So as a follow-up to my post on Minnesota unnecessarily collecting and storing newborn DNA without requiring proper notification of statute, I met with my state senator, Chris Gerlach, on Wednesday at the Capitol. I have never met with a state-level official in an official capacity for matters like this (I was at the Pennsylvania capitol and met with the senate majority leader and governor for swimming related stuff) so I was really uninformed when it came to what would happen. Here is my impression of the whole experience:
1. I had to park in a pay lot which only accepts coins. This is 2010. People who still carry coins are over 50. It’s time to catch up and either do away with the fees altogether (we already paid for the lot) or make them take credit cards or at least dollar bills. Oh and 25 cents for 10 minutes is absolutely ridiculous. I had to walk to White Castle and buy three sliders in order to get enough change to pay to see my senator.
2. I walked in and found tons of people lined up waiting to talk to their various representatives. They were dressed oddly, such as t-shirts under open sport jackets. Me? I was wearing jeans and a t-shirt. It appeared that many were staring at me like I was crazy. “What is he doing here without an entourage?!”
3. I went up to the desk and let them know that I was there to see Senator Gerlach and had an 11 AM appointment with him. I was asked who I was with. “No one,” was apparently an odd answer because I was asked again for clarification.
4. Just after 11 I was greeted by Senator Gerlach’s assistant who led me to his office and eventually to the senator. We shook hands and got down to business–or somewhat. A little too much small talk and smiles for me. My time is valuable–in other words the meter is running at .25/10 minutes.
5. After explaining the situation to him, which I half expected him to have a clue about being that Tara Mack was well informed about the topic when she called me and the fact that he has an assistant to prepare him for these meetings, I was asked by Senator Gerlach why I didn’t hook up with a group who was in support or against the bill…
6. I walked away from the meeting with the feeling that there was no way that this was going to change at least not because I took the time to come down and speak to the person that I have the ability to vote for. Honestly, I’m a bit disheartened by the whole thing.
—
Now, I’m naive I know. I am not clued into how things work at the Capitol and I completely understand that. Unfortunately what I don’t understand is the whole “what group are you working with,” thing. I’m a citizen, shouldn’t I have just as much pull as one of those groups who are always trying to work some other slant? If you were to go downtown to talk with your elected representative would you expect them to at least have looked up the bill and skimmed it in advance so they’d have at least a vague idea of what you were talking about (just so you know, I do this for my work meetings–every day)?
Whatever you have to say about my experience in St. Paul go ahead and comment on as I’m interested in your own thoughts on it.
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March 5th, 2010 at 10:57 am
Hey, 3 sliders as a result of the experience, that’s not too bad.
Yes, the interest groups/lobbyists are the general way for reps to relate with issues, because they come in with paperwork, or at least represent several voters so they have more clout. I dont know if this is fair, but it is realistic. Still individuals who call or visit have an effect, unless the rep is a complete dolt. (not ruling that out, but I am also not accusing same of Gerlach as I dont know him).
very smart location for that White Castle.
March 5th, 2010 at 11:04 am
Some on here know my situation. When it went national in the media I got hundreds and hundreds of emails and letters. One thing that most suggested was contact my Local Senator. So I contacted Sen Pat Pareisu (sorry spelled wrong). I wrote her a several page letter letter. I admit I did not know what I expected for a reply but was put off by her reply. I figured being a homeless person in her district would trigger some response. All I got was “thank you for your letter”. Nothing more.
I guess I felt like when your talking to someone and they say “yep” now and then to act like they are part of the conversation buy are not really listening.
During the last two years of my mess I wrote to every single state official. Only 1 seriously replied and followed up often over the last two years. Out of over 200 emails and only 1 local official who was not even in my district.
1 person does not have a voice and it has nothing to do with parties. Sure when they are campaigning they are your best friend. But even then that’s not the case.
I’m not saying they could have done much, but with all I was going through I needed more then a email version of “yep”
March 5th, 2010 at 11:33 am
Dude, you need to watch The Wire (hard with a baby, I know). It’s fiction, but very realistic. We just finished re-watching Season 3, and after that I’m not at all surprised by your experience.
If you watch, watch from the beginning, and use subtitles :-). Also, it starts slow, but it picks up after a few episodes.
March 5th, 2010 at 12:17 pm
That sucks. I wish I could say I would expect more from our elected officials, but I dont.
Your voice was the voice of an individual interested in Privacy. The voice he is clearing looking for is a group (probably a drug lobby or some sort of hospital/doctor lobby) that pays his bills for him.
