New Ulm hosts state event

Former U.S. Rep. Tim Penny gives keynote speech at League of Women Voters convention

By FRITZ BUSCH

Journal Staff Writer

NEW ULM -- Former U.S. Rep. Tim Penny had the League of Women Voters asking when he would run for office again after he gave the keynote address at the 58th State League Convention Friday night at the Holiday Inn.

Penny said he didn't know if he would ever run for office again -- but would consider it -- if he ever got the opportunity.

The three biggest challenges in Minnesota's future--according to Penny-- are racial diversity, utilizing an increasingly older population, and finding jobs and housing for the needy so they can build wealth.

According to state census figures, 80 percent of Minnesota's population growth in the next 30 years will be in non-white population, he said.

Students in St. Paul schools speak 80 languages and dialects, students in Rochester speak 60, and in Willmar 20.

"What a challenge for our state," Penny said. "We need to rise to the challenge and prepare our schools and communities."

Penny stressed the need for non-traditional health care and long-term care for an increasingly elderly population. By 2030, one-third of the state will be at retirement age. Retireees comprise 13 percent of the population now.

"We need to think about utilizing the elderly, keeping them in the work force, at least part-time," Penny said. "These people in rural Minnesota are the ones that know how to operate businesses and are successful."

He said the one variable most related to quality of education is home ownership.

"If you have little home ownership in an area, you have lousy schools," Penny said. He used the Phillips neighborhood in Minneapolis as an example.

Seventy-five percent of state welfare recipients live in Minneapolis and St. Paul while 75 percent of the jobs are in the suburbs, he also said. Inner-city school dropout rates are 20-30 percent.

"We need leaders with vision who can get us where we need to be," Penny said.

This week, Penny was appointed to the President's Commission on Social Security.

The answer to Social Security problems lies with a privately-funded program to supplement the income of future retirees, Penny said.

Such a bill is expected to be introduced next year and could become reality with bi-partisan support, according to Penny. He predicted that the issue will be dominant in next year's election campaign.

A Senior Fellow at the University of Minnesota Humphrey Institute, Penny is also a Senior Counselor to the Minnesota-based public relations firm Himle-Horner. He has co-authored three books, Common Cents (about the cultures of Congress), Payment Due (about federal budgeting), and The Fifteen Biggest Lies in Politics.

Penny served in the U.S. Congress from 1982-1994. He chaired the influential Democratic Budget Group and held seats on the Education and Labor Committee, the Agriculture Committee and the Veteran's Committee.

Before that, he was a member of the Minnesota State Senate, representing a south central Minnesota district.