Mr. Dahle Goes to St. Paul

Over 150 years ago, Minnesota received several land grants from the federal government to be held in trust for specific purposes, such as schools. On Wednesday of last week, I attended a joint hearing of the Environment, Energy, Natural Resources and the E-12 Education Budget committee regarding Minnesota’s school trust lands.

Today the state holds about 2.5 million acres of school trust land and about 1 million acres of land with mineral rights. In the past, money generated from these lands has been allocated to school districts, with a general fund subtraction. In other words, if a school district receives $1 from the land trust it would lose $1 from their general fund. In 2008, the legislature permanently eliminated that subtraction. This amounted to additional revenue per pupil. Belle Plaine received $34.2 per pupil unit, Northfield $32.5, and Cleveland received $30.3. Other senate district 25 school districts fell somewhere between that 30 and 35 dollar increase.

Although the future of mineral mining in Minnesota is uncertain, the potential is apparent. For example, three mineral deposits in the Duluth area alone contain resources that could generate royalties of $1.4 billion at today’s metal prices if mined over a period of 20-25 years. There is a dramatic growth in world demand for metals, spurred mostly by growth in Asia and emerging markets.

In state statute: The goal of the Permanent school fund is to secure long term economic returns consistent with Minnesota constitutional fiduciary responsibilities, with sound natural resource conservation management principles.

This committee and others will continue to look for ways to maximize this potential source of income. We will continue to look for ways to provide badly needed revenue and relief for school district budgets across the state of Minnesota. I am excited about the possibilities.

“At the next intersection, I want you to make a right turn. Don’t forget to signal.”

I had the pleasure of addressing the Northfield School Board last week and we talked about the recent legislative session and concerns about education funding for next session.  In addition, I fielded a question about the GDL (graduated driver licensing) bill that passed both the House and Senate this past session.  We often talk about education but driver education rarely is part of that discussion.  I have been a driver education instructor since 1982 and it is a topic that I am very familiar with.   I still teach driver education every summer and during the school year when I am not in session.

“When parked uphill with a curb, turn your wheels left.”  Let’s try to get within 12 inches of the curb.”

The GDL bill passed into law this past year will save the lives of teenagers in every corner of Minnesota. By putting this standard in law, we can give our young drivers six more months to attain the skills necessary to become more mature drivers, capable of driving responsibly. Specifically, the bill would require the following:

• For the first six months, only one passenger under the age of 20 (who is not a family member) would be allowed in the vehicle;
• For the second six months, up to three nonfamily passengers would be allowed in the vehicle;
• Hours of driving for provisional license holders (basically anyone under 18) would be restricted between midnight and 5 a.m., except to drive to work, school, or with a licensed driver over the age of 25.

“Watch out for the pedestrian up ahead!  Next time, let’s brake a little sooner.”

This is welcome legislation.  Traffic accidents are the leading cause of death for Minnesota teens.  Drivers aged 16-17 with two or more passengers are twice as likely to be involved in a fatal crash.  Sixty-two percent of teenage passenger deaths in the United States in 2006 occurred in vehicles driven by another teenager. Among deaths of passengers of all ages, 20 percent occurred when a teenager was driving.  These grim statistics are never ending

I am always encouraging our young adults to get as much practice on the road as possible.  I always find it interesting that parents will encourage and set aside hours of time for a child’s piano or violin lessons, or hundreds of hours to hockey and soccer practice, but very few hours with a child behind the wheel.  Parents can all do a better job of practicing the most important skill a child can learn in the teenage years: driving on our streets and highways.

“Keep your eyes moving.  Prepare for the unexpected.”

New laws will help keep our teens safer as they gain the necessary experience in those formative years and I will be out there driving your son or daughter this summer.  Be patient with us.   Obviously, legislatures and driver ed instructors can’t do it alone.

I was talking with my 8 year old daughter, Kally, a few days ago and she had a few questions about my job as a Senator.  We were talking voting and she asked me “if I had to put my head down when I vote?”  Now there’s an interesting concept.  What a sight that would be…67 Senators with their heads down on their desk voting on an education finance bill.  No peeking!  It reminded me of a question she asked during my election.  “Did you vote for yourself?”  If only we could keep things so simple?