March 5th, 2010 at 12:48 pm
Too bad it went like that. I guess if he were decent and listened to you he would risk being bothered with all sorts of citizens looking for insight and information. This way, people give up and don’t bother.
Would have been so awesome if you said, “Well, I haven’t hooked up with a group that is for or against this issue. I’m here to see if YOU have hooked up with a group since you’re the one that votes to represent ME.”
Thanks for the post, good one for my kids next civics lesson.
March 5th, 2010 at 12:49 pm
I think the Senator’s comments about getting involved with a group were trying to be helpful, and not meant to imply that meeting with a lone citizen is unimportant (though of course I wasn’t the one having the conversation). Groups and organizations are usually more effective at getting results, whatever it is they are trying to do.
The t-shirt under a sport jacket thing is probably because it is Friday, and they likely dress down on Fridays. During the week I’m guessing it would be a suit for them.
As for the pay lot, it probably ought to be free, yeah, but if they are charging then taking plastic makes no financial sense. The interchange fees would wipe out any income they made from it.
Finally, yes, The Wire is awesome (I’m on the first viewing, in Season 3 myself).
March 5th, 2010 at 1:12 pm
I went on a Wednesday.
March 5th, 2010 at 1:49 pm
Tim, You make a good point. I hope that the Senator’s aim was to be helpful. The tone of the post lead me to assume the author felt “blown off” as an individual.
March 5th, 2010 at 1:52 pm
Susan/Tim,
It’s true, he may have thought he was being helpful but he wasn’t. I don’t believe I should have to speak to the authors of a bill directly nor should I have to go through an organized group to have my thoughts heard.
I don’t get to vote for the people who may have authored a bill, I get to vote for Gerlach and Mach and their opponents. In my admittedly naive mind I feel that they represent Apple Valley and they should be going to bat for me.
March 5th, 2010 at 2:53 pm
Did he share his opinion on this subject with you?
March 5th, 2010 at 3:21 pm
He admitted he knew very little about it and seemed to be under the impression that something had changed recently (the stalled bill perhaps?) I took away from his comments that he, being a Republican, was ideologically against the whole thing but he never came out against the statute itself.
March 5th, 2010 at 3:23 pm
Bill,
Your post and the comments were just brought to my attention am I am quite disheartened by your impression of our meeting. This is especially puzzling to me since you and I agree and are on the same side of the issue regarding baby DNA samples.
I do take countless meetings from all sorts of individuals and groups who range in experience from paid lobbyists to issue advocates from organizations to regular unaffiliated citizens like you who just want access to their representatives. As such, I try my best to figure out what the problem it is we are trying to solve, what the proposed solution is, if there is opposition and why, and why your arguments might be superior.
When you told me you were a resident of my district I took a little time to get to know you. Often, people who are new to working on legislatative issues feel intimidated by the process and the surroundings. I hoped to make you feel more comfortable by spending a minute or two learning about you precisely because you do matter and it helps me to understand what your situation is and where you are coming from. I apologize for misjudging this with you.
While you do have valid concerns about how the hospital handled your case it wasn’t entirely clear what you needed me to do for you other than making me aware of the situation. It sounded more like an enforecement issue rather than a legislative one. You must admit you didn’t really have any sort of specific request or plan of action. Based on your observations of parking and waiting room attire, it sounds like maybe you already had a sour taste in your mouth before we even met–of course it could have also been those sliders.
I’m sorry your expectations were not met. With our limited time, I did my best to listen and to offer my thoughts, ideas and suggestions. I would not normally respond like this on a public blog, but I felt the need to offer my take here as you have done. Citizens do matter which is why I can’t remember ever turning down a meeting with residents whom I represent. Everyone gets a chance to be heard and everyone gets listened to.
Call me if you would like to continue the discussion.
Chris Gerlach
State Senator, District 37
Apple Valley, Burnsville & Rosemount
March 5th, 2010 at 3:41 pm
So rather than you carry around some quarters (uh, that’s why they have cubbyholes in cars for coins, you’ve lived in a suburb too long) to use various things, it is up to us to subsidize fees for credit/debit card processing? Like the gal freaking out because a movie theater doesn’t take plastic, it’s everyone else’s fault? When you get tabs for your car, do they take plastic? It’s been cash or check for as long as I can remember when dealing with government.
As far as your general experience, I guess it is pretty typical, but you never know, you could have had a better guy. My only thought is it would have been interesting to ask your rep, Why do I need a big group of people to get you interested? Why can’t you consider what I’m brining to your attention, then use your experience to either agree or disagree with me and then move forward with something on your own. We don’t elect these folks because they will do X or Y. We elect them because we feel they are a best representation of what we want to see, and are more likely to make decisions the way we would like them to be made. Thus, they should be able to make a decision on a subject without needing a pile of people telling them how to feel about it.
