Capitol View Category Archive: 2011 Freshman class

Stillwater Bridge lobbying in DC heats up

Posted at 2:50 PM on September 22, 2011 by Brett Neely
Filed under: 2011 Freshman class, U.S. House, U.S. Senate

WASHINGTON - A large delegation from the Minnesota and Wisconsin sides of the St. Croix River was in Washington yesterday and today to press Congress for legislation allowing the construction of a new span over the river.

While there's near-universal consensus that the historic lift bridge is obsolete and a traffic bottleneck, the St. Croix River is protected under the federal Wild and Scenic Rivers Act which makes building a replacement complicated. Congress must authorize exemptions to the law, which is far from simple.

Bill Berndt should know. The former Wisconsin lawmaker has been working on and off on the Stillwater Bridge issue since 1984.

"Is there a finish line? You bet there is. And are we close? We feel we are," said Berndt, who's now the federal lobbyist for the Coalition for the St. Croix River Crossing.

The open question is what legislative path that authorization will take. There are standalone bills in the House and Senate, introduced by Rep. Michele Bachmann and Sen. Amy Klobuchar respectively. Both bills had successful subcommittee hearings but have not had hearings from the full committees that refer legislation to the floor of each chamber.

The issue has the support of all four U.S. Senators from Minnesota and Wisconsin, both states' governors and almost all of the U.S. House members whose districts are nearby. The lone standout is DFL Rep. Betty McCollum who argues that the planned replacement bridge is too large and too expensive.

Congressional sources say that Bachmann has agreed to use Klobuchar's language, which will speed up the process if there's no difference between the House and Senate versions of the bill. Bachmann's language would have, in essence, ignored the Wild and Scenic Rivers Act while Klobuchar's language makes it clear that authorizing the bridge constitutes an exemption the act and must include environmental mitigation measures.

With Congress frequently deadlocked, many bills have been stuck in legislative limbo this session. One House staffer for a Minnesota member said a likely approach would be for language authorizing a new bridge to be attached to one of the "must-pass" bills Congress takes up this fall. But so far, no Congressional office has confirmed plans to go that legislative route.

When asked about whether he preferred the bill move through Congress on its own or as part of broader legislation, Berndt said, "We'll take a victory any way it comes."

The other obstacle facing the bill is time. Gov. Dayton had initially set a soft deadline of Sept. 30 for Congress to act before he directed MNDOT to begin allocating the funds set aside for a new bridge to other construction projects. Dayton's office referred requests for an update on that deadline to MNDOT, which has not responded to multiple requests for clarification from MPR News

Berndt appeared unconcerned about the Sept. 30 deadline, saying that significant progress had been made since the deadline was set and that Congressional action was imminent.

"I would anticipate that you're going to see some action very soon," said Berdnt. "I wouldn't be surprised that given the schedule that is up, October will be an awfully crucial month for us."

Communications workers target Cravaack

Posted at 4:49 PM on August 30, 2011 by Catharine Richert
Filed under: 2011 Freshman class, U.S. House

Eighth district Rep. Chip Cravaack is among 24 freshman lawmakers targeted by a new direct mailing campaign sponsored by a telecommunications union.

At issue is the partial shutdown of the Federal Aviation Administration that occurred earlier this summer. The Communications Workers of America says Cravaack was among Republicans who supported adding a provision to the FAA reauthorization bill that would have reverted to old rules about airline employee unionization. Critics say the old rules would make it harder for airline workers to unionize.

By insisting on the provision, CWA says the GOP held-up passage of a long-term funding bill. (Congress ultimately agreed to a short-term funding bill that ended the shutdown.)

The campaign is using targeted mailers, phone calls and other tactics to put pressure on Cravaack and other Republican lawmakers to agree to a long-term reauthorization when Congress comes back to Washington in the fall.

I contacted Cravaack's office for comment, and will update this story when I hear back.

Update: Cravaack's spokesman, Michael Bars, sent this comment

The House responsibly passed a bipartisan FAA extension on July 20th and immediately sent the bill to the Senate to avert an imminent shutdown. The Senate did nothing. Senator Reid was more concerned with Ely, NV - not tens of thousands of FAA jobs and working families throughout the country.

Carly Melin makes Capitol debut

Posted at 1:57 PM on February 16, 2011 by Tim Nelson
Filed under: 2011 Freshman class

A day after her special election victory, newly-elected Rep. Carly Melin, DFL-Hibbing, is making the rounds at the Capitol today.

