Currently holds the office of Minnesota State Senate - District 40 until January 6, 2025.
Candidate for Minnesota State Senate - District 40 in 2022 Minnesota General Election.
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Get StartedJohn has been a consistent voice for reproductive rights, authoring legislation to protect a woman’s right to choose, pushing for comprehensive sexuality education and the teaching of male sexual responsibility. Learn more
Domestic violence programs exist to help people escape a toxic environment, but they are desperately short of funding, and many counties have few if any services. By investing in these valuable programs, we will not only save lives, but we will significantly reduce law enforcement, court, and prison costs. Senator Marty continues to advocate for full funding of domestic violence programs and services so that people in every community have access to help. This is truly a life-or-death situation for many. Learn more
Rather than continue the current strategy of subsidizing businesses with the hope that they will create more jobs, Senator Marty supports a reconstituted MEED (Minnesota Emergency Employment Development) jobs bill, a simple but effective program that would assist small businesses in hiring the unemployed. Learn more
For higher education, affordability is lacking when students are encumbered with massive debt. Minnesota committed, in law, to providing 2/3rds of the funding for public higher education, but is currently paying far less than half. Minnesota invested in education even during the great depression, and the entire nation did so after World War II, with the GI bill. Education is expensive, but it is our best investment in the future. Learn more
In addition, Senator Marty seeks to ensure that schools teach more than just fundamentals such as reading, writing, math and science. While these are vital parts of the core curriculum, education must include a broad spectrum of learning, including financial literacy, music and the arts, world languages, service learning, physical education, technical competence, and nutrition. Schools must ensure that students become caring, informed, knowledgeable, compassionate, and productive people, prepared for life and work in a global society. Learn more
All children need access to quality early childhood education. Learn more
Help the U of M and Minnesota colleges and universities by construction, repair, and maintenance of higher education facilities. Learn more
John has pushed to provide significantly more support services in the schools, including mental health professionals, counselors, and social workers. Minnesota has lagged far behind other states, and these services are more urgently needed than ever. Learn more
Education has made Minnesota the state it is today. Our future depends on all students having the opportunity to graduate ready for 21st Century success – whether they go on to a college, university or technical school or head straight to the workforce. Learn more
Likewise, we need more state funding for E-12 schools so education is funded with progressive state income taxes instead of regressive property taxes. The quality of a school should not be dependent on the property wealth of the community in which it is based, and the state has a constitutional obligation to provide for quality schools across the state with a fair funding formula. Learn more
Make cost-saving renewable energy and energy efficiency improvements in schools and other public buildings. Learn more
Senator Marty has been leading the fight against climate change in the Minnesota Senate. Because it is the biggest single threat to the future of society, John continues pushing for legislation to put a price on greenhouse gas emissions, to strengthen our renewable energy standards and to keep fossil fuels in the ground. Learn more
Ohn has been the strongest advocate in the legislature for openness in government. He believes the public business ought to be conducted in the public eye. He has been working to open conference committee negotiations as well as negotiations between legislative leaders and the governor. John will continue to keep the doors open for this important public business. Learn more
Money has infiltrated our political system, and one’s ability to speak truth to power is compromised when that power bankrolls campaigns. Powerful interest groups regularly make generous financial contributions – often to both Republican and DFL legislative caucuses and candidates. Those contributions buy access and goodwill, which leads to favorable treatment. Special treatment doesn’t necessarily mean support of the donor’s issue; sometimes it is something as subtle as toning down criticism of it. Learn more
Ampaign finance reform may not be the most glamorous issue, but it is critically important. It’s about the future of our democracy, and John Marty has led the fight to take special interest money out of politics. John is working for “Clean Money” comprehensive campaign finance reform, which is more urgent than ever in light of the misguided Citizens United Supreme Court ruling. Learn more
Universal coverage is actually less expensive than our current patchwork system. Learn more
Senator Marty says, “it’s time to stop tinkering with healthcare reform and fix the problem,” because lives are at stake. Learn more
It is time to deliver health care for everyone. Minnesota and the U.S. already spend twice as much on health care as people in other nations. Yet we have health outcomes that are much worse than comparable countries. Learn more
Address affordable housing needs through public/private initiatives to significantly speed up construction of housing to address the housing shortage and invest in rehabbing senior and low-income public housing. Learn more
Senator Marty recognizes the significant needs facing our transportation infrastructure. In addition to supporting an increase in the gas tax to address highway and road maintenance, he points to the urgent need for other changes in transportation policy and funding. Learn more
Address environmental problems by rebuilding wastewater infrastructure. Learn more
Improve health and promote access to Minnesota’s natural resources through construction and maintenance of state park bridges, trails, and buildings. Learn more
Public Transit has been a limited option in Minnesota that doesn’t meet the needs of most state residents. This has led to increased costs and traffic congestion. In addition, for many people who do not or cannot drive, due to age or disability or because they don’t have access to a reliable car, the lack of public transit significantly restricts their ability to participate in society. Senator Marty is working for policies that will significantly expand transit options and ridership in order to reduce greenhouse gases, decrease congestion, and better meet the transportation needs of the state. Learn more
For climate, environmental, and traffic congestion reasons, we need to double transit ridership in the next couple years, and then double it again and again, multiplying ridership many times over, in the next decade. Learn more
The state can provide a powerful stimulus for the economy through public infrastructure projects. Learn more
Provide a $200/month increase in the MN Family Investment Program (MFIP) grants – We know that children whose families cannot afford housing and food are robbed of their potential—we can measure how it inhibits their physical, mental, and emotional development. Learn more
Fully fund the Child Care Assistance Program (CCAP) and raise reimbursement rates – This will ensure all low-income working parents can get quality, reliable childcare, and eliminate the multi-year waiting lists. In addition, by raising reimbursement rates (to cover costs of childcare at the 75th percentile of local providers vs. the current 25th percentile), parents will have more options and can choose high-quality care, while childcare workers will earn a better wages and providers can afford additional training in child development. Learn more
Strengthen the Working Family Tax Credit—more than doubling the tax credits that low-income workers receive (bringing it to 75% of the federal Earned Income Tax Credit) – Even with $17/hour in wages many workers are not able to pay for basic needs, so the legislation would more-than-double Minnesota’s Working Family Credit. This would provide a couple thousand dollars more to a hard-working single parent who earns about $20,000 per year. Learn more
The disinvestment during that recession was not good for Minnesota, or for our jobs, roads, bridges, schools, and important social services. Learn more
To keep the economy moving, Senator Marty supports policies to help workers thrive such as paid family leave and affordable childcare, and universal healthcare. Learn more
Establish a $17/hour minimum wage through a gradual five-year phase-in ($15/hour for small businesses). Learn more
In addition, after years of right-wing attacks on the labor movement, the number of workers who are represented by unions has fallen sharply. Senator Marty has been a strong, consistent proponent of labor and collective bargaining rights and has been an outspoken proponent for laws that ensure fair treatment for workers and the unions they organize. Learn more
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