Sharon Erickson
ROPES
Nurse. Veteran. Senator.
"We all do better, when we all do better" -Sen. Paul Wellstone
BIO
"Integrity and listening to the people in my district still mean a lot to me. Over the past 14 years in Winona, I have established a long record of proven leadership, positive attitude and principled decision-making." -Senator Sharon Erickson Ropes
Family History:
I was born and raised in Two Harbors, Minnesota. My Father, Paul Erickson is an Air National Guard Veteran and my Mother, Irene Erickson is a retired elementary school teacher. I am married to Dr. Milton Ropes, M.D., Urology. Our three children, Erin, Lauren and Nathaniel are very supportive of my legislative responsibilities. We raised our family in Winona, MN.
Work Experience:
Registered nurse, Navy veteran, Red Cross disaster relief nurse,
Chair of the Winona Area Public Schools, Master Gardener,
Small business owner, Published Author- Celebrate 2000 with a Half-Century of Jim Heinlen. Sugar Loaf Press, 1999.
Education Background:
Two Harbors High School; Secondary
College of St. Teresa; B.A.; French, 1976
College of St. Teresa; B.S.; Nursing, 1976
Government Service:
State Board/Commission/Council
Minnesota Attorney General's Task Force on Consumer Rights and Health Care
School Board/Administration Winona, Minnesota (School Board, Chair, 2000-2001)
Military United States Navy Nurse Corps (Commissioned Officer, North Carolina and Virginia)
Senate Documents Chief Authored Legislative Session 86 (2009-2010):
SF2138
Independent school district #227, Chatfield; Potter center for the arts grant bond issue and appropriation
SF2110
Regional arts capital grant fund and appropriation
SF2109
Trunk highway #44 classification
SF2108
Forest protection appropriations
SF2036
Caledonia wastewater renovation grant bond issue and appropriation
SF2035
Caledonia public infrastructure grant bond issue and appropriation
SF2034
Caledonia city hall energy efficiency improvement grant bond issue and appropriation
SF2013
Spring Grove arts and education project appropriation
SF2012
Dental care pilot projects establishment
SF1954
County veterans services working group expiration date extension
SF1953
SF1952
Caledonia trunk highway #76 interchange bond issue and appropriations.
SF1856
Lanesboro dam renovation grant bond issue and appropriation
SF1855
Travel expenses reimbursement human services department employees limits
SF1521
Spring Valley community theater facility grant bond issue and appropriation
SF1520 Preston grain elevator restoration grant bond issue and appropriation
SF1519
Universal prescription drug program
SF1517
Root River, Willard Munger and Sakatah Singing Hills trails rehabilitation bond issue and appropriation
SF1516 Disabled veterans and current uniformed military members on active service free public transit use authorization
SF0496
Minnesota suicide prevention plan modification
SF0467
Surgical technologists employment qualifications regulations
SF0442
Minnesota agricultural property tax law (Green Acres) provisions modifications; preservation and legacy land new property tax classification
SF0441
Adverse health event reporting system modification
SF0378
Medical assistance (MA) drug formulary committee provisions modifications
SF0289
Farmer-lender mediation act expiration date extension; family farmer legal assistance income eligibility requirements modifications
SF0288
Minnesota assistance council for veterans continued outreach to homeless veterans and families grant appropriation
SF0244
Minnesota agricultural property tax law (Green Acres) modification
SF021311
WIC coupons cost neutral organic food purchase authorization
Committees:
Issues
Tax Issues: Erickson Ropes is a chief author of a bill that would give the Legislature authority over tax reciprocity between Minnesota and Wisconsin. The executive branch oversees the agreement now. A previous agreement between the states that allowed taxpayers living in one state and working in the other to file a single tax return ended Dec. 31. We think any time taxes are being dealt with the peoples representatives should have a voice in the process, she said. Erickson Ropes also plans to work to address the massive property evaluation jump many rural properties experienced when a state program that kept land prices artificially low ended this year.
Protecting K-12 Funding: K-12 education was spared cuts last year, but Gov. Tim Pawlenty has already told legislators that every program will be considered for cuts as the state wrestles with its budget deficit this year. After the massive cuts we made last time and we spared K-12 ... theres going to be nowhere else to go other than look at everyone, Erickson Ropes said.
Pawlenty last year delayed $1.7 billion in state aid to schools to help balance the budget. Uncertainty remains over if and when school districts may see that money, Erickson Ropes said.
GAMC: Erickson Ropes will focus on helping those served by the states General Assistance Medical Care program, which will end April 1. This is the sickest of the sick, the poorest of the poor, with long-term health needs, she said. While those people will be enrolled in another state program when GAMC ends, their inclusion will only diminish available resources for working families that get help with their health insurance through that program, Erickson Ropes said. All youre doing is bumping the problems into another place.