She says she's already got the keys to her office and that she'll probably be moving into the State Office Building early next week. Her election has yet to be canvassed and made official, but she expects that will happen soon, as well.

Melin says she's already talking with minority leader Paul Thissen about what committees she'll join. She's hoping for Jobs and Economic Development at the least.

"People want jobs," she said in a press conference this afternoon. We have a 50 percent unemployment rate in the construction trades right now and a lot of people in rural Minnesota, northern Minnesota, depend on that industry... They want to get back to work."

Melin also hopes Dayton's bonding bill will bring some more work to the Range, and that she thinks the governor's budget is "a step in the right direction."

She said Dayton's proposed income tax hike wouldn't effect 95 percent of Minnesotans. "There's not a lot of rich in my area," Melin said, "So it'll probably be higher than 95 percent in my area."

Melin is the first woman to represent the Range since Rep. Lona Minne left office in 1988.

Ethics panel will hear complaint against GOP Senator

Posted at 1:30 PM on February 4, 2011 by Tim Pugmire
Filed under: 2011 Freshman class, Michele Bachmann

Minnesota Senate President Michelle Fischbach announced today that a hearing will be held next week on a DFL complaint against Sen. Scott Newman, R-Hutchinson.

The Senate Rules Subcommittee on Ethical Conduct will hold a probable cause hearing Feb. 9.

Three DFL senators filed a complaint last week after Newman turned down a meeting request from the Minnesota Nurses Association. His legislative aide told the nurses that it was because they supported Newman's DFL opponent in the November election. Newman later apologized and said he was not aware of the rejection.

Taking on Cravaack

Posted at 10:40 AM on January 31, 2011 by Tim Nelson (1 Comments)
Filed under: 2011 Freshman class, Campaign 2010: U.S. MN CD8

Well, that didn't take long.

The Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee is already going after 8th District Minnesota Republican Chip Cravaak -- not even a month after he was sworn in. The Democrats say they're going to run radio and web ads against the first-termer.

It's part of their "Drive to 25" campaign that's going to run radio ads, web ads, automated phone calls, live phone calls, and e-mails in 19 districts this week, starting today.

The Cravaack ad specifically calls on him to reject the budget proposal unveiled last week by a Republican study committee, according to the DCCC's Jesse Ferguson.

Here's the Facebook version of the campaign:

The other targets include Lou Barletta (PA-11), Charlie Bass (NH-02), Ann Marie Buerkle (NY-25), Steve Chabot (OH-01), Robert Dold (IL-10), Sean Duffy (WI-07), Blake Farenhold (TX-27), Mike Fitzpatrick (PA-08), Nan Hayworth (NY-19), Joe Heck (NV-03), Robert Hurt (VA-05), Thad McCotter (MI-11), Patrick Meehan (PA-07), Dave Reichert (WA-08), David Rivera (FL-25), Jon Runyan (NJ-03), Joe Walsh (IL-08), Allen West (FL-22)

There's still no firm word, though, of anybody stepping up to challenge the insurgent Republican.

Cravaack's office didn't immediately respond to an inquiry about the ads or the budget plan

DFLers file Newman ethics complaint

Posted at 4:55 PM on January 27, 2011 by Tim Nelson
Filed under: 2011 Freshman class, MN Legislature

Three DFL senators have sent a letter to Senate president Michelle Fischbach, asking the Senate Rules Subcommittee on Ethical Conduct to investigate Republican Scott Newman, of Hutchinson.

They allege he rebuffed a meeting request -- via his legislative aide -- from the Minnesota Nurses Association, citing what his office believed to be support for his opponent in the November election.

Newman earlier this week apologized, called it was a misunderstanding and said that politics don't decide his meeting schedule.

But Sandy Pappas, Scott Dibble and Kenneth Kelash want a formal investigation.

"Let's see," said Pappas in an interview. "Let's let the ethics committee do a thorough investigation and see if anyone else comes forward, to bring them in under oath and talk about if this was office procedure. Are there other people doing this? Is he alone? Is he not giving his brand new (legislative assistant) proper instructions? Let's find out."

The state Republican party called the complaint politically motivated and frivilous. Newman wasn't available to respond to the letter this afternoon. Here it is.

Ethics Subcommittee Letter

Three new DFL House members

Posted at 8:00 AM on December 31, 2010 by Tim Pugmire (1 Comments)
Filed under: 2011 Freshman class, MN Legislature

The newly-elected members of the Minnesota House are dominated by Republicans. But there are also three new DFLers in the group.

