Mr. Dahle Goes to St. Paul

This past Saturday, I received the endorsement of the DFL party at the Senate District 25 endorsing convention in Montgomery. Representative David Bly received the endorsement for House District 25B and the Mick McGuire, Mayor of Montgomery, received the House District 25A endorsement. There were no challengers to the three endorsed candidates. An excerpt from my acceptance speech:

While I reaffirm my commitment to the party, I also want to pledge to continue to do my best to represent all Minnesotans… Republicans and Democrats, Independents, and others. When we stop working together, our legislature becomes a haven for special interests and personal agendas.

I believe together we can meet the challenges and maximize the opportunities that lay before us. What will break the people of District 25 is not adversity – we’ve been here before. What will break our spirit is thinking that tomorrow is going to be just like yesterday. If we think that government cannot change that which is broken, we lose interest, we lose faith, we lose the people…but worst of all, we lose the future.

I will be holding several town meetings this coming Saturday, February 20. I am interested in hearing your concerns about the budget, policy, or any other issues you may have. If you cannot make one of the town meetings this Saturday, I will be holding several others at locations around District 25 over the next month or so. I hope to see you there.

LeSueur Town Hall Meeting
10am LeSueur City Library
118 Ferry Street, LeSueur

Belle Plaine Town Hall Meeting
Noon Belle Plaine Public Library
125 West Main Street, Belle Plaine

Arlington Town Hall Meeting
3:30pm Arlington City Hall Chambers
204 Shamrock Drive, Arlington

As always, feel free to contact me at the Capitol. I can be reached at 651 296-1279 or [email protected]

Hey Gang! I turn 50 this weekend! That’s crazy in itself, but nevertheless, I have a few birthday wishes for this half century milestone.
1. A Viking victory over the New Orleans Saints
2. Spending time with friends and family
I could type a few other things like world peace or a budget miracle at the state capitol in the next few months but we will start small and work up from there. You can help by showing up at the party this Friday night, January 22, Upstairs at the Rueb-N-Stein in downtown Northfield (503 Division Street). My good friends in the band, Area 51, will be performing along with another good friend, Northfield’s own Chad Johnson. A cash bar and free hors d’oeuvres will be provided. No gifts, but I will accept a donation to my re-election campaign which begins in earnest this summer and fall. If you can’t make the party, please consider hitting the donate link at this site. I really appreciate your support.
Finally….yell real loud on Sunday. Let’s rally behind the Purple People Eaters on their way to Super Bowl XXIV. Who dat gonna beat those Saints? The Vikings, that’s who. Go Vikes!

During Jimmy Carter’s term in office, the 39th president expressed concerns about the complacency of the American public. Not surprising, considering America was not far removed from the conflict in Vietnam and the Watergate scandal. At the end of his term, the country was experiencing high unemployment, an energy shortage, inflation, and of course the Iran hostage Crisis.
Yesterday, I was asked to recite a patriotic reading as part of the Northfield 4th of July festivities. I chose a passage from Jimmy Carter’s farewell address delivered from the White House January 14, 1981. The President’s speech was delivered with the hope of reawakening American citizens to the ideals expressed in the Declaration of Independence. He spoke of human rights around the world and our nation’s obligation to serve as a beacon to oppressed people everywhere. He also spoke of our own country’s rights and values. His vision is still so relevant today:
“We live in a time of transition, an uneasy era which is likely to endure for the rest of this century. It will be a period of tensions both within nations and between nations — of competition for scarce resources, of social political and economic stresses and strains. During this period we may be tempted to abandon some of the time-honored principles and commitments which have been proven during the difficult times of past generations.
We must never yield to this temptation. Our American values are not luxuries but necessities — not the salt in our bread but the bread itself. Our common vision of a free and just society is our greatest source of cohesion at home and strength abroad — greater even than the bounty of our material blessings.
Remember these words:
“We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal; that they are endowed by their creator with certain inalienable rights; that among these are life liberty and the pursuit of happiness.”
This vision still grips the imagination of the world. But we know that democracy is always an unfinished creation. Each generation must renew its foundations. Each generation must rediscover the meaning of this hallowed vision in the light of its own modern challenges. For this generation, ours, life is nuclear survival; liberty is human rights; the pursuit of happiness is a planet whose resources are devoted to the physical and spiritual nourishment of its inhabitants.”
As we celebrate this 4th of July weekend, we should all work for the values this nation was founded to secure. That is the citizen Jimmy Carter has become. It is the type of citizen we should all strive to become.

