Glen Stubbe, Star Tribune file
Official calls the meeting with freshman Democrat a “breath of fresh air.”
U.S. Rep. Dean Phillips spent Wednesday learning about the Hennepin County Board’s proposed federal legislative wish list, promising to be a vocal advocate for the county’s light-rail projects, health care, the opioid crisis and homelessness.
“I was here to learn, listen, understand and explore,” said Phillips, a Democrat who defeated Republican Rep. Erik Paulsen in last year’s Third District election. “I view Hennepin County as a laboratory,” he said. “I want to take its best practices back to Washington and possibly expand them into national models and bring some federal ideas back to the county as well.”
County Commissioner Mike Opat called the hourlong meeting with Phillips “a breath of fresh air.” It was the first time in many years, he said, that the person representing Hennepin County’s western half in Congress has wanted to listen and try to help.
View the complete February 20 article by David Chanen on THe Star Tribune website here.