Mr. Dahle Goes to St. Paul

Last January, I was elected to the Minnesota Legislature after a one month campaign and special election. Needless to say, I hit the “ground” running and had a short time to learn a long list of processes and procedures. Representative David Bly was an invaluable resource more than willing to show me the ins and outs of the legislative maze. He provided advice for me throughout the session and asked me to introduce several bills on the Senate side of the legislature. I know full well that he was eager to assist me, not simply because we share the same party, but because first and foremost, we represent many of the same constituents.
I am extremely proud of the work accomplished this past session. In a year of budget cuts we were able to pass an important transportation bill, increase education funding, address health care reform, and work for cleaner air and water. David is a tireless, passionate worker who continues to tackle the issues important to the people of district 25B. He makes himself available to anyone and considers all viewpoints when working on issues. In an age of negative campaigning, I have never heard him utter a disparaging remark about any person regardless of their views. His record shows that he is truly a bipartisan representative for our district.
Too often, politicians work to get elected and then strive only to retain their seat. They forget the people who voted them into office. David’s middle class values push him to work diligently to fix the social, economic, and environmental issues that Minnesotans face. Having worked alongside David Bly on many of those same issues, I have come to know that a lot can and has been achieved in the past two years, but there is still a great deal more to do. Another term will allow Representative Bly to continue to build on the good work already done and to find more long-range solutions to current problems. I am thrilled to support my Representative, my friend, for re-election. He has earned another term.

This past session, the legislature faced the unenviable task of cutting nearly $900 million from the state’s budget.  Nearly $150 million was cut from Health and Human services, significantly less than the $526 million proposed cuts by Governor Tim Pawlenty.  No funds were transferred from the Health Care Access fund and nursing homes did receive a cost of living adjustment, however budget cuts at this level can have a big effect on services to families, workers, youth, the disabled, and the elderly.

This next budget will be even more challenging.  Budget shortfall estimates range from two to four billion dollars. Long term savings achieved from investments in health and human services are rarely reflected in short-term biennial budgets.  Investments in the people of Minnesota are particularly critical when our state economy is suffering the effects of job losses, record home foreclosures, and rising food prices.

A letter recently received entitled Imagine Minnesota, representing nearly 200 organizations offers up the following vision for our state:

• Nobody goes to bed hungry
• Every person has access to the transportation they need to fully participate in their communities.
• Every person has a place to live and to work.
• Older adults and people with disabilities have access to the services they need.
• All children have access to quality early learning experiences.
• Everyone has access to quality health care, including mental health care.

Investments in health and human services are vital to hundreds of thousands of Minnesota’s most vulnerable citizens.  Let’s keep them foremost in our minds when making budget decisions for the next biennium and beyond.

Meeting with Education Minnesota

School Land Trust Hearing at the Capitol

Senator Dahle will attend Northfield’s School Board Candidate forum

Candidate Forum Trondhjem Lutheran Church

Senator Dahle will attend the dedication of the “Harvest” statue at the Malt-O-Meal Sesquicentennial Plaza in Northfield, Minnesota

Senator Dahle will be out door knocking for DFL candidates. 

Senator Dahle will meet with the New Prague Superintendent of Schools

The recent headlines describe the federal government’s $700 bailout of Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac, and the banking industry to bring some stability to an economic crisis. The bailout is an attempt by the Federal government to deal with a serious problem that is affecting every household in America. Early signs of economic trouble showed up this past year in the housing industry in Minnesota and all across the country.

Home foreclosure will increase 39% this year statewide, and one out of every 31 Minnesota households will have experienced foreclosure between 2005 and the end of this year.

The Minnesota Senate, last session, passed a number of bills to deal with this issue. The measures were designed to help families facing foreclosure by connecting them with foreclosure prevention counselors. The bill also required a postponement of a sheriff’s sale if the sheriff’s office had not received a response from an owner within 7 days of a sheriff’s request. Other bills expedited the foreclosure process for abandoned properties which can become a nuisance to neighbors and communities with lack of upkeep, drug and illegal activities, theft of copper and other salvageable materials.

The Minnesota Sub-prime Borrower Relief Act was another attempt to deal with the housing crisis. This piece of legislation would have allowed eligible homeowners to defer a pending foreclosure for up to a year if their lender refused to negotiate in good faith, while still holding the homeowner responsible for full payment after the deferment. Unfortunately, this bill was vetoed by the Governor.

It is interesting to hear what the presidential candidates are saying about the economy. It has become a national crisis that will set the agenda for the Minnesota legislature this coming session. While no one could have foreseen the downward spiral we are experiencing now, the Minnesota Senate introduced several initiatives to try to get ahead of this problem.