Paul Thissen: Innovation in Action

MN’s Closer

One-Minute Videos (Nos. 1-6)

SMART NEW LEADERSHIP

We have built an incredibly strong state-wide campaign.

First of all, it’s built on hard work and energy. We have gone out in 2009 to 83 of our 87 counties, most of them several times, met with thousands of Minnesotans. And you know what? The lesson I take from Massachusetts is you win elections by working hard and bringing a lot of energy to it. That’s what we’ve done, and that’s what we’re going to do.

Second is, it’s built on a simple message. And that is: our job is to rebuild Minnesota and its economy. And we have to do it in a way that works for middle-class families.

It’s built on the idea that what happens inside the Capitol, what happens over there, doesn’t matter as much as what happens in real people’s lives. And we’ve got to get away from the political gamesmanship, whether it’s within our own party, or whether it’s within our state government. And I’m committed to doing that.

And the last thing is we’ve got to understand that politics as usual won’t cut it anymore. We have built a campaign that is about bringing new ideas — rising to the task of meeting the challenges of this state.

Smart leadership. Smart new leadership. That’s what I have to offer you. And I’d really appreciate your support.

BUDGET SOLUTIONS

I think we all agree that jobs is the first job of the next governor. But I think it’s important that it’s not just any job, but good paying jobs that a family can live on. Because you know what, the way we have to rebuild this economy is to get away from what we’ve been doing for 15 years and focus in on the economies of middle-class families. And letting them succeed. Key to that is a good-paying job.

The second thing — and this is the key I think to solving our budget crisis. We do have to address taxes, we do have to address getting people back to work, but we have to get health care costs under control. They are going up 20 percent. They’re squeezing out our ability to invest in anything else.

If you’re conerned about college tuition, look at the slope of increase in health care costs in our state budget, and the slope of decrease in our investment in higher education. They’re identical but in opposite directions. That’s what we have to get after.

The last thing, which I think we really have to do if we want to do anything, is restore trust in our government. The public doesn’t trust government to do things. And that is opening up government, making it more transparent, moving decisions to the local level, and making sure people are getting engaged.

And that is really up to all of us.

HOW TO GROW

As we get our budget back under control, the places that I would invest our money are early childhood, higher education and our transportation infrastructure, because that is the future of our prosperity in this state.

But two other things we really need to think about. The first is there’s a lot of benefit we can get by incorporating our colleges and our universities more — closely integrated with the rest of our communities. You know I was just speaking with someone earlier here who was saying that the graduates of the urban design classes in this university serve 90% of the cities in this state. Those are the kind of stories we’ve got to get out there. Because there’s a connection between our institutions and the larger community and we need a governor who understands that and is going to connect that more.

The second thing we need to do is we’ve got to stop the brain drain from this state. One way to do that is to model a program in Maine that says that if you go to school in Minnesota, and graduate, and stay here in Minnesota, you’re going to get a tax credit against repaying your tuition. That keeps people here in Minnesota, especially in greater Minnesota. And that’s about –[TIME]. Thank you.

A PLAN FOR REVENUE

As I’ve gone around the state, everywhere the number one issue that people talk about are increasing property taxes and what that’s meaning for their schools and for their cities. We need to move away from reliance on property taxes and move back to a fair state-level tax. And I think that is a winning issue for Democrats next year because people are incredibly frustrated. But that’s the first place to go.

We need to look at the income tax, and I think if you ask Minnesotans: Is it better for someone making $300,000 to pay maybe $300 a year more, as opposed to taking a hundred bucks out of someone’s pocket who’s living on $1200 a month? I think most Minnesotans would say yes, that’s the direction we need to go.

The second thing we need to do is get people back to work, But the third thing we need to do and I can’t say this enough, is we do need to get health care costs under control. It’s a third of our budget today, in 20 years it’s going to be two-thirds if we don’t do anything about. And think about what that means for your ability to invest in your schools, or in this college, or in public safety. We need to change that around. And we can do it — not by the way the governor did, throwing people off of health care — but paying smarter for health care. And there’s no one in this race [TIME] that knows more about that than I do.

