working in a bipartisan way to get things done:

Bonding bill update

"Bills I authored brought us $29.5 million for a new State Emergency Operations Center in Blaine, nearly $4 million for a new maintenance facility for the National Sports Center, $2 million for the Mighty Ducks ice arena program, $1.5 million to design a bridge on 109th Avenue over Highway 65, $1.5 million to design an access ramp on East River Road to Highway 610 in Coon Rapids, $16.4 million for the nursing school and Anoka Ramsey Community College and $316 thousand to expand the Coon Rapids Recycling Center.  I also co-authored bills with Senator Jim Abeler for $10 million for a rail grade separation near the Anoka Fair grounds and $8.4 million for a Highway 10 interchange in Ramsey.  This means over $73 million in projects for our area; projects that will provide for nearly 600 jobs and between them will bring in twice as much in tax revenue for the state than the cost of the bonding.

​No other legislator had as many project approved for bonding."

- Jerry

Pictured: 125th Ave. and Highway 65 Bridge
Jerry's work in the Senate has funded work on a similar bridge for the intersection at 109th and Highway 65

Invest in Local Roads and Bridges

Jerry is pursuing widening US 10 from Hansen Boulevard to 7th Street in Anoka.  He was able to secure funding for the Hanson Boulevard bridge over the railroad tracks in Coon Rapids. This project improved the safety of motorists, improved response time for first responders, and provides sidewalks for pedestrians. He is also seeking funding for bridges on 109th Avenue over Highway 65 and over the railroad tracks in Coon Rapids on Foley Boulevard.  These projects have improved, and will, improve traffic flow and safety in the North metro area. 

Hanson Boulevard Bridge

Reduce Elementary School Class Sizes

An elementary class size of 22 students or less is key to high academic achievement.  Smaller class sizes also help close the achievement gap, yet many elementary schools today have classes of 30 or more.  Raising the per-pupil funding by $150 would provide enough money to hire one additional teacher per elementary school and reduce class sizes to a level where teachers can teach and students can learn.  We can pay for this by eliminating inefficient programs.

Restore Hydroelectric Power to the Coon Rapids Dam

Jerry's work on the Coon Rapids Dam commission led to the dam's preservation as a barrier to Asian Carp migration, the next step is to restore the dam's power generation capability.  The dam can provide clean power to 4,500 homes, while also providing the area with a stable source of revenue. 

End Homelessness Among Minnesota Veterans

These brave men and served our country and our community, it’s time to end homelessness for Minnesota veterans. We can start by securing 38 units of housing at the Cottages of Anoka.  With that good start and other resources around the state, we can put a roof over the head of every Minnesota veteran.

Northern Lights Express

Northern Lights Express (NLE) is a planned commuter rail service that would use the existing Duluth to Minneapolis rail line.  Initially, Jerry supports the service from Cambridge to Minneapolis with a stop at the Foley Park and Ride in Coon Rapids.  This would provide our Northern suburbs with two rail lines, thereby doubling the number of trains available between Minneapolis and Coon Rapids.  80% of the cost of NLE is paid by the federal government out of funds already dedicated for rail projects.  If we do not receive the funding, some other community will.