By David W. Burns
February 12, 2007

As a former mayor, Senator Norm Coleman (MN) spoke during the January 25 Plenary Session on priority issues facing the United States. Coleman, former mayor of St. Paul from 1994 to 2002, stressed three important issues: alternative energy; global competitiveness; and tackling crime as priorities for the 110th congress.

“I’m Minnesota’s mayor in Washington,” remarked Coleman. “I may have ‘Senator’ in front of my name but I still have ‘Mayor’ stitched in my underwear. That’s who I am.”

Coleman attributed his experience as mayor to why he believes that these are the issues. Coleman stressed the importance of alternative energy, specifically ‘home grown energy’ to create ethanol-based fuels. Coleman’s home state of Minnesota is home to a large sugar beat industry, a popular source globally used to make the commonly known “E85”, 85 percent ethanol based fuel.

Global competitiveness was another issue that Coleman said was very important to mayors. Coleman called for tax incentives pushing for innovation along with quality training programs and high education standards to produce smart kids, and in turn, a quality high-wage workforce. “Kids aren’t starving in China and India anymore,” he said. “Kids in India and China are starving to take your job.” This belief aligns with the mayors’ call for the renewal of the Workforce Investment Act, one of the points found in the 10-Point Plan that was distributed during the Winter Meeting and given to new House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (CA) in a special delegation of leadership mayors before the winter event.

Reflecting upon his experience as mayor, Coleman emphasized the importance of the Community Oriented Policing Services (COPS) program of the Department of Justice and advocated full funding of it, while discussing the importance of combating crime early on. “Today’s vandalism is tomorrow’s murder rate,” he claimed. “As mayor of St. Paul, I saw the benefit of these programs and I will carry that message to my colleagues.”

In his closing remarks, Coleman also expressed the importance of a bipartisanship commitment to the full funding of the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG), another component of the 10-point plan.

Coleman emphasized the importance of government at the local level or as he put it: “the government system from the bottom up.” Coleman expressed his commitment and belief in mayors best when reflecting upon his career. “I know how I got to where I am in the United States Senate. I got here by being a mayor. I get things done.”