Rep. Jenifer Loon (R-Eden Prairie) had long considered running for public office but thought she’d wait until her daughters, Erica, a high school sophomore, and Rachel, a sixth-grader, were older, perhaps off to college. However, she saw a rare opportunity when former Rep. Erik Paulsen decided to run for the congressional seat vacated by former U.S. Rep. Jim Ramstad.
“An open seat doesn’t come along every day,” Loon said.
Furthermore, she welcomed the chance to be a role model. “As a mom of two girls, I want them to know you can have a family and a professional life. I want them to know the door is never closed to them.”
Though new to the House, Loon is a political pro who was “always interested in the legislative process.” The South Dakota native majored in government and international relations at Augustana College, took an internship in then U.S. Sen. Larry Pressler’s office, and was later hired there as a legislative assistant. She also worked for the Small Business Committee of the U.S. House of Representatives.
Loon believes her passion for small-business growth makes her a “good fit” for a district where, she said, “there are 2,200-2,400 businesses; most are small or sole proprietorships.” Nurturing small businesses will stimulate economic recovery through job creation faster than any other measure, she believes. Specifically, she’s interested in “tax and regulatory issues, access to capital and government regulation related to small business, especially women- and minority-owned businesses.”
Another top priority is education. Loon, an active member of parent-teacher organizations, said Eden Prairie schools, like many districts statewide, are educating a growing number of English language learners and children of color, and she’s concerned about the achievement gap.
Even though the budget crisis threatens to overshadow idealism, Loon wants to promote “a top-notch education for our kids in Minnesota. We can’t say ‘Down the road we will figure out how to better educate our kids.’ This could be a good year to dig into policy, not things that are monetary-driven.”
Interim Update: Disaster relief enacted
Brief special session ends with $80 million flood, storm aid package
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Published 10/19/2010
Never a dull moment
Surprises, challenges mark unusual 2010 legislative session
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Published 6/1/2010
RIP: Bills that didn’t make it
Some die quietly, others go out with a bang
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Published 6/1/2010
Art of compromise is the heart of politics
Bipartisan teamwork builds better bills
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Published 6/1/2010
Reformer at heart
Brod walking away from the Legislature, but will keep putting out new ideas
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Published 6/1/2010
One more goal in his playbook
Emmer leaving House in hopes of scoring the state’s top job
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Published 6/1/2010
Retiring from public service — again
After helping others for 48 years, Haws to focus on family needs
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Published 6/1/2010
Fulfilling her ‘deal’
Kelliher leaving House after a dozen years, maybe not the Capitol
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Published 6/1/2010
Excited for a new opportunity
Kohls leaves the House with fond memories, optimism about future
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Published 6/1/2010
Agriculture advocate bids adieu
Otremba stepping down after 13 years to focus on family, friends
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Published 6/1/2010
Minnesota Index: the 2010 session
Figures and statistics on the 2010 legislative session
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Published 6/1/2010
‘A decade is a long time’
Eastlund is ready to let someone else take the reins
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Published 5/6/2010
Magnus will run for state Senate
Says activist influences are detrimental to good of state
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Published 5/6/2010
First Hmong House member shifts focus
Thao’s family and business to get more of his time
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Published 5/6/2010
Erring on the side of openness
Open meeting law could include advisory board actions
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Published 4/29/2010
Demmer winds down fourth, final term
Former corn farmer plans to keep lending an ear to constituents
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Published 4/29/2010
Time for a change
Bigham takes a break from the House, but not from public service
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Published 4/22/2010
Leaving before his self-imposed limit
Severson looks to continue work on election reform as secretary of state
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Published 4/22/2010
Bumper pride
Specialty license plates generate pride, funds and headaches
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Published 4/15/2010
Seifert concludes 14-year House career
He’s strived to serve “conscience, constitution and constituents”
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Published 4/15/2010
Energized to follow a different path
Bar exam, ski trip are in Kalin’s immediate future
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Published 4/15/2010
Ensuring good management
Twelve legislators decide which programs legislative auditor will evaluate
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Published 4/8/2010
Legislative powers
Giving legislators a chance to call themselves into special session
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Published 4/8/2010
Unallotment upheaval
Potential modifications to governor’s power gets House committee approval
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Published 2/18/2010
Hard times hit home
As one lawmaker joins the ranks of the unemployed, House leaders push jobs proposals
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Published 2/11/2010
State of the State: Laying out his recovery plan
Pawlenty promotes tax cuts, job growth in final State of the State address
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Published 2/11/2010
Opening Day: 86th Legislative Session
House reconvenes and hits the ground running
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Published 2/4/2010
Minnesota Index: Session 2010
Figures and statistics on the 2010 legislative session
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Published 2/4/2010
First Reading: No easy fixes
The 2009 session ends with many questions left unanswered
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Published 5/29/2009
At Issue: State government funding signed
New law strengthens accountability of stimulus funds received by the state
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Published 5/29/2009
Governor's Desk
Bills not acted upon in 2009 could come to life in 2010
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Published 5/29/2009
Minnesota Index: 2009 session
Figures and statistics on the 2009 legislative session
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Published 5/29/2009
First Reading: Letting the sunshine in
Is the push to transparency clouding the session end game?
