Wednesday, March 27, 2013
The senator, who represents parts of Oakdale, says the Twin Cities has a problem of cars being stolen and sold for scrap metal.
While the budget remains the number one priority this session, I wanted to highlight another important issue I’ve been working on—car theft. Throughout the metro area, we have a problem of cars being stolen and sold for scrap metal. Under current law, if a vehicle is less than six years old the person bringing in the vehicle to be scrapped does not need to present a title. Instead, they sign an affidavit stating they own the car. What is happening all too often now is a vehicle is stolen and scrapped before it is even reported to the police. And at that point, there is nothing the police can do. The car is destroyed and the thieves have run off with their money. We need a better system that will help catch more thieves, which in turn will …
Wednesday, February 20, 2013
What do you think about a Minnesota health care exchange?
After years of discussion between legislators, consumers, businesses and Minnesota’s health care community, legislation to create a Minnesota health care exchange is officially in full swing. The Affordable Care Act directs states to create an exchange that will be accessible by individuals, families and small businesses. Each state is given the opportunity to create an exchange on their own. However, if a state fails to create an exchange, all enrollees will automatically be put into the federal exchange January 1, 2014. Recently in the Finance Committee, I was able to hear testimony about the bill. I think it is important Minnesota creates its own exchange instead of using the federal exchange. Creating a Minnesota-based model is more …
Thursday, January 17, 2013
Sen. Wiger, Sen. Kent, Rep. Lillie and Rep. Ward hosted a town hall meeting at Oakdale City Hall on Jan. 12 to discuss priorities for the legislative session. The senators and representatives thanked constituents for attending their town hall meeting.
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Thursday, January 17
We thank everyone who participated at our town hall meeting on Saturday, January 12th. It is great to hear from constituents. We sincerely appreciate hearing your concerns as we begin the new legislative session. We especially want to thank Washington County Commissioner Ted Bearth and District 622 School Board Member Steve Hunt for participating in the meeting. It is important we work together and listen to various viewpoints before making decisions at the Capitol. These forums allow us to connect with people in our districts and hear directly from voters. This year, one of the top priorities is to put Minnesota’s budget on a sustainable path forward, and hearing citizens’ concerns helps put the budget in perspective for us. Additional…
Friday, January 11, 2013
Sen. Chuck Wiger is a co-author of a bill to fund all-day kindergarten programs in Minnesota schools.
On Jan. 10, Senate leadership announced four priority bills for the 2013 legislative session. I’m proud to announce that I am a co-author of a bill to fund all-day kindergarten programs in Minnesota schools. Currently about half of Minnesota students attend all-day programs and about 15 percent of students attend all-day programs funded through parental fees. In the past, the state has provided funding for all-day programs targeted at specific students, and school districts have always had the option to provide all-day programs, depending upon available funding. Total cost of the proposed bill is $170 million annually. The program will be voluntary for students; parents can decide if all-day kindergarten is right for their children. This …
Friday, January 4, 2013
A column from Sen. Chuck Wiger.
The 2013 Legislative Session has officially begun. The new year brings new challenges and opportunities to improve the state’s budget outlook and laws. I am looking forward to the upcoming session and working with area residents and others. As the session progresses, I will be authoring a number of bills concerning local matters (i.e. water management, local tax issues and more). Information will be available on those bills as they are introduced this session. The first issue we face is the state budget. According to the state’s finance division (Minnesota Management and Budget - MMB),the 2014-2015 projected budget deficit is $1.1 billion. In addition, $1.1 billion in school shift repayments remain, and inflation is estimated to cost about…
Wednesday, November 7, 2012
Chuck Wiger (DFL) will represent Senate District 43.
Chuck Wiger (DFL) will be representing state Senate District 43, according to unofficial results from the Minnesota Secretary of State. Wiger beat challenger Duane "Swede" Johnson (GOP) with 26,767 votes (62 percent) while Johnson received 16,137 votes (37 percent). All 29 precincts reported their numbers just after 1:00 a.m. Wednesday. All results are unofficial until verified by a canvassing board. This post will be updated. Related posts Have you enjoyed our elections coverage? Then sign up for our free e-newsletter , which sends you updates about stories, breaking news, announcements, events and blogs on our site.
Tuesday, August 21, 2012
Chuck Wiger is seeking another term as a state senator and is running for the District 43 seat.
Name : Mr. Charles William Wiger Also known as : Chuck Age : 60 Place of residence : Maplewood, MN Attended college : Yes College : Hamline University and University of Colorado-Boulder Degree : JD, BA Year of graduation : 1977 University : Hamline University Area of research : Law Year of graduation : 1977 Job titles held : Attorney, Senior Compliance Coordinator, Public Affairs Director, Associate CEO,Reporter, Janitor, Orderly, Clubhouse-batboy-vendor, Dishwasher, Paper Carrier Employers : Securian, St. Paul/Suburban Area Chamber of Commerce, Minnesota Medical Association, Lillie Suburban News, St. Johns Hospital, Regions Hospital, Minnesota Twins, Hafners, Pioneeer Press Party affiliation : Democrat Running for a: State office Running …
Monday, May 14, 2012
Retiring Rep. Nora Slawik said Legislature’s become a “frustrating place,” and she’d like to see a new tone.
When Minnesotans look back on the legislative session that ended last week, one issue likely comes to mind—the Vikings stadium. “Unfortunately the session was dominated by the Vikings, and I just wish we’d get back to basics,” said Rep. Nora Slawik (DFL-Maplewood). “I want to talk about education, health care, jobs.” Oakdale’s legislators said there were some disappointments in the session that ended last Thursday, but also some big accomplishments. Sen. Chuck Wiger (DFL-Maplewood) said he was shocked he was able to get $2 million in funding for renovations for the Harriet Tubman Center East back into the bonding bill after it had been eliminated by leadership and in the version passed in the House. Although he doubted the amendment would …
Saturday, May 12, 2012
Investing in construction projects throughout the state will get thousands of Minnesotans back to work.
The 2012 legislative session has officially adjourned. Before the final gavel fell, the Senate passed two very important bills that help get thousands of Minnesotans back to work by investing in construction projects throughout the state. Since day one of session, we have been discussing the importance of passing a Capital Investment Bill. Commonly known as the “bonding bill,” capital investment is the process by which the state issues bonds to fund public projects that have a state or regional significance. This funding goes toward a variety of projects across the state including improvements to higher education buildings, roads and bridges, veterans homes and trails. The Bonding Bill invests nearly $500 million in projects throughout …
Thursday, May 10, 2012
The bill didn’t include funding for early childhood education that local legislators had hoped to get.
Oakdale’s representatives at the Minnesota State Capitol both voted in support of a new stadium for the Minnesota Vikings. The stadium bill passed through the House and Senate Thursday, and was awaiting the governor’s signature Thursday afternoon. Rep. Nora Slawik (DFL-Maplewood) said the No. 1 reason she supported the bill was that it will create jobs. “I think that it is going to bring a tremendous amount of construction jobs and we have a lot of people that are on our union benches not working,” she said. Another reason for her support, she said, is that the Vikings add to the state’s quality of life. “Having the Vikings is part of Minnesota’s culture,” she said. “I grew up where there were no major sports teams, and it makes a …
Jennifer S
4:21 pm on Thursday, February 21, 2013
I am looking forward to learning more about the exchanges. I certainly support having one. I will be attending an event at Grace Community Church in Oakdale on Monday the 25th that is supposed to go in more detail of how the ACA will effect our state. I am on MCHA which is a high risk pool for minor chronic conditions. Very expensive. more ›