I believe that government can improve people’s lives and help make Minnesota a good place to live, yet I also believe in liberty. So for every law you make that hammers people, you have to pass one to let them breathe a little more freely. I have worked on many bills to further the cause [...]
Accomplishments
It has been my privilege to serve in the Legislature for the past 23 years. I have tried to use that time to make this great state even better. While I haven't succeeded at everything I've tried to do, I am proud of many of the accomplishments I have made. Here are some of the highlights:
Fair, Progressive Taxes
Fair, progressive taxes based on income are the most reasonable way to fund the needed functions of government and I have authored and supported legislation consistently to make taxes fair.
I proposed legislation to add a surtax to income taxes that would blink on when during economic crises and blink off during normal economic [...]
Equal Rights and Opportunity for Everyone
I am committed to equal rights for all regardless of race, religion, gender or sexual orientation and I have authored many pieces of legislation to ensure those rights including equal rights for domestic partners.
In funding the University of Minnesota, I included special appropriations for the cost of programs to preserve [...]
Tax Rebates for the Disabled
To support vets who have protected this country, I authored legislation providing property tax rebates for those who are disabled
Gulf War Bonuses
After the Persian Gulf war, I sponsored legislation to give bonuses to veterans who fought in that conflict.
Tuition Benefits
To help vets reintegrate into civilian life, I have worked to increase [...]
Biomass Fuel Use
Working with local public utility plants in northern Minnesota, I authored legislation to convert them to biomass fuel use, a model that can be applied statewide using local available crops and supporting local farmers instead of sending our money to western states for coal purchasing.
To control costs and improve sustainability, I supported legislation [...]
Prescription drugs are critical but not always affordable, so I took on the Governor and more than a dozen pharmaceutical lobbyists to give access to discounted prescriptions for families with no prescription insurance that would have saved them an average of 38% on costs. Money to administer the program was vetoed, but I [...]
With a Republican majority in the House, and over repeated veto threats and demands that workers’ tips be offset, I increased the state minimum wage without taking tip money.
To support American manufacturing and union workers, I made Minnesota the only state in the country to require that American flags sold in the state, as well [...]
Higher Education
In 1993, I created the Iron Range Scholarship Endowment dedicating mine royalties to support Minnesota resident freshmen at each U of M campus, with scholarships awarded in proportion to resident enrollment at each campus, More than 12,000 students have received scholarships totaling over $14 million – the University of Minnesota’s largest endowed scholarship program.
With [...]
