Potluck and Speaker Paul Thissen – Thursday July 16th.

Published June 29, 2009 2010 Governor Race , Announcements Leave a Comment
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On Thursday July 16th, at 6:00 pm, Senate District 36 DFLers will be sharing in a potluck and enjoying the company of a special speaker, gubernatorial candidate Paul Thissen.

The potluck will begin at 6:00 at the Rambling River Center, 413 3rd Street in RRCenterdowntown Farmington. It will be great time to meet and interact with other progressives in our district. Please bring something to share, but show up even if you don’t want to eat, it will be a fun time, and a great way to meet other progressives in the area.

Paul Thissen will be joining us to discuss the recent legislative session, as well as his vision for the state when he becomes governor. I’m sure he will have something to say about the current governor too. It should be an interesting evening, and it will be a great chance to really get some one-on-one face time with a candidate in a small group setting. Everyone is welcome! Bring some questions for Rep. Thissen, and bring some food to share with Paul and other local progressives.

The Central committee meeting will follow at 7:30, an agenda will be distributed soon.

Paul_ThissenPaul Thissen (pronounced TEE-sen) has served in the State Legislature since 2002. He is a life long resident of Minnesota, and grew up in the southern suburbs. He is a graduate of Harvard and The University of Chicago Law School. Paul is married with three children.

Paul was the Chief Author of the Children’s Health Security Act, which resulted in nearly 40,000 children getting access to health care. He was also instrumental in passing the 2008 Health Reform Act.

Paul’s hopes for Minnesota are simple and reflect the basic Minnesota values instilled in him since childhood. He wants to make sure that our state continues to be a place where our kids have the same opportunity to learn, grow and succeed that we did and where our parents can live their lives with independence and dignity. He will continue to fight for those values now and in the future.

Learn more about Rep. Paul Thissen on his website.

Report from the CD2 Central Committee Meeting

Published June 10, 2009 2010 Governor Race , Announcements , Events Leave a Comment
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I little something about what you missed at the June 9th, CD2 Central Committee Meeting. 

The little Savage Library meeting room was packed.  All the seats were full, a few people stood and a few people sat on window ledges to discuss the happenings of CD2.

It becomes old hat for regular meeting attendees to visit with candidates, and this meeting was no exception.  Candidate for Governor, Senator John Marty was the main speaker, but the Central Committee also heard from Senator John Doll of SD40, who wasn’t speaking as a candidate, but was prodded to the front of the room in Senator Marty’s absence.  CD2 Congressional candidate Dan Powers spoke for a couple minutes about his personal history.  Candidate Mike Germain running for State Senate in SD37 spoke for a minute, followed by an opponent also seeking the DFL senate endorsement in SD37, Roberta Gibbons.

There was also a speaker representing the Young DFL, but the headliner was Senator John Marty.  He stood in front of the room, looking both casual and gubernatorial in a blue blazer and khaki pants.  He addressed his loss in 1994, quieting those concerns by pointing out that the themes in his 1994 campaign, equality, healthcare and the environment did not match the Newt Gingrich “Contract On America” which dominated the political spectrum that year.  His themes are much more relevant today.

Senator Marty’s presentation centered on the idea of looking ahead 20 years.  He stressed that he stands up for what is right, even if it is unpopular, and pointed out that in 1999 and 2000, he was the only Senator to vote no on the state’s tax cuts.  Sen. Marty said He didn’t vote no because he loves taxes.  He voted no because he didn’t believe the tax cuts were sustainable.  To read more about his presentation, visit www.MNDem.com. 

Gubernatorial candidates are all over right now.  If you are interested, candidates for Governor Susan Gaertner and Steve Kelley are speaking this Friday night, June 12 at Open Circle Church (2400 Highland Drive, Burnsville) at 7:00 pm.  They will be answering questions and discussing their visions for our state.  The meeting is sponsored by mnpACT!