Last month I ran into Marty Seifert, House Minority Leader, at the 60^th anniversary celebration of American Legion Boys State.  Marty is a current Boys State counselor.  I suggested to Marty that we designate party affiliation the same way we assign the participants at Boys State.  If you get a red sticker on your name tag you are a Federalist.  If you receive a blue sticker you are a Nationalist.  The first few days of the boys’ week there are no party designations.  Boys are divided up into cities and counties and begin the process of establishing their “local governments.”  That division alone creates an interesting competition among the young men.  But the real division begins after the boys are divided up into two parties.  Allegiance to city and county soon disappear as the young politicians begin the process of selecting a Boys State Governor.  They then spend the last few days of the week in a frantic campaign in a race for the Governorship.  It is an interesting process to say the least.

One of the lessons I teach in my Social Psychology class discusses the power of group influence.  Simply having the class number off into twos can create an “us vs. them” mentality.  “Teams” less than 10 minutes old do whatever they can to beat the other side in simple activities or games involving vocabulary or current events.

Do political labels lead us to pursue public policy for the sake of a particular ideology?  Why do politics have to be “us vs. them?”  Do politicians worry more about how people will view a particular vote rather than carefully think about the ramifications of the vote for the constituents in a House or Senate district or the citizens of Minnesota?  Wearing the Democrat or Republican label certainly carries with it a certain philosophy of government, but we should never lose sight of the reason we are in office.  While I don’t advocate passing out red or blue stickers on the first day of the session, I think we need to continue to do our best to work in a bipartisan way to make the state of Minnesota the best it can be for its citizens.

After I won my election my daughter asked, “Does the governor still like you?”  I am sure he does, Kally, I am sure he does.  Regardless of the of color sticker he is wearing.

Over my 24 years in the classroom, I have had numerous students in my Civics class, and many of those students were children with special needs. I have had children with autism, Tourette syndrome, Down syndrome, Asperger syndrome, attention deficit disorders, mental illness, and many more with a myriad of learning disabilities. My brother was born with Down Syndrome… and as a classroom teacher or a family member we sometime struggle to find the best path to meet the needs of our children.

Last week about 30 parents of children with special needs met at the Northfield Public Library for a town hall meeting with myself, Representative David Bly, and Representative Shelley Madore from Apple Valley. It was an important and worthwhile discussion about what we can do to meet the needs of both family members and students and how best to help them find success in and out of school.

Specific concerns focused on the lack of resources for children with mental health needs, funding cuts that are affecting educational and county services, lack of communication between programs and service agencies, limited choices for children with high needs, reimbursement rates, and accountability of service providers and county administration.

Legislative efforts are underway to dramatically reform the state’s school funding formula in the 2009 legislative session . A major funding reform bill (HF 4178) was offered this session, and will hopefully serve as the driving force for the significant state education reform we need, including fully funding state special education mandates.

But the legislature can’t do it alone. The stories shared at the town meeting reminded all of us of the importance of community to help our families and children with special needs. Schools, medical facilities, county services, support services, employers and others must work together to facilitate productive outcomes for the children and young adults who desperately want a chance. A chance at success.

Today’s article in the StarTribune regarding the Minnesota courts prompted me to write about my experience as an observer (ride-along) last month in the courtroom of the Sibley County Courthouse. At the invite of court adminstrator Karen Messner and Judge Thomas McCarthy, I was able to see firsthand how the court works and more importantly, get a sense of the workload of our public defenders and the effects of budget cuts over the past several years.

Today’s Strib article described how overworked public defenders face the daunting task of trying to provide quality legal advice to the accused who work with these defenders. The Judiciary took cuts of $26.5 million in FY 04-05, which required our courts to implement several changes, including scaling back the number of public defenders. The Judiciary faces a current shortfall of $13 million for FY 08-09 forcing leaves without pay, closing public counters, closing satellite courts, delaying conciliation court calendars, and terminating arbitration services in some districts.