March 5th, 2010 at 4:05 pm
Yes. And you can do it online. https://www.mvrenewal.state.mn.us/
March 5th, 2010 at 5:32 pm
Actually I went to the DMV to get tags for my car this year and was sent up the road to wells fargo to get cash. No plastic in the store at least. They might take it online, as MSPD said, but for sure, no cards (debit or credit) at the Burnsville HOC location.
As to Mr Gerlachs response, I am confused. Perhaps the two of you did not communicate well? Or perhaps you just feel like its fine for someone to take your childrens blood and, apprently, without any sort of data privacy cleansing, to use the blood for whatever they want and to store it for an undisclosed amount of time?
Sounds like a neat end around is being pulled on privacy laws, and within a few decades some govt entity could hold DNA of every man woman and child in the country. Perhaps I am missing the point or misunderstanding the issue though.
March 5th, 2010 at 7:50 pm
Here’s my two cents: If I were to take the time out of my day to meet with my elected representative, if should be clear to the official that (a) the subject of our meeting is of importance to me – so important that I have taken time out of my day to go to this person’s office [an act which, frankly, few individual citizens (when compared to the entire voting populace) take the time to do]; (b) the least the representative could do was familiarize himself or herself with the issue ahead of time and if they don’t have advance notice of the topic, be human and say, “I don’t know much about that topic, let’s talk about it. Tell me what you know.” I don’t expect my representatives to know everything about everything; HOWEVER, I do expect them to take advantage of an opportunity to learn more facts whenever the situation arises; and finally (c) I would expect that my representative would treat me with the same care and respect that he or she would treat a paid lobbyist, (if not better). It shouldn’t matter how a person is dressed.
The “apology” for spending too much time getting to know you bit seems like snark to me. If a legislator meets with a citizen, and it appears that the citizen does not have experience with how these things work, then the representative should clearly set out some goals from the outset of the meeting, say “Well, Bill, first I’d like to learn a little bit about you; then lets talk about why you are here today, and then we’ll see if we can come up with a plan of action or a next step on this issue.” If the citizen wants to cut to the chase, then he or she can pipe up and say so. Then there is no “misjudging” the citizen’s experience/expectations.
I would think a lot of citizens who take the time to meet with their reps are not asking for promises that can’t be delivered; not asking for the problem to be solved tomorrow; they’re just asking their representative to understand their position/concern and to see if the parties are on the same page, and if so, talk about what can be done; and if not for the rep. to explain their position.
Finally, a representative should anticipate that the Joe Citizen he meets with is going to go back and tell his friends how the meeting went, and if Joe Citizen goes away unsatisfied and unclear if anything was accomplished, well, that’s what is going to be said. The personal visit seemed futile. You think Joe is going to remember that in the voting booth? You bet! You think that if one of Joe’s friends had a concern they’d think twice about taking time out of their day to meet with that rep.? You bet. Why, look at what happened to Joe – it didn’t do him any good, why would my experience be any different? And representatives wonder why they get labeled as “out of touch” with their constituents once elected?
Why would a legislator think any meeting with a citizen would be any different than a retail store using a “secret shopper” to report back to corporate about how the “shopper” was treated in a store?
If Bill would have announced that he was with XYZ Lobbying Group, known to have a powerful base, I guess my question to Mr. Gerlach would be: would the conduct and outcome of the meeting have been different, and if so, how and why?
p.s. I would also expect my rep. to run his written response through a spell check, but that’s just me. I’m picky that way.
March 5th, 2010 at 7:59 pm
MSPD wrote:
Additional information from Driver and Vehicle Services:
Is there an additional fee to renew online?
There is an additional handling fee of $1.75 for online transactions, which is separate from other fees collected at the time of renewal, such as registration tax and filing fees. The handling fee offsets the cost associated with processing electronic payments.
The handling fee only applies to electronic (online) transactions. Customers who do not wish to pay the additional handling fee may renew their registration by mail or in person at a deputy registrar office.
So $1.75 to do it over the internet…or .44 to mail the form in. (Not arguing with MSPD over the fact that it is possible to pay by card, just pointing out that they are charging a convenience charge of $1.34 to complete the transaction online instead of mailing in the stub with a check).
