Kiscaden: FINAL LEGISLATIVE UPDATE
12/20/2006
FINAL LEGISLATIVE UPDATEThis update contains the following topics:
- Some Farewell Thoughts
- The Future: For Sheila Kiscaden
- The Future: For Senate District 30
- The Future: For Legislative Updates
- The Future: Coffee and Conversations
- Goodbye and Farewell!
Dear Friends,
Some Farewell Thoughts: Minnesota is filled with people who are proud to be Minnesotans and want the best for our state and its people. Minnesotans want to be the state with the highest quality of life and we want leaders who will get us there. While we do not demand that it be at the lowest possible cost, we do want to know how our taxes will be used and that we are getting high performance and value for our money.
Minnesotans have a long history of collaborative decision-making. Our citizens are active volunteers, feel connected to their communities, and we vote. We want our politicians to reflect our core values; be leaders not followers; have open, respectful but vigorous debate; and get their work done on time. And, as we saw in the last election, when they fail to do so, we will organize, go to the polls, and elect someone else to do the job,
The Legislature is called on to resolve many different kinds of public problems and disputes. Many issues are very complex. Many problems are intractable. The decisions made often have significant consequences for the lives of Minnesotans. Some issues will never be resolved but must be continuously addressed or periodically readdressed. Some, like the budget, must be resolved every two years.
We need the Legislature and Governor to take a long-range view and prepare for the future while dealing with today’s immediate concerns and staying prepared for emergencies. No Minnesotan wants government to take too much of their income or be intrusive in their lives, yet everyone wants the highest quality services available to meet their needs when, where, and how they need them.
There are many competing demands and expectations. The Legislature has times that it meets them and times that it falls short. Political decision-making is complex, reiterative, and non-linear. Democracy is messy*but it is also wonderful*and responsive to the people’s will.
Is it any wonder that serving you in the Minnesota Senate has been both the most rewarding and most challenging chapter of my professional life? I leave the Senate having learned a great deal and with satisfaction, appreciation, and a little regret. But as Sinatra sang, -Regrets, I’ve had a few* but then again, too few to mention." Thank you for this rare and wonderful experience*and for allowing me to "do it my way."
The Future: For Sheila Kiscaden: Everyone I meet asks me, what will you do next? I am still developing plans for "my third act." There are several options that I am exploring, and I am open to other possibilities. For the next few months, I will be working as a consultant to the Rochester Area Foundation’s First Steps Program and will be teaching a course for the School of Public Health at the University of Minnesota’s Twin Cities campus.
The Future: For Senate District 30: In November, Ann Lynch was elected to replace me in representing Senate District 30. I was pleased that Ann agreed to run, happy to serve as her Honorary Co-chair, and delighted that she won. I am confident that she will represent the district well. Her committee assignments fit the needs of the district very well. She will be serving on the Higher Education Committee, the K-12 Education Policy Committee, the Health and Human Services Policy and the Health, Human Services and Corrections Finance Division, where she will serve as Vice-Chair. You can contact her at: 651-296-4848 once the legislative session convenes on January 3, 2007.
The Future: For Legislative Updates: Some of you have written to encourage me to continue to send legislative updates and commentaries. I am flattered and pleased that you have found these updates to be helpful. There has been some interest in having me write some commentary for local publication. If that comes to be, I will send you a copy via email.
I am planning to give Ann Lynch the distribution list for my email updates. Thus, if she establishes an email update or newsletter, you should receive it. However, with all the challenges of being a new senator, it may take her some time to do so.
The House and Senate have non-partisan staff who frequently update very good websites, and also send our weekly updates. The web site also has features that will allow you to get notice of legislative activities, topics of interest to you, and specific bills that you want to track. I encourage you to visit the Legislature’s website at
The Future: Coffee and Conversations: One activity that I do intend to stay active with is the Coffee and Conversation Forums that are offered to help keep you informed and provide an opportunity to give feedback to local and state elected officials. Monthly forums are planned for January * May while the legislature is in session. These are non-partisan events that are open to one and all at no cost to the participants. Dunn Brothers even supplies free coffee and pastries!
I will be giving the organizers a copy of my email distribution list so that you can be notified of the monthly events. They will send you the first one, and you can decide if you want to stay on the distribution list.
The first Coffee and Conversation Forum will be Saturday, January 27 from 8:00-10:00 AM at the Heintz Center, across from Olmsted Medical Center Hospital on the RCTC campus. The subject of the forum is “The State Surplus: How Should It Be Used?” We are pleased to have former State Finance Commissioners Jay Kiedrowski and John Gunyou with us to present an overview.
You will receive a more specific notice in early January.
Goodbye and Farewell! At this time of celebration of Christmas and the contemplation that comes with the end of one year and the beginning of the new year, allow me to thank you for what is truly an honor and a privilege, serving you in the Minnesota State Senate. My life in public service has not ended, so our paths may cross again. Until then, I wish you and yours every blessing.
With my warmest thanks and appreciation,
Sheila Kiscaden
Senator Sheila Kiscaden District 30
325 Capitol St. Paul, MN 55155
651-296-4848