Reminder: MN House District 25B Energy Summit
Jan 29, 2008 Energy, Environment, News
Just a reminder of the upcoming, first ever, MN House District 25B energy summit I am hosting with the Northfield Energy Taskforce. This summit will be held in the Valhalla Room at St. Olaf College on January 31st at 5:30PM. The purpose of this event will be to discuss and share ideas about the energy challenges and opportunities facing local governments given the groundbreaking energy policy of the Minnesota legislature in 2007. The public is welcome
Minnesota Health Reform Caucus (MHRC)
Jan 29, 2008 Health Care, News
Starting in the summer of 07’, a group of freshmen legislators, committed to real health care reform, began meeting in St. Paul. Calling themselves the Minnesota Health Reform Caucus, the group is chaired by myself, Carolyn Laine (DFL, Columbia Heights) and Shelly Madore (DFL, Apple Valley). We met regularly to discuss issues into today’s health care reform debate such as single-payer, de-privatization, county-based purchasing, managed care, health savings accounts (HSAs), report cards, disease management, medical homes, bulk purchasing of prescription drugs to name a few.
We have also worked with Rep. Ken Tschumper (DFL, La Crescent) and Sen. John Marty (DFL, Roseville) on the Minnesota Health Plan, a bill for true reform. Both of them have been very busy with the single-payer working group of the Health Care Access Commission.
I urge you to support MHRC leaders and members in any way you can. Write your respective legislatures urging them to support the MHRC by attending the upcoming press conference at the State Office Building, Room 181 on February 11 at 11:15 AM.
Prior to the press conference a handful of us will tour the state, Feb. 7,8, and 9, to promote the Minnesota Health Plan. In addition to the bill we are promoting several bills that will bring us closer to our goal of providing quality, comprehensive health care to all Minnesotans that is affordable, portable and can’t be taken away. Our last stop will be in Northfield on Feb. 9th for a 1:30-2:00 PM Northfield Press Conference and then a 2-3:00 PM Northfield Town Hall Meeting at the public library.
Minnesota Sesquicentennial at the St. Paul Winter Carnival
Jan 23, 2008 News
The Minnesota Sesquicentennial Commission is hosting eleven days of special events for history buffs, amateur artists and kids of all ages at this year's St. Paul Winter Carnival, to help commemorate 150 years of Minnesota statehood. Just around the corner from the U.S. Figure Skating Championships, the Sesquicentennial booth (inside the Landmark Center's cortile) will have storytellers, book-signings, coloring contests and a whole lot more.
The festivities kick-off with a talk and book signing by Doug Hoverson, author of "Land of Amber Waters: The History of Brewing in Minnesota," on January 23rd from 4 to 6 p.m. Hoverson will be on hand at the Sesquicentennial booth to talk about more than 150 years of beer and ale in Minnesota as well as sign copies of his book.
Thursday, January 24th, author Steve Keillor will stop by from 5 to 8 p.m. and sign copies of his book, "Shaping Minnesota's Identity: 150 Years of State History." 
Friday night, January 25th, master storyteller Dwight Wilcox will regale visitors with tall tales and historical interpretations. It will be a great educational and entertaining activity for kids and adults January 25th, 5 to 8 p.m.
Saturday, January 26th, the Sesquicentennial is sponsoring coloring contests at the top of every hour. Kids age 12 and under will each get the same page from the Department of Natural resource’s State Symbols coloring book and have 5 minutes to work on it with crayons. Sesquicentennial judges will then choose a winner who will receive a bronze Sesquicentennial medallion. All participants will receive special prizes.
Also on Saturday, the Sesquicentennial Commission is marching in the Grand Day parade through downtown St. Paul with Jon Olson and a wagon from the Sesquicentennial Wagon Train. For more info on the upcoming winter carnival events and future scheduled events click here.
Local Ownership For Energy Projects
Jan 20, 2008 Energy, Environment, News
A recent article by H. J. Cummins, Star Tribune, reports on my sponsorship of a bill to encourage local ownership of small energy projects. This proposal takes a more European approach to renewable energy. The measure would be a counterpoint to other tax incentives, including a federal production tax credit, that typically benefit large, corporate investors.
The proposed model, known as “feed-in tariffs” has worked in countries such as Germany, increasing both renewable energy capacity and the role of small owners. Under this system, Germany expanded its wind capacity 70% every year for a decade and its solar capacity expanded 70% per year from 1999 to 2005. Other states such as Michigan and California have been looking at feed-in tariffs although no state has yet developed such a program.
For more info on this proposal you can read the full Star Tribune article, with any associated images and links click here.
First Ever Energy Summit of Minnesota House District 25B
Jan 18, 2008 Energy, Environment, News
The Northfield Energy Taskforce and I will be hosting the first ever Energy Summit of Minnesota House District 25B on January 31st, 2008 at 5:30 p.m. at St. Olaf College, Valhalla Room. The purpose of the event will be to discuss and share ideas about the energy challenges and opportunities facing local governments given the groundbreaking energy policy of the Minnesota legislature in 2007. It is open to the public.
