Southeast Minnesota Democrats
Southeast Minnesota Democrats
Rochester, MN 55901
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Editorial: Norton stood firm on teen driving bill
05/30/2008 Rochester Post Bulletin
State Rep. Kim Norton, a DFLer from Rochester, didn't get a phone call from Gov. Tim Pawlenty last Friday before he took action on a bill that, with his signature, would save the lives of dozens of teenagers in the next few years.
Norton, who wrote the Graduated Drivers License Bill and was the driving force behind its passage in the House, had been waiting anxiously for the governor to make a decision.
"There was a last-minute push by a couple of people during the session's last 24 hours, and they wanted a parent-opt out provision put in," Norton said Tuesday. "They suggested that the governor would veto the bill as is, so we should re-pass it with a parent opt-out. There was a lot of pressure behind the scenes, but I made the choice to stand my ground."
It was a wise choice. Pawlenty signed the bill without demanding an opt-out clause, thus making Minnesota the 47th state to place tighter restrictions on young drivers, creating a curfew and limiting the number of passengers they can carry.
"For me, this is one of the highlights of this session," Norton said, and with good reason. Statistically, there is no more dangerous and deadly state nationwide for teen drivers than Minnesota. When this new law goes into effect Aug. 1, it is expected to reduce teen fatalities by 40 percent.
Norton is carving out a nice niche for herself in St. Paul as a health and safety advocate. Previously, she spearheaded a successful effort that requires homebuilders in Minnesota to radon-proof the houses they build, and she continues to work hard for the cause of health-care reform.
Her successes are worth noting, especially given the number of bills that died in committee this session or were nixed by Pawlenty's veto pen. Her provisional drivers license proposal became law while tighter rules about seat belt enforcement and booster-seat use for children never made it to the governor's desk.
We hope those proposals are reintroduced next year, because, as Norton said, "The makeup of the Legislature changes every year, and because these are life-saving public-safety provisions, I think it's worth continuing to try to get them passed."
Jim Jensen for Minnesota House
03/15/2008 Dodge County Independent
Dodge County Deputy Sheriff, Jim Jensen, won the Democratic Farmer Labor Party’s endorsement Saturday for Minnesota House District 29A. House District 29A encompasses northwest Olmsted County, including northwest Rochester, Byron, Oronoco, southern Pine Island, as well as all of Dodge County. At the DFL Party’s district convention, delegates unanimously called for Jensen’s endorsement. “Jim Jensen generated a lot of enthusiasm at the convention. People recognized that he has the experience living and working in the District so that he can understand how to address the needs of real people,” said District 29 Chair Mary Petersson.
Jensen has worked for the Dodge County Sheriff’s department for 29 years and only recently became interested in politics. Jensen is a member of the Triton School Board and was struck by how deeply state-level politics affected local education issues. “I came to realize that the only way to ensure consistent and responsible funding for our schools was to have a legislature that made education a priority. I knew that I would be an effective voice for a strong education system, so I decided to run for office myself,” explained Jensen. As such, he has made education funding a centerpiece of his campaign. “Our children deserve an education that will keep Minnesota competitive in the future,” said Jensen.
Along with a high-quality education system, Minnesota also needs good jobs to keep our state competitive. Especially with the recent economic downturn, Jensen understands the need to create not only more jobs, but good paying jobs that will support a family. He believes that jobs in the new “green economy” are just the type of jobs we need. “Our district is well situated to take advantage of emerging jobs in renewable energy, diversified agriculture and locally-owned businesses,” Jensen commented. “These jobs cannot be outsourced, so people can feel secure that they have stable future that will not be pulled out from under them.”
Jensen’s law enforcement background also makes him keenly aware of the need to ensure the public’s safety. “I know firsthand how to keep our schools and communities safe from both petty and violent crime,” said Jensen. “One of the most crucial functions of government is to protect the people, and Jim Jensen will be a leader who understands how to keep our families safe,” said Jensen’s campaign manager, Pernell Meier.
Jensen grew up on a farm near Claremont, attended college at Rochester Technical College and Winona State University, worked as a machinist and service technician for eight years, as well as serving as a police officer. In addition, he has been very engaged with the community – as a volunteer fireman, emergency medical technician, school board member and Lions Club president. With this diverse array of experience, Jensen knows the people, the places and the problems that confront the district. “People are very energized by his campaign, since they know that he has the integrity and experience to be an effective leader,” Meier observed. The Republicans have not yet endorsed a candidate for the 29A seat, but Jensen feels confident that with the rising dissatisfaction with Republican leadership, the odds are in his favor.
Links to Media Coverage:
http://dcinews.com/main.asp?SectionID=1&SubSectionID=1&ArticleID=2840
Southeast Minnesota Democrats
Rochester, MN 55901
webmaste