Representative-elect Kerry Gauthier, DFL-Duluth, District 7B
Election: Defeated Republican candidate Travis Silvers to replace retiring Rep. Roger Reinert, DFL-Duluth
Family:
Occupation: Social services
Education: BA, College of St. Scholastica; MS, University of Wisconsin-Superior

Representative-elect Marion Greene, DFL Minneapolis, District 60A
Election: Defeated Republican candidate Brian Gruber to replace retiring Rep. Margaret Anderson Kelliher, DFL-Minneapolis
Family: Married, two stepchildren
Occupation: Health policy analyst
Education: BA, Swarthmore College; MBA, University of Texas at Austin

Representative-elect Rena Moran, DFL-St. Paul, District 65A
Election: Defeated Republican candidate Paul Holmgren to replace retiring Rep. Cy Thao, DFL-St. Paul
Family: Married, seven children
Occupation: Parent leader coordinator
Education: BA, Southern Illinois University

(Photoes courtesy of the Minnesota House)

New GOP House members, vol. 3

Posted at 3:30 PM on December 30, 2010 by Tim Pugmire
Filed under: 2011 Freshman class, MN Legislature

Here's another group of new state representatives:

Representative-elect Pam Myhra, R-Burnsville, District 40A
Election: Defeated incumbent Rep. Will Morgan, DFL-Burnsville
Family: Married, three children
Occupation: CPA
Education: BA, University of St. Thomas

Representative-elect Tim O'Driscoll, R-Sartell, District 14A
Election: Defeated DFL candidate Rob Jacobs to replace retiring Rep. Dan Severson, R-Sauk Rapids
Family: Single
Occupation: Corporate trainer
Education: BS, St. Cloud State University

Representative-elect Branden Petersen, R-Andover, District 49BElection: Defeated incumbent Rep. Jerry Newton, DFL-Coon Rapids
Family: Married
Occupation: Sales manager
Education:

Representative-elect Duane Quam, R-Byron, District 29AElection: Defeated DFL candidate Douglas Wunderlich to replace retiring Rep. Randy Demmer, R-Hayfield
Family: Married, two children
Occupation: Engineer
Education: BS, MS, University of Texas at Dallas

Representative-elect Linda Runbeck, R-Circle Pines, District 53A
Election: Defeated incumbent Rep. Paul Gardner, DFL-Shoreview
Family: Married, one child
Occupation: Small business owner
Education: BA, Bethel University

Representative-elect Joe Schomacker, R-Luverne, District 22A
Election: Defeated DFL candidate Ted Winter to replace retiring Rep. Doug Magnus, R-Slayton
Family: Single
Occupation: Public relations consultant
Education: BA, Southwest Minnesota State University; MPS, George Washington University

Representative-elect Kirk Stensrud, R-Eden Prairie, District 42A
Election: Defeated incumbent Rep. Maria Ruud, DFL-Minnetonka
Family: Married, three children
Occupation: Small business owner
Education: BA, Bethel University

Representative-elect Chris Swedzinski, R-Ghent, District 21A
Election: Defeated DFL candidate Ramona Larson to replace retiring Rep. Marty Seifert, R-Marshall
Family: Married, two children
Occupation: Farmer
Education: BS, Minnesota State University-Mankato

Representative-elect Bruce Vogel, R-Willmar, District 13B
Election: Defeated incumbent Rep. Al Juhnke, DFL-Willmar
Family: Married, four children
Occupation: Business
Education:

Representative-elect Doug Wardlow, R-Eagan, District 38B
Election: Defeated incumbent Rep. Mike Obermueller, DFL-Eagan
Family: Married, one child
Occupation: Attorney
Education: BA, JD, Georgetown University

Representative-elect Kelby Woodard, R-Belle Plaine, District 25B
Election: Defeated incumbent Rep. David Bly, DFL-Northfield
Family: Married, four children
Occupation: Small business owner
Education: BS, University of North Texas; MBA, University of Dallas

(Photos courtesy of the Minnesota House)

New GOP House members, vol. 2

Posted at 11:14 AM on December 29, 2010 by Tim Pugmire
Filed under: 2011 Freshman class, MN Legislature

Representative-elect David Hancock, R-Bemidji, District 2B
Election: Defeated incumbent Rep. Brita Sailer, DFL-Park Rapids
Occupation: Former small business owner
Education: BA, Anderson University

