Minnesota State Senator Tom Neuville

Michigan played the University of Minnesota tonight in Football. It’s tough to beat Michigan when they’re ranked 6th in the country. That may change in the future. At least, that’s what U of M Football Coach, Glen Mason and U of M President Robert Brunicks think, now that we’ll have a new Gopher Football Stadium beginning in the fall of 2009.

Today was the groundbreaking for the new stadium. I attended, mostly because my son, Luke, is the Minneapolis student representative on the U of M Board of Regents. So, Luke was one of the dignitaries who got to “throw at little ceremonial dirt” today as the official beginning of site preparation for the new stadium. He is shown here with President Brunicks.

It was a grand day for the groundbreaking. The sun was shining, there were many speeches, and the Minnesota Marching Band was blowing out the “Minnesota Rouser” .

I did not vote in favor of the new stadium. I had been in favor of giving the HHH Metrodome to the University instead. But, I must admit that there was a lot of excitement at the stadium site, as construction begins. It will cost a lot of money, but it will be a great addition to the campus. Some day, Luke will come back to campus as an alumni and share the pride of being a U of M graduate.

They say that ‘ Athletics is the window of the University . It’s not what universities exist for. But, there is no doubt that Big 10 athletics at the U of M is a major attraction that draws students, donors, and alumni to the campus. 25 years from now, I might admit that my vote against the stadium was wrong. I’m not ready to admit that right now. But, the majority rules in the legislature, and we should all be excited as this project begins.

The Parades are done for this Campaign season. Most of the long days of Door knocking are done (still plenty of short ones), and Political Signs are mostly up. Now people are beginning to think about the November elections.

There are many important issues. People are concerned about health care costs, the high burden of taxes, gas prices, school funding, and many social and cultural issues. It’s interesting how issues vary so much from town to town. Here in Northfield,where I live, people talk about renewable energy and environmental issues more than in the Western part of my district.

In Belle Plaine, the predominant issue is the Highway 169 and County Road 3 intersection and the impact of the new schools on the property taxes. Lonsdale has been working hard to get a new traffic control light on Highway 19 and Main street, so kids can safely cross the highway as the new elementary school opened this month.

In the farm areas I also hear about transportation issues and how farmers pay more property tax than other homeowners for schools. Local government officials are concerned that the State might put a cap on their property tax levies, and limit their ability to set a local budget.

Some people think that I’m a United States Senator, and they want to know my views about the war in Iraq.

It’s a diverse district and a legislator needs to be able to move from one issue to the next quickly. One side of my district is more liberal than the other. But, it’s important to be consistent. I have never changed my position or description of an issue, based upon the audience I am speaking to. I’ve always believed that clarity and honesty are more important than agreement. I know that I cannot please everyone.

Some candidates say that they will be a legislator for “all of us.” If that means that you will consider everyone’s view, and provide constituent services to everyone without favor, then I agree. But, it’s humbling to think about the fact that in politics, if 55% of the people vote for you, and 45% of the people vote against you, that’s still considered a big win. In other words, nobody can be a “Senator for everyone” , or they don’t have very strong core values.

I only make a few promises when I campaign. I promise to be honest and respectful, to work hard, and to remain accessible to my constituents. I am conservative on many issues (that’s why I’m Republican), but moderate on others. I won’t tell you that politics should be “fun”. I consider my job to be important and mostly serious. It’s also an honor and privilege.

I have earned the respect of my colleagues, both Republican and Democrat. I am the only Republican Senator to chair a committee in the DFL controlled body.

I look forward to candidate forums and debating issues which affect this area. Politics, after all, is a battleground of ideas. But, that doesn’t mean that politics has to be uncivil.

I’ll try to post more comments about my position on issues during the next 6 weeks. Right now, I know little about my opponent’s positions. I know that we differ on the pro-life issue (I’m pro-life and she is pro-choice) and probably about same sex marriage, based upon her literature ( I was the author of the law which defines marriage as between one man and one woman).

I support funding for the Mill Towns Trail in Rice county, more funding for public schools, and incentives for renewable energy. I specialize in the areas of criminal justice, public safety, corrections, courts, and civil law, especially family law and child support. This session, I was the chief author of a major child support reform bill. It will become a national model which I hope will reduce the acrimony in many divorce cases. I have also served on other committees during my career including, Rules, Ethics, K-12 education, higher education, environment, local government, economic development, taxes, finance, and health and human services budget.

I am endorsed by Law enforcement groups and unions, nursing homes, taxpayer and business groups (like the Chamber of Commerce), and others.

Stay tuned. I’ll try to run a positive campaign that you’ll be proud of, and tell you more about why I’m running for re-election.

Last Night, Marilynn and I spent time at another one of our small town fundraisers. The City of Arlington, in eastern Sibley County, is one of the most beautiful small towns that I represent. I’ve been there for many events, parades, church and community dinners and fundraisers throughout the summer and fall.