Paul Thissen is considering attending the next SD36 meeting in July.  So keep watching for posts on that, and other presenters.  In addition, the next meeting will probably include an election or two so be sure to attend if you are on the central committee.   Feel free to attend even if you are not on the committee.

Pawlenty One Of The Best?

Published June 4, 2009 Mary Liz Holberg Closed

In a June 3, StarTribune article, 36A Rep. Mary Liz Holberg said of Governor Tim Pawlenty’s years at the state’s helm:

“I think he’s one of the best, and I think the Democrats would say that too.”

He just might be the best at recklessly cutting spending on education and healthcare, increasing property taxes and increasing college tuition.  If that is what Rep. Holberg is talking about, she could be right.  But if she is talking about one of the best Minnesota governors, she has lost her marbles and should follow the Governor’s lead and let somebody who has some willingness to tackle the State’s tough problems serve.

DFL events in the next couple weeks:

Published June 1, 2009 Announcements Closed

10th Annual DFL Women’s Hall of Fame Luncheon
Saturday, Jun 6 Noon
Minneapolis Hilton

See 2 posts down for more information.

CD2 Central Committee Meeting
Tuesday, Jun 9 6:30 p.m.

Savage Library Meeting Room
13090 Alabama Ave S
(next to Savage USPO and City Hall).

On the Agenda:
CD2 Fundraiser
Election of Male Director

Visitors are welcome

Visit the CD2 website for more information.

mnpACT! Speaker Event
An evening with Ramsey County Attorney Susan Gaertner
&
former State Senator Steve Kelley

Both Susan Gaertner and Steve Kelley will speak and answer questions about their candidacies for Governor of Minnesota and their visions for our state.  This is part of mnpACT’s Candidates for Governor in 2010 series.

Friday, Jun 12 7:00 p.m.

Open Circle Church:
2400 Highland Drive, Burnsville

Everyone Welcome!
This is a Free Event.

Visit the mnpACT! website for more information.

It is not too early to begin thinking about 2010

Published May 23, 2009 2010 Governor Race Closed
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If you are beginning to think about the 2010 gubernatorial race, you are not alone. mnpACT! hosted Mark Dayton in their opening installment of the 2010 Governor Candidate Forums. There are a couple analyses to read if you missed the event. A great detailed summary is on the mnpACT! blog and a second recap is on the blog www.mndem.com. Check them out.

Future mnpACT! Candidate Forums are scheduled in CD2. The next is a June event which will feature Steve Kelley and Susan Gaertner on June 12th at Open Circle Church in Burnsville, 7:00 pm. Check out the mnpACT! Website for more information.

DFL Women’s Hall of Fame

Published May 20, 2009 Announcements 2 Comments

Fourteen women will be inducted into the DFL Women’s Hall of Fame on Saturday , June 6 at the Minneapolis Hilton.

Women of Distinction
Jeanette Gloege of Belle Plain, SD25
Vi Grooms-Alban of Cohasset, SD3
Grace Harkness of Minneapolis, SD60
Beth Lareau of Little Canada, SD54
Joyce LeClaire of Big Lake, SD16
Becky Lourey of Kerrick, SD8
Ruth Usem of Minneapolis, SD60
Posthumous award – Dorothy Jacobson

Rising Stars
Therese Barnett of Faribault, SD25
Amy Korkemeier-Howard of Princeton, SD16
Anjuli Mishra of Spring Lake Park, SD51
Cordy Strand of Aitkin, SD3
Natalie Volin of St. Paul, SD64
Carol Woehrer of Brooklyn Park, SD46

This year, in addition to inspiring presentations for each honoree, the nearly 150 women who have been inducted into the Hall of Fame over the past ten years will be celebrated in a very special way, and many of them will be in attendance. Each year’s award luncheon has been memorable, but this year, the Tenth Annual, promises to be quite moving.

Tickets to the award luncheon are just $35, and must be reserved by May 30. For ticket information, visit http://www.dflwomenshalloffame.com .

