He concluded, “Minnesotans believe in fundamental fairness.  We have a strong sense of justice. We need leadership that appeals to these proud virtues as opposed to divisiveness and distrust.”

Further information is available about eQuality Giving and their endorsement of Thissen on their website: http://www.equalitygiving.org/.

Paul Thissen Statement on Forecast and Unemployment

Let’s not lose perspective.  A billion dollar deficit and hundreds of thousands of Minnesotans out of work is not good news.  On top of that, 8,000 veterans and 32,000 vulnerable Minnesotans run out of health care in less than 30 days.   It’s time for leaders to stop spinning and start solving problems in a way that is rooted in reality.

As opposed to selling Minnesotans a false sense of security, we need to bring real economic security to real Minnesota families.

Paul Thissen chairs the Health and Human Services Policy Committee. He’s serving his 4th term in the legislator, representing House District 63A (Richfield and South Minneapolis). Paul is a DFL candidate for governor in 2010.

Minnesotans don’t want a state where we are leaving our most vulnerable neighbors behind, but that is just what Governor Pawlenty is doing. Middle class families are feeling the deep squeeze of the current economy. The governor’s proposals to eliminate affordable health care for working Minnesotans, to cut quality child care for working parents, to make college less affordable, just tightens that squeeze.

Minnesotans have a more generous vision of the responsibilities we owe each other as citizens. As public leaders, we should enact a budget that reflects that value and that gives Minnesotans hope for a brighter, more secure future. Unfortunately, the governor’s budget does not do that. His political blinders continue to keep him from seeing that there are other alternatives to the cuts he is proposing. It’s time Minnesotans stand up and stand together for a better vision of our state.

FULL MEDIA RELEASE

Response from Rep. Thissen on Governor Pawlenty’s Final State of the State Address

I went into the State of the State address hopeful and unfortunately the Governor’s address was predictable and I left disappointed.

I agree we must slow the growth of spending by spending smarter. I agree we must create jobs. I agree we must maintain funding levels for education. I agree we must cap the unsustainable rate of property tax increases.

But, I don’t agree with the governor’s path.

His proposals to cut are just as predictable as the legislature’s reaction to his speech. Governor Pawlenty’s priorities are clear but he consistently misses the point.

Health care isn’t about insurance, it’s about care.

We can’t create just any job. We need to create good paying jobs; jobs that deliver meaningful income that allow individuals and families to contribute to our economy, not just get by.

We can’t just keep education funding levels flat, we must invest. Minnesotans have already felt the pain of Governor Pawlenty’s cuts. And he promises more with his budget on Monday.

We need a governor that is going to find creative ways to ease the pain to his constituents, not further the burden by eliminating programs and cutting deals with corporations.

Under a Thissen Administration, Minnesotans can expect a progressive tax system, investment in early and higher education and a health care system that delivers on behalf of the patient, not a corporate bottom line.

Bloomington, MN — Rep. Paul Thissen’s campaign for governor announced today that it has brought in more than $370,000 from nearly 1900 donors since beginning the campaign just over a year ago.

“I am incredibly grateful and encouraged by the financial support of so many Minnesotans from across the state, especially during these difficult economic times,” said Rep. Thissen. “Their support has strengthened my commitment to building a better future for Minnesota’s families.” “Our fundraising success shows once again that Paul’s message is reaching voters across Minnesota and our campaign continues to grow,” said Gia Vitali, Thissen’s campaign manager.

“The generosity of our donors has allowed us to hire a strong field team to complement our growing and enthusiastic volunteer base. We have come farther, faster than any campaign in the race, and we are confident that our momentum will keep growing right through the general election in November.”

Thissen looks forward to receiving the endorsement of the DFL party at the Convention in April, 2010 and has pledged to abide by their decision. “I strongly believe that I am the candidate who can unify our party following the convention this spring and take back the Governor’s office for the DFL in November,” said Thissen.

During the campaign, Thissen has traveled extensively across Minnesota, visiting 83 counties and talking to thousands of Minnesotans. In October 2009, Thissen received the endorsement of the Minnesota Nurses Association. Thissen chairs the Health and Human Services Policy and Oversight Committee in the Minnesota House of Representatives.

MEDIA RELEASE (.pdf)