Tom Tillberry was born in Waukesha, Wisconsin and was raised primarily in Winona, MN. He was elected in 2006 and reelected in 2008 as State Representative for 51B. Tom has most recently served on the following committee's at the Capitol: K-12 Education Finance, Taxes, Property Tax Division, Ways and Means. Tom was elected in 2005 to the Fridley School Board and served as Treasurer for that year. Tom is a 14 year veteran of Roseville High School with a total of 23 years of experience in the field of education. A licensed school counselor who holds a Master Degree in Counseling from Winona State University and a Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Science, also from Winona State University. Tom has served in a number of capacities focused on providing the best teaching and learning for students throughout Minnesota. He has negotiated contracts as Assistant Negotiator, Chief Negotiator and as Associate for the past 10 years for Education Minnesota - Roseville. Tom is married to his high school sweetheart, Kimberly Tillberry for 27 years and they have two children, Paul 22, and Kendra 19.

Important Issues:
Jobs for Minnesotans are one of the most important issues that we will be facing in our future. In order to ensure jobs in Minnesota we need to make sure Minnesota businesses grow. We need to invest in Minnesotans through generating new methods for financial viability which will place Minnesota in a great position for the future. New jobs will demand more education and training. The need for college-educated and highly trained workers is also increasing as more retire and exit the work force, causing a lack of workers with the most education and experience. We will need to invest in our educational system to assure that we will be able to meet the needs of our state. We need to stabilize our economy so that schools can adequately budget. They cannot continue to educate our children on funding that fluctuates so drastically every year.

Political Philosophy:
I will continue with legislation that grows real jobs. Giving tax cuts to the wealthiest Minnesotans hasn't worked for our economy, but the transportation bill and the bonding bill were excellent ways to provide jobs. The quality of our workforce has always been Minnesota's advantage. These two bills make long-overdue investments at public colleges and universities across Minnesota. This investment ensures the education system that trains our workforce remains competitive. That productive workforce is more important than ever as Minnesota products and ingenuity compete around the world. Economists say the investments we make in people will help secure our future. I believe in a good, efficient government that is working in the best interest of our citizens.