Sharing More Thoughts

The week started early with the “Darn Fine Ladies” breakfast Monday morning. The topic was "How to Effectively Advocate for Your Issue at the State Capitol" presented by Stacy Ellefson, Senator Ann Lynch's legislative assistant (LA) in 2007. The attendees asked questions about which method is the best way to reach your legislator and, while the answer varies depending on your individual legislator, it was felt that a brief, original email was probably the most timely and effective method. Brief and concise correspondence is very much appreciated, as the daily volume can be considerable. Providing a current name, address and phone number for follow up is a good idea.

Side Note:

I choose to read my own email daily, although there may be a delay in response depending on the issue and/or time of the year. Some issues require research and outside contacts to be made in order to respond, others can be responded to very quickly. If session is in full swing it may be impossible to respond immediately due to long floor sessions or committee hearings, but know that your email has been read and your opinion considered. Letters or "snail mail" are most often opened by my LA (we get large deliveries twice per day) or an intern and then placed in a file for review when time permits. I find that they tend to be the least timely and effective if immediate action is desired. A legislative assistant generally takes phone calls during session as legislators seldom are sitting around their offices-except late at night. (If we are not in a committee hearing or floor session, we are meeting with constituents, lobbyists or colleagues on potential bills or upcoming legislation. ) While messages are forwarded, they may not get the attention or response that contacts in written format do. Personal visits are great, and very effective - but don't be hurt if your meeting is brief. Sometimes, during session, meetings need to be held in the hallway outside of a committee hearing or on a walk to the capitol prior to session - all are valuable! Visits can also occur right here in Rochester on weekends or during the interim and are welcomed.

This past week there were multiple meetings for possible campaign endorsements. This is one of the stressful and time consuming tasks associated with running for election. There is background research to be done, forms to fill out, and interviews to schedule and complete. I have sought to achieve a broad base of endorsement (no PAC funds) and my moderate voting record and positions, while appreciated by the constituents I talk to, have posed some challenges in this regard. Most organizations would prefer you to substantially agree with their agendas and viewpoints - it remains to be seen whether partial agreement will be enough for endorsement by some of these groups. It is my constituents I seek to represent first and foremost, so I'll just let the chips fall where they may.

Late in the week I drove to St. Paul to catch up on some research, read my mail and sign some letters my LA had been typing for me. I received word that the Radon Bill I authored (2007 Session) is finally ready to be published in the Building Energy Codes. Not to be cynical, but I'll believe it when I see it!

On Friday I attended the ribbon cutting for a new business opening in town - New Horizon's Day Care. The NW center is bright and cheerful and ready for business. My background in Human Development with focus on Early Childhood/Special Education, draws my interest in seeing these quality early childhood centers grow and succeed in providing a safe and loving environment, while also encouraging children to learn the personal and academic skills they need to be ready for Kindergarten. This new center seems poised to deliver on all accounts.

The week winds down with the opportunity to meet constituents where they live and enjoy some fabulous August weather to boot!

Sharing Some Thoughts

Every week is busy and it is difficult to decide what might be of interest to someone stumbling upon a blog posting. I'm going to try to post some of the highlights of each prior weeks activities and reflections to give you a flavor of what I'm up to!

I had the absolute pleasure of attending a "Women In Government" (WIG) task force meeting concerning issues surrounding Higher Education last weekend. The two-day discussion centered on the topic of workforce issues and how to address them. While not ratified yet by the WIG board, the task force has recommended increasing focus on adult learners and the potential of employee/employer education accounts. Having served on the Higher Education & Workforce Development Committee for the lasts two years, this information and subsequent recommendations will help provide future committee work. A planning meeting of the three MN legislators who attended the event is already scheduled for next week!

On Monday, I attended the Rochester Chamber of Commerce Governmental Affairs meeting. The issues impacting all levels of government are raised and discussed at these meetings and I was able to share some of the information I learned at the WIG meeting, which dovetails nicely with the Chamber's Workforce 2020 initiatives. I also shared some of the particulars of Minnesota's Health Care Reform Bill (125 Plans) and their implication for businesses with the group.

On Tuesday, all of your area Legislators met with key Mayo Clinic staff to have a "State of the Clinic" update. It is especially important to learn about the impact of legislation on this very important economic driver in our community and state. Hospitals, in particular, have been negatively impacted over the past decade as state budgets have rolled out. We must be particularly watchful in the coming session in the Health Care Committee(s) of these impacts - a difficult task with the economic realities (another budget deficit) facing our state and country.

I met with a member of the school board to share some of what I am hearing about the schools and school district while out door knocking. The recent NCLB results, while predictable and expected, will likely compound concerns by the general public who are not very familiar with this underfunded federal mandate. I hope by keeping the lines of communication open with the school district, I might be able to support them more effectively at the capitol. I intend to meet with the Superintendent, as well.

A quick meeting with the director of NFIB -National Federation of Independent Businesses brought good news concerning my 2008 voting record. Watch for more news on that front in September!

This was the week for my Second Saturday morning coffee at Dunn Bros. - a monthly meeting with interested constituents - where dental access was the primary topic of conversation. There continues to be considerable concern over recent legislation meant to address access to dental care. Will the creation of a mid-level practitioner really solve the problem created by shockingly low reimbursements for charity and insured care? It was shared that it appears the state task force is more focused on which Higher Education institution will house the program rather than on whether the concept, as currently written, is safe, necessary or really targeted to address access issues.

The week closed out with a visit to the Minnesota State PTA Convention in St. Paul. As a former state president, it was great to see so many parent leaders willing to spend a beautiful weekend in August learning how to be strong, informed leaders for their schools. I also had a chance to visit with Jan Harp Domene, National PTA President, again after having stepped off the National PTA Board of Directors in June after many years of involvement. What a great organization of dedicated parents working tirelessly for kids - if you are not a member why not join?!

I'm still out everyday meeting with constituents - so be ready with questions or thoughts when I visit you!

KimNortonforMNHouse - MN

Sharing More Thoughts

Sharing Some Thoughts