REP. STEVE GOTTWALT RESIGNS TO BE A LOBBYIST

Rep. Steve Gottwalt (R-St. Cloud) decided to leave Minnesota House of Representatives after serving 4 terms and second member to resign after Rep. Terry Morrow (DFL-St. Peter). He have taken job with Center for Diagnostic Imaging, a healthcare company in continuing its leadership in providing high quality, cost-effective diagnostic imaging services as a Lobbyist. He cannot stay as State Representative and being a Lobbyist due to conflict of interest and it was very tough decision for him.

Here is his resignation letter to fellow House Members:

Dear Colleagues:

At the beginning of December, I announced the great news that I had joined Center for Diagnostic Imaging as Director of State Legislative Policy, in a national role assisting this healthcare company in continuing its leadership in providing high quality, cost-effective diagnostic imaging services.  My role at the CDI Quality Institute is to understand and translate the complex state healthcare regulatory environment in more than 25 states in which the company sees patients, and I am proud to be working with a healthcare company actively seeking solutions at a critical time for health care across the country.

As I’ve settled in at CDI, I see the states are once again the laboratory of democracy, and each is finding its own approach to implementing the new federal healthcare law.  It’s a huge set of changes, and it makes this position one to which I must fully commit as much time and focus as possible.  It quite simply is more than a full time job, and one that will not allow me the time I need to represent the people of District 14A as their State Representative.

That is why I have made the difficult decision to resign my seat in the Minnesota House of Representatives before the end of the month. I thank you, my colleagues, for our years of service together, and my constituents for their confidence in electing me to represent them. I will always appreciate the deep honor and privilege of serving the residents of St. Cloud, Waite Park, St. Augusta and Rockville.

Sincerely in service,

Rep. Steve Gottwalt

House District 14A

Gov. Mark Dayton has not called on special election. Stay tuned for updates on special election. 

REP. TERRY MORROW RESIGNS TO TAKE NEW JOB

Rep. Terry Morrow of St. Peter announced on his Facebook page that he is not coming back for 2013 legislative session. He is taking new job in Chicago and he wrote an open letter on his Facebook page: 

Hello, all:

Here's the letter about today's announcement:
___

With gratitude, with anticipation, and with some sadness, I announce that I have accepted the position of legislative director of the Uniform Law Commission based in Chicago. I will not be returning to the Minnesota House of Representatives when it opens the 2013 session on January 8.

After Election Day, the Uniform Law Commission (ULC) approached me to discuss an exciting opportunity to lead its legislative efforts across the United States and to work with other countries on multinational legal issues. The ULC provides states with non-partisan, well-drafted legislation that brings clarity and stability to state statutory law. This is an exciting opportunity for me to continue contributing to the public good in a new and challenging manner.

My family and I have not made this decision lightly. We balanced as best we could meeting the ULC’s timeline with minimizing the impact upon students and colleagues at Gustavus Adolphus College, District 19A’s residents, the House DFL Caucus, our friends, and ourselves. We weighed many factors, including moving to a new state, changing high schools, and preparing the Gustavus fall 2013 course schedule. Departing a community and college and friends with whom we have shared our lives for almost 20 years led us to reflect carefully on this choice. Living here, raising our children here, working here has been a blessed experience for Martha and me.

I am proud to have worked with the wonderful people of my district for the past six years. As I move on, I am reassured to know that Highway 14 is safer, with more improvements to come. Together, we provided more homeless veteran housing, strengthened the Minnesota Prairie Line, supported our students and schools, and achieved other legislative successes. My work with the district’s parents, teachers, farmers, businesses, local leaders, and others has left a lasting impact upon me. My legislative colleagues have taught me how to govern with compassion, intelligence, and commitment to the public good. I will take the lessons I have learned in Minnesota about sound policy and public service and apply them across our nation and overseas.

To me, being a representative has always been about public service, not the specific individual in the office. District 19A has so many gifted and dedicated people that I leave knowing that constituents will be well represented for years to come. Representing this area for six years has been a wonderful, rewarding experience; it’s an honor that I will always treasure.

My family and I are comforted in knowing that folks throughout the district and state will offer us their support as we take a new direction in our lives. We wish the very best for District 19A and Minnesota.

Sincerely,
Terry Morrow

Rep. Morrow have been elected to House three times since 2006. During 2012 election, he was unopposed. 

VP BIDEN MINNEAPOLIS RALLY TICKETS

Only few tickets for Vice President Joe Biden remains. There are offices throughout Twin Cities metro that you can pick up tickets. 

Rally doors open at 10:30AM and it starts at 1:00PM at Depot in Downtown Minneapolis. 

Sooner the better before THEY RUN OUT! 

