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Friends and Neighbors-

Today, we're in session on the House Floor. Rep. Detmer (R - Forest Lake) welcomed the 2008 State Champion Forest Lake High School boys cross country ski team to the House Floor. Some of the skiiers are Chisago County residents, and I had the honor of speaking with many of them to congratulate them myself.

As I type this, rain is visible outside the State Capitol, on University Avenue. I imagine it's snowing at home by the time you read this...

HEALTH CARE REFORM
The main item of business today is the Health Care Reform bill. (It could be a loooong night!) The bill will leverage the Health Care Access fund balance to insure 100,000 more Minnesotans, strengthen our state's focus on prevention and primary health care services, establish an affordability standard for Minnesota families, and make some long-range reforms that will make our entire health care system more efficient. One of the controversial provisions of the bill is a proposal to require all Minnesotans to carry health insurance. This specific element was part of the Massachusetts reform a few years ago, and the results have been mixed at best. I plan on supporting removing this provision.

I believe the Health Care Reform bill will improve health care for all Minnesotans, and will make our state healthier while reducing the health insurance burden on our families and our senior citizens.

BONDING BILL WINS FOR CHISAGO COUNTY
You may know that the Governor signed the Bonding Bill on Monday. Chisago County did very well in the bonding bill. A provision I authored was signed into law - $500,000 from state bonding dollars will go to Chisago City to purchase up to 70 acres and 3,000' of shoreline to create Ojiketa Regional Park. This funding is a big win for the region, and the park will be a true gem and a draw for tourist dollars from outside the County.

Another winner is Interstate State Park in Taylors Falls - the 2nd most visited state park in the state, and the destination for hundreds of thousands of tourists. The historic buildings at the north end of the park - by Highway 8 and "the falls" - need a facelift and the parking lot needs an upgrade. We secured $500,000 for this project in the bill.

While he did line-item veto one of my items - $500,000 for shelters, park-and-ride lots, and other infrastructure for the Rush Line Bus Service - I am pleased that we won some needed investments for Chisago County's future, and our economic development. We rely heavily on tourism dollars in Chisago County, and this bill helps us a good deal.

MILITARY VOTING BILL PASSES
Thank you to all of you who sent kind notes after watching the Military and Overseas Voting Bill debate last Monday. I experienced surprising and strong opposition during committee hearings this year and last; 4 committee members voted against the bill, leading me to expect trouble from the full House. I met with the Governor's office last week to discuss the sections that garnered the most heat and discussion. I decided to remove one section establishing Emergency Election Powers for the Secretary of State's office if the National Guard is mobilized right before Election Day - a provision that I believe we should enact with the support of the Governor's office; we will continue working on this section to gain consensus next year.

I also removed another controversial section at the suggestion of the Secretary of State's office. Approximately 100 citizens who are kids of military or missionaries who are Minnesota residents and have lived overseas all their lives are unable to vote in Minnesota or any other state. Many other states allow them to vote for federal races in the states where their parents vote. The Pentagon requested this provision, but it was opposed strongly in committee and by the Governor's office. A Bill is moving through Congress which might solve this problem at the federal level.

After moving to remove these two sections and a few other technical changes, the bill passed unanimously, 129 - 0. I have to admit to being a little bit proud of achieving this consensus to ensure that our troops and civilians overseas can be assured that their votes will be counted. MPR included an interesting story on the debate here.

The Senate agreed to my amendments today, and sent the bill to the Governor. I hope he'll sign it sometime next week.

SESQUICENTENNIAL ACTIVITIES IN CHISAGO COUNTY
Sen. Olseen and I recently presented the Wild River State Park staff with a banner recognizing the Park as an official "sesquicentennial site" honoring the state's 150th birthday.

One of the activities is the play, "Beneath The Big Blue Sky", written by our own Pierre Jacques Pleau. He is looking for young actors, ages 9-13. Auditions are next weekend.

"Pioneer Spirit, Values, Folklore & Friendship" Theater Auditions for youth ages 9-13
Date: Friday, April 18th, 2008, 5:30 - 8:30 pm
Date: Saturday, April 19th, 2008, 12 - 3 pm
Audition Spots: 30 min. (3 youth per spot)
Chisago County Senior Center in North Branch (Maple Commons)

To schedule an Audition spot or for more information
call Pierre @ North Star Theater Company 651-674-8129
Walk-ins are welcome as time permits.

Rehearsals: Start July 29th (Chisago County Senior Center in NB)
Performance: Saturday, August 23rd, 2008 @ 6:30 pm
Wild River State Park Amphitheater
Almelund, MN (11 miles east of NB on Hwy. 95)
Note: as this play is being sponsored by local businesses & organizations, there is no charge to participate.
For complete info go to: www.northstartheatercompany.com
or call Pierre @ 651-674-8129

ONLINE JOB FAIR
Tony Thomann, from Central MN Jobs and Training Services, is organizing a Virtual Job Fair for area businesses. While the online job fair will open in May, any business can apply to participate today. Here is the link for more information:
http://www.cmjtsjobfair.com/

The Job Fair will be "live" for Job Seekers the week of May 12-16. Business interested in participating can logon at anytime and register.

Tony Thomann's contact info is:
106 Pine Street,
Monticello, MN 55362;
612-325-8746 (voice), 763-271-3701 (fax) tthomann@cmjts.org

That's all for today. Comments, questions, ideas and feedback are always welcome.

My best, and hopes for a warm and safe weekend.
- Jeremy

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Jeremy Kalin
State Representative - 17B
sign up for my email updates at www.house.mn/17b

Contact me at the Capitol:
Rep.Jeremy.Kalin@House.mn
651.296.5377
579 State Office Building
100 Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Drive
St. Paul MN 55155

Contact me at home:
11629 Loftman Trail
North Branch, MN 55056
651-257-9861
Jeremy@Kalin.com