Monday, December 24, 2012
Republican Sen. Al DeKruif, who represented Northfield in District 25 for 2011-2012, shares thoughts as he readies to depart the Minnesota Legislature.
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 growth of government. I hope the gains we made in turning the State budget from a huge deficit to a surplus isn't lost completely by the new …
Wednesday, November 21, 2012
I would like to extend to you and your family the warmest of Thanksgiving wishes.
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Wednesday, November 21, 2012
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 of what we have to be thankful for to these individuals. Please say a special prayer for them this Thanksgiving. I wish you all a safe, happy and …
Monday, October 1, 2012
The Senate District 20 race, which includes Northfield, was highlighted as a race that could go either way on Election Day.
Senate District 20 candidates Republican Mike Dudley and DFLer Kevin Dahle were featured in political reporter Mary Lahammer’s “Legislative Races to Watch” segment on the most recent Almanac on TPT. The Senate District 20 race, which includes Northfield, was highlighted as a race that could go either way on Election Day. Dahle, who previously represented Northfield and the surrounding area in Senate District 25, narrowly lost in 2010 to Republican Al DeKruif. With redistricting, DeKruif was moved out of the district and the new Senate District 20 is up for grabs. Follow Northfield Patch on Twitter | Like us on Facebook | Sign up for our free newsletter
Thursday, September 6, 2012
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.
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 $30,000 for repair costs; the loans are forgiven if the owner remains in the home for 10 years. This program also has funding available for repairs to …
Wednesday, September 5, 2012
Sen. Al DeKruif (R-Madison Lake), who represents Northfield, violated campaign finance laws by using taxpayer money to print partisan campaign literature in Senate offices, according to a ruling from a panel of administrative judges.
UPDATED: 2:40 p.m. Friday Sen. Al DeKruif (R-Madison Lake), who represents Northfield, released the following statement concerning a panel of administrative judges ruling that he, along with other members of the Minnesota Republican caucus, violated state law. You can read the original story below the statement. On Friday, August 31st the Office of Administrative Hearings (OAH) issued a ruling on a piece of material that was distributed at our precinct caucuses on the evening of February 7th. While I maintain that this was constituent service information I do think it’s important to accept their decision, pay the $75 fine, and move on. The Legislative Update in question had been vetted by the State Senate chief non-partisan legal counsel …
Monday, July 9, 2012
Sen. Al DeKruif (R), who presents Northfield in Senate District 25, gives his end-of-session update.
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Monday, July 9, 2012
Hello Friends. Attached is my session wrap up. I hope you find this information interesting. Sincerely, Senator Al DeKruif Follow Northfield Patch on Twitter | Like us on Facebook | Sign up for our daily newsletter
Thursday, May 10, 2012
Both of Northfield’s representatives in the House—Rep. Kelby Woodard and Rep. Pat Garafalo—voted in favor of the bill, which faces a Senate vote today.
Both of Northfield’s representatives in the Minnesota House of Representatives voted to support the final Minnesota Vikings stadium financing plan that was approved early Thursday morning. Rep. Kelby Woodard (R-District 25B), who represents the majority of Northfield, and Rep. Pat Garofalo (R-District 36B), who represents the city’s lone precinct in Dakota County, were among 71 House members voting in favor. Sixty voted against the measure. A complete rundown of voting can be found by clicking here. The legislation approved by the House at about 3:30 a.m. Thursday was a revised financing plan written by a Minnesota Legislature conference committee on Wednesday. The conference committee was necessary because the House and Senate approved …
Tuesday, May 8, 2012
Sens. Al DeKruif and Dave Thompson, who represent Northfield, both voted no.
UPDATE: 2:30 p.m. Wednesday The Minnesota Senate on Tuesday approved a public subsidy package for a new Vikings stadium with a 38-28 vote. Sen. Al DeKruif (R-District 25), who represents the majority of Northfield, voted no on the measure. "I believe the state should be a facilitator in getting this Vikings stadium built," he said on Wednesday, but said he couldn't get behind the bill as presented. DeKruif said he's OK with some gambling involved—and is a support of Racino—but said he doesn't want to see general dollars as part of the equation. Sen. Dave Thompson (R-District 36), who represents the Dakota County precinct of Northfield, also voted no, saying he couldn't get behind the idea of relying on gambling money as some of the funding…
Monday, May 7, 2012
Both of Northfield's state representatives voted yea on the measure Monday night.
UPDATE: 10:40 p.m. The Minnesota House on Monday approved a public subsidy package for a new Vikings stadium with a 73-58 vote. Rep. Kelby Woodard (R-District 25B), who represents the majority of Northfield, voted in favor of the measure. Rep. Pat Garofalo (R-District 36B), who represents the Dakota County precinct of Northfield, also voted in favor of the bill. Legislators debated for more than eight hours. As part of the plan, a Garofalo-proposed amendment calls for the state to pay $105 million less and the Vikings to pay for $105 million more. For complete details of the plan, head to TwinCities.com. The Senate is expected to take up its version of the bill on Tuesday. If the Senate approves the measure, a committee made up from …
Tuesday, May 1, 2012
DFLers Kevin Dahle and David Bly will face Republicans Michael Dudley and Brian Wermerskirchen for seats in the Senate and House, respectively.
UPDATED: 12:06 a.m. Wednesday Former state senator Kevin Dahle was endorsed as the DFL Senate District 20 candidate on Tuesday at the party's endorsing convention in Montgomery. Dahle, a teacher at Northfield High School, will face New Prague's Michael Dudley, who was endorsed last month by Republicans. "While I reaffirm my commitment to the party, I pledge to do my best to represent all Minnesotans, Republicans and Democrats, Independents, and others. When we stop working together, our Legislature becomes a haven for special interests and personal agendas," Dahle said, according to a press release from SD20DFL. Dahle was unopposed and received the endorsement unanimously. Redistricting moved Northfield from District 25 to District 20 for …
Timothy J. Blackowiak
7:40 am on Monday, September 10, 2012
I find it hypocritical, that a party that espouses to how careful they are with the use of public money and proponents of private money, are so quick to use public money when it suits them. more ›