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775 WORDS | 6.0 MINUTE READ
Hi John,
However you celebrated, I hope you all had a wonderful Halloween. (And don’t forget to check your candy...it may have been made by a Congressman!) Aside from the festivities, it was another busy week at home in Minnesota, with a consequential week ahead, which is why I encourage you to check your registration, find your polling place and watch this video from the Minnesota Secretary of State when you have the chance. Read on to watch a new episode of On the Job with Dean, and for my thoughts on both corporate profiteering and political violence:
No Matter Your Number One Issue...
As I've said before, no matter your number one issue, please make campaign finance reform number two – because the corrupting influence of money in politics is at the root of some of our biggest challenges.
For example, as gas prices surged last spring, I joined 217 House Democrats in voting to pass the Consumer Fuel Price Gouging Prevention Act, which would allow U.S. presidents to block big oil companies from excessively increasing gasoline and home fuel prices during energy emergencies. Unfortunately, 207 House Republicans voted no on the bill, and it is at a standstill in the Senate due to this partisan opposition. Meanwhile, this past summer, oil giants like Chevron and ExxonMobile made record profits, raking in $11.23 billion and $19.66 billion in net income, respectively.
The truth is, inflation isn’t chiefly responsible for higher gas prices; rampant corporate profiteering is. Meanwhile, federal lobbyists and special interest PACs representing Big Oil line politicians’ pockets and fill their campaign war chests in order to keep them from doing anything about it. This is the corrupting influence of special interest money in politics. It hurts American families, it hurts our democracy, and I'm on a mission to stop it.
On the Job at Rainbow Treecare
Our community is home to so many incredible businesses and nonprofit organizations, nearly 30 of which I've now had the chance to work for as part of my “On the Job with Dean” initiative – including Rainbow Treecare in Minnetonka, which is featured in our latest video episode! As you’ll see, I performed insect and disease control, helped with tree trimming and stump removal, and learned about the hard work that goes into protecting our urban and suburban forests.
After getting my hands dirty, I talked with the outstanding team at Rainbow Treecare – which is now 100% employee-owned – about the benefits of employee-ownership, which I believe is an example of compassionate capitalism in action. Conversations like these provide me with the stories and information I need to better support the businesses who support our community – especially those who wish to do good in addition to doing well.
National First Responders Day
Last Friday was National First Responders Day – but in my opinion, every day is a good day to thank the public servants who serve our communities with honor, principle, and compassion. I learn a lot from my conversations with rank-and-file police officers, EMS workers, and fire fighters, which is why I make an effort to drop by their departments whenever I’m in the area. After dropping off donuts for Edina firefighters last week, I was surprised with a tour of the only mobile extracorporeal membrane oxygenation or ECMO truck in the world, right here in our back yard! This truck is critical in bringing the emergency room to cardiac arrest patients, and it’s the product of an outstanding public/private partnership and a pilot program on the front lines of saving lives. I am so grateful for these extraordinary public servants, and I hope you’ll be inspired to visit with and thank those in your community as well.
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| In this season of thanks, I’m thankful for our outstanding first responders, including the fire fighters and EMS professionals I visited with last week. |
Finally, I want to address the horrific attack on Speaker Pelosi's husband Paul last week, and the shocking response to it by many on the far right. I don’t care what your politics are; hateful rhetoric is leading to political violence, with a small but rising percentage of people in both parties saying it can be justified. Nearly half of people in both parties now view people in the other party not just as political opposition but as enemies. Democrats and Republicans can differ on policy, but we must come together and unify around our shared principles and values. Meanwhile, every elected official in America better condemn political violence unequivocally and start acting like people serious about preventing it.
Keep the faith and keep in touch,
Dean Phillips
Member of Congress
✔️ H.R. 3609, Trust in Public Service Act
As your representative, I receive countless requests for help navigating federal agencies. The truth is, many of these agencies are simply not accessible to the people they are designed to serve, and I believe it's time we change that. That’s why I am proud to be a cosponsor of H.R. 3609, the Trust in Public Service Act. This bipartisan legislation aims to bolster public trust in the Federal Government by implementing customer experience as a central measure of performance for federal agencies and directing the Office of Management and Budget to establish an Office of Customer Experience.
Resources For You
My team and I are here to serve every person and every corner of our community. I want to make sure you have the resources you need to succeed:
- Register to vote: Democracy doesn’t work without engaged citizens like you. Registering to vote in Minnesota is simple and secure. Check your registration status, see who is on your ballot, and make a plan to vote at MNvotes.org.
- Apply for federal student loan forgiveness: The Biden Administration’s student loan forgiveness application is now available. Take two minutes to apply today!
- Find savings near you: From gas to groceries, and childcare to healthcare, I’m hearing from Minnesotans who are struggling to keep up with the rising costs of essentials. Visit phillips.house.gov/inflation to find lower prices near you.
- Nominate a Vietnam-era veteran: As a Gold Star Son and Member of Congress, I’m honoring Vietnam-era veterans in our area. Visit phillips.house.gov/Vietnam to nominate the veteran in your life for an official commemoration.
- Look before you book: Do you have international travel plans on the horizon? Make sure you are prepared before you book! Visit https://travel.state.gov/ to check your passport expiration date, apply for a passport, and much more.
- Get your FDA-approved bivalent booster shot: Your decision to get a safe, free, and effective COVID-19 vaccine impacts our entire community. Everyone 12+ is eligible for the new booster, so visit https://mn.gov/booster to find yours.
- Donuts with Dean: Welcoming Minnesotans to Washington is one of my favorite parts of this job. Let my office know if you'll be traveling to Washington, we'd love the opportunity share some conversation, and donuts, next time you’re in town!
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