Source:
Winona Daily News
Area state lawmakers preview the upcoming session
By Dustin Kass | dustin.kass_lee.net | Posted: Sunday, January 31,
District Highlights
Chatfield Foremost Farmers of America students and coordinator Scott Winslow visit Sen. Erickson Ropes at the State Capitol during the annual Minnesota FFA organization day on the hill.
Senator Sharon Ropes Declares Lanesboro, MN Bed & Breakfast Capitol of Minnesota
On Monday July 6, state Sen. Sharon Erickson Ropes and state Rep. Greg Davids officially declared the city the "Minnesota's Bed and Breakfast Capital." The Minnesota Senate bestowed the honor in a resolution near the end of the 2009 session. With 15 bed and breakfasts in Lanesboro, and the immediate surrounding area, there is a great display of history and architecture, including Victorian homes, Craftsman homes, and new homes. Innkeepers extend their Minnesota hospitality to today's traveler and offer a unique experience in their comfortable and nationally recognized B&Bs.
Lanesboro's entire downtown district is on the National Register of Historic places. The downtown has been revitalized; the arts flourish, gift shops intrigue, and restaurants satisfy a variety of tastes. The Cornucopia Art Center features original art works from more than 70 artists in the region. The Commonweal Theatre Company performs in new 3 million dollar state of the art facility that opened in 2007. Lanesboro is near one of the largest Old Order Amish settlements in America. The rolling country side offers an ideal location for their lifestyle. Educational tours are available to see the Amish as they really live, to see the items they produce (baskets, quilts, furniture and crafts). The Amish tours offer an appreciation for the Amish way of life.
Lanesboro is in the center of Minnesota's Fillmore County where there is only 1 stop light in the entire county. The pace in Lanesboro is quieter and slower. It is a perfect place to relax. Lanesboro is 2 1/2 hours from Minneapolis/St. Paul, 4 1/2 hours from Milwaukee, 5 1/2 hours from Chicago, and 4 1/2 hours from DesMoines. Visit www.lanesboro.com to learn more about our special town.
Sen. Ropes Tours the Oldest Jail
in Minnesota: Caledonia, Houston County
On Monday January 26th State Senator Sharon Erickson Ropes (DFL-Winona) toured Houston Countys jail in Caledonia. The jail is a 90-day adult male prisoner 12-cell facility. Built 1875, the building is historical landmark renowned as the oldest jail in the state. The jail facility also houses the emergency dispatch center, courtrooms, the evidence room, and court administration.
Chief Deputy Scott Yeiter, Jail Administrator Mark Schiltz, Emergency Manager Kurt Kuhlers, and Houston County-chair Commissioner Larry Connery guided Senator Ropes through the facilities. The group discussed the jails current infrastructure, inmate privileges, their current incarceration model, discharge planning, and plans for new expansion efficiencies.
Mark Schiltz the jail administrator expects that the Construction of the new County Justice Center will begin in April. The inmate capacity will increase by 70 beds. The efficiencies of building the new jail serves a long-term solution that benefit all in cost savings over the next 20 years. The construction is expected to cost 18 million dollars.
Minnesota Farmers Union Visit Sen. Erickson Ropes at State Capitol
Minnesota Farmers Union president John Larsen of Olmsted Co. and Eunie Biel of Filmore Co. met with Sen. Sharon Erickson Ropes at the Capitol to discus support for the agriculture budget during this legislative session. Sen. Erickson Ropes is currently working on three Green Acres property tax bills.
Involved
LET US DEVELOP THE RESOURCES OF OUR LAND, CALL FORTH ITS POWERS, BUILD UP ITS INSTITUTIONS, PROMOTE ALL ITS GREAT INTERESTS, AND SEE WHETHER WE ALSO, IN OUR DAY AND GENERATION, MAY NOT PERFORM SOMETHING WORTHY TO BE REMEMBERED.
-Daniel Webster
IN THE NEWS
Visit the official webpages for the cities in Senate District 31
City of Caledonia
City of Winona
City of La Crescent
City of Lanesboro
City of Houston
PRESS RELEASE LINKS
Write to your local paper
Fillmore County Journal
Houston County News
Winona Post
Bluff County Reader
Caledonia Argus
Chatfield News
CONTACT
Link to MN Senate Home Page
Capitol Address:
Sen. Sharon Erickson Ropes
75 Reverend Drive Martin Luther King Junior Boulevard, Room G-24
Saint Paul, MN 55155-1606
Phone: 651-296-5649
District Address:
978 Gilmore Avenue
Winona, MN 55987
Phone: 507-454-5447
Picture by ottonassar
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