Dear Friend,
I am excited to announce that I am running for House 5A in 2018. I want to return and continue working on your behalf in St. Paul and am asking for your support. As your former Representative, I have the experience and name recognition needed to take back this seat. But I know my voice is stronger with supporters like you behind me.
I’m a Veteran, (Commander of American Legion Post 284, Cass Lake), father, and grandfather. Since graduating from Bemidji State University, I’ve had a long career as a water quality specialist dedicated to making sure our children and grandchildren can enjoy clean water.
I believe the best way for Democrats to regain the House is to fight for a progressive agenda built on social and economic justice for every Minnesotan. Democrats must elect leaders who will use their common sense for the common good of all Minnesotans.
I spent eight years bringing northern Minnesota issues to St. Paul and working for solutions. As your Representative, I will continue to keep fighting on your behalf and for all Minnesotans for things like affordable healthcare, livable wages, a first-rate education system, and support for our veterans.
We need to train our next generation of workers and that means funding for Bemidji State University and Northwest Technical College. Cities and counties need Local Government Aid (LGA) they can count on – it is the most effective way to keep property taxes down. And we need a long-term solution to funding roads, bridges and public transportation.
Will you join me by supporting my campaign with a donation of $35, $50 or even $100 today?
The State’s Political Contribution Refund Program is back after a few years’ hiatus, and that means every Minnesotan can donate up to $50.00 ($100.00 per couple) to a political party candidate or party unit and receive every dime back in the form of a refund from the State.
It is a cost-free way for average citizens to stay involved in the political process. It is important to note this is a way to recognize that regular people, not big corporate donors, should be the ones calling the shots. This refund program allows everyone – including those with limited financial resources – to help get their preferred candidates elected to represent them.
You can send a donation to: Citizens For John Persell, PO Box 322, Bemidji, MN 56619. If you prefer to use a credit online, use our secure donation form. After filling out the proper paperwork, within a couple weeks you will get a full reimbursement (of $50.00 or $100.00 per couple) from the State of Minnesota.
I can assure you this Vietnam Veteran intends that our government remains of the people, by the people and for the people. Please help by contributing to my 2018 DFL Victory campaign. Funding always helps, as does every effort to get our voters to the polls in November 2018.
Miigwech/Thank You
Sincerely,
John Persell
Issues
Education
Minnesota must continue to improve on our K-12 graduation rates and that means starting at the beginning with Statewide funding for universal access to early childhood learning. Kindergarten through high school must be funded to meet the needs of all school districts, including the funds needed for student transportation. We must ensure, to the best of our ability, that funding intended for classroom education not be used to bus students to and from school.
Infrastructure
Our State is a decade behind on the infrastructure fix it list. Statewide infrastructure needs often fly under the radar until something breaks. A water main break or a bridge closure can give us renewed appreciation of how infrastructure propels both our quality of life and business environment. We must dedicate sustainable funding to meet our sewer, water and transportation needs in order to ensure quality living opportunities and our economic vitality.
Health Care
I believe that access to quality affordable health care is a basic human right, not a privilege. Our transition to a single payer, universal health care system should logically begin with single payer because it is there that funding to help pay for universal coverage can be found.
Veterans’ Issues
As a Vietnam Veteran, I understand the many challenges faced by our Veterans and their families every day. I will continue to fight in St. Paul to ensure funding for Minnesota Veteran’s programs, job training, housing and transitional assistance. We need to care for those who have borne the battle and I will proudly continue to serve my fellow Veterans.
Affordable Housing
We must ensure the well being of our children, elders and families to the best of our ability. That means finding solutions to the problems that many people face every day. I want to expand funding for temporary homeless shelters and for affordable housing projects. The wheel does not need to be reinvented; the models for how to accomplish these goals are well documented. It simply takes our commitment to provide the resources to the communities in need.
Local Government Funding
Local Government Aid, LGA, is the best way we know to keep local property taxes down across Minnesota where we have a high percentage of tax exempt lands. State LGA funding to our rural communities supports our basic needs including first responders, such as police and firefighters, which in turn support the quality of our day to day living, including the innovative small town businesses we depend on.
Internet Services
We need to ensure funding for universal access to broadband throughout Minnesota and we must maintain net neutrality. Rural access to internet services is necessary for the future of our education systems, businesses and daily lives.
Firearms
Our second amendment must be preserved while we implement common sense measures to keep our families safe from those who intend to use firearms to do harm.
Environment
I have spent my 40-year career as a natural resources manager working to protect and restore environmental quality in Northern Minnesota. Our lakes, rivers and woods are a good part of why we live here, and our water rich resources are the backbone of our economy and way of life. I will continue to work for land, water and air quality management policies that focus on sustainability so future generations can enjoy what we call home.
This content was originally published at http://www.johnpersell.com/