Roseville's Sen. John Marty Among DFL Panelists at Minnesota State Fair

Roseville state Sen. John Marty will be among DFL legislators who will be appearing at the 2013 Minnesota State Fair to discuss "promises made, promise kept" during the past legislative session. 
Marty will appear at the  Minnesota DFL booth at 1 p.m. on Saturday,  Aug. 31 to  talk about gains for environmental issues. He will appear with Rep. Rep. Melissa Hortman, DFL-Brooklyn Center.
The DFL's daily panel discussions start Friday (Aug. 23) and run through Monday, Sept. 2. 
Prior to the start of the daily panels, Gov. Mark Dayton will meet and greet people at 10:30 a.m. on Thursday (Aug. 22).
The DFL booth is located on Dan Patch Ave. two blocks west of the Snelling Ave. entrance. 

In a news release issued today (Wednesday) DFL Chairman Ken Martin said,"From free all-day kindergarten to property tax relief to balancing the state budget in a fair and honest way, Minnesotans saw Gov. Dayton and the DFL majorities move the state forward in the 2013 Legislative Session.”

According to the Minnesota DFL, here's its line-up for the State Fair: 

Promises made, promises kept: Progress

Gov. Mark Dayton will welcome people to the DFL booth at 10:30 a.m. 

DAY 2 – Aug. 23

Promises made, promises kept: A historic investment in education

The DFL earmarked $725 million in education for all learners. This commitment to kids’ futures allowed the DFL to invest in all learners - from early education and all-day kindergarten, to reduce class sizes and restore equity in our K-12 schools, to lower tuition and debt for our college students and their parents. 

Hear from legislators why they made this investment in Minnesota’s future.

Rep. Ryan Winkler (DFL-Golden Valley)

Sen. Alice Johnson (DFL-Spring Lake Park)

MODERATOR: Rebecca Otto, current Minnesota state auditor

DAY 3 – Aug. 24

Promises made, promises kept: A balanced budget to move Minnesota forward

A decade of deep budget cuts and dishonest shifts and gimmicks have caused Minnesota to lurch from one budget crisis to the next, limiting our ability to adequately fund education and crucial priorities. This session, the DFL put an end to roller-coaster deficits with a fair and balanced budget that will finally put Minnesota on sound fiscal footing, and deliver key investments for a stronger middle class.

Sen. Matt Schmit (DFL-Red Wing)

Rep. Lyndon Carlson (DFL-Crystal)

MODERATOR: Rebecca Otto

DAY 4 – Aug. 25

Promises made, promises kept: Creating jobs and supporting economic development

By investing $30 million in the Minnesota Investment Fund, more competitive loans will bring new businesses to Minnesota, help existing businesses expand and create thousands of new jobs for Minnesotans. Hear about the outlook for Minnesota’s economy and how the state will develop, recruit and retain employees for a prosperous future.

Sen. Terri Bonoff (DFL-Minnetonka)

Rep. Tim Mahoney (DFL-St. Paul)

MODERATOR: Rebecca Otto

DAY 5 – Aug. 26 - CONFIRMED

Promises made, promises kept: Helping towns and cities provide essential services

After a decade of disinvestment in Minnesota’s local units of government, the DFL again invested in local governments to provide essential services to residents and hold the line on property taxes. Join leaders for a “State of the Cities” discussion.

Minneapolis Mayor RT Rybak

St. Paul Mayor Chris Coleman

MODERATOR: Ellen M. Perrault

DAY 6 – Aug. 27

Military Appreciation Day

Promises made, promises kept: A salute to Minnesota’s military and veterans

The omnibus tax bill invests in Minnesota’s military and veterans. Hear from the panel about how Minnesota is dedicated to helping the men and women who risk their lives for our freedom.

Secretary of State Mark Ritchie

Sen. Kari Dziedzic (DFL-Minneapolis)

Rep. Jerry Newton (DFL-Coon Rapids)

MODERATOR: Ellen M. Perrault

DAY 7 – Aug. 28

Promises made, promises kept: Expanding health care coverage in Minnesota

Deep cuts and neglect over the past several years chipped away at Minnesota’s nation leading health care system. The 2013 Legislature took significant strides to reverse this trend, working make health care more affordable for families; prioritizing quality care for our seniors, children and Minnesotans with disabilities; and implementing cuts and cost-saving reforms.

Sen. Jeff Hayden (DFL-Minneapolis)

Rep. Diane Loeffler (DFL-Minneapolis)

MODERATOR: Ellen M. Perrault

DAY 8 – Aug. 29

Promises made, promises kept: Rejected the status quo of the past and invested in the state’s future

For too long hard-working Minnesotans have paid the price for irresponsible budgeting that hasn’t solved our deficits. The DFL’s responsible budget turned the page on the past and looks to a stronger, more prosperous future for Minnesota that invests in better education, jobs and a growing middle class. Hear an overview of the 2013 Legislative Session from the leaders on the front lines of this progress.

Senate Majority Leader Tom Bakk (DFL-Cook)

Speaker of the House Paul Thissen (DFL-Minneapolis)

MODERATOR: Ellen M. Perrault

DAY 9 – Aug. 30

Promises made, promises kept: Investing in higher education

After more than a decade of cuts and tuition hikes, the DFL froze tuition at the University of Minnesota (U of M) and the Minnesota State Colleges and Universities (MnSCU) system for the next two years. An additional $250 million is provided to the Minnesota colleges and universities and the state’s student grant program.

The DFL also passed the Minnesota Prosperity Act (DREAM Act) to allow immigrant students to pay in-state tuition, receive state financial aid, college scholarships and state grants.

Hear from the panel about what this investment means to students, their families and Minnesota’s future prosperity.

U.S. Congressman Keith Ellison

Sen. Sandy Pappas (DFL-St. Paul)

MODERATOR: DFL Chairman Ken Martin

DAY 10 – Aug. 31

Promises made, promises kept: Environmental interest sees gains

The 2013 Legislative Session stands apart from others by the availability of new money for the environment. After years of budget cuts and reallocations, state agencies received a boost in funding. In addition to funding, the DFL created a solar standard for the state. Similar to the existing renewable electricity standard with a goal of 1.5 percent of electricity generated from solar by 2020.

Sen. John Marty (DFL-Roseville)

Rep. Melissa Hortman (DFL-Brooklyn Center)

MODERATOR: Ellen M. Perrault

DAY 11 – Sept. 1

Promises made, promises kept: Marriage equality

All Minnesota couples have the freedom to marry under legislation passed this session. This came only months after the November defeat of a constitutional amendment to define marriage as being between one man and one woman. The bill sparked large, vocal and vigorous debate at the capitol. Several rallies were held during the session, with thousands on both sides attending.

The legislation changes state law to allow for marriage between two persons, regardless of gender. The bill also includes the strictest legal protections in the country for churches, non-profits and private businesses who are opposed to same-sex marriage. Hear from the leaders of this movement.

Sen. Scott Dibble will moderate a discussion about efforts to pass the bill.

DAY 12 – Sept. 2

Future promises: Building a Better Minnesota

Hear from DFL and labor leaders about how they will work together to Build a Better Minnesota.

Steve Hunter, secretary-treasurer, AFL-CIO

Doug Peterson, executive director, Minnesota Farmers Union

Elliot Seide, executive director, AFSMCE Council 5

Phillip Cryan, organizing director, SEIU Healthcare Minnesota

MODERATOR: DFL Chairman Ken Martin

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