Good evening everyone. It's been a busy several weeks since I last posted under State Rep Jeremy Kalin with updates on the 35W bridge.
First, my wife and I got married. Yes, she's crazy to marry me. But she's a fantastic woman, and a great partner. I'm a lucky man, indeed.
Second, I've been wading deeper and deeper into the mess that is currently Minnesota's Department of Transportation (MnDOT). I serve on the Transportation Committee in the House, and with my training in architecture and planning, I feel a special responsibility to roll up my sleeves and ask some tough questions about the replacement contract, the maintenance priorities and (as vice-chair of Public Safety Policy) the agency's response to the disaster.
But, that's not why I am writing today. Instead, I am making a shameless ask for help.
Yes, that kind of help. Campaign cash.
Moolah.
Dough.
Greenbacks.
Dinero.
Ching. Ching.
I'll make my case on the flip...
Last year, I defeated a Republican incumbent - in what was previously thought of as a solidly GOP district. I won by just 204 votes out of almost 20,000. To be honest, thanks to our excellent database, targeting, and marketing plan, I expected the result to be within a loss of 150 votes to a victory of 400 votes - and we ended up right smack dab inbetween.
I knocked on 10,023 doors during the campaign - after another 12,177 in 2004 (I lost 54-46 that first run). You can see one of the total NINE PAIRS OF SHOES I wore through in this diary.
My first session was a blast. And I've written about it here on dKos.
In March, when we took up the major, comprehensive Transportation Funding Bill - to invest billions in Minnesota's roads, bridges and transit - I liveblogged from the House Floor in this diary: From State Rep Jeremy Kalin (MN-17B).
I wrote about Minnesota's Big Energy Win, including the Energy Conservation article that I chief-authored. As a first-termer, I found myself carrying one of the cornerstone pieces of legislation. The Energy Efficiency Standard turned out to be the strongest in the country, and somehow we got it through the State Senate 64-1. This month, I'll be giving the keynote addresses to a Canadian-American conference on Green Building, and to an international association of architecture deans and chairs. There's a lot more work to do here...
When I took the Food Stamp Challenge for a week, I blogged about it repeatedly, including $3/day: Food Stamp Challenge Days 4 and 5". I am working with our local food shelf to engage my entire legislative district in a similar challenge next spring and summer - to raise awareness, as well as money for our local food shelf and social service providers.
I've written here about one of my signature bills that we need to get back to the Governor's desk after he vetoed a larger bill last year: The Military Voting Bill. Fewer than 20% of Minnesota's active duty servicemembers who tried to vote in 2006 succeeded in having that vote get counted. Read more about it in Fighting for Democracy but Barred From Participating?".
And when the 35W bridge collapsed suddenly - and even though it was just days before our wedding - I wrote several updates on the situation, including 35W Bridge Update #2 - from a MN House member.
Now, I need your help. And I'm not too proud to ask.
I need to raise five-figures worth of campaign funds to end the year looking strong, and to pay some outstanding bills for legislative reports, surveys, some more lawn signs, and a few other campaign expenses.
Please, if you can, give up $10, $20, or even all the way up to the legal limit of $100. Whatever you can give, it'll help me big time.
If you want to see what I might be up against next year... well, just check these guys out. They're a blast. Wrong. Not True. But still, a blast.
Thanks for your support. I do really appreciate it. And if I'm going to continue to stand up for people, for investing in our infrastructure and the next generation, I'm going to need your help to make it happen.
All my best, and many thanks,
Jeremy