Prettner Solon leaves mark on State of Minnesota after more than 25 years in public service

After more than 25 years of dedicated service to the people of Minnesota and the City of Duluth, Lieutenant Governor Yvonne Prettner Solon today announced she will not seek reelection in 2014. Prettner Solon will not seek a second term as Lt. Governor - a role in which she has led landmark efforts to improve the lives of children, senior citizens, veterans, and Minnesotans with disabilities. During her time as Lt. Governor, Prettner Solon has distinguished herself as a passionate, relentless advocate for Minnesota seniors and Greater Minnesota - and she plans to continue that important work throughout the coming year.

"It has been a great privilege, and my distinct honor, to serve the people of Minnesota as Lt. Governor," said Prettner Solon. "I am proud of the many important achievements we have made over the last three years to build a better Minnesota, and I have no plans to slow down or scale back that work in the year ahead.

"Above all, my work on behalf of Minnesota's aging population has been rewarding and productive," said Prettner Solon. "When our elder population stays engaged, and active in their communities, they live longer, healthier, and happier lives. That creates a win-win-win situation for our seniors, our communities, and our state's health care system. This administration has done nation-leading, transformative work to empower and improve the quality of life enjoyed by Minnesota seniors. I look forward to building on that important progress in 2014."

Governor Mark Dayton today thanked Lt. Governor Prettner Solon for her distinguished service, and congratulated her on the many policy initiatives and administrative accomplishments she has championed that have improved the lives of Minnesotans, and set our state on course for a better future.

"Throughout her 25 years of devoted public service - as Duluth City Council Member and Council President, State Senator, and Lieutenant Governor - Yvonne Prettner Solon has been a courageous champion for the people of Minnesota," said Governor Dayton. "Lieutenant Governor Prettner Solon's tireless leadership on behalf of Minnesota's senior citizens and people with disabilities has greatly improved many lives. She has been key to achieving our administration's primary mission: building a better Minnesota for all our citizens.

I thank Yvonne for her invaluable service to our state, and I pledge my continuing support for the important initiatives she has championed as Minnesota's Lieutenant Governor," Dayton said.

As Lt. Governor, Prettner Solon has set new achievement goals for Minnesota students, expanded opportunities for volunteerism, helped Minnesota's aging population prepare for a more secure future, and empowered Minnesotans with disabilities to live more independent and fulfilling lives. By stimulating the international exchange of ideas, Lt. Governor Prettner Solon has also drawn on her legislative expertise to continue advancing Minnesota's clean energy economy, and build on our state's nation-leading stature in health care innovation.

To-date, some of Prettner Solon's signature accomplishments as Lt. Governor have included:

• Own Your Future - One of Yvonne Prettner Solon's signature accomplishments as Lt. Governor has been helping Minnesota's aging population prepare their lives, finances, and families for a secure retirement, high-quality long-term care, and the series of important decisions that all seniors need to make as they age. Working with the Department of Human Services, Lt. Governor Prettner Solon spearheaded a statewide outreach campaign to educate Minnesotans on the importance of planning for their futures - including a new website, town hall meetings, partnerships with businesses and employers, and direct outreach to individuals and families.
  
  
• One Stop Shop for Minnesota Seniors - Continuing her work as a relentless advocate for senior citizens, Lt. Governor Yvonne Prettner Solon led efforts to expand the state's Senior Linkage Line, creating a One Stop Shop for Minnesota Seniors to find health care information, government services, and volunteer and employment opportunities. Previously, the Senior Linkage Line was a resource for information about health insurance and long-term care. Under the Lt. Governor's leadership, the Senior Linkage Line now coordinates services among all state agencies, providing seniors valuable information about any government program - from Medicare to housing assistance. Since this new expansion, the Senior Linkage Line has seen a dramatic increase in calls, helping tens of thousands of Minnesota seniors every year.
  
  
• Olmstead Plan - Lt. Governor Prettner Solon led a landmark effort to improve the lives of Minnesotans with disabilities. In November 2013 - under the leadership of the Lt. Governor - the state released a plan to ensure that people with disabilities are able to live, work, and enjoy life in the most integrated setting desired. Minnesota's new Olmstead Plan charts a course that will change and improve the way state government provides services and support for Minnesotans with disabilities - in school, at work, at home, and in the community.
  
