Economy (5)

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The Next Governor

Friday, September 25th, 2009

loon The Next Governor Even though the election is over a year away, the race for Governor is in full swing. I have had several calls from candidates and have enjoyed lunch or a cup of coffee with a numerous others, looking for support. Politicians from both parties have declared their candidacy, started exploratory campaigns, or are still considering a run for the right to succeed Tim Pawlenty as Minnesota’s 40th Governor.

How do you decide at this point? With 15- 20 candidates in the ring you wonder how one candidate can get enough momentum to carry them to the endorsing conventions next spring followed by a real possibility of a primary election. No doubt, these candidates are working hard. I see them at parades and fundraisers in towns like Montgomery and Gaylord, all trying to meet the party faithful and raise the dollars necessary for a statewide campaign.

There are some excellent candidates for Governor. You have your choice of women and men, out state or metro, with experiences ranging from former U.S Senators, the Speaker of the House, former and current legislators, prosecutors, and big city mayors. Some have been running for years while others wait to announce.

What does Minnesota hope to find in its next Governor? We need a governor who puts Minnesota first, someone willing to work with the House and Senate regardless of party labels. He or she must consider all options for resolving a budget deficit seeking long term solutions. Those solutions should involve job creation, investment in our infrastructure –our roads, bridges, and improved transit serving both metro and out state Minnesota. Education must be a top priority for the next Governor. An innovative, resourceful, and educated workforce becomes a reality by investing in our early childhood programs, K-12, and our colleges and Universities. The next Governor should welcome health care reform and show the nation that Minnesota can be a leader, rather than a follower; in making sure all Minnesotans have access to quality care. The next governor must pay attention to our energy and environmental needs now and in the future, crafting policy that reflects the needs of our rural and urban landscape. A great communicator with real leadership and passion would be frosting on the cake.

That’s a tall order. But with this many candidates, we should be able to weed out the very best and brightest of all of them. I’ll be listening. I will be asking questions. Stay tuned. A candidate for Governor will be coming soon to an event near you.

Tags: election 2010
Posted in Economy, Education, Energy, Health Care | No Comments »

Bonding Committee Visit

Friday, September 18th, 2009

I’d like to extend a note of thanks to the people and local officials in our area who extended their hospitality to members of the Minnesota Senate Capitol Investment Committee, who recently came to Northfield as part of a regional tour to consider plans for improvements and new construction at a number of sites.

The Senate group gathered in Northfield for a presentation by Minnesota Department of Transportation officials detailing that agency’s statewide proposals. I had an opportunity to speak to the group about our $520,000 bonding proposal to help finance a new transit station and Park & Ride. The proposed facility provides several amenities in one location. With the proposed Laurel Court site, it would provide easy access to Minnesota Highways 19 & 3. The location also provides connections to Mill Towns Trail, bike paths, and sidewalks providing interconnectivity throughout the City of Northfield. In addition, it would provide a convenient future connection for commuters to and from the Twin Cities and Rochester areas.

I know that the senators who visited our area appreciated the warm welcome they were given, as well as a good first-hand look at our proposals.

Tags: Mill Towns trail, transit
Posted in Economy, Rice County, Transportation | No Comments »

Honoring Labor on Labor Day

Monday, September 7th, 2009

labor Honoring Labor on Labor Day

“Labor was the first price, the original purchase-money that was paid for all things. It was not by gold or by silver, but by labor, that all wealth of the world was originally purchased.” ~Adam Smith

