Since you endorsed my husband's opponents in 2002 and 2004, I wasn't surprised when you followed suit for 2006. However, your comment that he has been unsuccessful in getting his bills passed is way off the mark. Twenty of Dean's initiatives for this session are now in law. He has one of the highest success rates in the Minnesota House. These are facts substantiated by the official Minnesota State Legislature Web site.
Dean was chief author of the bill that successfully restored physical education as a graduation requirement in Minnesota; for that, the American Heart Association named him Minnesota Legislator of the Year for 2005. He chief authored another bill on school safety and security; schools have already benefited from its lockdown drill provisions. Another of Dean's successful initiatives gives due process to school coaches whose contracts are not renewed. He was the House's chief author for character education legislation.
Dean chief authored legislation to grant emergency funding to ProWorks in Litchfield, enabling it to stay in operation. Dean was the House's chief author of a new law that protects small towns from being easy prey for strip clubs. Another bill he shepherded into law categorizes dairy farms as small businesses, making them eligible for economic development funds. A rural economic development base funding level was established by Dean's legislation. Another of his measures provides new funds for groundwater testing. Through his efforts, Watkins received $5.9 million in low-interest loans and grants; Grove City got over $800,000 to renovate the Community Homes.
In addition to the Heart Association award, Dean has been named Legislator of Distinction by the Greater Minnesota Coalition of Cities; received the Minnesota Farmers Union's Farm and Rural Legislative Award for both 2003-2004 and 2005-2006; was named Minnesota Milk Producers' Legislator of the Year; and was named a Guardian of Small Businesses by the National Federation of Independent Businesses.
Mayors, other officials and individuals from throughout District 18B have publicly spoken of Dean's effectiveness. You ignored what Dean is best at: getting things done.
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Karen Urdahl
Grove City
