Week of November 13, 2006

Right now I'm going through orientation, and I'm still working almost full-time at the Recycling Association of Minnesota until the end of the year, so there won't be a whole lot going on yet.

Last week was the election, when I won by 55 votes! A recount is required but it has not been scheduled.

This week I met with the Shoreview City Manager to get briefed on legislative issues that affect the city and its residents. Those issues include transportation funding and property tax rates.

I attended a meeting for the Rush Line Corridor, which is a transit corridor that would run from the Union Depot in St. Paul up Highway 61 and Interstate 35 to Hinkley.

Friday included freshman orientation for incoming House members from both parties. I have a new e-mail at rep.paul.gardner@house.mn but no phone or office until swearing-in on January 3rd.

Letters/calls of introduction received: North Metro Chamber of Commerce; MN Teamsters; Tubman Family Alliance; St. Paul Area Chamber of Commerce; MN Attorney General-elect; MN Transportation Alliance; Office of the Legislative Auditor; MN Bankers Association; U of M's Initiative for Renewable Energy & the Environment; MN Pipe Trades Association; Rep. Betty McCollum; National Association of Industrial & Office Properties-MN Chapter; Fresh Energy; AFSCME Local 65; MN Licensed Beverage Association/MN Municipal Beverage Association; Planned Parenthood; American Cancer Society-MN Chapter; Association of Metropolitan School Districts; MN Cable Communications Association; Care Providers of MN; MN Health & Housing Alliance; Xcel Energy; MN Credit Union Network; MN Association of Realtors

Requests for meetings or attendance at events: Ramsey County Commissioner Tony Bennett; Anoka County (several commissioners and departments); Mounds View School District; City of Lexington; City of Circle Pines; MN Farm Bureau Federation; MN Association of Townships; Education Minnesota; University of Minnesota-Government Relations; MN AFL-CIO; P.S. (Public Schools) Minnesota; MN Taxpayers Association; MN State Colleges & Universities-Chancellor's Office; Ramsey County Community Human Services Citizens Advisory Council; MN State Senator for Growth & Justice event for legislators; Sisters of St. Joseph of Carondelet

Constituents or organizations in district calling/writing/e-mailing about issues: local volunteer for MN Senior Federation on property taxes; Centennial School District Early Childhood Program on early childhood programs