About Sandra MasinA History of Public ServiceDuring the mid-80s, while working for the Minnesota Historical Society, I particularly enjoyed acting as a tour guide of the Minnesota State Capitol – interpreting the art, architecture and history of the building, as well as Minnesota's governing process. Between 1993 and 2000, I served two terms as a member of the Eagan City Council, where I built a reputation for honest decision-making based on facts, full disclosure, and open debate. During my tenure as a city council member, I had the opportunity to serve as chair of the Minnesota Valley Transit Authority and to help organize (and chair) the Suburban Transit Association (a collaboration of several suburban transit systems) which worked to bring our collective transportation concerns to the Metropolitan Council and the State of Minnesota. Effective Representation of the PeopleBy the end of 2005, I became convinced that our District, 38A, had been under-represented for far too long. Instead of promoting divisive, hot button political issues, I felt we needed to tackle the problems that people in our district face every day. I felt we needed a representative who actually wanted to help people, not just make silly points as if this were all some big game. People began encouraging me to run for office so that their concerns would be heard in the Minnesota House. Certainly the budget impasse in the Legislature and the resulting state government shutdown that summer illustrated the need for positive change. Well, I tossed my hat in the ring, and you know the rest. The voters of district 38A elected me their representative and each day since, I have done my best to honor the trust they and you have placed in me. Let me take a minute to tell you how I have approached the job since my November 2006 election. First and foremost, I have done my best to show my respect for all the residents of 38A, whether new or old to life or to the neighborhood, whether or not they looked like me, and whether or not they may have voted for me. For some people, this is a hard thing to do. For me, it comes easy. It's a core value that takes care of itself. Second, I made the commitment to make myself accessible to anyone who wants to talk about a problem or a concern that I might help them solve. That's why I've always put my phone number on the website. Frankly, it's also a great way to learn what the district needs and what I can do to make a positive difference in people's lives. Finally, I have worked hard to deliver on my promises to you. As one legislator out of 201, this is almost never easy. But I've learned that when you do make a difference, it makes all those late night calls and never-ending Capitol debates worth every single minute. Delivering on PromisesTwo years ago, I said that finding solutions to our needs while demonstrating genuine fiscal responsibility might require a new kind of representation – or getting back to the kind of representation Minnesotans used to have. Today I think we've begun to show what this new approach can do. With decisions based on common sense and the common good, we've come together as a state and stood up for the values that made Minnesota a great place to live and work and grow. As I said in my opening note, the 2008 session is the "proof in the pudding." I promised you I would work for better transportation, better schools, more jobs and improved health care. While there is more to be done, by working together we were able to:
I'm proud of these accomplishments and in the next two years hope to improve education, health care, jobs, transportation and the environment. « back to page 1 |
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