ECONOMY

Working American families are experiencing levels of financial anxiety not seen since the Great Depression. Wages no longer keep pace with the rising cost of living, unless you happen to be a CEO. The income gap between the wealthy and the middle class is staggering.

· Most American families, whether insured or uninsured, are one healthcare crisis away from bankruptcy.

· Gas and energy cost more today than ever before, and prices are still on the rise.

· Out-of-control property taxes fail to guarantee quality schools for our children.

· Appraised home values are declining while assessed values are rising. Even responsible homeowners face the threat of foreclosure.

· Our policies must reinforce the principal that the best defense against foreclosures is a growing economy that produces good jobs at livable wages.

Minnesotans expect strong leadership in Washington to help restore balance, fairness, and common sense to our economic policies. Together we can get our country back on track, and ensure that if you are willing to work 40 hours per week, the American dream is within your reach.

HOUSING and MORTGAGE CRISIS

Owning one's own home is the cornerstone of the American dream. Yet the number of "For Sale" signs on your own street tells you, without me having to, that there is a serious crisis in the housing market. With assessed values of homes on the rise and appraised values on the decline, there is less security in what, for many of us, is our single biggest financial investment.

· We must act quickly to freeze mortgage rates for responsible homeowners whose payments are about to skyrocket.

· We ought to pursue and prosecute the loan sharks who are taking advantage of homebuyers, while working toward better regulation across the industry.

· I will fight to preserve the mortgage interest deduction on your taxes.

· Our policies must reflect the principle that the best defense against mortgage foreclosures is a growing economy that produces good jobs at livable wages.

HEALTHCARE

Healthcare coverage in this country is complicated, unreliable, and expensive. It is a major source of uncertainty, not only for the 47 million Americans who are uninsured, but for those who depend on policies that limit their access to lifesaving procedures and preventative care. Nearly 50% of mortgage foreclosures are linked to a family healthcare crisis.

· We must put aside our political differences and move toward universal healthcare, beginning with the expansion of the State Children's Health Insurance Program (SCHIP) to cover every American child.

· Universal healthcare is not just a moral issue, it's an economic necessity. American businesses both large and small are losing out in the global market due to the crushing costs of healthcare. With universal coverage we can help our businesses compete, while reining in those corporations that unfairly force their employees onto public assistance.

· A universal healthcare system will lower premiums for every American family. It will also improve care by taking the burden off overcrowded emergency rooms, while emphasizing prevention and early diagnosis.

· The laws must also be changed to allow the government to negotiate drug prices directly with pharmaceutical manufacturers.

TRANSPORTATION

As former Commissioner of Transportation, I was dismayed by the complete lack of leadership and accountability following the tragedy of the 35W bridge collapse. We must learn from this disaster and seize the opportunity to develop a forward-thinking transportation policy that benefits our businesses and communities, and most importantly, ensures safe travel for all Minnesotans.

If elected, I will be the only member of the Transportation Committee who has personally managed a state's department of transportation. Without a strong, experienced leader in Congress, we will continue to miss out on federal funds that are already available for transit projects and infrastructure improvements.

· Commuters in our district spend more time in rush hour traffic than anywhere else in the state. I will work to make your commute faster and more convenient by improving our highways and expanding transportation options. Every driver taken off the road during peak hours will help speed up your drive.

· We must also work to improve the safety of our roads, bridges and interchanges. Every year, Minnesota loses over 600 people in car accidents, an estimated 20-40% of which could be prevented through infrastructure improvements. We can reduce needless accidents and make our state a safer place to drive.

· As your Congressman, I will work to expand the light rail, complete NorthStar, build the Rush commuter rail, and enhance local bus service. Expanding public transit options will benefit local businesses, the economy, and the environment.

EDUCATION

For years the federal government has shrugged its commitment to our schools through underfunded mandates, and it continues to shift the burden to local property taxpayers. In 2007 there were 101 school levies on the ballot in Minnesota. This is not mismanagement; it simply shows the inability of our local schools to fulfill their obligations without adequate resources. It is time for Congress to stand up for America's teachers and students and stop passing the buck to states and local school districts.

· We must reform No Child Left Behind to support rather than punish our schools, and deliver the funding the Bush administration originally promised for it.

· We can make sure all American children are ready to learn by funding successful school-readiness programs like Head Start and Early Head Start.

· The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) is critical to ensuring the success of students who stand outside the mainstream. We must support special education teachers with the resources they need. Let's make sure Congress delivers the funding originally promised for special education when it was first mandated.

