(D) Incumbent Joe Atkins was asked about education in Minnesota Joe Atkins stated, "We need greater transparency," when it comes to how schools get funded. Joe ripped on the school boards saying they write language that people can't understand, yet he was one of those people who served on a school board which allowed for this type of confusion to happen.
The fact of the matter is that Terry Pearson believes that if you have to pay taxes for your child to go to school, those moneys should follow where the student goes. Terry Pearson believes parents can make the best decision when it comes to the education of their children. Some school are better equipped to educate children with different needs. That is why the taxes that are paid for educational purposes should follow the student, not be controlled in a slush fund controlled by state legislatures with motives and personal agendas.
Joe Atkins was asked about how he can get the job done in the state capital. Joe responded that,
"the process is complicated. I managed to pass more bipartisan bills than any other legislature." What Joe fails to say is that the Pioneer Press stated that most of Joe's bills were fluff bills that had virtually no impact on the public.
What Joe also fails to tell you is that he raised taxes more times than he supported lowering taxes. In fact, Joe Atkins raised your taxes in 14 of 15 identified tax raising votes in this past legislative session.
In their closing comments, (D) 39B Incumbant Representative Joe Atkins and (D) State Senator James Metzen, both said the system (at the capital) is flawed and is "divisive", but then had the gall to state how long they have been law makers at the state capital!
If they were the candidates they claim to be, wouldn't we be in a better place today than we were 8 years ago??
I don't think so Joe.
Sorry, it's time to go.
Contact Joe Atkins and ask him why the Minnesota Tax Payers League gave him a rating of only 18% this past session!! Eighteen percent? If your job rating was only 18%, you would be out of a job...and so should Joe!
Contact Joe Atkins and ask him why he was not endorsed by the River Heights Chamber of Commerce.
Contact Joe Atkins and ask how he can support legislation that supports abortion, when claiming to be a Catholic.
Ask Joe Atkins how he can preach about accountability to the tax payers, and then miss key votes during the past legislative session.
If Joe Atkins truly believes in transparency in government, call (D) Incumbent Joe Atkins and ask why he voted against requiring voter identification to vote in our elections.
ACCOUNTABILITY is key when you are representing the people of your district, and just because you have lived here your whole and you know "virtually everyone in the community" as Joe claims, that is not reason enough to vote for a person.
Numerous people have been asking me what the difference is between this relatively unknown candidate in 
