June 15, 2006

JUHNKE UNANIMOUSLY ENDORSED BY DISTRICT 13B DFLers FOR MINNESOTA HOUSE

State Representative Al Juhnke (DFL-Willmar) was unanimously endorsed for re-election to the Minnesota House of Representatives by delegates at the District 13 DFL Endorsing Convention in Belgrade on Wednesday, June 13.

Juhnke, who has represented the area since 1996, said he will focus on education, health care, transportation, property taxes and the environment during the campaign.

"I want to focus on a positive agenda that moves us forward as a state, not one that tears us apart," he said. "We're facing real challenges it comes to our schools, health care, transportation and our schools, but together we can make a difference."

On education, Juhnke said the state need to focus on the two ends of education – making higher education more affordable and accessible to average Minnesotans and expanding access to all-day, everyday kindergarten.

"Those things will do more to make Minnesota more competitive than just about anything else," he said.

He also said he would continue to push for greater use and production of renewable energy Minnesota.

"Focusing on renewables offers the best hope for more good-paying jobs in Rural Minnesota," he said.

Juhnke said he is looking forward to continuing his work with Senate Majority Leader Dean E. Johnson, who was also endorsed unanimously for re-election by District 13 Democrats.

"We have good, effective team in place," Juhnke said. "I hope we get a chance to continue to working on behalf of all the residents of West Central Minnesota."

He pointed specifically to the number of key local initiatives the two passed during the past two years, including:

Funding for Let's Go Fishing

A local option sales tax for Willmar

Pre-design grants for the new Veterans Home facility in Willmar

Renovations and updates at the U of MN poultry inspection lab in Willmar

A joint dental clinic and training facility between the U of MN Dental School and Rice Hospital

Planning and pre-design for construction at Ridgewater College's Willmar campus

Wastewater project funding in Atwater, Blomkest-Svea, Lake Lillian, and Lake Florida

Grass Lake restoration project

A dam project in New London

Improvements to the Glacial Lake Trail

Saving the Prinsburg School District from dissolution

Numerous local policy initiatives (ie. Kandiyohi County/MN Dept. of Corrections partnership)

Juhnke is also in a position of growing seniority and influence in the DFL caucus in the House. He is currently the DFL lead on the Agriculture Finance Committee and serves on the Agriculture, Environment and Natural Resources Finance; Agriculture and Rural Development; and Rules and Legislative Administration Committees. He is also a member of the Minnesota Agriculture Nutrient Task Force, the MN Chicano Latino Affairs Council, and the National Association of State Legislatures Agriculture and Rural Development Committee.

Juhnke, a real estate appraiser when he's not at the Capitol, lives north of Willmar in Dovre Township with his wife, Claire. They have two children.