Stories from the Road: DFL-endorsed Kelliher Visits Headwaters Science Center in Bemidji
BEMIDJI, MN – DFL-endorsed candidate for Governor Margaret Anderson Kelliher toured Headwaters Science Center in Bemidji today. Kelliher met with kids learning about the wonders of science, and discussed the importance of infrastructure investments in places of learning and discovery like Headwaters.
“The work happening here at Headwaters is getting kids excited about science and the natural wonder of the state we love,” said Kelliher. “It’s the kind of program every child in Minnesota should have access to.”
Headwaters Science Center offers summer courses, science programs, and science clubs for children in 23 counties. HSC has over 40 hands-on exhibits, a collection of live animals, and group demonstrations covering 15 science topics presented by knowledgeable staff.
Kelliher says places like Headwaters are an important component of getting Minnesota’s youngest learners excited about academics, and narrowing Minnesota’s achievement gap.
“The strength of Minnesota’s economy depends on our investment in a highly-skilled workforce – a workforce that is competitive in science and math,” said Kelliher.
“We know from Art Rolnick’s research that those investments have to start with our youngest learners. That’s why as Governor I will do what it takes to invest wisely in early childhood education and community learning assets like the Headwaters Science Center here in Bemidji.”
In the 2010 Legislative Session, Kelliher worked with state Rep. John Persell, state Sen. Mary Olson, and state Rep. Brita Sailer to dedicate $475,000 to renovation and improvements to the Headwaters Science Center. Unfortunately, Tim Pawlenty vetoed the measure. As Governor, Kelliher says she will work to deliver that investment for the benefit of children throughout the greater Bemidji area.
“For almost a decade Minnesota has had a Governor with an unreasonable pattern of eliminating jobs with the tip of his veto pen,” said Kelliher. “As Governor, I will set an aggressive bonding agenda that will address the long backlog of high-value infrastructure needs throughout Minnesota – including investments in places just like Headwaters Science Center here in Bemidji.
“By passing two $1 billion bonding measures in my first two years as Governor, we can get as many as 50,000 Minnesotans back to work fixing roads and bridges, renovating classrooms, and improving other critical infrastructure assets statewide. That’s an investment worth making.”