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A proven leader working hard with coalitions to achieve important public goals.

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ROPES

"I am so proud of our corner of the state. We are one of Minnesota's best-kept rural secrets with America's favorite river, our hardwood forests, prairies and blufflands, rocky outcroppings, miles of ploughed fields, varied economic base, and our diverse people and historic hometowns." -Senator Sharon Erickson Ropes

Nurse Veteran Senator

"We all do better, when we all do better" -Sen. Paul Wellstone

NEWS

Involved

Capitol QuiltsWorking for Conservation and PreservationMeeting Bill ClintonTalking with active MilitaryAround the districtHealth Care Reform ResearchAgricultureVisiting the local farmsSpeaking at Winona State University about Health CareAddressing Veteran ConcernsLocal FarmersVisiting Nursing Home ResidentsEds No Name Bar in WinonaIn Washington D.C.Speaking on Veterans DayVisiting ConstituentsHonoring Veterans on Veterans DayVisiting District Schoolsimg_8514Relief after Rushford FloodOn the homefrontTalking about Veterans AffairsCounsel PlanningWorking hard on Healthcare ReformServing on CommitteeSupporting our Local Arts CommunityAgriculture CommunityUnderstanding important geriatric needsCONTACT

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 RopesCommunity Involvment:With a long-term commitment to public policy in the community. I support legislation for affordable universal healthcare and higher educationPositive political action is important to promote progressive changes in southeastern Minnesota. Work Experience:Registered nurse, Navy veteran, Red Cross disaster relief nurse, Chair of the Winona Area Public Schools, Master Gardener, Small business owner, Published AuthorEducation 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) We need to work togetherCarole Stever | Winona | Posted: Saturday, January 31, 2009 "One of the things I like most about her is that she brings people together, and can get along with both Democrats and Republicans.I see her as sensible, moderate and nonpartisan.Thank you, Sen. Ropes."Doug Baker of Lanesboro, Minn., has recently been complaining and sending venomous attacks in letters to the editor. I finally decided to write and respond because I feel that this is a time when we need to work together as citizens.And the effect of Baker's letters has been to put us at odds with one another.A target of Baker's attacks has been state Sen. Sharon Erickson Ropes.I know Ropes to be extraordinarily honest, hardworking, intelligent and compassionate, and she is an excellent senator.She certainly does not deserve to be attacked with false accusations, as Baker has been doing.Ropes, having come from generations of farmers herself, takes every opportunity to visit her constituents around the district andrelates especially well with farm families and their concerns and challenges.One of the things I like most about her is that she brings people together, and can get along with both Democrats and Republicans.I see her as sensible, moderate and nonpartisan.Thank you, Sen. Ropes.Please don't let the attacks and pot-shots from negative and dysfunctional people keep you from continuing the great job that you aredoing.Page 5

Senator Sharon Ropes Declares Lanesboro, MN

Bed & Breakfast Capitol of Minnesota

Sen. Ropes Tours the Oldest Jail

in Minnesota: Caledonia, Houston County

"The quaint town of Lanesboro, nestled in the valley of southeastern Minnesota, has been known for its bike trails and rhubarb for years, but this week, the small town received another designation." 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. 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.For more information, contact Sen. Erickson Ropes State Capitol office at 651-296-5649.CONTACT

CONTACT

Link to MN Senate Home Page

Capitol Address:Sen. Sharon Erickson Ropes75 Reverend Drive Martin Luther King Junior Boulevard, Room G-24Saint Paul, MN 55155-1606Phone: 651-296-5649District Address:978 Gilmore AvenueWinona, MN 55987Phone: 507-454-5447

Picture by ottonassar

Page 6Senator Ropes Committees:Agriculture and Veterans, Vice ChairFinance - Agriculture and VeteransBudget and Policy Division, Vice ChairFinance - Health and Human Services Budget DivisionFinance - Higher Education Budget and Policy DivisionHealth, Housing and Family SecurityHigher EducationKey IssuesTax 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 NewsArea state lawmakers preview the upcoming sessionBy Dustin Kass | dustin.kass_lee.net | Posted: Sunday, January 31, Senate Documents Chief Authored Legislative Session 86 (2009-2010):SF2138 Independent school district #227, Chatfield; Potter center for the arts grant bond issue and appropriationSF2110 Regional arts capital grant fund and appropriationSF2109 Trunk highway #44 classificationSF2108 Forest protection appropriationsSF2036 Caledonia wastewater renovation grant bond issue and appropriationSF2035 Caledonia public infrastructure grant bond issue and appropriationSF2034 Caledonia city hall energy efficiency improvement grant bond issue and appropriationSF2013 Spring Grove arts and education project appropriationSF2012 Dental care pilot projects establishmentSF1954 County veterans services working group expiration date extensionSF1953 Caledonia public infrastructure grant bond issue and appropriationSF1952 Caledonia trunk highway #76 interchange bond issue and appropriations.SF1856 Lanesboro dam renovation grant bond issue and appropriationSF1855 Travel expenses reimbursement human services department employees limitsSF1521 Spring Valley community theater facility grant bond issue and appropriationSF1520 Preston grain elevator restoration grant bond issue and appropriationSF1519 Universal prescription drug programSF1517 Root River, Willard Munger and Sakatah Singing Hills trails rehabilitation bond issue and appropriationSF1516 Disabled veterans and current uniformed military members on active service free public transit use authorizationSF0496 Minnesota suicide prevention plan modificationSF0467 Surgical technologists employment qualifications regulationsSF0442 Minnesota agricultural property tax law (Green Acres) provisions modifications; preservation and legacy land new property tax classificationSF0441 Adverse health event reporting system modificationSF0378 Medical assistance (MA) drug formulary committee provisions modificationsSF0289 Farmer-lender mediation act expiration date extension; family farmer legal assistance income eligibility requirements modificationsSF0288 Minnesota assistance council for veterans continued outreach to homeless veterans and families grant appropriationSF0244 Minnesota agricultural property tax law (Green Acres) modificationSF021311WIC coupons cost neutral organic food purchase authorization Page 7

IN THE NEWS

PRESS RELEASE LINKSEnergy Saver Rebate available for residential energy improvementsResources available to help families stay warm this winterSen. Ropes to read and make crafts with La Crescent childrenJoin me Dec. 11 at the Holiday TrainUtecht Honored in Capitol Quilts CeremonySenator Ropes tours National Guard sites

Links to District

News Papers

Leadership SummitMelissa Carlo, Winona Daily NewsJan 25th, 2010Sen. Sharon Erickson Ropes, DFL-Winona, center, discusses concerns with Winona County Commissioners Marcia Ward, right, and Jim Pomeroy, far right, as Winona County Information Technology Director Mark Anderson takes notes Monday during the Southeast Minnesota Leadership Summit in St. Charles, sponsored by the Association of Minnesota Counties. Melissa Carlo/Winona Daily NewsWinona Daily NewspaperF illmore County JournalHouston Co NewsW inona PostPage 8

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