  
• GradNation State - Working with the Minnesota Department of Education and the Minnesota Alliance with Youth, Lt. Governor Prettner Solon helped lead an effort to make Minnesota a Grad Nation state. This initiative connected Minnesota to a nationwide movement focused on closing achievement gaps and raising graduation rates. As a GradNation state, Minnesota joined other states committed to improving student achievement and empowering students to graduate from high school in four years.
  
  
• Advisory Committee on Capitol Area Security - Lt. Governor Prettner Solon has led a advisory committee responsible for assessing all potential security risks facing the public, elected officials, and employees in the State Capitol Complex. This bipartisan Advisory Committee was also tasked with working with security experts to explore best practices, and make recommendations to improve security measures across the State Capitol Complex.
  
  
• International Policy Exchanges - Building on her policy expertise in health care reform and the clean energy economy, Lt. Governor Prettner Solon led efforts to exchange ideas and policy solutions between Minnesota lawmakers and policymakers in Germany. In coordination with the University of Minnesota, this effort has informed Minnesota's efforts to achieve a sustainable energy system with less reliance on fossil fuels, as well as improvements in health care delivery.
  
  
• Bringing the Capitol to Greater Minnesota - Throughout her time as Lt. Governor, Yvonne Prettner Solon has been a passionate advocate for Greater Minnesota. As the Dayton Administration began, the Lt. Governor traveled with cabinet members to hold town hall meetings in communities across Greater Minnesota. Throughout her time as Lt. Governor, Prettner Solon has continued to hold regular office hours in Duluth and other Greater Minnesota communities.
  
  
• Helping Minnesota Veterans and Military Families - Lt. Governor Prettner Solon has been a stalwart advocate for Minnesota veterans and military families. As Lt. Governor, she has been instrumental in First Lady Michelle Obama's initiative to help veterans transition their military skills into the civilian workforce. Prettner Solon has also been an active supporter of the Beyond the Yellow Ribbon initiative, and frequently attends deployment and returning-home ceremonies to thank Minnesota troops and their families for their service to our state and nation.

Building on this important progress, Prettner Solon says there are several priorities she will focus on in 2014 as she rounds out her term as Lt. Governor. Among those priorities are:

• Phase Two of Own Your Future - Moving into 2014, one of the Lt. Governor's top priorities will be implementing Phase Two of the Own Your Future campaign. In Phase Two, the Lt. Governor will work with the Department of Human Services and private partners to identify a menu of reliable, affordable financial tools available to help Minnesotans of all ages plan for their retirement and long term care needs. More information about the Own Your Future initiative can be found on this website.
   
• Implementing the Olmstead Plan - This year, the Lt. Governor will also be focused on getting the Olmstead Plan implementation office staffed and up-and-running. This office, based at the Department of Employment and Economic Development, will help ensure the Olmstead Plan is fully implemented for the benefit of Minnesotans with disabilities. More information about Minnesota's Olmstead Plan can be found on this website.
   
• International Policy Exchanges - Throughout 2014, the Lt. Governor will continue working in coordination with the Center for German and European Studies at the University of Minnesota to expand on the benefits of past international policy exchanges, and continue building relationships between Minnesotan and German policymakers.
  

Prior to being elected Lt. Governor, Prettner Solon served on the Duluth City Council for 12 years and in the state Senate for nine years. In the Senate, the Lt. Governor established herself as a health care and energy policy leader. Throughout her career in public service, Yvonne Prettner Solon has been known as someone who can bring people together to foster agreement. Her work over nearly 25 years in state and local government has laid the foundation for a Better Minnesota; the impact of her accomplishments will be felt for years to come.To learn more about Lt. Governor Yvonne Prettner Solon and the work she has championed as Lt. Governor, click here.

/governor/assets/20140114_yps.jpg_tcm1055-95769.jpgPHOTO ATTACHMENT:Lt. Governor Yvonne Prettner Solon Announces She Will Not Seek Reelection
After more than 25 years of dedicated service to the people of Minnesota, Lt. Governor Yvonne Prettner Solon has announced she will not seek reelection in 2014. During her time as Lt. Governor, Prettner Solon has distinguished herself as a passionate advocate for Minnesota seniors and Greater Minnesota - and she plans to continue that important work throughout the coming year. local government has laid the foundation for a Better Minnesota; the impact of her accomplishments will be felt for years to come.