This year the legislature made cuts to the Supreme Court, the Court of Appeals, Civil Legal Services, and the Board of Public Defense totaling $5.5 million. A recent Legislative Auditor’s report stated the judiciary in Minnesota runs “a tight ship” and is extremely efficient. Can we afford to make more cuts when crime, foreclosures, sexual offenses, civil disputes, and drug use are as prevalent as ever? How long should we wait to resolve traffic and parking citations, process arrest warrants, enforce money judgments, or process adoption and child custody cases?

The Minnesota Court system is a core function of government provided for in the Constitution. The Judiciary is necessary to guarantee public safety and rule of law to the citizens of Minnesota. The 2009 Legislature will need to take a good look at what is happening to, one could argue, the most important of our three branches of government.

Last night I traveled to Marshall, Minnesota to participate in the 60^th anniversary celebration of Minnesota American Legion Boys State. What a great milestone for such a great program. I was a Boys State Counselor for 10 years while Boys State was held on the St. Olaf campus in Northfield from 1992-2001. Not surprisingly, many of the same counselors I worked with then are still with the program. Many of the speakers last night talked of common themes such as the importance of developing tomorrow’s leaders: instilling a sense of citizenship, responsibility, participation, and civic pride. Boys State is one of the best experiences a young man can ever have.

Boys State is a week-long experience learning about Minnesota government at the local, county and state levels by “actively doing.” It is a week of intensive study and involvement where participants actually organize and participate in the various levels and branches of government and political parties.

Highlights of the week include town meetings, political speakers, mock trials, campaigning, and voting culminating in the election of the State Constitutional Officers and the Boys State Governor. There is also time for newspaper, band, choir, and athletic activities.

These young citizens enjoy both an opportunity and a responsibility. The opportunity is participating in a program of government with some 450 other young leaders from throughout Minnesota. The responsibility is not only spending the week learning as much as he can, but taking this knowledge and experience back to school and community and sharing it with others.

Renowned federal court Judge, Learned Hand, once said, “Liberty lies in the hearts of men. When it dies there, no laws, no courts, no constitution can save it.” We need more programs that promote the virtues of this great country. Congratulations, Minnesota Boys State, on 60 years of bringing out the best in our young people.

Yesterday, I experienced a once in a lifetime opportunity. Al Franken asked me to introduce him to the nearly 1400 delegates at the State DFL Convention in Rochester. Franni, his wife, introduced me and I gave a short speech doing my best to fire up the delegates prior to Al’s address to the delegates, visitors, and the press. It was a real thrill, believe me. The text of my speech:

Last December I was teaching Civics in a High School in Northfield. On January 3, we gave the Republicans a civics lesson on how to win an election. Tim Pawlenty doesn’t get his way in the Minnesota Senate anymore!

With the help of Al Franken and Democrats across this state, we were able to win a special election in a district that had been held by a Republican for the last 17 years.

I first met Al at a coffee shop in Faribault in December. Al invited me to say a few words on his stage that day. We talked about honest, common-sense government and seeing this party and its values spread to every corner of Minnesota.

I appreciated that opportunity and I consider it a key moment in jump starting my run for office.

Al Franken worked my campaign. He made phone calls for me and on a night hovering around zero degrees we door knocked together. If you ever get a chance to door knock with Al Franken, I highly recommend it.

On the eve of the election, he stumped for me at student rallies on the campuses of St. Olaf and Carleton College. Al Franken helped energize my campaign and the very supporters who endorse him now.

But Al will be the first to tell you this election is not about him. It’s about us.

It’s about those who work for a living and it’s about those who can’t.

It’s about fighting for what’s right and correcting what’s wrong.

It’s about paving the way to dream and never giving up

And now more than ever, it’s about time! It’s about time we take back a certain seat in the United States Senate.

I’m ready to stand up and help Al Franken fight for this Senate seat the way Al Franken helped me fight for mine!

My fellow DFLers, as a freshman Senator, I am proud to introduce the next freshman Senator from the great state of Minnesota, AL FRANKEN!!!!!

