Dear friend of the environment:
We are writing to introduce you to John Marty, DFL candidate for Governor. We urge you to go to your precinct caucus on Tuesday, March 1st and give your support to John by becoming a delegate.
John Marty has long been on the forefront of environmental protection and the environmental community has recognized and appreciated John's leadership and commitment to our issues. In 1993 he was named "Environmentalist of the Year" by the Minnesota Chapter of the Sierra Club. In his state senate campaigns, John Marty has been endorsed by Sierra Club, Clean Water Action and the MN League of Conservation Voters.
John's environmental record is outstanding. He understands that Minnesota must use new, innovative, and environmentally sound technologies to preserve the quality of life and resources for future generations, while promoting economic growth in the present. As a state senator from Roseville since 1986, John has authored legislation to:
John has outlined a far-sighted environmental agenda for the future; one that would not only protect our environment, but would create greater economic opportunity for all Minnesotans.
John will move Minnesota decisively away from the use of fossils fuels and nuclear power. These forms of energy pollute our air and water, create deadly wastes we cannot properly dispose of; and drain our economy of $3 billion every year to pay for energy imports -- money that does not create Minnesota jobs. John opposes the current proposal to store nuclear waste at Prairie Island. He believes we must also invest in retraining and job replacement for any workers displaced in this transition. Minnesota has abundant renewable energy sources, such as wind, ethanol, electrical co-generation, and biomass. Using these sustainable energy sources and conservation would protect our environment and create jobs, especially in rural areas.
Transportation is another key to long-term environmental protection. John will increase the availability, convenience and cost-effectiveness of public mass transit. He will give priority to improving mass transit before expanding our freeways and will increase service in both urban and rural areas to take people where they need to go and when they need to go there. John will also promote the development and marketing of renewable fuel sources, such as ethanol.
As governor, John will pursue an aggressive strategy of waste reduction and recycling, making sure that businesses that generate packaging and toxic waste are held accountable for its collection and disposal. While Minnesota has done well with recycling, we must do even better -- especially in developing new markets for recycled goods.
Finally, John will continue to be a leader in the promotion of environmentally sustainable agricultural research and farm practices, to foster the sense of stewardship family farmers feel for the land. He will strengthen the Energy and Sustainable Agriculture Program at the Minnesota Department of Agriculture, fund sustainable agriculture research and extension services at the University of Minnesota, and invest in low-interest loan programs, on-farm grant programs, and new and beginning farmer projects that promote sustainable agriculture.
If you share John's vision for a cleaner, healthier future for the citizens and environment of Minnesota, please join us on March 1st as we go to our precinct caucuses to support John. Encourage your friends and neighbors to do the same. You can help even more by volunteering and making a refundable contribution. The Minnesota Political Contribution Refund Program allows an individual to give up to $50 a year to state campaigns and get it back with a 100% refund from the MN Dept. of Revenue. A couple can give up to $100. If you have questions, please contact one of us or call the campaign at (612) 644-5775.
Sincerely,
Ginny Yingling Garth Hickle Sierra Club MN Public Interest Research Group John Kolstad Dean Zimmerman Businessperson and Minneapolis Park Board and DFL Green Caucus member DFL Green Caucus member Janet Johnson Jennifer Hunt State Senator, District 18; member, Voyageurs Region National Park Environment and Natural Resources Association Committee Terry Gips Ron Van Zee President, International Alliance Croix League for Environmental for Sustainable Agriculture Action Now (CLEAN) Ken Pentel Mindy Greiling Environmental Activist State Representative, 54B Paul Sobocinski Alice Hausman Farmer, active in Ag. policy and State Representative, 66B, Vice environmental issues/Land Chair, Environment and Natural Stewardship Project Resources Committee Leo Cashman Kirsten Dohrer Environmental Writer and DFL Green Sierra Club Caucus member Linda Wejcman State Representative, 61B
(Organizations are listed for identification purposes only and are not intended to imply endorsement by that organization.)
Prepared by Minnesotans for Marty, 2161 University Avenue, St. Paul, MN 55114 Telephone/Fax: (612)644-5775/644-4131