There’s something different about people who live in small towns like Arlington. They have a special sense of community and loyalty toward each other. The people tend to be a little more self reliant. They are people who love their country and city. They take care of each other and aren’t afraid of showing their patriotism publicly. They are friendly to outsiders and love to visit for a long time in the coffee shop or community center. Their pleasures are simple and when they put on a dinner, I usually walk away stuffed.

Arlington is a city of about 2800 people. But, it is also the home of Sibley East High School which serves all of eastern Sibley county, the Sibley county Medical Center, and Good Samaritan Nursing Home(and soon to have an Assisted Living Center). They have a busy downtown area , lots of Churches and the Sibley County fairgrounds (which is famous for its all- you- can- eat corn feed in August). The big employer is Seneca Foods (Green Giant).

Earlier this year, Marilynn and I attended the dedication of the new Veterans Memorial Park. It was a wonderful and patriotic event, which we found very touching. Here are some pictures of the event. I was especially moved by the words on the Memorial Stones and by the discipline and love of country shown by the Sibley county Army Reserve Unit, which had just returned from Iraq

Arlington also celebrated is 150th Anniversary (Sesquicentennial) as a city this year. The Parade (held in August) was the first that the town has had since I’ve been their Senator. It was a fun event which ended, of course, in the City Park with a corn eating contest. I love this town !! Here are more pictures of the Parade.

Last night was the annual fund raising event for the Arlington Ambulance Service. More than 600 people attended the hog roast, even though Sibley East high school was playing a football game at the same time. While we ate and visited with citizens, a polka band played. Across the hall, in the City Council Chambers, local nurses were taking blood tests for diabetes screening. (While we waited for our test results, Marilynn sat in Mayor Dave Czech’s chair, and proclaimed, ” I think I’d like to be Mayor!” (She always brings smiles and friendship to people when we are out campaigning and visiting with citizens) The Band ended the evening by playing “God Bless America” with everyone standing and singing along with hands over hearts. I couldn’t help but get a lump in my throat. This is Minnesota and America, and I’m so proud to represent them. I even had the honor of having a picture with Miss Arlington and her princesses (See below along with other pictures of the event)

This past weekend, Marilynn and I had our fill of Czech food and Church festivals. The last parade of the year was held in New Prague. It was the City’s Czech Harvest festival, called Dozinky Days. There were lots of tractors, trucks, hay wagons, and of course, Polish sausage, Bratwurst, Pork sandwiches and Sauerkraut and Concertina music.

I walked in the Parade with State Representative Ray Cox, Congressman John Kline, and State Representative Laura Brod, who was in her home town.

From New Prague, Marilynn and I traveled to the City of Le Sueur, for the Annual Applefest at St. Anne’s Catholic Church. We attended mass there, bought an apple pie, and enjoyed another pork sandwich with sauerkraut.

Le Sueur is also famous for being the Valley of the Jolly Green Giant. The town lost Green Giant (Seneca Foods) some years ago, but the reputation still exists.

Finally, on Sunday, we attended yet another Church dinner in Kilkenny. St. Canice Parish was always a favorite of our kids. Today, I love to buy a plate of fudge and bring home cucumbers, tomatoes, squash and honey. No wonder it’s hard to lose weight during a campaign year !!

This week I was pleased to receive several new Endorsements from groups which I work closely with.

One is the Minnesota Chamber of Commerce Leadership Fund. This is the political arm of the Minnesota State Chamber of Commerce which is involved in many business and job creation issues. I think that this is the 6th consecutive endorsement which I have received from the Chamber.The Chamber is one of the groups, making up the Minnesota Transportation Alliance, which is supporting the Constitutional Amendment to dedicate the Motor Vehicle Sales Tax to Roads and Transit. There is a need provide more money for our State highways. In the Metro area, they want more money for transit. The proposed Constitutional Amendment spends at least 40% for transit, and up to 60% for roads and highways. I support this Amendment, even though it will shift money which now goes to the State General Fund.

Another Endorsement received this week was from the Minnesota Police and Peace Officers Association (MPPOA). I have worked closely with Law Enforcement agencies for 16 years, including the Police Agencies, Sheriff’s Association, Department of Corrections, Probation Agents, Domestic Abuse Advocates, and the Minnesota Department of Public Safety.I also was given the endorsement by the Police Officers Federation of Minneapolis.

It was a natural fit for me, since I was a State Public Defender for almost 20 years, and am very familiar with the entire Criminal Justice System. I have been the Ranking (lead) Republican Senator on the Crime Prevention Committee or the Senate Public Safety Budget Committee for about the past 10 years.

Last year, Senator Jane Ranum (DFL- Minneapolis) and I co-wrote the Senate Bill dealing with Sex Offenders. The Bill was in response to the Dru Sjodin/ Alfonso Rodriguez abduction case. It was a very tough bill, but also focused on the “worst of the worst” sex offenders.

Over the next 20 years, Minnesota will need to build about 1300 new prison beds as a result of the bill, but it’s worth the cost to remove the most dangerous sex offenders from our communities. And it’s better than trying to “civilly commit” these same offenders when they get out of prison. State Hospitals are not well suited to “treating” these offenders, and the cost is much higher than prison.