Al was endorsed by acclamation after the first ballot.

The 2008 Legislature solved the $935 million budge shortfall using a combination of $355 million in spending cuts, $100 million in corporate tax changes, and $550 million from the state’s Rainy Day Fund. A brief overview of the session:

• The Education Bill provides an additional $51 per student in one-time aid to school districts.  The bill also allows districts to transfer up to $51 per student from their capital operating funds to help districts put more money into classrooms.
• The Transportation package will invest $6.6 billion in new resources into our state’s infrastructure over the next 10 years.
• The Legislature, with an overwhelming bipartisan majority in both House and Senate, passed a $925 million bonding bill, which will create thousands of jobs.  Local projects include money for the Mills Town Trail, the Faribault Prison expansion, and the Scott County Regional Training facility.
• After a year’s worth of work and bipartisan compromise, the Legislature passed significant health care reform that will result in reduced costs and increased access.
• Historic legislation that will give Minnesotans the choice to invest invest in the things they love most about  their state:  lakes and rivers, outdoor resources, and cultural amenities. A constitutional amendment will be on the ballot this fall that will dedicate and additional 3/8 of 1% of state sales tax revenue in those unique qualities that characterize Minnesota’s way of life.
• A $24 million compensation for the survivors of the I-35W Bridge collapse.
• Homeowners will see property tax relief under the 2008 tax bill.  This includes a plan that would prevent local levies from rising more than 3.9% a year, and investments of $60 million in Local Government Aid which will go to cities and counties to cushion the effect of a levy limit.

This provides a brief summary of the 2008 legislative session.  Other important work was done in the areas of agriculture, commerce and consumer protection, pensions, energy and the environment, higher education, veterans and military affairs,  business and economic development.  I will be weighing in on some of the specifics of many of these bills as we head into summer.

There was a lot of waiting well into  the wee hours of Sunday morning.  So what do members of the House and Senate do at 2:40am on the day before adjournment during a recess?  About 30 legislators, Republicans and Democrats, headed onward and upward.  With the Sergeant of Arms and Capitol Security’s blessing, we slipped through the door that leads to the balcony next to the Golden Horses, also known as the Quadriga. They barely stirred as we slipped by them. What a beautiful sight, standing atop the capitol overlooking the city of St. Paul.  Wanna go higher?  We headed up an even narrower spiral staircase inside the massive dome to the smaller balcony near the ball at the top of the dome. As we look west, University Avenue lights the way to the Minneapolis skyline.  John Ireland Boulevard illuminates a path to the Cathedral to our left.  It is eerily quiet at this late hour.  After about 15 minutes of fresh air with a breathtaking view, we descend.  Into the Senate chamber.  It’s time to vote on the Health Care Reform Bill.

Meanwhile we process a few other bills while the House and Senate leadership continue to work out a budget deal.  The Quadriga is better known as Progress of the State.  At 4am that progress is a little slower than we’d like.  But progress will come, as we set our sights on Sunday then Monday…the final day of the session.

This past week has been “hurry up and wait” for the members of the Minnesota Senate.  Several weeks ago we debated and passed a finance and tax bill that addresses the $935 million budget shortfall the state is experiencing.  We are now waiting for the Governor and House and Senate leadership to find a compromise with the provisions of those bills that the Senate has already passed and the House is waiting to approve.  The legislature and the Governor are close to finalizing that deal.  There are some differences related to specific cuts and there has been a lot of discussion about the Governor’s desire to place limits on local government’s ability to set levies.   The Senate finance bill is set to provide over $115 million to local governments in the form of Local Government Aid which the Governor opposes.

In the meantime, over the past few weeks, the House and Senate have passed a minimum wage bill (vetoed), a teacher statewide health insurance bill, an education finance bill, and a few other items awaiting action by the Governor.  Will we complete our business by the constitutionally mandated deadline on May 19?  We are optimistic.  We will clear our Saturday and Sunday schedule if need be.  We have accomplished a lot this session and it would be shame to come this far and not find that “global agreement” when it is within our reach.