Representative-elect Andrea Kieffer, R-Woodbury, District 56B
Election: Defeated incumbent Rep. Marsha Swails, DFL-Woodbury
Family: Married, two children
Occupation: Non-profit volunteer
Education: BSB, University of Minnesota

Representative-elect Deb Kiel, R-Crookston, District 1B
Election: Defeated incumbent Rep. Bernie Lieder, DFL-Crookston
Family: Married, four children
Occupation: Farmer/homemaker

Representative-elect John Kriesel, R-Cottage Grove, District 57A
Election: Defeated DFL candidate Jen Peterson to replace retiring Rep. Karla Bigham, DFL-Cottage Grove
Family: Married, two children

Representative-elect Ernie Leidiger, R-Mayer, District 34A
Election: Defeated DFL candidate Leanne Pouliot Kunze to replace retiring Rep. Paul Kohls, R-Victoria
Family: Married, three children
Occupation: Business general manager
Education: BS, U.S. Naval Academy; MS, Salve Regina College; MA, U.S. Naval War College

Representative-elect Mike LeMieur, R-Little Falls, District 12B
Election: Defeated incumbent Rep. Al Doty, DFL-Royalton
Family: Married, three children
Occupation: Small business owner

Representative-elect Kathy Lohmer, R-Lake Elmo, District 56A
Election: Defeated incumbent Rep. Julie Bunn, DFL-Lake Elmo
Family: Married, four children
Occupation: Homemaker

Representative-elect Pat Mazorol, R-Bloomington, District 41B
Election: Defeated incumbent Rep. Paul Rosenthal, DFL-Edina
Family: Married, two children
Occupation: Business
Education: BA, University of Minnesota; JD, William Mitchell College of Law

Representative-elect Joe McDonald, R-Delano, District 19B
Election: Defeated DFL candidate Christine Brazelton to replace retiring Rep. Tom Emmer, R-Delano
Family: Married, three children
Occupation: Photographer
Education: Hennepin Technical College

Representative-elect Carolyn McElfatrick, R-Deer River, District 3B
Election: Defeated incumbent Rep.Loren Solberg, DFL-Grand Rapids
Family: Married, two children
Occupation: Retired
Education: Methodist-Kahler School of Nursing

Representative-elect Rich Murray, R-Albert Lea, District 27A
Election: Defeated incumbent Rep. Robin Brown, DFL-Austin
Family:Married, four children
Occupation: Small business owner
Education: BS, Mankato State University; MBA University of St. Thomas

(Photos courtesy of the Minnesota House)

New GOP House members, vol. 1

Posted at 10:03 AM on December 28, 2010 by Tim Pugmire
Filed under: 2011 Freshman class, MN Legislature

There will be a lot of new faces at the State Capitol next week when the 2011 Legislative session begins.

In the Minnesota House, Republicans now have a 72 to 62 majority. There are 33 new GOP representatives. Over the next few days, Capitol View will highlight the new House members. Here's the first bunch:

Representative-elect Diane Anderson, R-Eagan, District 38A
Election: Defeated incumbent Rep. Sandra Masin, DFL-Eagan
Family: Married, two children
Occupation: Small-business owner
Education: BS, University of Minnesota

Representative-elect King Banaian, R-St. Cloud, District 15B
Election: Defeated DFL candidate Carol Lewis to replace retiring Rep. Larry Haws, DFL-St. Cloud
Occupation: Economist
Education: MA, PhD Claremont Graduate School

Representative-elect Bob Barrett R-Shafer, District 17B
Election: Defeated DFL candidate Cindy Erickson to replace retiring Rep. Jeremy Kalin, DFL-North Branch
Family: Married two children
Occupation: Business
Education: BS, Minnesota State University-Mankato

Representative-elect Mike Benson, R-Rochester, District 30B
Election: Defeated incumbent Rep. Andy Welti, DFL-Plainview
Family: Married, four children
Occupation: Asst. College professor and human resources director
Education: BA, MBA Eastern University

Representative-elect Kurt Bills, R-Rosemount, District 37B
Election: Defeated incumbent Rep. Phil Sterner, DFL-Rosemount
Family: Married, four children
Occupation: Teacher, small-business owner
Education: BS. MA Winona State University

Representative-elect Roger Crawford, R-Mora, District 8B
Election: Defeated incumbent Rep. Tim Faust, DFL-Hinckley
Family: Married, four children
Occupation: Small-business owner
Education: BA, BS St. Cloud State University