1. Minneapolis
2722 University Ave SE
Minneapolis, MN
minneapolis@ofamn.com
(612) 244-7872

2. Hopkins
1007 Main St
Hopkins, MN
hopkins@ofamn.com
(952) 221-1770

3. St. Paul
920A Selby Ave
Saint Paul, MN
stpaul@ofamn.com
(651) 492-0280

4. North Minneapolis
1505 West Broadway Ave
Minneapolis, MN

2012 Minnesota Legislature Retirement List

Here are list of Legislators who have announced retirements or running for other offices:


Running for Congress or US Senate:


Rep. Kurt Bills


Want to switch from House to Senate:


Torrey Westorm
Bobby Joe Champion
Bev Scalze 
Mary Kiffmeyer
Kent Eken
Branden Petersen
Connie Doepke 
Maria Ruud
Lyle Koenen (filed to run for Kubly's vacant seat)
Bruce Anderson
Carrie Ruud


Want to run for other office: 
Senator Linda Higgins- running for Hennepin County Board


Legislators who want to retire for good or maybe run again in future:


Rep. Larry Hosch
Rep. Kate Knuth
Rep. Mark Murdock
Rep. Pat Mazrol
Rep. Mindy Greiling 
Sen Keith Langseth
Sen. Amy Koch
Sen. Al DeKruif 
Sen. Chris Gerlach
Sen. Gen Olson
Sen. Doug Mangus 
Sen. Geoff Michel

Sen. Gary Kubly (announced he would retire but ended died while in office)
Rep John Krisel (he announced on KFAN on 3/15)

Undecided if losing endrosement of their respective parties when running for Congress or other offices:

Sen. Mike Parry- Running for Congress in 1st District.

Sen Gretchen Hoffman- Running for Congress in 7th District.

I will add more names to the list once I find out more people who is retiring.  If you know of anyone else is retiring or running for another office, send email to senatoreggert@yahoo.com. 

ATKINS ANNOUNCES RE-ELECTION BID, WILL NOT RUN FOR CONGRESS

State Rep. Joe Atkins finalized his decision to seek re-election to the Minnesota House at his daughter’s high school basketball game on Wednesday night. There had been wide speculation until now that Atkins would run for Congress in Minnesota’s newly-drawn 2nd Congressional District.

“I may or may not get more chances to run for higher office, but I only get one chance at being a good dad,” said Atkins. “Being in Washington, D.C. at this point would not allow me to be involved in my family and in our community as much as I would like.” Atkins and his wife, Julia, have three children, ages 18, 17 and 15.

Just prior to his daughter’s game on Wednesday, Atkins passed bipartisan legislation to the House floor to protect Minnesotans from sophisticated internet and telephone scams. The scams, which are tied to organized crime and have victimized over 100,000 Minnesotans so far, often target senior citizens and vulnerable adults. Atkins’s legislation is AARP’s top priority at the Capitol this session.

“My ability to pass important, bipartisan legislation, even as a member of the minority, was definitely a key factor in my decision to seek re-election to the Minnesota House,” Atkins said. With strong relationships on both sides of the aisle, Representative Atkins has passed more bipartisan legislation over the last four years than any other state representative, according to data compiled by non-partisan staff.

Rep. Atkins has passed bipartisan laws to improve fire safety, protect retirement accounts, decrease meth labs, and make college more affordable for middle-class families. For his efforts, he has earned a variety of awards, including being named “Legislator of the Year” by Minnesota’s firefighters. 

Atkins said he is kicking off his re-election campaign this weekend by going to door-to-door in Mendota Heights and Eagan, which were recently added to his legislative district, and will start door-knocking in Inver Grove Heights next weekend.

“That probably means we’ll finally get a foot of snow and it will be 20 below zero,” Atkins joked.

On Saturday night, though, Atkins will put politics aside. He’ll be sitting in the stands watching his daughter and the Simley girls basketball team in the section semifinals.

REP. KNUTH NOT SEEKING RE-ELECTION

(SAINT PAUL) — Today, Representative Kate Knuth (DFL – New Brighton) announced she will not be seeking re-election to the Minnesota House of Representatives.

Rep. Knuth released the following statement:

“Representing my neighbors in New Brighton, Arden Hills, Shoreview and Fridley in the Minnesota House of Representatives is an honor. Running for and serving in office has allowed me to get to know my community and its geography and people in a unique and fulfilling way. I am so grateful for the many wonderful people who have taken the time to help me do this job well.

“I am proud of the work we do together to make Minnesota an exceptional place to live. In particular, I am proud to have worked with local leaders on environmental cleanup and redevelopment needs in my community. I am also glad that Minnesota is on a cleaner, more homegrown energy path because of work we have done over the last few years.