· Astronomical tuition costs are putting higher education out of reach for the majority of Americans. It is time to bring back the Pell Grant program, expand "national service for tuition" programs, find ways to curb college tuition increases, and help recent graduates manage their student loan debt.

IMMIGRATION

No one can deny that illegal immigration poses a major challenge, both economically and in terms of national security. Yet as Americans, it is also our job to protect the basic rights of all who work in and contribute to our great nation. While offering amnesty to illegal residents is not the answer, neither is sinking billions of taxpayer dollars into short-term fixes like additional fences at the border. Our long-term national security interests can be served only through comprehensive immigration reform based on the rule of law. Such reform would include:

· Prosecuting employers who seek to drive down labor costs by recruiting and hiring illegal workers;

· Stepping up port and border security to monitor incoming cargo more effectively;

· Providing a pathway to legal status for immigrants who work here, pay taxes, and contribute to our economy; and

· Amending NAFTA and CAFTA to stop the leak of American jobs, while encouraging Mexico to enhance economic provisions for its own people.

IRAQ

2007 was the deadliest year on record for American soldiers serving in Iraq. We are deeply indebted to our servicemen and women, and it is time to honor their commitment by agreeing upon a reasonable exit strategy, providing adequate funding, and guaranteeing comprehensive veterans' benefits when they return. We must also provide for their families, whose sacrifices are every bit as important to America's continued security.

· I will strongly support a responsible timetable for the withdrawal of American troops from Iraq, and the establishment of a regional peacekeeping force to ensure the security of the region.

· With a firm timetable in place, the Iraqi government will be forced to take greater responsibility for its own people's safety.

· As part of a Democratic Congress, I will advocate for an increase in cooperative diplomatic efforts across the Middle East to work toward the long-term stability of the region.

VETERANS

The pact we have made with our veterans is simple. Our debt to them is profound. It is the unique responsibility of Congress to cut the red tape and guarantee that all our veterans have access to comprehensive services.

· We owe it to veterans to provide whatever assistance is needed to help them reintegrate successfully when their service is complete.

· Veterans' Administration hospitals should have all the resources they need to provide our veterans with the best physical and psychological care available.

· At the same time we must continue to provide ample support for military families, who sacrifice so much for our country.

CONSERVATION

Minnesota is blessed with abundant and beautiful natural resources, which contribute in so many ways to our excellent quality of life. With this blessing comes the obligation of responsible stewardship; it is part of our heritage and a legacy we want to leave to our children. Minnesota leads the nation in conservation efforts, and we can work toward a similarly strong commitment on the federal level by:

· Preserving hunting and fishing habitat, including making incentives for the creation and preservation of open space;

· Ensuring clean air and water through better regulation of auto emissions and industrial waste;

· Investing in energy independence through diverse and renewable energy alternatives, which will also create good jobs here in Minnesota; and

· Working toward a farm bill that rewards responsible land management practices and supports local family farms.

SOCIAL SECURITY and MEDICARE

For seventy years Social Security has helped seniors retire with some financial security, and provided a safety net for millions of Americans in the event of a loved one's death or disability. I know firsthand. When my first wife died at the age of 39, Social Security helped cover basic expenses for my three children so I could save for their college educations.

Medicare, too, is a source of security for millions. Medicare works. What doesn't work is whittling away the benefits through supplemental measures like Part D, which jeopardizes prescription coverage for our most vulnerable citizens.

· The only "Social Security crisis" we are in is the one that President Bush and House Republicans created by repeatedly raiding the Social Security trust fund.

· Rather than make Social Security vulnerable through reckless privatization schemes, we ought to shore up any temporary deficits with loans.

· It is essential that we cut the rhetoric and take reasonable, bipartisan steps to guarantee the future solvency of Social Security and Medicare.

HOMELAND SECURITY

Homeland security has been defined much too narrowly. If Hurricane Katrina has taught us one thing, it is that real homeland security involves much more than preventing another terrorist attack. With our National Guard troops deployed in Iraq, we are vulnerable on an alarming number of domestic fronts. Restoring confidence in America's security will require a change in leadership, and a reevaluation of our domestic priorities.

· It is essential that we strengthen our first line of defense by investing in local police, firefighters and emergency medical workers. We can make sure they have the resources, personnel, and equipment they need to respond effectively and safely in the event of another disaster.

· FEMA needs to be renovated under the leadership of experienced persons who can ensure its readiness, effectiveness and efficiency.

· We must improve security at our borders and ports to monitor shipping more effectively.

· We cannot overlook the importance of energy independence and a strong domestic economy in achieving long-term homeland security.