Representative-elect Kurt Daudt, R-Crown, District 17A
Election: Defeated DFL candidate Jim Godfrey to replace retiring Rep. Rob Eastlund, R-Isanti
Family: Single
Occupation: Business manager

Representative-elect Sondra Erickson, R-Princeton, District 16A
Election: Defeated incumbent Rep. Gail Kulick Jackson, DFL-Milaca, to win back seat lost in 2008.
Family: Widowed, one child
Occupation: Retired teacher
Education: BA, Concordia College

Representative-elect Dan Fabian, R-Roseau, District 1A
Election: Defeated incumbent Rep. Dave Olin, DFL-Thief River Falls
Family: Married, three children
Occupation: Teacher, insurance adjuster
Education: BA, Concordia College; MA, North Dakota State University

Representative-elect Mary Franson, R-Alexandria, District 11B
Election: Defeated DFL candidate Amy Hunter to replace retiring Rep. Mary Ellen Otremba, DFL-Long Prairie
Family: Married, four children
Occupation: Licensed childcare provider
Education: BA, University of Minnesota-Duluth

Representative-elect Glenn Gruenhagen, R-Glencoe, District 25A
Election: Defeated DFL candidate Mick McGuire to replace retiring Rep. Laura Brod, R-New Prague
Family: Married, three children
Occupation: Small business owner
Education: American College

(Photos courtesy of the Minnesota House)

Three DFLers among new Senators

Posted at 9:20 AM on December 27, 2010 by Tim Pugmire
Filed under: 2011 Freshman class, MN Legislature

The Minnesota Senate's 2011 freshmen class is dominated by 21 Republicans, but there are also three new DFLers.

Barb Goodwin, John Harrington and Roger Reinert will be sworn in as state Senators when the Legislative session begins on Jan. 4.

Senator-elect Barb Goodwin, DFL-Columbia Heights, District 50
Election: Defeated Republican candidate Gina Bauman.
Family: Married, three children
Occupation: Legislator
Education: BA, Hamline University

Goodwin served three terms in the Minnesota House. She defeated incumbent Sen. Satveer Chaudhary, DFL-Fridley, in the Aug 10 primary.

Senator-elect John Harrington, DFL-St. Paul, District 67
Election: Defeated Republican candidate Krysia Weidell to replace retiring Sen. Mee Moua, DFL-St. Paul.
Family: Single, 7 children.
Occupation: Teacher, manager
Education: BA, Dartmouth College; MA, University of St. Thomas

Harrington, who formerly served as St. Paul's police chief, emerged from a DFL primary field of nine candidates.

Senator-elect Roger Reinert, DFL-Duluth, District 7
Election: Defeated Republican candidate Rilla Opelt to replace retiring Sen. Yvonne Prettner Solon, DFL-Duluth.
Family: Single
Occupation: College Faculty
Education: BS, University of Minnesota; MS, Mankato State University

Reinert served one term in the Minnesota House.

(Photos courtesy of the Minnesota Senate)

Meet the new Senate majority, vol. 5

Posted at 7:00 AM on December 18, 2010 by Tim Pugmire
Filed under: 2011 Freshman class, MN Legislature

Senator-elect Scott Newman, R-Hutchinson, District 18
Election: Defeated DFL candidate Hal Kimball for seat vacated by Sen. Steve Dille, R-Dassel
Family: Married, three children
Occupation: Attorney
Education: BA, Minnesota State University; JD, William Mitchell College of Law

Newman is a former state representative who ran unscuccessfully for district judge in 2006. Newman is opposed to a proposed judical appointment process that would take judges off the ballot.

"I strongly favor judical elections rather than an appointment system," Newman said. "I wanted to bring that issue to the attention of voters."

Senator-elect Sean R. Nienow, R-Cambridge, District 17
Election: Defeated incumbent Sen. Rick Olseen, DFL-Harris
Family: Married
Occupation: Consultant
Education: Attended, Northwestern College

This will be Nienow's second, non-consecutive term. He was previously elected in 2002. Neinow said he's returning to a budget mess similar to the one he faced in his first term.

"We had these same kinds of problems," Nienow said. "We had huge deficits. The education funding shifts had been done. There was nothing in cash reserves to speak of. We're right back where we started from, just a little deeper in the hole."