CD2 Executive Committee, May 12 Summary

Published May 13, 2009 Announcements Closed

I attended the CD2 Executive Committee meeting at Burnhaven Library as an observer Tuesday evening, May 12. It was a short meeting and sparsely attended, but I got a couple things out of it to share.

Wednesday May 13, there is a meeting on Eagan at Wescott Library hosted by Organizing for America. The meeting is from 6-7:30pm with the discussion topic of what Organizing for America (OFA) will look like in our community. Ideas will be considered for the Minnesota State Plan for Organizing for America. OFA is a continuation of Obama for America, and is dedicated to continuing to make the real change we organized for during the election.

The caucuses have been scheduled for February 2, 2010. Keep that evening open, and if you can help that evening. As a reminder, caucus attendees will have the opportunity to put their name up to be considered for the Senate District 36 convention, probably about a month later. From there, they can be elected to a position on the executive committee, and/or elected to represent the district at the 2nd Congressional District convention. You will also play an important role in endorsing DFL candidates for the State House and Senate elections in Senate District 36.

The next CD2 meeting is June 9 at the Savage Library. It is a meeting of the Central Committee. Visitors are welcome, so even if you are not a member of the committee, you can attend. Sometimes candidates come, and discussions about DFL politics are always in order.

Posted by Steve Quist

Rep. Garofalo vs. Poker in Cyberspace

Published May 8, 2009 Pat Garofalo Closed

mnPact! article analyzing District 36B Republican Representative Pat Garofalo’s concern about maintaining people’s privacy while they break the law.

LINK TO THE ARTICLE

Leadership Change In SD36

Published May 6, 2009 Announcements Closed

Dear DFL Senate District 36 Friends:

As many of you know, I took a job in Maple Grove about 3 weeks after being elected chair of DFL SD 36. For 13 months I have commuted roundtrip more than 100 miles per day: about 2.5 to 3 hours depending on weather. As you might imagine, it is hard to maintain such a situation. A couple of months ago, Jeff and I decided to move to Eagan, where I lived before moving here to Castle Rock. On April 16 we listed our house for sale and last week we found a buyer.

Toby Nichols, our Associate Chair, will be taking over the district as of our moving date of June 25 and we are working together to make it a smooth transition. A new Associate Chair will have to be elected to finish the current term, which ends with the next District Convention next March. According to DFL rules, the associate chair must be of the opposite gender so only women may run for the position. More information about the actual election will be forthcoming but if you are interested in running, feel free to e-mail or call me any time to express your interest.

I apologize for not finishing my term. Many thanks to all who have worked so hard for this district since I became involved in 2004 and, of course, long before that! I’m sure I will see many of you at DFL events in the future.

Warmest Regards, Carolyn Sampson

Courageous Conversations About Health Care

Published April 30, 2009 Events 1 Comment

Courageous Conversations About Health Care
Hosted by Senator John Doll
When: May 19, 2009
Time: 7:00 PM
Where: Burnsville Civic Center/Town Hall
100 Civic Center Parkway.

Guest Speakers:
Senator John Marty – What the bill will mean to us
Dr. Jim Letts (Physicians for National Health Plan)-Learn why doctors prefer the MHP
Nancy Breymeier (Metropolitan Independant Business Alliance) Why Business are struggling to provide health care benefits and how the MHP will help
Senator Erickson Ropes -Why Canadians prefer their health care
Kip Sullivan, author of “The Health Care Mess” with Q & A Panel

with Special Guests:
Senator Jim Carlson, Senator Mary Olson, Rep. David Bly, Rep. Sandy Masin and many of the congressional and senate district officers.

Presented by Campaign for the Minnesota Health Plan

The MN Health Plan (MnHP) would be a single, statewide plan that would cover all Minnesotans for all their medical needs. There is an intolerably high proportion of our fellow Minnesotans that suffer from lack of care. To alleviate the suffering, we must build a viable health care system that efficiently delivers comprehensive health care to everyone. Let’s work together to pass the Minnesota Health Act!

More info: Roger Gehrke or Ellen Lafans 651.688.7049

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