Senator Kevin Dahle (DFL-Northfield) is authoring legislation to increase funding for nursing homes and senior home care services in Minnesota. This issue has wide support, including members from both parties and both chambers, as well as various interest groups.   “The legislation provides for a much-needed 5% raise for those individuals caring for our seniors and establishes a long-term care consultation team,” said Senator Dahle. “We cannot be blind to the long-term care crisis in Minnesota. By doing so we disregard the health and wellbeing of our families and friends. We must take action…

Dear Neighbors,  First, I wanted to thank all the constituents that came and visited during In-District Office Hours. I always appreciate hearing the concerns and thoughts that you have. Attached is the Legislative Update for this week. Issues raised this week range from gun control to taxes to the teacher basic skills test.  Please contact my office if you have any questions or concerns.  Sincerely,Dave

Dear neighbors, As your voice at our State Capitol, I depend on your input and ideas to make well-informed decisions about the big challenges facing our state. That’s why I’m excited to invite you to connect with me at upcoming town hall meetings this weekend. I’ll be joined by State Senator Kevin Dahle for two meetings this Saturday, February 23. The first meeting will take place from 9:00-10:00am at the Lonsdale Public Library, located at 1006 NE Birch Street. The second meeting will take place from 10:30-11:30am at the Montgomery Public Library, located at 104 Oak Avenue SE. If you’re …

Senator Dahle is set to launch a two-day, eight-town series of town hall meetings, designed to hear from as many residents of District 20 as possible.  The Senator invites all constituents to join with their neighbors in an informal listening session to discuss issues that will be considered in the Legislature in the coming months.   “I look forward to meeting with constituents to discuss the issues that are most important to our communities,” said Senator Dahle. “The Legislature has a lot to think about this year, and these meetings help me better serve the people I represent.”  Senator …

Dear Neighbors, It has been a busy couple of weeks at the Capitol.  Governor Dayton continues to talk about his budget and push for additional sales, income, and business-to-business taxes. I disagree with Governor Dayton’s approach. Prosperity is the result of free market competition, innovation, and growth.  These things are achieved when government adopts the pro-growth policies of minimal taxation and regulation. Greater prosperity reduces the need for government services.  There is then plenty of money to provide the basic government services we all want and expect. In the attached …

As the point person for Student Assessment and Testing on the Education Committee, I have begun the process of reviewing the State’s standardized testing environment. Minnesota continues to have one of the best track records in the country for student learning and achievement, but ballooning government imposition of standardized testing has begun to take its toll. Minnesota students take several redundant tests every year, wasting time, money, and often disrupting their learning environment.      For years, teachers and students have grown more and more concerned about the need to ―teach to …

The following is a column from Sen. Dave Thompson, R-Lakeville. Dear Neighbors,  In this legislative update, see my reaction towards Governor Dayton's budget outlined in his State of the State speech as well as updates on the Health Insurance Exchange Bill and a bill to expand Medical Assistance coverage.  A reminder to sign up for a time for the In-District Office Hours next weekend, Saturday, February 16th. I will be at the Farmington Library from 10:30 to noon and at Lakeville South from 2:30-4:00. Please email my legislative assistant Amy Strenge, amy.strenge@senate.mn to reserve a time. …

As part of a larger push by DFL Senators to address mental health issues in Minnesota, Senator Kevin Dahle has authored legislation (S.F. 260) that would aid in identifying the early warning signs of mental illness in children and adolescents. The bill adapts teacher licensure renewal requirements to include instruction on a more in-depth understanding of mental illness in students. “Mental illness has received a lot of attention recently, especially in its connection to violence; the long-term solution to this problem lies with our kids,” said Sen. Dahle. “Though the vast majority of …

Dear Neighbors,  I want to remind you all of the In-District Office Hours scheduled for February 16 in both Farmington and Lakeville. Please send an email to my legislative assistant, Amy Strenge--amy.strenge@senate.mn to schedule an 15 minutes appointment. In this legislative update you will find information regarding the state employee contract, Governor Dayton's budget, a Health and Human Services Update, as well as a Judiciary committee update.  Sincerely,Dave   Senator Dave ThompsonSenate District 58131 State Office Building100 Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd.St. Paul, MN 55155(651) 296-…

Here's Sen. Kevin Dahle's (D-Northfield) first newsletter of the 2013 session. Follow Northfield Patch on Twitter | Like us on Facebook | Sign up for our free newsletter

January 22nd was budget unveiling day at the Capitol, as Governor Mark Dayton released his proposed budget for the 2014-15 biennium. The Governor’s budget seeks to erase the projected $1.1 billion deficit, as well as pay back the $1.1 billion still owed to the schools.  “The Governor’s proposal is a starting point for the Senate’s budget discussions. We are long overdue for an honest discussion of how we should pay for the necessities of state government,” said Senator Kevin Dahle. “I look forward to having public hearings, town hall meetings, and working with my fellow Senators to amend and …