Senator-elect John Pederson, R-St. Cloud, District 15
Election: Defeated DFL candidate Bruce Hentges for seat vacated by Sen. Tarryl Clark, DFL-St. Cloud
Family: Married, three children
Occupation: Business owner
Education: MBA, Cardinal Stritch University; BA, Northwestern College

Pederson owns a concrete block company. He comes to the Senate via the St. Cloud city council. Pederson is ready to reduce state spending, and he said no department is sacred.

"There's not an area that in my view that should not be prepared to do what they did last year with the same amount of money," Pederson said. "It's not anything that the Private sector isn't dealing with right now."

Senator-elect Dave Thompson, R-Lakeville, District 36
Election: Defeated DFL candidate Steve Quist for seat vacated by Sen. Pat Pariseau, R-Farmington
Family: Married, two children
Occupation: Attorney, consultant
Education: BA, Univeristy of North Dakota; JD, University of Minnesota

Thompson is a former radio talk show host. He made an unsuccessful bid for state GOP chairman in 2009. Thompson said his interests include economic and spending issues, but he also said he knows he has a lot to learn.

"I want to understand the institution, understand my colleagues, understand how how the institution works, including working with the governor," Thompson said. "I just need to learn to be a good, effective legislator."

Senator-elect Pam Wolf, R-Spring Lake Park, District 51
Election: Defeated incumbent Sen. Don Betzold, DFL-Fridley
Family: Two children
Occupation: Teacher
Education: BA, Bethel College

This was Wolf's third campaign. She ran for the House in 2004 and the Senate in 2006. Wolf said economic issues are her priority, but she's also interested in education issues and is ready to take on the statewide teachers union Education Minnesota is necessary.

"My loyalty will be to the students of Minnesota and to the parents and the education system, not to the union," Wolf said.

(Photos courtesy of the Minnesota Senate)

Meet the new Senate majority, vol. 4

Posted at 9:55 AM on December 16, 2010 by Tim Pugmire
Filed under: 2011 Freshman class, MN Legislature

Senator-elect Ted Lillie, R-Lake Elmo, District 56
Election: Defeated incumbent Sen. Kathy Saltzman, DFL-Woodbury
Family: married, two children
Occupation: publisher
Education: BA, Gustavus Adolphus

Lillie owns a small publishing company, Lillie Suburban Newspapers. He said voters wanted experienced business people in the Legislature to help grow new jobs.

"The people that I spoke with at the doors were basically more concerned about their personal family's budget than the state budget," Lillie said. "We need to find a way to help families survive and succeed in this trying time."

Senator-elect Doug Magnus, R-Slayton, District 22
Election: Defeated DFL candidate Kevin Vickerman for seat vacated by incumbent Sen. Jim Vickerman, DFL-Tracy
Family: Married, two children
Occupation: Farmer
Education: BS, South Dakota State University

Magnus served in the Minnesota House for eight years. He's already been picked to lead the Senate agriculture committee. Magnus said he's someone trying to do what's good for the state.

"I think I've earned a lot or respect from both the Senate and the House, and both parties," Magnus said. "You earn that by the work you do. I think that's my reputation."

Senator-elect Jeremy R. Miller, R-Winona, District 31
Election: Defeated incumbent Sen. Sharon Erickson Ropes, DFL-Winona
Family: Married
Occupation: Small Business Owner
Education: AAS, Minnesota State College Southeast Technical

Miller runs his family's scrap and recycling business. At age 27, the political newcomer is one of the youngest people ever elected to the Minnesota Senate. Miller said he'll bring a fresh perspective to the State Capitol.

"Age really doesn't matter," Miller said. "I'm ready to get to work with my fellow legislators, the new governor, whoever that might be, and the people of Southeastern Minnesota."

Senator-elect Carla J. Nelson, R-Rochester, District 30
Election: Defeated incumbent Sen. Ann Lynch, DFL-Rochester
Family: Married, three children
Occupation: Insurance, financial services
Education: BE, Drake University; ME, University of Minnesota

Nelson is a former teacher who served one term in the Minnesota House. She now works for her family's financial planning business. As a state Senator, Nelson said she wants to work on education issues.

"The economic security of our state, and our future, depends on what happens in the classroom," Nelson said. "We absolutely have to do a better job of educating our kids."

(Photos courtesy of the Minnesota Senate)

Meet the new Senate majority, vol. 3

Posted at 10:00 AM on December 11, 2010 by Tim Pugmire
Filed under: 2011 Freshman class, MN Legislature

Senator-elect Dan Hall, R-Burnsville, District 40
Election: Defeated incumbent Sen. John Doll, R-Burnsville
Family: Married, eight children
Occupation: CEO
Education: Augsburg College

Hall runs a company that trains and certifies chaplains for police departments. Like other GOP freshmen, Hall favors a cuts-alone approach to the budget and opposes tax increases. But he also said he thinks the Republican Senate can work with DFLer Mark Dayton in the governor's office.

