What are some bills you authored last year that will need more work this year?

Minnesota is one of only two states without a state board of education. I will raise that issue again this year. We had a state board of education up until a few years ago, when it was eliminated. We didn't get around to that bill because we were so focused last year on state financing - all the policy bills had to be held until this year.

What other bills do you plan to introduce?

I've already introduced a constitutional amendment to allow the state legislature to call itself into special session. Minnesota is in the minority on this. My feeling is this would bring a better balance of power and let the legislature act faster in emergency situations.

What are the top four or five issues affecting people here in the northwest suburbs that you'll be paying attention to in 2008?

The jobs bill has some major local projects in it. North Hennepin Technical College wants to remodel its business center and provide science labs on the Brooklyn Park campus. There is also a request for a law-enforcement-training center that would be shared with Metro State University and Minneapolis Technical College.

Obviously, the transportation bill needs to be passed because we need a more-efficient [transit] system. School funding, property-tax relief and health care will also be big issues.