Election Day is getting close!

As I look back over the last five to 10 years it is with a sigh of relief to finally be able to say that things in Minnesota are starting to look up. My (along with millions of other Minnesotans) 2014 property taxes have been reduced. The unemployment rate in Minnesota (4.3 percent) is the sixth lowest in the nation. Compare that with Wisconsin’s (5.6 percent), which is 17th. All of my adult children along with millions of other Minnesotans now have access to affordable health insurance.

Funding for education has finally stopped its 10-year downfall and is increasing. After years and years of deficits, the state’s $600 million debt has been fixed, and we now are fortunate to realize a surplus. The public schools have been paid back over $1 billion. Minimum wages are going up, getting closer to a livable wage. Minnesota joined the growing number of states who now allow all people to enjoy the benefits of marriage. Funding has increased for nursing homes and caregivers. Our lake in Albert Lea is going to finally be dredged!

Mark Dayton and Shannon Savick have both worked very diligently for the middle class, education and our community. They were instrumental in getting us to where we are today.

When families and communities do better, our schools do better.

As president of the Albert Lea Education Association, I am proud to admit we endorsed Mark and Shannon on their first run, and we are endorsing them and their progressive agenda again.

Let’s keep moving forward with proven high quality leadership!

Please vote Nov. 4.

The reason I brought up Wisconsin is because the Tea Party-leaning Republican candidate for governor in Minnesota, Jeff Johnson, has attended numerous Tea Party events, even telling the Southeast Metro Tea Party that he wants to “go all Scott Walker” on Minnesota if he were elected governor.

 

Al Helgerson

president

Albert Lea
Education Association

Albert Lea