"I think he's a reasonable guy, and reasonable people can understand common sense," Hall said. "We'll find some compromise together and move forward as a state."

Senator-elect Gretchen Hoffman, R-Vergas, District 10
Election: Defeated incumbent Sen. Dan Skogen, DFL-Hewitt
Family: Married, three children.
Occupation: Business Owner, Registered Nurse

Hoffman is another political newcomer interested in issues related to business climate and job creation. But Hoffman said she's also concerned about funding disparities in public education.

"When you've got the funding for the metro being two and a half times what it is in the rural areas, that's a big deal in our area," Hoffman said. "The funding formula is a mess."

Senator-elect John Howe, R-Red Wing, District 28
Election: Defeated DFL candidate Joe Fricke for the seat vacated by Sen. Steve Murphy, DFL-Red Wing
Family: married, three children
Work: property ownership
Education: BA, St. Cloud State University

Howe is currently the mayor of Red Wing. But unlike many mayors, Howe said he wants to consider changes in Local Government Aid as part of state budget discussions.

"A lot of people talk about government living inside its means," Howe said. "But government has no means. Government has to live inside of our means, and I think that's the message we have to carry moving forward."

Senator-elect Benjamin Kruse, R-Brooklyn Park, District 47
Election: Defeated incumbent Sen. Leo Foley, DFL-Coon Rapids
Family: Married
Occupation: Real Estate

Kruse once worked as a legislative assistant in the Minnesota House. He currently serves on the government relations panels of three business groups. Kruse is pushing the same jobs and economic agenda as his GOP colleagues, but he also wants to address the public safety concerns facing his suburban district.

"I see it and hear (it) as a real estate agent all the time that folks don't want to live in this area," Kruse said. "They have concerns about crime. They have concerns about public safety, and based off those things property values. That's something we need to take care of."

(Photos courtesy of the Minnesota Senate)

Baby on the way for new lawmaker

Posted at 4:21 PM on December 7, 2010 by Tim Pugmire
Filed under: 2011 Freshman class, MN Legislature

In a session already full of historic firsts, some Republicans in the Minnesota Senate were convinced that Senator-elect Michelle Benson's pregnancy would also break new ground in 2011.

Benson, R-Ham Lake, is expecting her third child on March 23, right in the middle of the session. Turns out the pending delivery is rare but not unprecedented. Retiring Sen. Mee Moua, DFL St. Paul, gave birth to her third child in April 2006, about a month before the end of session.

Still, it means some extra preparations for the incoming freshman. Benson said she still plans to do all the work needed to represent District 49 and the state.

"There are probably going to be times I'm going to have to slow down but I will do my very best to get through that," Benson said.

Benson said she learned of the pregnancy during the campaign, but at age 42, she decided to hold off sharing the news for a while.

"I am older than the average mom and so the risk of loss is higher the older you get," she said.

Republicans are taking control of the Senate for the first time in 38 years. Benson is among 21 new members of the GOP caucus. Sen. Amy Koch, R-Buffalo, will be the first woman to serve as majority leader, said she learned of Benson's pregnancy last week.

"I've had a baby, but I've never had a baby in the middle of session," Koch said. "I won't have a ton of advise for her, but it's very exciting for the caucus."

Meet the new Senate majority, vol. 2

Posted at 10:00 AM on December 4, 2010 by Tim Pugmire (1 Comments)
Filed under: 2011 Freshman class, MN Legislature

Senator-elect Gary Dahms, R-Redwood Falls, District 21
Election: Defeated DFL candidate Al Kruse for the seat vacated by Sen. Dennis Frederickson, R-New Ulm
Family: Married, two children
Occupation: Insurance agent
Education: BS, University of Minnesota

Dahms is currently a Redwood County commissioner. He'll step down at the end of December. Dahms said he wants to bring long-term stability to state finances by restructuring government services.

"No area is off the table," Dahms said. "Any area that we have duplication or overlap, we need to look at it. Any area that's not efficient, we need to look at it. Any area that we can combine an agency make it more efficient and provide the same or better service, we need to be looking at doing that."

