Southern Minnesota Initiative Foundation (SMIF)
Mar 31, 2008 Economy, Environment, Jobs, News
Just a reminder that the April 4, 2008 deadline is approaching for requests for seed money available from the Southern Minnesota Initiative Foundation. Up to $25,000 in seed capital is available for biobusinesses through the newly created Bio Seed Fund. These funds are designed to support start up and expanding bio-medical, bio-agriculture and renewable energy businesses. For more information you can refer to a previous blog here or visit http://www.smifoundation.org/
Endorsing Convention
Mar 30, 2008 News
District 25 DFL Unit held its endorsing convention Wednesday, March 26th, in Montgomery, (The event took place at the American Legion on Elm Ave.)
After some formalities, the convention divided into two conventions, one for 25B the district I represent. After being the only nominee I was endorsed unanimously. At the same time the 25A folks endorsed Tim Siebsen also with a unanimous vote. (Photos were taken by blogger Gavin Sullivan.)
I thanked delegates for their time and attention, as well as, Chair Kathy Farmer and her committee for organizing the convention and talked a few minutes about
current legislative session:
We have accomplished more in one month than some Legislature’s handle in an entire session. The first comprehensive transportation package in 20 years, which will create more than 30,000 jobs its first year. The House Capital Investment/Jobs bill will create more than 10,0000 jobs. In addition we passed a Legacy Bill, which gives Minnesotans the opportunity to make a long-term investment in the environment and clean water; tax conformity bill, which will provide millions of dollars in tax relief to
Minnesota taxpayers; created a fund for 35W Survivors.We will take a balanced approach Minnesotans want when it comes to solving the budget deficit and use all of the tools available to close the budget gap, including cuts.
We will work to maintain the progress we have made in education and health care.
We will not abandon those who cannot help themselves, the elderly and those with disabilities and those who work to make their lives better.
We will not abandon students struggling to afford a higher education.
We will work to reduce global warming and create green-collar jobs and will work with lenders, homeowners and community leaders to stabilize our neighborhoods and give Minnesotans the tools they need to avoid foreclosure.
Thank you for your support and I look forward to a spirited campaign.
Understanding Feed-in Tariffs
Mar 20, 2008 Economy, Energy, News
Let’s go green!
Marc Strassman of the Feed-in Tariff Channel interviews Terry Tamminen, former chief policy advisor to Governor Schwarzenegger. Tamminen discusses how feed-in tariffs encourage green energy and would allow the average citizen to become entrepreneurs in the green energy effort. The video is used with permission from the Feed-in Tariff Channel, which is part of Etopia News Network.
Health Care Reform
Mar 18, 2008 Health Care, News
This Legislature is reaching across the isle by building a coalition of political constituents combined with business and labor sectors, medical professionals and patients to reform our health care system. I have been involved in canvassing the state with other legislators to educate and inform Minnesotans about our new “Minnesota Health Plan” proposal. I believe that in the very near future one of the most crucial affects on a family or individual’s budget will be the cost for health care. A recent article in the hometown papers said by the year 2013, health care costs could rise to 1/4th of your income. If this figure proves to be accurate, health care will be inaccessible to a significantly large portion of our state population. The effect on large and small businesses will be serious and more individuals and families will be left with little or no health care. I will work diligently to make health care affordable for all Minnesotans.
The Environment
Mar 18, 2008 Environment, News
The creation of green-collar jobs and legislation to reduce global warming will be addressed this session. The 2008 Legislature is committed to finding ways to save our environment and improve the quality of life for not only ourselves but that of future generations.
Addressing the Budget Deficit
Mar 18, 2008 Economy, Education, Health Care, News
The 2008 Legislature will use all the tools available to close the budget gap, including cuts. However, we will take a long-term “balanced approach” that Minnesotans want us to do when it comes to solving this crisis. Finance committees will begin their work soon. The Governor has proposed a short-term view and fails to address the larger problems with the Minnesota budget. His current budget proposal, which includes a 1/8 of 1% reduction in the state sales tax, which he calls a “modest stimulus for the economy” will financially affect students struggling to afford the rising costs of higher education. It will also affect the care of our elderly and those with disabilities and it will “pull the rug out” from under those who cannot help themselves. An article in the Rochester Post-Bulletin on March 13 titled “Governor’s sales-tax cut is penny foolish” points to the Governor’s “stimulus” as nothing more than “voodoo economics“.
“Legislature is earning high marks for efficiency”
Mar 18, 2008 Environment, Jobs, News, Transportation
That is the headline of a March 14 editorial in the Rochester Post-Bulletin. The Legislature has accomplished more in one month than some Legislature’s handle in an entire session and we have just begun. Some of the accomplishments are:
The first comprehensive transportation package in 20 years.
Early passage in the House of a Capital Investment/Jobs bill that will create more than 10,000 jobs.
The Legacy Bill which gives Minnesotans the opportunity to make a long-term investment in the environment and clean water.
The tax conformity bill, which will provide millions of dollars in tax relief to Minnesota taxpayers.
The I-35W Survivors fund.
The 2008 Legislature could go into the books as one of the most productive.
Congestion Relief and Improved Safety on MN Roads
Mar 18, 2008 News, Transportation
With the recent creation and passing of the 2008 Transportation Bill we can look forward to improved safety and relief of congestion on our Minnesota roads. A new report released from MnDOT says traffic congestion has increased for the first time in four years. The survey shows 305 miles of congested freeway in the metro area, compared to 267 miles the previous year. Our transportation package, the first significant, comprehensive package in 20 years, will create more than 30,000 jobs in its first year and it also provides new money to expand roads to alleviate congestion and improve safety across the state.
Endorsing convention March 26
Mar 18, 2008 News
Montgomery Legion 102 Elm Ave W Montgomery, MN 56069 Senate District 25 DFL Convention to endorse candidates
for the House Districts 25A and 25B.
No delegates are elected at this convention. Registration begins at 6:30 p.m. Convention begins at 7:00 p.m. Event Contact: Kathy Farmer, 952-873-2808, kathy_sd25@yahoo.com Date: Wednesday, March 26, 2008 Time: 6:30 PM - 9:00 PM
