The City of Albert Lea is one of many jurisdictions in the U.S. to participate in The National Citizen Survey™ this year.

Within the next few weeks, questionnaires will be sent to a random sample of 1,200 households, asking for feedback on the quality and usefulness of city services. The results will be included in a final report that city officials can use to guide future budget decisions, establish objectives, and balance priorities.

The National Citizen Survey™ is sponsored by the International City/County Management Association in cooperation with National Research Center, Inc (NRC).  The questionnaire and survey procedure were designed based on the experience of hundreds of local governments, ranging in size from small to large. 

Information from Sen. Carla Nelson's Office

Rochester- Senator Carla Nelson (R-Rochester) and Representative Mike Benson (R-Rochester) announced Monday legislation that would increase the price of cigarettes by $1.29 to deter teen smoking.  The bill will direct revenue to be used to repay the debt of the 2011 education shift and lower the tax burden on job creators statewide.

Senator Nelson and Representative Benson were joined Monday at Hope Lodge in Rochester by Dr. Raymond Gibbons of the Mayo Clinic, Scott Heck, Chair-Elect of the Rochester Area Chamber of Commerce and Michael Muñoz, Superintendent of Rochester Public Schools.

“This bill will help reduce the number of teenage smokers in the State of Minnesota,” said Representative Benson.  “Not only will the revenue collected help reduce expenses in other areas of state government, but it will also lead to fewer people who start smoking and give more smokers the reason they need to quit.”

Senator Amy Klobuchar will include a stop in Albert Lea on Friday.

She is beginning the day in Rochester with visits to the Lincoln K-8 Choice School and to Mayo Clinic for their "Go Red For Women" event.

In the afternoon, Sen. Klobuchar will travel to Austin and then to Albert Lea to tour two different businesses.