I'm State Representative Jeremy Kalin (I also blog as State Rep Jeremy Kalin).

Supreme Court Justice Louis Brandeis called the states the "laboratories of democracy." As a first-termer in the Minnesota House, I've already experienced the reality of J. Brandeis'  statement.

This month, the U.S. Congress passed an Energy Bill that is in many ways an important first step in transforming our energy economy. But it is too small a step, I believe. Yes, the CAFE increase is a good provision. Yes, the appliance standards are a significant piece - though they appear to have still maintained some substantial hurdles to states who take a stronger position on energy standards (similar to this month's EPA ruling on fuel economy for automobiles).

But the Energy Bill is more like what we should have done in 1987, not 2007. I think states can be a stronger model for real progress, and I think Minnesota is a good study.

What lies below the fold is largely a repost of a diary I posted last night. But I think it tells the story well.

Before the jump, a proverb popular in my family: "The person who says a thing cannot be done should not interrupt the person doing it."

I'm State Rep. Jeremy Kalin (MN-17B) (I also post under State Rep Jeremy Kalin), and I have to say, 2007 has been a great year. To celebrate, I'm throwing a New Year's Party. It's starting now, and you're all invited!

Really, it's an "un-party." Here's how it works... I'll supply the "cake" and "ice cream", give a short "speech", and then we can all "mingle" and celebrate the work we've done, and the work ahead.

This is all I ask: That you help me keep working for Minnesota and for America, with a small donation for my first reelection campaign in 2008- $10, $20, whatever you can afford - and I'll stick around to say hello to all commenters.

Below the fold, I'll make a few brief comments, complete with pics. But first, let my new niece Hayley welcome you to the party:

2007 has been a change year for the U.S., for Minnesota, and for me personally.

This year, a Renewable Energy Standard (RES) passed a Congressional Committee for the first time ever. Eventually, I believe it will make it through the Senate, but perhaps not this year.

This year, Minnesota passed the strongest RES in the nation - 27%+ by 2025. And I authored one of the strongest Energy Efficiency Standards in the nation as well, in my first year in the MN House.

This year, of course, I helped crash the gates of the MN legislature. And this year, I married the woman I met on the school bus in 5th grade. It's been a good year...

As the end of the year approaches - and with it an important campaign finance reporting deadline - I ask that you stand with me to keep crashing the gates. Next year, I hope to increase my % above the landslide 50.4% I earned last year!

Will you help me by donating whatever you can - $20, $50, up to $100 (the legal limit for 2007)?

Donate here: http://www.JeremyKalin.com/...

For more on our Energy wins in Minnesota this year, check out these diaries...

Hi everyone. A quick request for tolerance / forgiveness, as this is in some ways a repost of a diary I posted quite late on Monday.

Since I last posted under State Rep Jeremy Kalin with updates on the 35W bridge, I've been pretty busy, getting married, working to uncover several financial and competency issues at the top of Minnesota Dept of Transportation (MnDOT), and working on some economic development projects in my district.

But that's not why I am writing today.

Since I represent district 17B in the State House, I ask that you consider donating $17 to help me keep my seat next year. I've spent many thousands of dollars from my campaign fund, beyond allotted public funds, already this year on constituent surveys, legislative reports, and other legislative duties.

I hope you help me keep helping my constituents, Minnesota, and our great country. Let me make the case on the flip...

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.

Ching. Ching.

I'll make my case on the flip...

(My apologies for the long post - this is my first diary since winning my election last November, to the Minnesota State House. You can learn more about me and my district here. This is an email update I sent to my constituents from the State House floor today. I am also, from time to time, posting on my blog, The Fireside Blog.)

Dear Friends and Neighbors-

We are on the House Floor today in an unusual Saturday session. We are
taking up the Transportation Finance bill, one that I've worked very
hard on this session as a member of the Transportation Committee. I am
unfortunately missing one of my favorite events of the year - the
Friends of Wild River State Park annual maple syrup and pancake
breakfast (with freshly-boiled syrup!). But this Transportation Bill
will help meet an incredible need facing the people I represent: traffic
congestion and unsafe roads.

You see, I am the Democratic candidate for MN House in district 17B. The district comprises nearly all of Chisago County, an exurban county just northeast of the Twin Cities. I've earned the  League of Conservation Voters endorsement as well as Al Franken's PAC, and the DFL party's.

These shoes pictured here took me to the first few thousand of the 8,551 doors I knocked on so far. Two years ago, I came within 995 voters of victory (out of 24,100+). Today, the MN House is divided by just one seat - my seat. By winning this seat, I can help put a Democrat in the Speaker's chair in Minnesota.

I need your help. I'm just $176 from our final goal. If we raise more we can pay for Election Day canvassers - their GOTV efforts will make the difference in my race.

Can you help me win? So close to our final goal, $10 or $20 will help me focus on knocking on doors - the single best way to win in 17 days.

My name is Jeremy Kalin. I am the Democratic candidate for MN House in district 17B. The district comprises nearly all of Chisago County, an exurban county just northeast of the Twin Cities.

I've written about the race here and a local blog, MNPublius.com, featured my race in their Spotlight on the Candidate.

I came within 995 voters of victory in '04 (out of 24,100+). Right now, the MN House is divided by just one seat - my seat.

We're just $3,010 away from being away to do everything we want to do, to win this race and take back the MN House. Please give what you can- whether it's $10, $20, $50 or more! Thank you in advance.

