Roger Reinert State Senator 7 Candidate

My first term of service in the Legislature has been challenging. Our state faces an ongoing crisis that continues to require us as Duluthians and Minnesotans to set priorities in our spending, and to take a balanced approach to our state budget.

I hope that as a Legislator you've seen what you came to expect from me as a Duluth City Councilor -- someone who does his homework and works very hard on behalf of our community. And in this new role, I hope you have also found me to be a Legislator who made it a priority to communicate with you. I feel strongly that Duluthians have just as much right to know what's going on, when it's going on, as do people living in the Twin Cities.

Despite the challenges, I am proud to have successfully delivered on Duluth's top priorities. In my first term I have:

* Made significant needed investments in sanitary sewer overflow repairs
* Worked to fairly fund assets that benefit our entire region, but for which only Duluthians pay
* Secured funding for a new terminal at the Duluth International Airport
* Funded repairs at the Lake Superior Zoo, putting it on the road to regain accreditation
* Extended tax provisions necessary to bring new high-tech manufacturing jobs to Duluth
* Invested in a new Health Sciences Center at Lake Superior College
* Rejected over $12 million in local government aid cuts to the City of Duluth by the Governor


Still, there is much more work to do. The economy is beginning to recover, but because of past decisions and aging demographics Minnesota will have significant budget issues for the foreseeable future. I am motivated to see this job through. And that's why I'm running for election to the Duluth seat in the Minnesota Senate. I welcome your support, and ask for your vote in the Primary on Tuesday, August 10th.

Roger Reinert, DFL, statement

In order to be a strong state, Minnesota needs strong cities.
The reason I am running for this MN House seat is that the difficult issues we are facing here in Duluth all require St. Paul’s help, partnership or permission in some way. Every major issue - solving retiree health care, improving our streets, stopping sewer overflows, fixing the zoo, restoring parks and library services – requires us to be successful at the Capitol. We need someone in St. Paul who knows these issues inside and out. I do. That’s why I’m running.
These are serious times. This election gives us the opportunity to send someone to the Legislature with proven legislative experience and a record of accomplishment. A leader who can work with people they may not agree with in order to get things done. A qualified Representative who is ready to hit the ground running in January and fight for Duluth.
In the Legislature I will be an advocate for our natural resources. I believe we must restore Minnesota’s position as the nation’s leader in education and it’s about time everyone had affordable health care. Our infrastructure needs attention now more than ever. I’ll make sure that happens. And, with experienced leadership and a focus on our core industries, we’ll continue attracting good living wage jobs to our region.
Specific initiatives I will pursue in the 2009 Legislative session are:
- Funding for the holding tanks necessary to stop our sanitary sewer overflow problems
- A solution to the Great Lakes Aquarium that makes the state a partner
- Fully funding local government aid to Duluth and St. Louis County
- Increasing Municipal State Aid to Duluth for street repairs
- Funding the necessary training dollars for Duluth Police and Fire
- Establishing Duluth to Minneapolis passenger rail
- Connecting the Munger and Lakewalk trails
- Coordinating state assistance for the next phases of the Heritage Hockey Center
Thank you for being involved in this Primary election and thank you for caring about the future of Duluth.
Roger Reinert, DFL Candidate, MN House 7B