Senator-elect Theodore "Ted" Daley, R-Eagan, District 38
Election: Defeated incumbent Sen. Jim Carlson, DFL-Eagan
Family: Married, four children
Occupation: CPA
Education: BS, West Point; MBA, University of St. Thomas

Daley currently serves on the Eagan Planning Commission. He made his first bid for elected office after a 20 year military career. Daley said he wants to advance what he calls the "free-enterprise agenda."

"We need to set the conditions for the economy to flourish," Daley said. "It's not increasing taxes or adding regulations. It's what I call leading the way by getting out of the way."

Senator-elect Al DeKruif, R-Madison Lake, District 25
Election: Defeated incumbent Sen. Kevin Dahle, DFL-Northfield
Family: Married, two children
Occupation: Consultant, Business Owner
Education: Attended, University of Minnesota Waseca

DeKruif is a political newcomer and among several GOP freshmen with business backgrounds. DeKruif said his top job is to improve the state's business tax climate.

"We have to again hang a sign out in Minnesota that we're open for business," DeKruif said. "Rather than creating programs where we can target businesses that we would like to lure to the state, I would like to improve the overall businesses climate so that we help both large businesses that might want to expand here and also our main street businesses."

Senator-elect Paul Gazelka, R-Brainerd, District 12
Election: Defeated DFL candidate Taylor Stevenson
Family: Married, five children
Occupation: Business Owner
Education: BS, Oral Roberts University
Gazelka is a former state representative who defeated incumbent Sen. Paul Koering, R-Fort Ripley, in the Aug. 10 primary. Gazelka said people are crying out for good paying jobs in the private sector.

"Brainerd and Little Falls have some of the highest unemployment rates in the state," Gazelka said. We have seen a flow of jobs outside of our region."

(Photos courtesy of the Minnesota Senate)

Meet the new Senate majority

Posted at 9:39 AM on November 29, 2010 by Tim Pugmire
Filed under: 2011 Freshman class, MN Legislature

When the new Republican majority takes control of the Minnesota Senate there will be 21 new members in the GOP caucus. Capitol View will highlight the new legislators in a series of posts in the coming weeks. Here are the first four profiles:

Senator-elect Michelle Benson, R-Ham Lake, District 49
Election: Defeated DFL candidate Paul Meunier for the seat vacated by Sen. Debbie Johnson, R-Ham Lake
Family: Married, two children
Occupation: CPA
Education: BA, St. Catherine University; MBA, University of St. Thomas

Benson said she expects a lot of hard work ahead to balance the state budget. She said she's particularly interested in digging into health and human services spending.

"Health and human services has the challenge of being highly federally regulated and very personal," Benson said. "And so it's going to take deep contemplation, empathy and efficiency in order to get that budget moved in a direction that's going to be helpful to everyone in the state."

Senator-elect David Brown, R-Becker, District 16
Election: Defeated incumbent Sen. Lisa Fobbe, DFL-Zimmerman
Family: Married, two children
Occupation: Insurance agent
Education: BA, Oklahoma Wesleyan University

Brown said he decided to make his first bid for elected office because he was concerned about the direction of state government. He said his goals include a cap on state spending and improving the state's tax climate for businesses.

"I've worked for the private sector my whole life," Brown said. "I've never worked for government. I think my lack of a political background is a plus."

Senator-elect John Carlson, R-Bemidji, District 4
Election: Defeated incumbent Sen. Mary Olson, DFL-Bemidji
Family: Married, two children
Occupation: Insurance agent
Education: BS, Bemidji State University; CMA, Institute of Management Accountants

Carlson ran unsuccessfully for the Minnesota House in 2008. He said his goals for 2011 include making structural changes in the state budget to focus on the outcome of state spending.

"Everything we do is based on how much money did you spend," Carlson said. "We're not worrying about have we done any good for anyone."

Senator-elect Roger Chamberlain, R-Lino Lakes, District 53
Election: Defeated incumbent Sen. Sandy Rummel, DFL-White Bear Lake
Family: Married, two children
Occupation: Business taxation
Education: BS, Metropolitan State University

Chamberlain is another political newcomer, who describes himself as an average person with real-world experience. Chamberlain said he thinks the Legislature can have an impact quickly on job creation.

"I think if you do some things with the tax structure, if you show businesses that you've taken steps to solidify that budget, you can attract some new investment fairly quickly," Chamberlain said. Overnight? No. Over a few months, over a year? Absolutely."

(Photos courtesy of the Minnesota Senate)