Flip below the fold to read our "Chisago Community Connection" newsletter, Health Care edition...

I've written about the race here and here, and a local blog, MNPublius.com, featured my race in their Spotlight on the Candidate.

I ran close in 2004, coming within 995 voters of victory (out of 24,100+). The MN House is currently divided by just one seat - my seat. And this year, the momentum is ours - and the race is on!

My opponent has repeatedly voted the party line - approx. 95% of the time - at the expense of our district. And what does he say about me? He says I'm a "man with a head full of ideas." I guess when you're a champion of the failed status quo, new ideas and solutions must be a negative somehow...

I've always believed that our campaign should be about Big Ideas to move Minnesota forward. This week, we released the first of 3 "Big Ideas" in our local papers.

Flip below the fold to read about my "KIDS FIRST" Initiative for Minnesota...

I've written about the race here and here, and a local blog, MNPublius.com, featured my race in their Spotlight on the Candidate.

I ran close in 2004, coming within 995 voters of victory (out of 24,100+), despite Bush solidly winning the district and my opponent's sympathy vote due to a freak accident 6 weeks before election day.

Thecampaign is off to a great start. Volunteers have made 1,000's of personal phone calls since the middle of April. Our campaign office is humming with activity, including 5 or 6 staffers working for various Democratic campaigns. And I've knocked on at least 5,510 doors so far.

The MN House is divided by just one seat, 68 GOP to 66 DFL. By winning my election, I can help put a Democrat in the Speaker's chair. And I've got the momentum to do it...

The Minnesota House is divided by just one seat - 68 to 66. And my race is up for grabs, because of my opponent's partisan record, and because of my hard work. I've already worn through my first pair of shoes this year, going door-to-door 6 days a week, 4 hours at a time. My trusty Rockports made it longer than any other pair of shoes yet, but you can see the sorry shape they were in....

Please help me help take back the Minnesota House - so we can serve people, not the partisan Republican agenda.

My name is Jeremy Kalin. I recently posted this diary about why I am running, for the second time, as the Democratic-Farmer-Labor-endorsed candidate to represent Chisago County in the Minnesota State House. I shared with you the fact that the Minnesota House is divided by just one vote - 68 to 66. Even with this narrow margin, the vast majority of bills heard by committees - from Transportation to Education, and from Elections to Environment - were only those introduced by Republican legislators. I posted in my campaign blog about a few examples of the partisan committee gatekeepers.

I wanted to take a moment to thank you for your great response to my last diary. Many people volunteered to help go door-to-door, to march in a parade [our first parade is this Sunday in North Branch for MidSummer Days - lineup is at 1, marching at 2], to make phone calls, and to help Get Out the Vote. Many more of you contributed your hard-earned money to help us win this November. Thank you, sincerely, for your help!

Campaign news, two doorknocking stories and a personal appeal below...

After coming close in 2004 [54%-46% head-to-head], I'm running for the Minnesota House for the second time. I want to share why I've committed another 18 months for this campaign.

I'm Jeremy Kalin - a 4th generation Minnesotan, and the son and grandson of schoolteachers and small-businessmen. I've made Chisago County [NE of Saint Paul] my home for ten years. Folks like you and me, we spend hours, weeks, and years working for greater civic engagement - to crash the gates, so to speak. We talk often about the power of a single vote.

For two years the Minnesota House of Representatives has been divided by just one vote. This one vote has meant the difference between dividing the state with partisan wedge issues, and bringing people together around a shared vision for a brighter future.

Please contribute whatever you can and volunteer your time, skills and energy on the campaign that Congressman Jim Oberstar has called "the most organized campaign in Minnesota" to help me help take back the MN House.

Thanks! [more on the flip...]

And I've earned important endorsements. In fact, both lifelong Republicans/conservatives who followed my opponent as mayor of Lindstrom are openly endorsing me.

And, to my surprise, a Minnesota blog, MN Publius asked me to kick off their spotlight on legislative candidtes. Check it out, or look below the fold.

We need to win just one seat to make a DFL speaker. I've signed on to our voluntary spending limits - which means your donation could make an even greater difference.

And of course, I'd love your feedback!

Flake and Bass Come Out for Shadegg in Leadership Race
    In a move that emphasizes the combined efforts of conservative and moderate Republicans to impose more limits on federal spending, Reps. Jeff Flake of Arizona and Charles Bass of New Hampshire today endorsed Rep. John Shadegg of Arizona in the race for House majority leader.
    "This shows again that this race is not about moderate versus conservative; it is a choice between real reform [sic] and the status quo," the two said in a joint statement.
    Bass has been a leader of the moderate Republican Main Street Partnership, while Flake has been a prominent member of the conservative Republican Study Committee... pushing for more spending cuts and tougher limits on earmarks.
    ...
   

Congressional Quarterly
THURSDAY, JAN. 19, 2006 - 2:20 P.M.

    The leader of an influential bloc of House GOP conservatives today endorsed Rep. John Shadegg of Arizona in the three-way race for House majority leader, potentially shaking up a contest that many believed was interim Majority Leader Roy Blunt's to lose.

[snip]

In my case, I guess I would point out that that $6,900 is a fraction of what my opponents got in Abramoff-related money and it all came from a gentleman who had worked on the Hill, had worked with me, had set up 3 different events and made a personal donation and got Mr. Abramoff's firm to make a PAC donation."

Secretary of State Condoleeza Rice on April 13, 2005 speaking with the Italian Foreign Minister: