Week of December 24, 2006
I was out of town from December 21 to 28 on the east coast visiting family.
On Thursday evening, I attended a DFL event in St. Paul. I had the opportunity to meet with some of my colleagues as well as an assortment of lobbyists. Some were from larger lobbying firms and represented specific clients, while others were employees of associations. Most pledged to visit me in my office during the session, while two discussed a specific issue--electronic waste recycling.
Committee assignments: On Friday (Dec. 22), I got my committee assignments. They include Environmental Policy, Environmental Policy, Energy Policy & Finance, and the Minnesota Heritage Finance Committee. I am even the vice-chair of the latter committee, which deals with the arts, cultural resources, etc. I am happy to be able to contribute expertise in the environmental and energy fields.
Constituents contacting me: Lino Lakes resident about a bill/law that allows residents to have a flagpole despite a residential covenant prohibiting it; Lino Lakes resident asking for property tax relief; Shoreview resident inviting me to an early childhood education event in the Mounds View School District
Non-constituent individuals contacting me: A Minneapolis attorney requesting "significant changes in family laws to limit the discretionary powers of the judiciary"; Eagan resident on requiring ignition interlock systems for repeat DWI offenders (his information says that there were 202,508 DWI arrests in MN in 2005?! Wow!); Eagan resident promoting instant runoff voting
Letters of introduction/newsletters sent: Lobbyist from Lindquist & Vennum, a lobbying firm; MN Association of Townships about its legislative priorities, including annexation; Lutheran Social Service; Pioneer Public Television about its television program "Your Legislators"; incoming House Tax Committee Chair Lenczewski asking me to meet about thoughts and concerns related to taxes; MN Conservation Corps; MN State University Student Association; Planned Parenthood of MN; Ramsey County Attorney; Dorsey & Whitney (a law firm); Coalition of MN Businesses; Lockridge Grindal Nauen (a lobbying firm); Great River Energy; U of M Department of Gender, Women, and Sexuality Studies; MN Nurses Association; MN Automobile Dealers Association; MN Fraternal Order of Police; MN Government Engineers Council; Hubert Humphrey Institute of Public Affairs; MAPS Medical Pain Clinics promoting a proposal to create "interconnected Controlled Substances Monitoring Programs";
Invitation to events: University of MN about unveiling of schmatic plans of new Gopher stadium; MN Attorney General-Elect Swanson to inaugural ceremony; MN Women's Consortium; Anoka County for its annual legislative meeting