Today we observe Labor Day, one last vacation day signaling the end of summer and the start of the school year for many. Unfortunately, many people forget the true meaning of the original Labor Day celebration, a recognition of the contributions of organized labor in this country. The first Labor Day in the United States was celebrated on September 5, 1882 in New York City. Several years later, in the aftermath of the deaths of a number of workers at the hands of the U.S. military during the 1894 Pullman Strike, President Grover Cleveland put reconciliation with Labor as a top political priority. Fearing further conflict, legislation making Labor Day a national holiday was rushed through Congress unanimously and signed into law six days after the end of the strike.
But what have labor unions done for America over the last 100 years? Here is a brief list of benefits that have been brought to you by the efforts of organized labor: health benefits, health and dental insurance, unemployment insurance, workers compensation, safer worksites, 40 hour workweek and 8 hour days, overtime pay, grievance procedures, minimum wage, social security, pension plans, paid vacation and holidays, paid maternity and paternity leaves, adoption leaves. Unions have successfully defended workers against unfair accusations on the job, unfair labor practices, and attacks on the collective bargaining process. Unions were significant force in America’s quest for public education and for civil and voting rights in this country. And the work is far from done. Unions still look after the needs and rights of workers and provide them with quality training so they can work safely and productively.
I have been a member of a union for over 25 years. Today I salute my fellow brothers and sisters who work every day to put food on the table, support their families, and live the American dream. You deserve a day of rest.

Posted in Economy | No Comments »

Economic Assistance

Sunday, August 2nd, 2009

A couple of cities in District 25 received some good news earlier this summer. The city of Montgomery has been awarded $608,300 from the Small Cities Development Program (SCDP). This award is to rehabilitate 15 owner-occupied houses, eight commercial building, and six rental units to benefit the cities of Montgomery and Lonsdale.
The Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED) administers the Community Development Block Grant Program for greater Minnesota through the SCDP, which encourages community development activities. These activities are consistent with comprehensive local and area-wide development planning that furthers the goal of providing a decent and suitable living environment for all households in Minnesota with an emphasis on benefits for low and moderate income families.
The Minnesota Dislocated Worker program approved a $270,000 grant to serve 75 workers laid off from LeSueur Inc. in LeSueur. The Dislocated Worker program, which is both state and federally funded, is administered through the South Central Workforce Council. The return to work program assists eligible workers in finding new jobs as quickly as possible, at the highest skill and wage level possible. Services can range from job search workshops to intensive career counseling to financial assistance with long term training depending on the labor market and the goals of the individual customer.
These types of programs are critical to the communities of greater Minnesota. The financial resources of the programs, coupled with both private and public resources, provide rural communities with a comprehensive approach in addressing their needs. It is good to see these programs finding their way to our local communities.

Posted in Economy, Le Sueur County | No Comments »

Weighing the Vote

Sunday, July 19th, 2009

senate convenes 33 Weighing the Vote From now until the 2010 election, we will hear the steady drumbeat from the opposition critical of legislators and their work during the 2009 legislative session, specifically dealing with the unprecedented $6.4 budget deficit. I am okay with that. As an elected official, I understand we will be subject to criticism, right or wrong. The people’s freedom to express themselves is essential in a representative democracy.
Freiderich von Schiller once said, “Votes should be weighed, not counted.” As constituents, how do we fairly evaluate a legislative vote? That is a difficult question. First of all, Minnesota has been in the midst of the worst recession in over 60 years. There were no easy votes this past legislative session. And to be certain, no politician campaigns on a platform of deep cuts and tax increases. So what are the options? Perhaps you vote for a Senate plan which included a combination of significant cuts and increased revenue? With compromise in mind, you may cast a vote on a different option because you know the Governor will accept the bill. Sometimes you cast a vote because it is the best bill the House of Representatives can muster. A lot of hard work followed by difficult decisions. Ideally, you cast a vote because you believe it is the best solution to a tough problem and because you believe the outcome is best for the citizens of District 25 and the state of Minnesota.
Voting on the floor of the Senate is one part of being a legislator. I received good advice from a friend recently, a gentle reminder: “Vote your convictions.” Partisanship aside, if your legislator believes we should invest in education, take care of the sick and the poor, clean up our air and water, rebuild our roads and bridges, and work to build an economy that provides good jobs with benefits…that’s the best we can hope for. Hard work. Compromise. Conviction. And if people choose to be critical, that is their right. Criticism is part of our public policy process and I welcome the debate.