March 5th, 2010 at 8:10 pm
The fee to pay online makes no sense to me. Paying online does not cost the state $1.75. It costs them more to have some unionized Administrative Assistant I getting paid $33,000/year to do it.
Dumb.
March 5th, 2010 at 9:08 pm
Yeah, my dad, the miser, was going nuts about this on the phone with me today.
March 5th, 2010 at 9:32 pm
I don’t have a problem with an online handling fee IF it’s for a credit card payment since they have to pay a fee to process that. But if it’s for an online check payment, it doesn’t make any sense to me at all.
March 5th, 2010 at 9:44 pm
Chad’s comment above (see here: http://www.lazylightning.org/individual-citizen-opinions-not-important-at-capitol#comment-47199) was caught in the spam filter. Sorry about that Chad.
March 5th, 2010 at 9:51 pm
I’d like to respond quickly to Senator Chris Gerlach’s post above:
As with any conversation between two people, I suppose Senator Gerlach has his interpretation of the event and I have mine but in the end his response is through the eyes of a politician who knows the reach and intended audience of this site and thus the thousands of voters that may read it. Mine was what I saw simply stated.
March 6th, 2010 at 8:40 am
Communication can be a challenge. The best communicators are able to adjust their way of handling people depending on the people, and their way of communicating. I can understand the challenges that Chris Gerlach has in trying to communicate with a variety of people through the day. I guess where I have to wonder is if Senator Gerlach had this impression during the discussion:
Why wouldn’t you challenge someone like Bill to pull that information from them? Sure, it would have been nice if Bill would have said everything perfectly, providing a specific action plan and a clear definition of what the legislature could do. But baring that, I would hope a politician would establish a dialog where those types of details, the details they feel they need to take any action could either be found, or both parties agree it isn’t the proper venue for action.
I guess the lesson here is, communication is challenging.
March 6th, 2010 at 10:27 am
I guess one thing I still dont understand after rereading the original post and then reading Mr Gerlachs post is what his position is on this?
This is what drives me nuts about politicians, and why the inquiry as to what group Bill is affiliated with is so offensive. If you dont understand the issue, please research it. If you do understand it, but you are waiting to see where the powers that be (lobby) stand on this issue, before you take a stand thats just sad.
Taking blood from our children and keeping it forever, and being able to use it for whatever purpose whoever is in charge deems necessary is pretty scary imo.
March 6th, 2010 at 11:28 am
Mr. Gerlach stated, “Your post and the comments were just brought to my attention am I am quite disheartened by your impression of our meeting. This is especially puzzling to me since you and I agree and are on the same side of the issue regarding baby DNA samples.” He is against it. He just didn’t quite understand what Bill wanted him to do about it: “It sounded more like an enforcement issue rather than a legislative one. You must admit you didn’t really have any sort of specific request or plan of action.” It just seems that there was a lack of communication between the two. I applaud Bill for going to the Capitol to voice his concerns. And I applaud Mr. Gerlach for meeting with him AND following up with the blog response. Perhaps an email and/or phone call exchange between the two can provide Bill with some additional feedback or action.
March 6th, 2010 at 11:46 am
The extra fees for using plastic add up quickly and take a huge bite out of revenue. Credit card companies have literally dozens of different rates they can charge for different situations and types of businesses, but a typical fee per transaction is between 10 and 30 cents (usually on the lower end for large companies and government agencies) as a base, plus from 1.5 to 3 percent of the transaction amount added on to that. So, anyone who takes credit cards as payment pays a very substantial amount of money to the credit card companies for the ability to do so.
Oh, and I missed from the original post that this was on Wednesday. You can see I was paying attention…
March 6th, 2010 at 4:41 pm
Being one who waits until the tabs are expired before I get around to renewing them, I’ll pay the extra $1.50 or whatever and get my documentation immediately vs. driving around on expired tabs/risking a ticket while the USPS totes my envelope around for a couple of days.
March 8th, 2010 at 9:18 am
Meh, I just drive over to the Apple Valley License Bureau, take a number, and in no more than 10 minutes I’m out with my tabs. You don’t even need the thing the mailed you. Just give them your drivers license and they’ll look up the cars you have registered, or you can give them the license plate number and the go off of that. Pay by check or cash, no extra fees.
I once went nearly an entire year with expired tabs. It was a busy time in my life and I just never noticed. Never ticketed, and I was driving all over the place. The day I noticed the expired tabs I suddenly started stressing over it, thinking at any moment I was gonna get pulled over. Never have been pulled over for expired tabs, though I usually make sure it is no later than the 10th of the following month before I replace them.
February 2nd, 2012 at 7:40 am
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