Former U.S. Vice President Walter Mondale on March 10 will kick off a special course from the Osher Lifelong Learning Institute.
"Rethinking State Government" with former Gov. Carlson and Vice President Mondale
Osher Lifelong Learning Institute to offer special course featuring past and present Minnesota policy makers and influencers
Contacts:
Sam Boeser, College of Continuing Education, boes0060@umn.edu, (612) 624-4705
Jeff Falk, University News Service, jfalk@umn.edu, (612) 626-1720
MINNEAPOLIS / ST. PAUL (03/04/2010) —Coinciding with the final stretch of the 2010 Minnesota legislative session, the Osher Lifelong Learning Institute (OLLI) at the University of Minnesota will offer a unique opportunity this spring to receive a behind-the-scenes tutorial on “Rethinking State Government” in Minnesota.
The eight-session course will kick off with an OLLI open house and special presentation by former Minnesota Gov. Arne Carlson and U.S. Vice President Walter Mondale from 1-3:30 p.m. Wednesday, March 10, at the Roseville Lutheran Church, 1215 Roselawn Ave. W., Roseville. Carlson and Mondale’s presentation will begin at approximately 1:45 p.m.
Drawing on their collective experiences in public service, Carlson and Mondale will discuss challenges and trends facing Minnesota state government. They will address critical issues such as the increasing influence of special interests on policy makers; a growing disconnect between revenue needs of ongoing programs and the current tax structure; and what both see as a continuous preoccupation with trivial issues that allow important problems to remain unresolved and be passed on to future generations.
Featuring well-known speakers with backgrounds in Minnesota politics, policy and the judiciary, the weekly course officially begins on Thursday, March 25, from 12:30-2 p.m. at the St. Paul Jewish Community Center, 1375 St. Paul Ave., St. Paul. It will run through May 13.
The dates, topics and speakers for the classes are:
Thursday, March 25
“Finance, Budgeting and Taxation: The creation and refinement of the state budget”
John Gunyou, former Minnesota commissioner of finance and current city manager of Minnetonka
Thursday, April 1
“Office of the Governor: Setting the policy agenda and relationships with the Legislature”
Cyndy Brucato, former director of communications and policy advisor to former Gov. Arne Carlson and currently anchor at KSTP-TV
Thursday, April 8
“The State Senate: How does the Senate shape state government? What obstacles slow the work and how do senators deal with outside pressures?”
Roger Moe, former Minnesota Senate majority leader
Thursday, April 15
“The Judiciary: What is the role of the judiciary in state government? Is the judicial system becoming more political, and, if so, how should this be addressed?”
Russell Anderson, retired chief justice, Minnesota Supreme Court
Saturday, April 24
“The State House of Representatives: Can this institution be bipartisan? Can its majority caucus work with the governor of another party?”
Dee Long, former Speaker of the Minnesota House of Representatives
Thursday, April 29
“Elections: Is it time for reform of the elections laws? What would be the impact of an earlier party primary?”
John Marty, current Minnesota state senator and candidate for governor
Thursday, May 6
“Politics and Lobbying: How do interest groups influence policy?”
Tom Berkelman, former state representative and current director of government affairs for Comcast; and John Kaul, lobbyist and political commentator
Thursday, May 13
“Can We Rethink State Government?”
Curt Johnson, former executive director of the Minnesota Citizens League, chair of the Metropolitan Council and deputy chief of staff to former Gov. Arne Carlson
The course is free and open to the public. For more information and to register, call (612) 624-7847 or write to olliregb@umn.edu. Visit OLLI’s Web site at www.cce.umn.edu/olli.
The Osher Lifelong Learning Institute, an affiliated program of the University of Minnesota College of Continuing Education, is a membership-based community of older adults in the Twin Cities metropolitan area who enjoy learning and spending time with like-minded individuals. OLLI programs focus on active learning in dynamic and respectful environments free of tests and prerequisites.