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Published 5/15/2009
At Issue: Budget cuts for state government
Conference committee removes some controversy from finance bill
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Published 5/15/2009
Minnesota Index: Government in Minnesota
Figures and statistics on state and local government
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Published 5/15/2009
First Reading: Hammering out an agreement
Conference committees have sometimes unpopular task of compromise
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Published 5/8/2009
Resources: From beginning to end
Tracking bills is just a mouse click away
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Published 5/8/2009
At Issue: Tightening the belt
Less funding, more accountability in omnibus state government finance bill
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Published 4/24/2009
First Reading: Protecting public dollars
Lawmakers push for better financial controls at state agencies
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Published 4/17/2009
At Issue: Making technology accessible
Lawmakers want to open state Web sites to individuals who are deaf, blind or hard-of-hearing
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Published 4/3/2009
First Reading: Looking to the past
Division hears New Deal‘s controversial story
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Published 2/27/2009
Feature: Getting an earful
Legislators fan out across the state to hear budget deficit problems, solutions
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Published 2/27/2009
New Member: From tragedy to high hopes
Hayden hopes to effect big change
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Published 2/20/2009
New Member: A passion for local issues
Reinert plans to be ‘an advocate and a partner’ for Duluth
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Published 2/20/2009
Feature: Is there a page in the House?
They ‘do what needs to be done’
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Published 2/13/2009
New Member: Former teacher returns
Davids is happy to be back after hiatus
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Published 2/13/2009
New Member: From NYC to Minnesota
Business brought Doepke to state, led to public service
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Published 2/13/2009
New Member: Keeping it local
Anderson wants to help constituents from a different chair
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Published 2/6/2009
New Member: Facing complex problems
For Champion, jobs are the starting point
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Published 2/6/2009
New Member: Planning for the future
Downey hopes to offer proactive ideas for state’s future
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Published 2/6/2009
New Member: 'Honesty, common sense'
‘Honesty, common sense’
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Published 2/6/2009
New Member: Altitude adjustment
Ag and water issues linked for Torkelson
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Published 2/6/2009
New Member: A young, rural voice
Falk to keep push for renewable energy policies
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Published 1/30/2009
New Member: A political education
After years of teaching about politics, Kath leads by example
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Published 1/30/2009
New Member: The deficit is top priority
Kelly promotes fiscal responsibility
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Published 1/30/2009
New Member: A global view in St. Paul
Mack was page, intern, now member
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Published 1/30/2009
New Member: Honored to serve
Sanders focuses on kitchen-table issues
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Published 1/30/2009
New Member: Waiting years for his seat
Sterner looks to prove his bipartisan background
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Published 1/30/2009
At Issue: Leading by example
At their own ‘House,’ legislators take cost-saving measures to heart
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Published 1/23/2009
New Member: Doing greater good
Jackson views public service as a calling
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Published 1/23/2009
New Member: A heritage of involvement
Kiffmeyer brings lifelong work ethic to her seat
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Published 1/23/2009
New Member: Passionate about business
Loon calls for economic recovery through job creation
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Published 1/23/2009
New Member: No shortcut to service
Newton relishes opportunity to make tough decisions
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Published 1/23/2009
New Member: Working to unite
Obermueller hopes to represent by connecting
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Published 1/23/2009
New Member: Walking the talk
Persell models stewardship of the environment
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Published 1/23/2009
New Member: Making a difference
Tired of complaining, Rosenthal decided to get involved
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Published 1/23/2009
New Member: Taking the chance
With open seat, Scott knew now is her time to serve
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Published 1/23/2009
At Issue: The state of our state
Tax cuts, wage freezes on governor’s list to help budget
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Published 1/16/2009
Feature: Opening day
Occasion gives legislators reason to pause, appreciate democracy at work
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Published 1/9/2009
At Issue: Beyond the budget
Assistant leaders optimistic about accomplishing more than solving the money woes
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Published 1/9/2009
Minnesota Index: Minnesota House 2009
Figures and statistics on the Minnesota House of Representatives in 2009.
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Published 1/9/2009