Most every community in my Senate district will hold community celebrations and parades this summer. It is a great opportunity to meet constituents and sample the hospitality and fare each town has to offer. The people are always warm and inviting and, of course, always having a good time. Earlier this month I walked with the LeSueur County DFL in the Bullhead Days Parade in Waterville and more recently, the Cherry Creek Days Parade in Cleveland, Minnesota. We had great weather both weekends and my kids and I had a great time. I especially enjoyed dining on some tasty bullhead in Waterville. I couldn’t talk my kids into sampling the same, however. They settled for the foot long corn dog. Food always tastes better at a community celebration. Northfield hosted its annual “Taste of Northfield” event this past week. They had a great turnout. Needless to say, I was unable to taste everything offered in Bridge Square on a beautiful Thursday evening. This Sunday I will be walking in the Henderson Sauerkraut Days Parade beginning at noon. Following the parade, I will be spending some time at Bender Park and offering a few words of congratulations to the Parade Grand Marshall, Jeff Bertrang. Jeff, born and raised in Henderson, has been promoted to General in the Minnesota National Guard. Congratulations, Jeff. I look forward to visiting with you.
Of course, there are plenty of other community celebrations to come. Kolacky Days in Montgomery, BBQ Days in Belle Plaine, Defeat of Jesse James Days in Northfield…and a community celebration in Dundas this weekend, just to name a few. Join in the fun. Watch a parade, eat some food, and meet some friends.

Yesterday, I had the opportunity to speak before the Northfield Rotary Club, providing a brief summary of the just completed legislative session. Representative David Bly also shared in the wrap up. The Northfield Rotary is a great group of local citizens who meet every Thursday for lunch at the Northfield Country Club. I want to extend thanks to Doug Crane for the invitation and Laurie Williams, Rotary President and Rick Estenson, President Elect, for their hospitality and fellowship. The Rotary Club, a nationwide service organization, incorporates the Four-Way Test as part of their philosophy of service. Those four questions:
1. Is it the truth?
2. Is it fair to all concerned?
3. Will it build goodwill and better friendships?
4. Will it be beneficial to all concerned?
As part of my presentation, I suggested that politicians and elected officials would do well to consider these four truths in carrying out good government. We should always be truthful in our relations with constituents or fellow legislators. We should be up front and honest as we explain our motives and reasoning behind our votes on issues and policy. People should expect their politicians to be fair and forthcoming in the daily dialogue that guide our decisions.
This past session I was chief author of 32 bills and co-author on an additional 34 pieces of legislation. Many of those bills were signed into law by the Governor. The bills covered a wide range of topics: from energy conservation, transportation, education, commerce and consumer protection, health care, and other topics. Not all legislation can build goodwill or better friendships, but I can honestly say the process, more often than not, can promote a better understanding and consensus among the many stakeholders… even those with divergent opinions. I look forward to working with them again.
I am proud of the many successes I experienced this past session. I would like to think that bills I have authored will indeed be “beneficial to all concerned.” After all, elected officials have an obligation to serve their constituents. Members of community service organizations, such as the Rotary Club, Sertoma, the Lions Club, and others are under no such obligation to serve. But we are all better off because they do. That is the truth.
Bills I have authored this session can be found at:

<a href=”https://www.revisor.leg.state.mn.us/revisor/pages/search_status/status_results.php?body=Senate&search=author&session=0862009&legid=15288&submit_author=GO”>

This past weekend I stopped by Green Isle and Arlington for a couple of town meetings. There was a lot of good discussion on a variety of issues, most centering on the Minnesota’s budget deficit. Questions about how to balance the budget, specific bills regarding revenue and cuts, and queries about the federal stimulus dollars dotted the discussion. Many constituents expressed concerns about our local and state business climate and how we attract and maintain jobs to keep our economy moving. Others worried about labor and worker protections as a vital component of a strong middle class. Some folks expressed specific concerns about health care, our veterans, our roads and rails, and our schools. I appreciated the spirited tone of the meetings. Even though many topics brought out passionate discussion and even disagreement on causes or solutions, those in attendance expressed their views in a thoughtful and respectful manner. I look forward to returning to that part of District 25. They definitely pay attention to their local and state politics.

This morning I was invited to read a story to the Northfield Three Rivers Head Start class. I enjoyed reading the “Big Red Barn” to about 20 three to five year old youngsters. I was very impressed with the students and I was equally impressed with the staff. It is a great learning environment with a lot of interaction and energy. I know the importance of investing in our early childhood programs. Every dollar invested in early childhood education pays such big dividends down the road. Teaching basic skills early and connecting kids to learning is a proven recipe for success in elementary-secondary education and beyond. I look forward to my next visit to this school and others like it. There are a lot of neat things happening in our pre-school programs.

