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Friends and Neighbors-

Happy Thanksgiving! I hope you get a few moments to celebrate the holiday with friends and loved ones, and that you travel safely and smoothly this weekend.

I am grateful for the opportunity to serve Chisago County and the State of Minnesota, among many things for which I am grateful this year.

A few items of note this week at the Legislature:

OUTDOOR HERITAGE COUNCIL

Governor Pawlenty, the Senate subcommittee on committees, and Minnesota House Speaker Margaret Anderson Kelliher appointed a total of 12 members to the Lessard Outdoor Heritage Council. The Council will recommend appropriations from the newly created Outdoor Heritage Fund approved by voters as an amendment to the Minnesota State Constitution.

The twelve member council includes 8 public and 4 legislative members appointed by the Governor and Minnesota Senate as well as the Speaker of the House. Governor Pawlenty appointed James Cox, Wayne Enger, Scott Rall and Bob Schroeder to the Council. Speaker Anderson Kelliher named David Hartwell, Darby Nelson, Rep. Rick Hansen and Rep. Bob Gunther. The Senate appointed Lester Bensch, Michael Kilgore, Sen. Ellen Anderson and Sen. Bill Ingebrigtsen.

By law, the council will hold its first meeting December 1. It will advise the Legislature on how Outdoor Heritage Fund money should be spent on everything from wetland, prairie and forest restoration to fish, game and wildlife habitat. Local, regional, state and national organizations may apply for matching grants in an effort to encourage local conservation projects. The council will submit its recommendations to the Legislature by April 1, 2009.

LEGISLATIVE AUDITOR REPORTS

The Legislative Auditor released several new reports today:

1. Minnesota State Academies - The report contains 16 findings related to internal control and legal compliance deficiencies. They indicate there are serious weaknesses in the academies' overall financial management and accounting operations.
2. Minnesota Veterans Home in Minneapolis - The report contains 18 findings related to weak internal controls and noncompliance with finance-related legal requirements. These weaknesses indicate an unacceptable level of management control over the homes' financial operations.
3. Veterans Home Board - This report contains 2 findings related to noncompliance with travel and payroll requirements and 2 findings related to weak internal controls over the transfer of fixed assets and securing records. The board was dissolved in November 2007, and its responsibilities were transferred to the Department of Veterans Affairs.

Have a safe and happy holiday. As usual, comments, questions and ideas are encoruaged.

My best,

Jeremy

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Jeremy Kalin
State Representative - 17B
sign up for my email updates at www.house.mn/17b

Contact me at the Capitol:
Rep.Jeremy.Kalin@House.mn
651.296.5377
579 State Office Building
100 Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Drive
St. Paul MN 55155

Contact me at home:
11629 Loftman Trail
North Branch, MN 55056
651-257-9861
Jeremy@Kalin.com