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After his first term serving in the House of Representatives Jeremy Kalin (say KAY lin) is so enthused about the job he's decided he'll run for re-election, after this two year term. Two years is just not enough to do things that need to get done, he says.

Some of those things he wants to see the state of Minnesota get moving on include renewable energy initiatives, conservation strategies, and meeting long term pro-active energy goals that are more cost effective than coming along later and cleaning up environmental degradation, or retro-fitting facilities. He points out there are more employees in the Pollution Control Agency who clean up messes than there are staff members in the state's Energy Office, focusing on reducing reliance on hazardous materials in the first place. Those staffing levels should eventually flip-flop.

Kalin, who has an extensive background in environmental and energy issues and is trained in architecture, said he was pleasantly surprised with advances made in the last session in the area of the state's energy use and production.

He'll continue to work with what he felt was a very receptive governor's administration on action plans for addressing climate change, along with programs that would promote "green" state facilities, etc.

"The executive branch was 100 percent on-board" with the need for Minnesota to address energy issues, Kalin mentioned.

Asked if he thinks this momentum is going to continue into next session, "It has to last," he responded.

Another item Rep. Kalin continues to be involved in is voting rights. He negotiated an elections system package making it easier for those who are serving in the military to vote, but "ran out of time" for bill adoption. To bring ease of voting to military personnel without violating the integrity of the secret ballot is more complicated than it may appear.

Kalin anticipates some movement on this in the next session. "You could say I am passionate about this," Kalin added.

As for what he's heard from the voters about his first term-- Kalin mentioned that constituents are happy that the legislative session ended on time.

The only way Kalin would support coming back to St. Paul (if Governor Pawlenty were to call a special session) is for property tax relief measures.

He observed, "I think the argument was won on-the-street" supporting a shift in where tax revenues come from and citizens back the need to replenish Local Government Aid, that was whittled away over recent sessions.

But, Kalin knows some of the battle is uphill, with a governor who flatly refuses to endorse progressive tax collections based on income, for instance.

On the consumer front the legislature did pass a number of bills that Kalin supported.

Laws outlawing lead in jewelry, for example, and new laws for gift cards so people aren't paying "fees" or receiving cards that expire. The state used car Lemon Law was improved to include definitions of what a certified vehicle can and can not be. Kalin said he wanted to see even more adopted in law, mentioning protection for dealers so they don't get ripped off by buyers who return vehicles they've stripped parts from.

The insurance industry "good faith bill" was not passed and Kalin said this "still needs work" and he expects more on this in the next session.

Transportation was a big disappointment for Rep. Kalin, with the veto of the bill by Pawlenty. The gas tax "...is the main source of completely dedicated funding for roads and bridges....but because of inflation the current 20 cent per gallon tax is worth the equivalent of 12 cents today." (Tax hasn't been adjusted for 20 years)

Kalin said he will continue to work on any fiscally responsible transportation funding that doesn't rely on Chisago County property taxes. "The state would have provided $17.7 million (in state aid to the county) in 2005," he continued. "But the veto forced Chisago County to bond $14 million to pay for essential road and bridge maintenance." The lack of funding for the North Branch #95 bridge project frustrates Kalin. If MnDOT can't count on that $6 million Kalin is concerned local taxpayers will somehow be asked to come up with the money.

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