9/10/2009 6:01:00 AM Thissen is running for governor in 2010
(D) Rep. Paul Thissen is running for governor in 2010.
by Per Kvalsten BP Times Reporter
A year ago, Paul Thissen (D) Rep. announced his run for the gubernatorial spot that will be vacated by Tim Pawlenty next year.
Last fall, Thissen decided it was crucial that he run for Governor of Minnesota.
"I think we need a governor to use his/her power to empower the people of Minnesota," Rep. Thissen said. "The current governor has taken the power away from the people. That's the only way we can make the changes we need to make."
Rep. Thissen has four make-or-break issues. One is controlling health care costs and access to medical facilities.
The second is investing in Early Childhood Education. "It's a no brainer for the state, there are huge payoffs down the road," Thissen said.
The third is an economic development plan to allow small businesses to receive credit and thrive. The goal is to keep the wealth in the community.
The fourth is the aging population.
Economic security is very important to Thissen. Making sure people know their money is safe, including their retirement accounts, Thissen takes seriously.
Thissen, who represents Richfield and South Minneapolis, was first elected to the State House of Representa-tives in 2002. He has been the Chair of the Health and Human Services Committee since 2007 and is proud of the work he has done.
Rep. Thissen's education and road to public service began after graduating from Harvard University and the University of Chicago Law School.
Some of his more memorable accomplishments include being the chief author of the Children's Health and Security Act, a bill that gave 40,000 kids healthcare. He also has been influential in preparing for the "Baby Boomers" retirement and what that will do to transportation, healthcare and housing.
"I have been a real leader in the sounding the alarm," Rep. Thissen said.
For small towns like Blooming Prairie, Rep. Thissen's goal is to keep Main Streets strong, or revitalize the Main Streets that need it, and keep jobs in town.
He has proposed tax incentive pools of funds. Local investors will help to keep businesses open and local.
Other options being looked into for small town Minnesota are health care malls, which are store-front once-a-week locations for doctors to come to town and see patients with little overhead; also, agriculture strength is very important to Rep. Thissen.
He has been involved on boards for several organizations, serving on a domestic violence board, pro bono and with an environmental group.
Thissen also has a Law Practice in the Twin Cities.
Rep. Thissen grew up in Bloomington and graduated from Holy Angels High School. He met his future wife, Karen, in law school. They were married in 1993. Together they have one daughter, Emily (10), Griffin (7) and Evan (6), and the family lives in South Minneapolis.
Rep. Thissen's father, Frank, and brother, Chris, both are Blooming Prairie High School graduates.
According to a statement on paulthissen.com, "Paul's hopes for Minnesota are simple and reflect the basic Minnesota values instilled in him since childhood. He wants to make sure that our state continues to be a place where our kids have the same opportunity to learn, grow and succeed that we did and where our parents can live their lives with independence and dignity. He will continue to fight for those values now and in the future."