THE INSIDE SCOOPRepresentative Pat Garofalo1/22/2013- GOVERNOR RELEASES BUDGET WITH SIGNIFICANT TAX INCREASES- 2ND SALES TAX PROPOSED TO PAY FOR TRANSIT- TOWN HALL MEETINGS COMING UP - ABBY'S JOKE OF THE WEEK   DAYTON BUDGET Governor Dayton released a new budget today with significant tax increases.  The Governor proposed expanding the sales tax while simultaneously lowering the rate.  If passed, a sales tax would be paid on haircuts, clothing over $100, medicine, daycare and virtually every other item/service.  The Governor also proposed a new income tax increase on "the wealthy" increasing …

"On Tuesday, January 8th, the Senate was gaveled into session. In this legislative weekly update look for my thoughts on opening day, reality and our message, and a look back as what we accomplished last session." Follow Northfield Patch on Twitter | Like us on Facebook | Sign up for our free newsletter

Dear Friends, This will be the last "Update" I will be sending as your State Senator in District 25. It has been an honor serving you in St. Paul these past two years. For me, redistricting changed my political future and led to my not seeking re-election. I leave behind many friends and colleagues that I hope to stay in touch with in the future. I've been blessed with the opportunity you my constituents afforded me, and I hope you were pleased with my conservative stand on the issues.We accomplished so much these past two years in the legislature through responsible spending and slowing the …

Minnesota Management & Budget’s (MMB) new state economic forecast provides even more proof of the fiscal discipline we restored to St. Paul during two years of Republican majorities in the Legislature. It also highlights the challenges that lie ahead for our great state.Wednesday’s MMB report shows a $1.3 billion surplus, the third consecutive positive forecast. Combined, Minnesota has enjoyed a surplus of $2.5 billion over the last two years ($876 million in November, 2011 and $323 million last February). This is a remarkable turnaround from the $6.2 billion shortfall we faced in January …

THE INSIDE SCOOP from Representative Pat Garofalo—12/5/2012 - UPDATED BUDGET FORECAST SHOWS FULL BUDGET RESERVES, SURPLUS NOW...BUT DEFICIT LATER- WHAT ELECTIONS MEAN FOR OUR AREA- HAVE A HAPPY HOLIDAY SEASON UPDATED BUDGETThe updated budget information is a case of good news, bad news.  The good news is the budget reserves for our state our full and there is a 1.3 billion dollar surplus for the current budget ended June 30, 2013.  This surplus will automatically go towards paying back money borrowed from schools.  This will reduce the money owed to schools to their lowest level since 2008.  …

Dear Friends, I would like to extend to you and your family the warmest of Thanksgiving wishes. This is a time to reflect on those blessings we enjoy and are thankful for, such as the freedoms we enjoy and the joy of friends and family. As the political landscape changes the one constant that we can all agree on is family. Take time to enjoy and rejoice in your family and those you care most about. I would also ask each of you to take a moment to remember those that are not able to spend Thanksgiving with their loved ones, especially our men and women serving in the military. We owe so much …

Editor's note: The following is a guest colmun from Lakeville Republican State Senator Dave Thompson, who also represents the Dakota County precinct of Northfield. The joint legislative Subcommittee on Employee Relations recently rejected the contract proposals recommended for two public employee unions by Minnesota Management and Budget (MMB). Therefore, the parties to the contract need to go back to the negotiating table to try and craft a compromise that is acceptable to the legislature. As everyone knows, wages, salaries and benefits have stagnated for most employees in the private sector…

The Minnesota Legislature approved a disaster relief package during a special session in August, including $12.2 million for the Minnesota Housing’s Quick Start Disaster Recovery Program. Sen. Al DeKruif said some residents may be eligible for assistance under this program due to eligible storm damage in portions of Rice and Sibley counties. The Quick Start Disaster Relief Program provides assistance to homeowners when private insurance and federal assistance are not enough to return a damaged home to its pre-disaster condition. The assistance comes in the form of no-interest loans of up to $…

THE INSIDE SCOOP8/27/2012 Rep. Patrick Garofalo- GOVERNOR AND LEGISLATURE REACH QUICK AGREEMENT ON DISASTER RELIEF- SUPREME COURT RULES THAT CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENTS TO STAY ON BALLOT AS LEGISLATURE PASSED THEM - COMPLETELY RANDOM OBSERVATION- ABBY'S JOKE    DISASTER RELIEF PASSED BY LEGISLATURE, SIGNED BY GOVERNOR IN 1 DAY SPECIAL SESSIONOn Friday, a one day special session was held to provide $167 million dollars in disaster relief funding to our state.  Most of the funds will be used on road/bridge replacement in the Duluth and Northern Minnesota area where significant flood damage …