GETTING RESULTS

Experience in the tough partisan environment at the Capitol, I think, is a really important qualification for the next Governor. Because it is tough, and it is partisan.

But I’ve only been in the legislature seven years. I’ve been in private practice before that, and I’ve actually continued my law practice while I’ve served in the legislature. I haven’t made a career out of politics.

And so coming into that atmosphere, particularly as a member of the minority for my first years, was an eye-opening experience. Because that’s not how things are done in the private sector — people figure things out. I got a lot done as a member of the minority. It’s one of the greatest blessings I had, coming in, not being a member of the majority. Because you learn to work across the aisle.

I want to share one story with you. Representative Seifert, who’s likely to be the governor’s candidate on the Republican side, has made a career out of welfare-bashing. And would get up on the House floor, year after year, making these arguments. Last year I said, -I’m going to give him a hearing, in committee, let the light of fact shine on what he’s talking about. When we did that his arguments fell apart, except for a few, and I actually had to change my mind on a few things. And we passed those things.

Focusing on the facts, allowing transparency and openness, that’s how you get stuff done. And that’s the kind of leader I want to be for you.

PLAYING TO WIN

I’m State Representative Paul Thissen.  And I’m running for Governor because I think that our party, and our state, has been playing not to lose for too long. And I think it’s time we start playing to win.

And as an example, you know there’s are 80,000 kids in this state that don’t have health care coverage tonight. And I think that’s absolutely wrong, as I’m sure most of you do.

So last year, despite the fact that there was a lot of legislative fear over the budget deficit, a hyper-partisan environment, a just-say-no governor, I stood up and said -We have a moral obligation in Minnesota to make sure every child can see a doctor or nurse when they need to.

And because I stood up, we passed a law that means tonight 20,000 more kids have health care coverage.

You know we have a lot farther to go, and I’m committed to making sure we get all the way there. But I think it’s that kind of decisive leadership that we need in this state. A clear vision, tested in the partisan environment over at the State Capitol, and with a record of delivering results and not just excuses.

That’s the kind of governor we need to lead us out of this crisis we’re in. That’s the kind of candidate that we need to win in November. And that’s what I want to offer to all of you.

Who is Paul Thissen?

My ancestors came to this state in the 1860s, settling in western Minnesota. And my family still owns this farm, which my Dad grew up on and which my grandparents settled years ago, during the Great Depression.

I grew up in Bloomington, a typical suburban kid, and I’ve lived all my life in Minnesota, except for the four years that I spent in college at Harvard, and the three years at the University of Chicago law school, where I met my wife, Karen.

Minnesota is where I’ve always wanted to make a life. Karen and I are now raising our three kids here. And after moving back, I didn’t have a political career in mind. But public service has always been an important part of our lives.

I served as a state public defender, and built a legal career at the law firm of Briggs and Morgan, where I focused on business law, but was also proud to chair our pro bono committee. And I’m really proud that, during my tenure, we doubled the level of free legal services that we provide to nonprofits all across the state, and also to low-income Minnesotans.

Then, eight years ago, I began to feel that I could make a difference in my legislative district, which includes Richfield and parts of South Minneapolis. To win the race in a district that has a strong independent streak and that voted for Jesse Ventura in 1998, I knocked on every door, most of them several times, and I campaigned by listening to what people had to say.

To me, that kind of hard work is the only way to win elections. And listening is the only way to govern effectively.

So I’m a citizen and an elected official and a husband and the father of three kids, but maybe the simplest answer to who I am is that I’m my parents’ son.

My Mom and Dad taught for sixty years between them in Minnesota’s public schools. My Mom in Bloomington and Richfield, and my Dad in St. Paul. And in my legal career, and through my community involvement, and now in government service, I feel as if I’m continuing their life’s work.

My parents dedicated their professional lives to building and strengthening the community institutions that bind us together, and make sure that everyone has an equal opportunity to succeed. And they raised me to understand that as the highest calling that there is. So that’s really who I am and where I come from.

