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Politics & Government

Hudson Chamber President Goes to Washington to Lobby for St. Croix River Crossing

Hudson Area Chamber of Commerce & Tourism Bureau President Kim Heinemann and St. Croix County Board of Supervisors Chairman Daryl Standafer were among a group of 18 new bridge proponents who traveled to Washington this week to meet with legislators.

President Kim Heinemann and Board of Supervisors Chairman Daryl Standafer were among a group of 18 area leaders who traveled to Washington this week to lobby legislators.

"We represent both Minnesota and Wisconsin," Heinemann said in a phone interview Wednesday afternoon. "We not only represent county and mayor, but we also represent business and small business." 

The delegation, assembled by the Coalition for the St. Croix River Crossing, urged legislators to pass an exemption to the Wild and Scenic River Act that would allow a proposed new bridge over the St. Croix River to be built.

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"Our message is 'we're here in support of the St. Croix River Crossing and the time to act is now,'" Heinemann said. "We as a region have spent decades trying to solve this problem, and we've never been closer than we are now with both governors identifying it as a priority."

Wednesday was a busy day for the group as it met with nine legislators. They spent the day in meetings in the offices of Rep. Michele Bachmann (R-MN-6), Rep. Chip Cravaack (R-MN-8), Betty McCollum (D-MN-4), Rep. Ron Kind (D-WI-3), Rep. Sean Duffy (R-WI-7), Sen. Al Franken (D-MN) and Sen. Amy Klobuchar (D-MN), Sen. Ron Johnson (R-WI) and Sen. Herb Kohl (D-WI).

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"We were very well received," Heinemann said. "The legislators were very, very well informed on this initiative and the project and have long been familiar with all the details and processes in place. We feel very good about today's activities and feel that it was very worthwhile."

Legislation has been introduced in both the Senate and the House of Representatives that would allow for a new bridge to be built, but both bills are still in committee.

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Who the Coalition Sent to Washington

  • Stillwater Mayor Ken Harycki
  • Stillwater Deputy Mayor Jim Rousch
  • New Richmond Mayor Frederick Horne
  • Daryl Standafer, chairman of the St. Croix County Board of Supervisors
  • Gary Kriesel, chairman of the Washington County Board of Commissioners
  • Ted Schoenecker, transportation planning manager for Washington County
  • Kirk Vanblaircom, New Richmond councilmember
  • Jane Hansen, New Richmond councilmember
  • Curt Geissler, president of Lakeview Hospital
  • Kim Heinemann, president of the Hudson Area Chamber of Commerce
  • Russ Korpela, executive director of the New Richmond Area Chamber of Commerce
  • Troy Sebion, business representative for the Iron Workers Local 512
  • Cory Buettner, owner of Leo’s Grill and Malt Shop
  • Kyle Makarios, political director for the North Central States Regional Council of Carpenters
  • Mark Reihl, political director of the Wisconsin State Council of Carpenters
  • John Soderberg, co-president of the Coalition for the St. Croix River Crossing
  • Mike Wilhelmi, executive director of the Coalition for the St. Croix Crossing
  • Bill Berndt, federal lobbyist for the Coalition for the St. Croix River Crossing

Source: Coalition for the St. Croix River Crossing

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More news about the Washington visit

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