Posted: 9/15/99.
Bill Neuman files for District 18 senate seat
Bill Neuman of Chisago County has filed to fill the Senate Dist. 18 vacancy created by the death of Sen. Janet Johnson. As state senator, Neuman says he will provide a strong voice for East Central Minnesota and for the environment.
He says he brings tremendous resources and experience to this task.
He is presently appointed to the Minnesota Environmental Quality Board Citizens Task Force which is assessing high voltage transmission lines and is the author of task force legal briefs on the subject. He is a member of the Chisago County Wastewater Task Force and is appointed to the Lower St. Croix Land Use Advisory Group which is responsible for writing new administrative rules for the Departments of Natural Resources for both Wisconsin and Minnesota.
Neuman has worked the past two and a half years on a state pilot program, the Green Corridor Project, in Washington and Chisago Counties, under funding from the Minnesota Legislative Commission on Minnesota Resources.
He is instrumental in advancing a project to assess energy planning in Chisago County. This energy plan will be the first such plan in the state. Neuman began his environmental education career as designer of the Touch and See Room for children at the Bell Museum of Natural History.
His recent activities attest to his commitment to improving not only the natural environment, but also the way government includes citizens in its process of developing public policy.
As state senator, Janet Johnson provided legislative support, critical votes and help in funding some of these innovative projects. Neuman believes he fits well as guardian of the Janet Johnson legacy.
Neuman believes Johnson provided an approach to governance which achieved the perfect balance in Sen. Dist. 18 to help blend a middle ground with politically conservative house members Jim Rostberg of Isanti and Loren Jennings of Harris, who each represent half of her Senate district.
While it is important for politically conservative views to be represented, it is also important to represent a moderate alternative, Neuman says.
The new senator must also serve the function of advocating for careful change rather than maintaining the same old politics and business as usual, he believes.
Neuman holds that it is important to be able to feel compassion for the struggles that all people face and best to translate that compassion into actions which allows us to solve as many of our state problems as possible at the local level.
Neuman believes government must enable its citizens to participate freely in the political process and stop making it seem that the issues are so complicated that only career politicians can understand. Neuman believes that while lawmakers deal with very complex issues, they have a responsibility to work hard enough to make this solutions seem simple.
Neuman says he will be clear and consistent on the issues and he will be dedicated to working hard for children and for safe, effective schools. He says he will support fair labor standards, safe working environments and a living wage for individuals who work hard every week.
He says he knows there is a farm crisis and will consistently support efforts to help maintain family farming as a viable component in our local economies.
Neuman says he will spend time on issues important to senior citizens and strive to ensure that anyone can live a life of dignity and self-reliance. He plans to be tough on crime, supportive of law enforcement and insists on the right to live in safe neighborhoods.
As senator, he says he will argue emphatically that fiscal responsibility and sound public policy requires making public investments which yield long-term gains. He feels strongly that people who govern have a responsibility to provide leadership and to help shape a vision well into the future.
With regard to the environment, Neuman says he is a passionate conservative.
He says he will fight against the kind of political conservatives who would spend natural resources as though they had little value except to generate short-term profit.
He says he will represent the much broader view of environmental conservatives who want to preserve natural resources for high economical and recreational uses which enhance the quality of life for all of us.
ìOur sport, hunting and recreational heritage is dependent on keeping forests, fields, productive fisheries, clean air and water, open space and scenic resources which promote local tourism-based businesses.î
Neuman lives in rural Franconia Township in Chisago County with his wife, Jean, an educator, and her mother, Bert.