A Day on the Road

[ . . . September 24, 2009.  Ladies and gentlemen, Representative Paul Thissen.]

Thank you very much. I’m Paul Thissen, I live in South Minneapolis.  My wife and I are raising our three kids there.  And I represent Richfield and Minneapolis in the State House,  where I chair the Health and Human Services Committee.

And I’m running for Governor because Minnesota’s economy  isn’t working for too many Minnesota families.  Everywhere I go across this state,  families that I meet are struggling,  they’re concerned, they’re facing deep economic insecurity,  whether they have a job or not.  They’re tired of seeing their friends and neighbors  losing their jobs and their homes  They’re tired of seeing college tuition rates rise out of control.  They’re tired of seeing health care costs spiral.  They’re tired of seeing family farms going under.

But most of all they’re tired of a Governor and his allies whose only answer to their concerns is to say “no” “no” and “no” over and over again.  And I’m tired of that, too. I’ve been in the State Legislature leading the fight, in the trenches, on issues of restoring economic security to Minnesotans.

As the result of legislation that I’ve passed in the face of fierce Republican opposition, tens of thousands of Minnesota kids can now see a doctor or a nurse when they need to. Pensions and retirement savings, because  of legislation I’ve passed, are safer and more secure in this state.

We need a Governor who can point to a proven record of success of actually passing legislation, getting things done, to move Minnesota  back to an economy that works for everybody.  I’m proud of the fact that I have carried and passed  legislation that covers more Minnesotans than anybody in this race.  And a lot of the ideas that folks are talking about at the table is in legislation that I’ve already passed.

But this race is not going to just be about the issues alone.  It’s a once-in-a-generation opportunity for our party.  This race is going to be about the heart and soul of Minnesota. The Republicans are going to frame this election around scarcity and limitations, telling us that we can’t afford to be great anymore and we have to settle for middle of the pack.I don’t buy that, and I don’t think anybody in this room buys it or should buy it.  If we’re going to win this race,  we need to appeal to the best in Minnesotans.

You know I grew up in Minnesota. My folks were both public school teachers. I was raised to believe that this is a special, extraordinary state, and I think most Minnesotans believe that as well.

We need a candidate and a Governor who is going to challenge Minnesotans again to think big and creatively about our future.  Who is going to approach and tackle our problems  from the perspective of abundance, and not scarcity.  Who will approach the issues with the big picture in mind and see the interconnectedness between every person’s life in this state and the public policies that we adopt.

The last thing I want to say:  When I go around the state what people are asking is, -How are we going to endorse someone who can win a general election and be trusted to govern with DFL values?  I think that I can be that person. This can’t be a next-in-line election. The voters that I’m talking to are saying -We need a fresh start in this state. -We need new ideas, we need a fresh face. -We need new voices out there.

It’s a great honor to be in this race, I’m excited and energized about where we’re going to head as a state, and I look forward to talking to you more. Thank you very much.

Minnesota’s Age Wave: The Vision

Combine longer life expectancies with the size of the baby boom generation, and it shouldn’t be surprising that the next several years promise historic changes in Minnesota.

Here in St. James and throughout southwestern Minnesota we’re already seeing that future. People over now make up about 20% of the region’s population. The rest of Minnesota is not far behind.

In the next quarter century, Minnesota’s over-65 population will expand nearly twice as much as all other age categories combined. There’s never been anything like this in the history of our state or anywhere else.

When we think about our future, we tend to overlook this seismic demographic shift. And we simply can’t afford to do that. We’ve got to innovate on health care, on housing, on transportation, on building communities where older Minnesotans can stay in their homes, live dignified lives close to their loved ones whenever possible, and contribute for as long as they can in their own neighborhoods.

As your next governor I will move aggressively to make that vision a reality. In the Legislature, I’ve already been at work preparing for the age wave, leading the way with creative solutions to support family caregivers, encourage more saving for retirement and long term care, and empower communities like St. James to develop tailored local solutions to an aging population.

We can’t get caught flatfooted by the age wave. It will demand our next governor’s energy and focused attention. It already has mine.