I am honored to represent the people of the 4th Hennepin County Commissioner District.
I entered politics to improve people's lives. I believed then and believe now that government --- working hand-in-hand with the community --- can and must be a vital instrument of positive change.
I believe local governments can and must be the agent of change across the nation, the laboratories that create the elements of next great wave of progressive change in this country. As an elected official I've worked successfully to create significant changes (LRT, county-based purchasing of health care, the Midtown Greenway and the first parental leave law in the nation protecting the jobs of both parents).
Among the key issues I continue to focus on during my current term are:
Completing the Northstar Commuter Rail, the Central Corridor LRT to St. Paul, the Southwest Corridor LRT line and the 35W busway;
Enacting a successful merger of the Hennepin County Library and Minneapolis Public Library systems to ensure increased access and oustanding services to meet the needs of our diverse population;
Expanding policies and programs to address climate change though Hennepin County's role as a founding member of the nationwide Cool Counties initiative;
Developing wind power with rural communities to reduce global warming and guarantee an affordable, sustainable supply of electricity for the county and the metro area;
Strengthening and expanding the critical role of Hennepin County Medical Center in providing health care for the uninsured and critically needed medical research;
Expanding of the County's efforts to improve education for all our children, from early childhood to post secondary education;
Rejuvenating the economies of the communities of color and lower income neighborhoods and keeping Minneapolis and Hennepin County the vital economic center of our region and state
I continue to use my energy, skills and experience in bringing people together to get these and other critically needed initiatives done.
I invit and encourage your comments and commit to continued service to our community.
Sincerely,
Peter McLaughlin Hennepin County Commissioner Ericsson Neighborhood Resident
