Thanks to everyone working on DFL activities, and a special thanks to the chairs of all the Senate District 42 committees. Every committee has been active, with positive results.

• We have specific Senate District 42 events planned for this year.
• We have contacted potential Senate District 42 candidates.
  
• We have started to raise money to use for candidate support and plan to continue fundraising during the year.
• We are contacting our current legislators and raising issues with them.
• We are continuing to produce our great TV program, Democratic Visions.
• We are helping precincts become working units by offering training and outreach to them.

Rep. Keith Ellison at Education Forum April 10 in Hopkins
Congressman Ellison, who represents parts of the Hopkins School District, will be the guest speaker at a two-hour Education Forum next Tuesday, April 10, at 7 p.m. at Hopkins North Junior High in Minnetonka. The address is 10700 Cedar Lake Road.

Key issues will include special education funding and the No Child Left Behind Act. Congressman Jim Ramstad, also invited, will not be able to attend due to prior commitments. He will have a staff member attend instead.

McCollum, Walz, Ramstad scheduled for public forums
The Center for the Study of Politics and Governance is hosting a series of public talks by prominent government leaders. Each forum will be held at Cowles Auditorium, Humphrey Center, 301 19th Avenue South, Minneapolis, starting at noon.

Congresswoman Betty McCollum: Monday, April 9
Congressman Tim Walz: Thursday, April 12
Congressman Jim Ramstad: Wednesday, May 30

For more information, call 612-625-2530 or email cspg@umn.edu

Democratic Visions TV show airs Sundays, Wednesdays
Secretary of State Mark Ritchie is this month's guest on Democratic Visions, the cable-access TV show produced by DFL Senate District 42 volunteers. The show airs on Channel 15 at 9 p.m. Sundays and 5:30 p.m. Wednesdays in Eden Prairie, Edina, Hopkins, Minnetonka and Richfield. For more information or to volunteer, call 952-944-2861. To view some previous shows, go here.

Do you know?

• Gov. Pawlenty's tax policies disproportionately target the middle class.
  
• The supposed $2 billion budget surplus doesn't exist.
  
• The cost for government for everyone has increased during Gov. Pawlenty's tenure.
  

Minn. House, Senate offer free magazines
A great way to be informed about Minnesota politics is to read the non-partisan magazines of the House and Senate. The House publication, Session Weekly, can be found online here. You can also sign up here to have a free hard copy delivered to your home. For the Senate publication, Senate Briefly, go here.

Next DFL meetings

April 12: monthly Senate District 42 meeting (senate district central committee)
Time/Place: 7 p.m. every second Thursday of each month; Glen Lake Community Center, 14350 Excelsior Blvd., Minnetonka.
Who Attends: Senate District 42 Central Committee members, including the Executive Committee, local state central committee members, all precinct chairs and associate chairs. You are also welcome to attend. Your input is valuable and you will be able to participate fully except for voting.

April 18: monthly 3rd Congressional District Meeting (congressional district central committee)
Time/Place: 7 p.m., every third Wednesday of each month; Minnetonka City Hall, 14600 Minnetonka Blvd., Minnetonka.
Who Attends: 3rd Congressional District Central Committee members, including congressional district senate district chairs, directors, state central committee members, others. You are also welcome to attend. Your input is valuable, and you will be able to participate fully except for voting.

Next school board meetings

Eden Prairie School Board Meetings: April 9 and 23
Time/Place: 7 p.m. on scheduled Mondays; 8100 School Road, Eden Prairie. Go here for more information on the School Board.

Hopkins School Board Meetings: April 19 and May 3
Time/Place: 7 p.m. on scheduled Thursdays; Eisenhower Community Center, 1001 Highway 7, Hopkins. Go here for more information on the Hopkins School Board and its meetings.

Minnetonka School Board Meetings: April 10 (date change) and 19
Time/Place: 7 p.m. on scheduled Thursdays; Minnetonka District Service Center, 5621 County Road 101, Minnetonka. Go here for more information on the Minnetonka School Board and its meetings.

Next city council meetings

Eden Prairie City Council Meetings: April 17 and May 1

Time/Place: 7 p.m. on the first and third Tuesdays of each month; Eden Prairie City Hall, 8080 Mitchell Road. Council meetings are televised live on cable channel 16 and replayed on opposite Tuesdays at 7 p.m. and on Saturdays at 1 p.m. Citizens have the opportunity to speak before the Council during Open Forum from 6:30-7 p.m. You must sign up with the City Manager's office at 952-949-8412 by noon to speak during Open Forum. For more information on the Eden Prairie City Council, go here.

Minnetonka City Council Meetings: April 9 and 23
Time/Place: 6:30 p.m.; Minnetonka City Hall, 14600 Minnetonka Boulevard. The Minnetonka City Council meets twice a month. See the calendar here for specific dates and go here to learn more about your Council members, meeting procedures and cable TV replays of meetings.

Contact your legislators
Two bills moving through the House and Senate need your attention! Go here and scroll to Issues Advocacy on our website.

Volunteer on a committee
We have many opportunities that can fit your talents and schedules. You'll have fun, meet other DFL supporters in your community and feel good about helping a great cause. Our committees include: affirmative action and outreach; candidate support and development; communications and technology; events; fundraising; precinct organization; and strategic planning and research. Go here for more information and to sign up.

Write a letter to the editor
Writing letters to the editor of our local papers is an important way we can support our DFL elected officials and promote progressive issues. Go here for more information.

Make a contribution
It's easy to make a contribution to DFL Senate District 42 and it will only cost you five minutes of your time and a postage stamp. If this is your first contribution of 2007 to a state candidate or DFL organization, you can take advantage of the Minnesota Political Contribution Refund Program and receive a refund of $50 per individual or $100 per couple. That's right, a refund. There is no catch or fine print. Think of it as a "loan" to help Democrats win because you'll get your money back from the state in 2 - 4 weeks. You can write your check to Senate District 42 DFL and mail it to 13012 Jane Lane, Minnetonka, MN 55343. We'll provide you a receipt and easy-to-complete form to send to the state. Go here for more information.