By Brian Gray
bgray@ themonroetimes.com
MONROE - Sen. Dale Schultz, R-Richland Center, wants his constituents to know he's listening.
People want to be able to talk to their representatives, he said.
Since he was first elected in 1991 to represent the 17th Senate District, which includes all or part of Grant, Iowa, Lafayette, Richland, Sauk, Juneau and Monroe counties, Schultz has held listening session at the end of the Legislative session to communicate with his constituents. He said it helps him learn what on the minds of the people in his district. It also lets them know he's interested in what they have to say.
"If you show up and listen the meetings go pretty well," he said. "People deserve to know what I'm doing."
Unlike the town hall meetings of some politicians last year, Schultz said he hasn't had any problems at his session.
"If you feel you have something you need to say, I need to hear it," he said.
One of the things he often hears from voters is that problems need to be solved. People aren't interested in their representatives pointing fingers and trying to blame others, he said.
"There's been a change in the tenor in Madison," he said. "Our constituents want both sides to work together and get problems solves."
A major issue that has yet to be solved is how to fund education.
"It's a thorny issue," he said.
Schultz said it's possible for solutions to be found, but it will require hard work. It will require Republicans and Democrats to work together, he said.
People in his district and across the state will continue to watch the legislature to see if it can solve problems, he said.
"I think people are paying more attention now than ever before," he said.
bgray@ themonroetimes.com
MONROE - Sen. Dale Schultz, R-Richland Center, wants his constituents to know he's listening.
People want to be able to talk to their representatives, he said.
Since he was first elected in 1991 to represent the 17th Senate District, which includes all or part of Grant, Iowa, Lafayette, Richland, Sauk, Juneau and Monroe counties, Schultz has held listening session at the end of the Legislative session to communicate with his constituents. He said it helps him learn what on the minds of the people in his district. It also lets them know he's interested in what they have to say.
"If you show up and listen the meetings go pretty well," he said. "People deserve to know what I'm doing."
Unlike the town hall meetings of some politicians last year, Schultz said he hasn't had any problems at his session.
"If you feel you have something you need to say, I need to hear it," he said.
One of the things he often hears from voters is that problems need to be solved. People aren't interested in their representatives pointing fingers and trying to blame others, he said.
"There's been a change in the tenor in Madison," he said. "Our constituents want both sides to work together and get problems solves."
A major issue that has yet to be solved is how to fund education.
"It's a thorny issue," he said.
Schultz said it's possible for solutions to be found, but it will require hard work. It will require Republicans and Democrats to work together, he said.
People in his district and across the state will continue to watch the legislature to see if it can solve problems, he said.
"I think people are paying more attention now than ever before," he said.