Paul Thissen: Innovation in Action

Thissen takes on Seifert on FOX

Rep. Paul Thissen debated keeping Minnesota’s pension promises with Rep. Marty Seifert last night on FOX 9 news (view video here).  Thissen argued that Minnesota’s police, firefighters, teachers and public employees serve the state, typically for lower than private sector wages, in return for a secure retirement.  We owe it to those who protect us to defend their pensions.

Thissen has worked diligently over the past 2 legislative sessions to keep state pensions solvent, bring greater responsibility and transparency to public pensions, and bring stakeholders together to find common ground on retirement security.  He authored a pension bailout in 2008 that protected Minneapolis teacher pensions while adding greater oversight and responsibility to the plans.

“Minnesota is a state where we keep our promises to those who serve.  We’ve taken action over the past 2 years that put us on the path to do that,” Thissen said.

Thissen has faced off with both leading Republican candidates for governor in the past 2 weeks.  Thissen and Emmer debated the future of Minnesota on MPR’s Midmorning (full audio here) on March 11.