Minnesota's Miracle: Learning from the Government that Worked

In the midst of times that seem more troubling than could possibly have been previously encountered, it can be comforting to consider that we, as Minnesotans, have indeed lived through and succeeded in times not unlike these before. Join Tom Berg, author of Minnesota's Miracle: Learning from the Government that Worked, and a host of other guest speakers whose contributions have made significant impacts upon the life of Minnesota. You'll gain insights into a past full of lessons we can to apply today and in the future as we work to create the next Minnesota miracle!

Please join us to celebrate the publication of Minnesota's Miracle  Learning from the Government That Worked by Tom Berg   Attorney and former member of the Minnesota State Legislature Program 4-5 PM in Cowles Auditorium. Reception 5-6 PM in the Atrium.  Books will be available for purchase. Social upheaval, political gridlock, and controversies over taxes, the environment, and an unpopular war:  the state of Minnesota in 1968 was a lot like the state of America today.  Tom Berg, a lawmaker in Minnesota during the 1970s, was a witness to - and participant in - the deal-cutting, arm-twisting, and just plain hard work that led to historic political shifts.  His account of the making of legislative history at the state level and relationships with federal and local governments has much to tell us about where we stand as a nation and how change happens. A firsthand look into the political and personal mysteries and realities that make real and significant differences in people's lives, Minnesota's Miracle is a civics lesson and legislative primer with a rare kick - it's as rollicking as it is relevant.  Berg tells the stories behind changes made in legislative policies and programs during a critical decade, describing the key players, their emotions, the politics they employed, their electoral wins and losses, the impact of national politics when Walter Mondale was elected vice president, and the role of important court decisions.  It was a time of partisanship, high emotions, violent protests, heated controversy, and outright political fights over issues that continue to haunt us; but it was also a time when government functioned well in what Time Magazine called "A State That Works."  Berg's behind-the-scenes view of the "Minnesota Miracle" is an account of living history that offers suggestions and hope as well as hard truths and cold facts. Featuring Guest Speakers: Eric Schwartz, Dean of the Humphrey School of Public Affairs, University of Minnesota Jim Pederson, former state official and executive assistant to Gov. Wendell Anderson Martin O. Sabo, former Speaker of the Minnesota House and member of Congress Tom Berg, Minnesota's Miracle author, former state legislator and U.S. Attorney  Lee Munnich, Director of the State and Local Policy Program, Humphrey School of Public Affairs, University of Minnesota Sponsored by the Hubert H. Humphrey School of Public Affairs, the State and Local Policy Program; the Martin Olav Sabo Lecture Series; the University of Minnesota Press; the Augsburg College Sabo Center for Citizenship and Learning; the Citizens League; and the League of Women Voters Minnesota. The Martin Olav Sabo Lecture Series is a forum for distinguished individuals to address the challenges of public service for our states and nation.  The series honors the public service career of Congressman Martin Olav Sabo from Minnesota's Fifth Congressional District. The Humphrey School's State and Local Policy Program on its tenth anniversary in 2002 inaugurated the lecture series with a lecture by Congressman Sabo about his own career and vision for public service.  The State and Local Policy Program was founded to help policy leaders and average citizens understand how changes in the global economy, transportation, technology, and the workplace affect communities. The Humphrey School of Public Affairs of the University of Minnesota is hospitable to a diversity of opinions and aspirations.  The Humphrey School does not itself take positions on issues of public policy.