I strongly support Kathy Green to be our next state senator. Kathy is the only candidate with the experience and record to solve the budget crisis and grow jobs in southeastern Minnesota. The incumbent, Dan Sparks, is part of a legislature that has repeatedly failed to tackle the fundamental budget problems and now leaves the state with a nearly $6 billion deficit.

Kathy Green is the only candidate with a record of solving a budget crisis. Austin Public Schools were near bankruptcy when Kathy was elected to the Austin school board 10 years ago. Kathy helped put the district back onto solid financial footing within three years by bringing people together to make tough decisions and measured cuts. As a trustee on the Public Employee Retirement Association Board, she helped craft a pension reform bill that will save Minnesota nearly $2 billion over the next five years. This is the kind of leadership we need to solve the budget crisis that threatens our jobs, schools and communities.

Kathy Green has been an outstanding leader in the Austin community for almost 30 years. She has the vision, local understanding and statewide experience to be the strong voice we need to solve the budget crisis and grow jobs. I strongly urge my fellow citizens to elect Kathy Green for state Senate.

Jason Baskin

Austin