Jerold Henry
Sartell
In the Sept. 17 Minneapolis Star Tribune, Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz announced he was seeking a third term. While that announcement wasn’t a surprise, Minnesota U.S. Congressman Tom Emmer’s response was predictable. Rep Emmer (R-6th District) stated “Tim Walz’s leadership has left our state with a weak economy, with failing schools and skyrocketing crime.” Not true.
In fact the statewide high-school graduation rate in 2024 was 84.2 percent. While there is obvious room for improvement it was the best in five years. As to failing schools, more than 70 percent of schools exceed state standards – again, the best in five years. As for the economy, Minnesota’s ranks fourth in the Midwest in real GDP capital, and as of May 2025 we had a low 3.3 percent unemployment rate. Hardly weak.
Rep. Emmer was wrong again about crime. According to the latest Bureau of Criminal Apprehension reporting (2023 vs. 2022), crime was down 12 percent and in 2024, 40 cities reported nearly all crime fell, according to the Council on Criminal Justice.
All politicians criticize each other; that’s part of holding office. But shouldn’t we all agree they should at least be honest?