The Mayor of Elysian was overhead leaving one of the many town meetings held in District 25 over the weekend, “That was kind of fun.” I couldn’t agree more. It is not every Saturday that local citizens get a chance to gather to discuss the issues of the day. We discussed a variety of issues and I was impressed with the level of discussion, the interest and knowledge of the participants and the respectful tone of the meetings….even when participants took opposing views. So what did the citizens of District 25 bring to the table?
Two weeks ago, I visited Waterville, Elysian, LeCenter and Cleveland. Last Saturday, I held town meetings in Belle Plaine, LeSueur, Montgomery, and New Prague. Foremost on everyone’s mind was the budget deficit and the economy. Several expressed concerns about proposed cuts and the long term effects of such cuts. Specifically, cuts to Local Government Aid, Education, and Health and Human Services seemed to garner the most attention. Most agreed that cuts will be necessary and as we move forward, prioritizing and determining the level of cuts will need to be decided. But other residents said that Minnesota may need to look at new sources of revenue to maintain basic government services and ensure a quality of life we have come to expect in Minnesota.
Several constituents in the New Prague and Belle Plaine area have concerns about the CapX2020 project. CapX2020 is a joint initiative of 11 transmission-owning utilities in Minnesota and the surrounding region to expand the electric transmission grid. The transmission lines will be built in phases and several residents have concerns about the line’s route and the impact this project will have on their lives. Representative David Bly and I have introduced legislation to address some of their concerns.
Casinos, Unemployment, Nuclear power, parks and trails, pensions, and the Minnesota Health Plan were part of the agenda in several of the towns. The Green Acres legislation in 2008 also garnered much discussion. I am a co-author on a bill in the legislature that would repeal many of those changes to make sure farmland is valued for tax purposes on its agricultural value, rather than its future development potential or highest and best use value.
Many citizens shared their real life experiences at these meetings. They have expertise in farming, health care, local government, energy, education, and the environment. Dropping two fishing lines in the lake may not seem like a big deal to many, but a proposed law on that very matter prompted one resident fisherman to voice his opposition. I was happy to listen. And if this comes up for a vote on the floor of the Senate, I will consider myself a more informed legislator. Thank you, constituents, for sharing your thoughts and concerns these past few weekends. That was kind of fun.

Last night I attended the deployment ceremony of the 34th Red Bulls Infantry Division, over 1000 Minnesota soldiers who will be heading to Iraq after initial training in Washington State. Paula Geisler, city administrator in Green Isle, asked if I would attend. She was there last night saying good-bye to her daughter who will be leaving this Friday for a one year mission in the southern provinces of Iraq. The Red Bulls will be in charge of leadership, command, control, and in-depth analysis for a 16,000 person multinational Division, and will have direct partnership with more than 40,000 Iraqi Security Forces.
In a moving ceremony, family, friends, community leaders and our citizen soldiers listened intently to a range of speakers, including Major General Rick Nash and the Minnesota Commander–in-Chief Tim Pawlenty. More than a few tears were shed in Roy Wilkins auditorium as music and patriotic messages completed the hour long ceremony.
The ceremony was followed by a steak dinner, thanks to the many restaurants, businesses, and volunteers in the Twin Cities area. It was the largest single seating meal ever served in St. Paul…a fitting send-off for our heroes and their loved ones.
Thank you soldiers. Thank you for serving this state and this country. Thanks for your support for freedom… here and around the world. A lot of people are behind you…not just the 6000 people who attended last night. The nation is behind you and eternally grateful for the personal and professional sacrifices you make for us. We are proud of you. We look forward to each and everyone returning to St. Paul. There’s another steak dinner waiting for you.

I will be conducting town meeting in several neighboring communities over the next few weeks. Feel free to bring your concerns and questions to any of the sites listed. I will be scheduling additional town meetings in Northfield, Arlington, Green Isle, and other communities in March. As we discuss possible budget solutions it is important to gather citizen and constituent input as we move forward this session. Of course you are always free to contact me by mail, email, or by phone. Check out the contact information listed on this site. I can also schedule a visit in my office or in your community as my schedule permits. I look forward to hearing from you.
Feb. 7 - Waterville – Eggs and Issues Breakfast (Educators only) 10am
Feb. 7 – Elysian – Elysian Tourism Center 1-2pm
Feb. 7 – Cleveland – City Hall 2:30-3:30pm
Feb. 7 – LeCenter – City Hall 4-5pm
Feb. 14 – LeSueur – LeSueur Public Library 10-11am
Feb. 14 – Belle Plaine – City Hall 11:30am -12:30pm
Feb. 14 – New Prague – City Hall 1-2pm
Feb. 14 – Montgomery – City Hall 2:30-3:30pm