Landmark energy policies were enacted last year and that has made our state a national leader on energy conservation and renewable energy. We have crossed into uncharted territory and now it’s important for us to work together at the state and local levels on these important energy issues. The 2007 Session was marked by many historic achievements – such as a 27.5% renewable energy standard by 2025 and a goal of reducing by 80% greenhouse gas emissions by 2050.
The legislature also passed Community Based Energy Development legislation that will encourage local renewable energy projects. This new legislation has presented opportunities for local governments and utilities to work together in a mutually beneficial manner. By collaborating and focusing on innovation, local governments and energy providers can promote energy conservation by increasing energy efficiency and thus reducing costs. This Energy Summit can be a valuable step forward for Northfield, Bellle Plaine, and surrounding areas to begin exploring these issues.
The Northfield Energy Taskforce will share information about new laws and discuss concerns and questions. Rep. Bill Hilty, Chair of the House Energy Committee will also participate.
This summit is an opportunity to learn and share information on a wide variety of energy issues, including very sensible ways we can efficiently save energy and reduce personal energy costs today. I urge all concerned citizens to attend the Energy summit.
Planning for Energy and Climate Uncertainty
Jan 18, 2008 Energy, Environment, News
* A program for the general public
There will be an informational meeting at the Rochester Community & Technical College, Heinz Center Commons: 1926 College View Road E (SE corner of College View and 19th Ave. SE). in Rochester, MN on Friday, January 18, 2008 at 3:00 PM
It is free to the public and no registration is needed.
For directions click here.
For more information contact Norm Erickson at norme2@charter.net or Ray Schmitz rschmitz22@charter.net.
Focus The Nation (FTN)
Jan 14, 2008 Environment, News
Focus the Nation is a national teach-in on solutions to global climate change, scheduled on St. Olaf campus for Jan 15th and 16th.
The Keynote address for St. Olaf Focus the Nation will be January 15th at 7:30pm in SC280 (sponsored with PAC). David Orr, the pre-eminent catalyst for ecological literacy and environmental practice on college campuses, will speak about how to use our “designing minds” to meet the challenges of the ecological revolution of the 21st century. Orr is the author of several books, including Ecological Literacy, Earth in Mind, The Nature of Design, and Design on the Edge.
Please take a look at all of the learning opportunities happening in conjunction with Focus the Nation here at St. Olaf. The events are found here.
The College Republicans are also sponsoring a documentary on Monday, January 21st at 8pm in Viking Theatre relating to global climate change issues as well.
Veteran’s Report
Jan 11, 2008 Health Care, News
On Monday, January 14, 2008 at 10:30 AM, The House and Senate Veterans Affairs Policy and Finance Committees and Divisions will meet in Room 5, of the State Office Building.
The Agenda: To discuss the Veterans Long Term Care Advisory Committee report, and the Veterans Mental Health and Psychological Support Services report.
Chairs: Rep. Mary Ellen Otremba, Rep. Juhnke, Rep. Koenen, Sen. Vickerman
The Veterans Long Term Care Advisory Committee reports will include:
…..Defining the mental health needs of returning Operation Enduring Freedom/Operation Iraqi Freedom troops in Minnesota: A clinical survey, with special emphasis on Traumatic Brain Injury and Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder and with reference to a Veterans facility under planning by the Minnesota Veterans Homes Board in Kandiyohi County.
A review of the report can be found here:
For a review of the psychological study click here:
Minnesota Sesquicentennial Cookbook
Jan 10, 2008 News
The Minnesota Sesquicentennial organizers are collecting recipes from across the state to create a historic cookbook reflecting all things Minnesotan through food. A special Sesquicentennial Cookbook Committee is asking Minnesotans to share their unique culinary creations and family favorites with their friends and neighbors in this special collection. The committee wants a final product that represents Minnesota's vast cultural diversity at its 150th anniversary. Swedish, Vietnamese, Norwegian, Somali, German and Argentinean just to name a few; Minnesota can claim a unique mixture of palates that the Sesquicentennial Cookbook will echo. Recipes from each of the 87 counties are needed to complete the book. The Cookbook Committee wants to hear about foods that define Minnesota, local products unique to specific areas, foods tied to regional traditions and signature dishes from landmark restaurants across the state.
This cookbook will highlight personal stories, photos, memories and drawings that relate to food across Minnesota. Anyone can submit a recipe and a personal story or photo tied to the recipe’s history.
The deadline for submissions is January 30th. It is Minnesotans’ LAST CHANCE to be part of this unique snapshot of Minnesota at its 150th anniversary.
All recipes, photos, stories, thoughts and questions can be e-mailed to cookbook@mn150years.org or sent directly to the Sesquicentennial office at:
Sesquicentennial Cookbook, C/O James J. Hill House
240 Summit Avenue
St. Paul, MN 55102
The deadline for submitting a recipe is January 30th, 2008
