I’m supporting all for their dedication and desire to make sure all voices are heard, their willingness to cross party lines, and to serve the public with fairness and compassion. Amy Dawson’s incomparable legal experience runs the gamut from construction law to community advocacy, ensuring all children are not denied health care access because of their disabilities. Yvonne Selcer is a champion for women, educational reform, repealing business taxes for a more competitive Minnesota and safeguarding great care for the elderly and the disabled. As a former small business owner, volunteer in the ministry, and activist for Out-Front Minnesota, Joan Howe-Pullis understands the value of connectedness and how it translates into creating what she describes as a “peaceful, productive community” that can only be accomplished through “collaboration.” Sharon Sund is a wife, mother, small business owner and scientist, whose goals are the goals of the nation, to protect Social Security and Medicare, to create 21st-century jobs, invest in education, and “fight for fairness.”

There is a national consensus of support for advocacy on behalf of children, the elderly and disabled, pay equity and equality. All these women are in sync with a majority of Americans who want financial reforms, investment in transportation options and less polarization.

In the run-down of the 2014 Legislative session, Jenifer Loon voted for one outlier in an otherwise ensemble of all partisan nay votes. Likewise, her Republican counterpart in Congress, Erik Paulsen, is MIA when it comes to working for everyone’s best interests. Government for the few runs both their legislative priorities, as is the case with Selcer’s opponent, Kirk Stensrud, who hasn’t changed; he’s still a one-note guy working on behalf of businesses: this year it’s for builders against mandatory sprinklers in million dollar homes.

Vicki Pellar Price
Eden Prairie
Eden Prairie Sun-Current, October 25, 2014

Amy Dawson · Joan Howe-Pullis · Sharon Sund · Yvonne Selcer

absentee voting · District 48 lawn signs · early voting · get out the vote · GOTV

Back in July, Rep. Loon outlined her opposition to SWLRT:  “The overall return on investment of this $1.7 billion project does not warrant support. It lacks a completed environmental study of its impact on Eden Prairie. Moreover, ridership projections fall well below levels necessary to support the long-term operating budget of the line.” (July 10 letter to the editor).

I was alarmed and disappointed to learn that our state representative seems to be basing her opposition to SWLRT on very flimsy rationale. I soon realized her opposition was shared by almost every other Republican lawmaker, including the current Republican candidate for governor, Commissioner Jeff Johnson and our own Eden Prairie City Council member Brad Aho.

So I did some research. I learned that MnDOT publishes annual mass transit reports that detail the ridership and operating costs of every single mass transit system int he state. This is what I learned:

• The average operating cost per ridership (total operating costs divided by total number of riders) for the years 2006 through 2012 for Metro Light Rail (Blue Line (LRT) $2.43; Metro Fixed Bus:  $3.42; Southwest Transit:  $7.21. Since fares run between $1.75 and $3 per ride, that means that the Metro Light Rail is the only metro transit system that is currently potentially covering all the operating costs with ridership fares.
• In 2012, the last year data is available, ridership levels for Metro Light Rail exceeded year 2020 projections by 29 percent with 31,300 average weekday boardings.

Eden Prairie needs a stat representative who bases her positions and votes on the best interests of her community, the economy, the environment — not the deceptive and wrong ideology of her political party. Please join me in voting for Joan Howe-Pullis on Nov. 4.

Ellen Hoerle
Eden Prairie
Eden Prairie News, October 23, 2014

HD48B · House District 48B · Jenifer Loon · Joan Howe-Pullis · Rep. Loon

As a high school senior, I get told regularly not to waste my time with state politics. Increasingly, it seems that the people of Eden Prairie are exasperated by partisan politics impeding our government. A good number of them also feel so alienated by the convoluted jargon of politics that they resign themselves to the belief that our problems are unsolvable — and to be perfectly honest, they are unless we tear down the barriers between our state’s leadership and our personal lives.

That is why I am supporting Joan Howe-Pullis in her ongoing campaign for State Representative for District 48B. Throughout the past few months, Joan has proved herself a stellar listener, a quick learner, and a proactive defender of morality. In contrast, our current representative has increasingly surrendered to a policy of inaction. Despite admitting that both childhood bullying and workplace equality are critical issues within our state, our representative rejected legislation that would tackle these matters. Admittedly, these bills were not perfect; however, we cannot continue to condone a path of defeat. The future is in our hands:  it is our duty as citizens to create a great one. I know that regardless of your political affiliation, ultimately Joan is committed to creating this future and to representing our common interest.

In the end, however, it is your vote that will determine the outcome of the November 4th election. I urge you to consider it carefully, even in a midterm election, your vote is so much more than just a number. It is unique to you and your voice, and it is about time we reclaim the voice of Eden Prairie as one of hard work, unity and fearlessness.

Karen Lin
Chanhassen
Eden Prairie News, October 23, 2014

HD48A · House District 48A · Joan Howe-Pullis

We think Joan Howe-Pullis is the best person to represent House District 48B. Here’s why:

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