Index


Tim Pawlenty

Tim Pawlenty is a native born Minnesotan raised in St. Paul, who now resides with his wife and two daughters in Eden Prarie, MN.  He was elected Governer on January 6, 2002 and is still the current governor.  He ran a platform idea that balanced the budget without raising taxes.  He did this by reducing the rate for funding for state services.  This worked out well when he won the election, but since the 35W Bridge collapse, Pawlenty has changed his mind about keeping the states services rate for funding low. [1]

 

Recently, he has reversed his decision and will now support a gas tax increase as a part of an increased transportation funding package.  However, raising gas taxes alone will not take care of transportation needed from the 35W Bridge collapse.  During his term, the carpool lanes on interstate 394 going into downtown Minneapolis were converted into high-occupency toll lanes.  While earlier he did not support the expansion of the light rail, he has changed his mind because of polls supporting it. [1][2]

 

R.T. Rybak

R.T. Rybak is a native to Minneapolis where he grew up and anticipated being Mayor.  He eventually was elected Mayor in 2001 and currently still holds his title.  Presently, he resides with his wife, son, and daughter in the East Harriet neighborhood of Minneapolis.  His efforts target North Minneapolis in the hopes of funding more housing projects, attacking juvenile crime, making Minneapolis a wireless city, ending homelessness, and reducing the city's energy consumption. [3]

 

Earlier this month, Minneapolis was ranked the 11th greenest city in the United States.  Mayor Rybak strongly urged for transportation alternatives such as a light rail extension to help lighten the gas emissions released from automobiles.  He proudly mentioned in an interview that 165,000 of the people that work down town, get to work by alternate modes of transportation, other than by car.  [4]

 

 

MPCA

The Minnesota state legislature created the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA) in 1967 where there was a growing concern and incentive to preserve and protect the quality of air and water within the state, so that the community could enjoy the lakes, rivers, forests, and natural resources surrounding them.  The MPCA is partnered with the the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, local governments, industry, environmentalists, educators, and has made Minnesota a national model of environmental protection.  After the 35W Bridge Collapse, the MPCA staff inspected the site and river, and worked with local and federal partners to gather air and water quality data to ensure that pollution was not affecting the health of those who lived and worked nearby. [5]

 

 

Minnesota Department of Health

 

The Minnesota Department of Health strives to protect, maintain, and improve the quality of life for all Minnesotans.  The department focuses on a wide range of public health duties everyday including:

  • Preparing the public for health emergencies

     

  • Ensuring quality care in nursing homes and other health care facilities

     

  • Improving the quality of health care and controlling rising costs

     

  • Eliminating health disparities

     

  • Maintaining basic responsibilities of public health (such as safe food and water, immunizations, newborn screening, disease prevention and control) [6]

     

 

 

 

1.  Wikipedia.  Last Modified on 4.9.08.  Retrieved on 4.15.08.  Tim Pawlenty

2.  Janecek, Sarah.  Politics In Minnesota.  Retrieved on 4.15.08 Tim Pawlenty

3.  Wikipedia.  Last Modified on 4.14.08.  Retrieved on 4.14.08.  R. T. Rybak

4.  Living On Earth.  Greening Minnesota.  Retrieved on 4.14.08. R.T. Rybak

5.  Minnesota Pollution Control Agency.  About MPCA. Retrieved on 4.14.08. MPCA History

6.  Minnesota Department of Health.  Mission.  Retrieved on 4.14.08 Minnesota Department of Health Mission