“While I will not be seeking reelection, I look forward to serving my neighbors through this term. I will continue to seek out ways in which to contribute to making Minnesota, and the world, a healthier and more sustainable place. I consider myself lucky to love Minnesota, my home state, more than I can fully describe. My service, leadership, and life’s work will always be firmly rooted in this place and its people.”

Susan Allen swearing in video

Rep. Susan Allen, first Native American woman elected to Minnesota Legislature (and fourth in the nation) was sworn in during very brief ceremony on the Minnesota House of Representatives floor with her family, friends, campaign volunteers and Capitol coworkers including myself (Luckily I was getting done with my shift to attend this event). This would be my best first day back at my Capitol job besides free staff appreciation lunch courtesy of Minnesota State Senate. People who came to the Capitol was brave enough to come in when it was subzero weather outside because as what Rep. Allen said, Native Americans can make it through really cold outside because it is Minnesota. 


As you may notice I was on the floor, I was there to witness the history and it was like Rep. Allen is "Ricky Rubio" (for people who are not into NBA, Ricky is newest Minnesota Timberwolves player) of the Minnesota Legislature that may bring in more excitement regardless of GOP being the majority. With Rep. Allen being latest addition to the Legislature, it should be most interesting session to watch.  


Rep. Allen will be one to be most watched at the Capitol by Legislative junkies and insiders like myself and the media. 


If you was wondering whose desk I sat at, it was Rep. David Dill's seat. Rarely the House floor would be open to the public like this but only when there is special event. During the ceremony, I could feel the vibration of the drum that was played by Little Thunderbirds because it was very close to where I was sitting. They did played music before the ceremony and I could feel the vibration when I was standing by House Chamber gate. Allen's words was very amazing and very inspiring. 


I was blessed to be part of this history that I could witness my new coworker being sworn in. It was very awesome. One of many reasons I love working at the Capitol is that I get to interact with Legislators on regular basis and meeting different people.


2012 Session Opener starts on Tuesday, January 24 and if you are at the Capitol, you will be able to watch Rep. Allen in action for first time at noon. 


Rep. Susan Allen replaced Jeff Hayden who is in the Senate. She represent house district 61B that is part of South Minneapolis. She won special election on January 10. 

Rep. Greiling Retires After Long Career Focused on Education, Mental Health Reform

St. Paul, MN – Currently serving her 10th term, State Representative Mindy Greiling (DFL – Roseville) announced her retirement from the State Legislature today. Rep. Greiling will continue to serve until the end of the upcoming session. 

During her tenure, Rep. Greiling focused her legislative efforts on properly funding and reforming Minnesota’s public education system, serving as Chair of the House Education Finance Committee for four years and transitioning to DFL-Lead on the same committee in 2010. In addition to her work on education, Rep. Greiling was a strong legislative advocate for improving the way we perceive and treat mental health in Minnesota. 

“It has been my honor and privilege to serve the citizens of Senate District 54. Serving has enriched my life with a great sense of purpose for the common good. 

“I was proud to lead the legislative charge in the Minnesota House of Representatives to reform and properly fund our mental health system. We increased funding more than in any other legislative session in the history of our state. 

“However, I must honestly say, that I am leaving with a heavy heart that we now owe our public schools $3.45 billion, over $4,200 per student. I have been proud to author a sweeping education finance reform bill, developed by a broad coalition, which would properly fund schools at the state level and make the system fairer and more welcome to local innovations. I am hopeful to see enactment of this plan in the future. 

“While I announce my retirement today, I look forward to serving out the conclusion of my term. We still have much work to be done and I intend to continue fighting for the best interests of people.”

RACH'S POLITICAL REPORT IS GOING DARK

THAT IS RIGHT YOU ARE READING THIS... 


RACH'S POLITICAL REPORT IS GOING DARK IN PROTEST TO SOPA/PIPA. 


THAT LEGISLAION IS VERY BAD DEAL!!!!! 


IT WILL TAKE OUR FREEDOM ON INTERNET AWAY AND OUR FREE SPEECH WILL BE VERY LIMITED!!!! 


OTHER SITES SUCH AS GOOGLE AND WIKI ARE DOING IT SO I AM DOING SAME THING. 

BOO AT GODADDY.COM WHO SUPPORTS SOPA/PIPA! 

RACH IS FAN OF THE DAY ON WCCO 12/30/11

It came to my surprise that I ended up being WCCO's Fan of the Day. I did not know until a friend told me and I had to dig up and I found the vid here that was on TV this morning. Sorry if it is not captioning but this is what it was on this morning's newscast. WCCO is TV Station based in Minneapolis, Minnesota and CBS affiliate.

Not word-for-word, but summary of the video's audio:

"We love Rachel's picture of her with her stuffed animal dogs, including
Bullseye from Target... We agree with her post on our page: 'Please keep
Old Man Winter away!' ... Thanks for being our fan, Rachel."