Jessica Peterson for State Senate

Good news!  Carleton has posted video of my debate with Tom Neuville, so you can watch and be informed at your leisure.

Check it out here. 

In today’s papers around Senate District 25, my opponent, Tom Neuville, ran ads containing a quote from DFL Senator John Hottinger. Senator Hottinger has issued the following response to area news outlets:

Statement of State Senator John Hottinger
November 1, 2006
Responding to Sen. Neuville ad quoting me

Dear Tom,

I’m sorry I have to do this so publicly, but I just saw your ad today. Those things I said back in May, when I complimented you as I left the Senate. I wish you would have asked me before running it, because I’ve met someone new: Jessica Peterson.

Jessica’s much like you, trustworthy, smart, a person with integrity. But she’s also like me – she cares about Minnesota’s education needs, health care costs, rising property taxes and, most importantly, she and I agree on the approaches to improving those things.

Tom, I probably should have told you this when I was knocking doors with Jessica in LeSueur this summer, but I didn’t think you’d mind. Since then I’ve seen that Jessica and I are much more alike on issues than you and I were. You knew that, of course, and part of what I like about you is your willingness to be civil in those discussions.

But in the end, I have to strongly support Jessica for the State Senate. I know this time of year people say nasty things about each other. I don’t have anything bad to say about you. Change and growth are just part of life and supporting Jessica is part of my growth. I still have high personal regard for you. I hope we can still remain friends.

John

I visited the Northfield Retirement Community today, and had an absolutely wonderful time. I stopped by during coffee hour and spoke with residents about their concerns in the election. As I do at many such events, I kept my opening comments brief and to-the-point, told residents about who I am and why I’m running for State Senate, and then took questions. I’m always most interested in learning what voters’ concerns are this fall, and in telling them where I stand on those issues.

Among the chief concerns of residents was how we can ensure our schools get the funding they need and guarantee every child in Minnesota a great start in life.

I told my audience that I believe education is the best investment government can make, and that we must establish a stable, sustainable source of statewide funding for our schools. Minnesota did a great thing when we shifted a significant portion of school funding off local property taxes and toward the progressive income tax. We made Minnesota a model for the nation through this shift. We set a standard that every child, no matter where they grow up, should have access to the same high quality education. The problem is that the legislature never established a permanent, reliable funding source to back that up, so local school districts are being forced to go back to their local property tax base for the funding they need.

I believe that if government is going to do one thing right, it ought to be educating our children. In the long run, quality education will pay for itself through economic growth and by reducing burdens on social services, corrections, and other public programs. The League of Rural Voters (among others) has found that per-pupil funding has actually decreased statewide over the last few years, and that’s a trend we need to reverse.

As your senator, I’ll work to ensure that our schools aren’t subject to the ups and downs of politics and economics, and that we place the highest priority on ensuring every child in the state gets what she or he needs to have a bright future. We can work to make our income tax system more progressive and easier on working families, we can close loopholes that give corporations unnecessary tax breaks, and we can develop authentic measures so that we know our schools are giving our kids the best they possibly can.

Many thanks to the Lens Magazine (a brilliant new publication from Carleton) for the debate they sponsored last night. It was refreshing and satisfying to face my opponent in a true debate format, which allowed us to address some of the most controversial issues in the campaign in greater depth than we normally can. We’ve had a couple of other candidate forums and debates, including one sponsored by the Northfield Chamber of Commerce, which I regret being unable to attend because it conflicted with my County Board meeting.

The turnout at Carleton was great and the questions were challenging. I especially appreciated the chance to contrast some of the finer points of my position and Tom Neuville’s on issues like health care reform, education funding, and environmental protection.

I hope to see the video up on Carleton’s website before the election — I spoke to many constituents who were unable to attend but were hoping to see the debate.

The following are some of the endorsements I’ve received in the course of the campaign:

SEIU - Service Employees International Union

AFSCME - American Federation of State, County, and Municipal Employees

MAPE - Minnesota Association of Professional Employees

TakeAction Minnesota

Education Minnesota

Minnesota Women’s Political Caucus

I’m so grateful for the help and support I’ve received from all these organizations. We’ve also had help on the campaign trail from our local Carpenters’ Union, the White House Project, State Senator John Hottinger, U.S. Senate Candidate Amy Klobuchar, the Carleton Democrats and St. Olaf Democrats, the Prairie Island Indian Community, and countless other wonderful community members. Cheers to you all for your hard work, and for sharing our vision of a bright future for Minnesota!

Here I am, accepting the endorsement of AFSCME at the 2nd Congressional District DFL office. Thanks to our local AFSCME members for turning out and helping us win this fall!

TWO MAJOR CZECH MUSIC GROUPS WILL PLAY A CONCERT FOR JESSICA

On Sunday, October 15, Czechomor and Lenka Dusilova will play a concert at the New Prague High School in support of Jessica Peterson for State Senate. the event takes place at 8:00 pm, with the doors opening at 7:00 pm.

Two-time Czech Grammy winner Lenka Dusilova and Czechomor — the Czech Republic’s premier folk-rock group — may have kicked off their 2006 US tour with a record-setting show at Washington DC’s Kennedy Center, but they’re giving up a planned day off to play this show in the heart of District 25 and Minnesota’s “Czech Triangle”.

It should be a truly great concert, and we hope to keep the political rhetoric to a minimum, so everyone and anyone is encouraged to attend. Tickets are only $5 and can be purchased online at www.jessica-peterson/tickets, and at various locations around the district. Come on out, encourage your friends, offer to carpool, and support Jessica while hearing some very good and unique music!

More information on the concert and the artists can be found at www.jessica-peterson.com/tickets as well. If you’re interested in helping out at the event, contact scot@jessica-peterson.com.

DON’T MISS THIS EVENT!

For those of you who don’t already know me, I’m a local business owner and a Rice County Commissioner. Since I was first elected, I’ve seen how irresponsible bickering and misplaced priorities in St. Paul are hurting all Minnesotans, and making it harder for local governments to do their jobs. If we can work together, we can have fiscally responsible policies that reflect our values of education, opportunity, and investment in the future. We can put our core values before party politics and get back to rational decision-making.

It’s time to start looking ahead. We need new leaders who can envision a positive future for us, our children, and our children’s children. Those of you who know me know I’m that kind of leader. For those of you who don’t, I invite you to explore this website, drop me an email, or come out to an event, and find out what I’m all about. I’m here, and I’m ready to make you proud of what happens in your state government.