Senator Roger Chamberlain (R-Lino Lakes) represents District 38, which includes the communities of North Oaks, White Bear, Centerville, Hugo, and Lino Lakes. He was first elected to the Minnesota Senate in 2010, and is serving his third term. He serves as the current Senate Tax Committee Chair.
1. Tell us about what you do for a living when you’re not serving as a legislator.
When I’m not serving as a legislator I work as a financial advisor at Thrivent Financial. When I was elected they were very accommodating and supportive of my increased responsibilities.
2. What about in your spare time? Any hobbies or interests that we would be surprised to know you enjoy?
I used to be pretty into bicycling, but I haven’t had as much time as of late to do it. Recently, I’ve taken up fishing, and I’m also an avid reader. Right now I’m reading Walker Percy’s Lost in the Cosmos.
3. How is it being the tax chair, one of the most coveted positions in state government?
I feel fortunate, and I’m humbled to be in this position. I don’t think I ever imagined that I would be a State Senator, let alone the Senate Tax Chair. I think we’ve got a wonderful committee, great Senators, and fantastic staff, both partisan and non-partisan.
4. What has been the most surprising change now that your caucus is in the majority?
I think the most surprising change that I’ve seen is that there’s a whole different atmosphere. When I was first elected to the majority in 2010, I think I and my freshman class felt like we could change the world. We wanted to do everything at once – and that’s what’s changed. Now we’re veteran legislators, and we understand things take time. This session I’ve seen a much more cohesive, bipartisan Senate, and part of that is in part due to the narrow majority, and the fact that we’re in a full four year term instead of a two year, which means we’re stuck together for longer.
5. Why is the health technology community important to you?
Well the industry is important to the state. Healthcare touches everyone, and because of that, health technology touches everyone. Minnesota has a history having a great workforce, and being a place of innovation. The medical health technology community is important to our state because it’s an essential part of our economy. As long as we give people the tools to be successful, business will grow and thrive. Right now we’re not giving people those tools because we have a toxic business climate, high taxes, and heavy restrictions. Because of that, we need to find ways to help people succeed, and that means lowering taxes, removing red tape, and incentivizing them to do business here and stay here.
6. What are some of your legislative priorities for this session?
If I had three priorities this session, they would be tax relief for Minnesotans, K-12 funding for dyslexia, and funding for vouchers/credits so that parents have more school choice.
7. Use one word to describe you as a Senator.
Authentic.
I don’t take myself too seriously, and that’s something I think a lot of legislators struggle with. When you’re elected, you’re representing everyday people, and at the end of day you’re an everyday person too. Putting things in perspective reminds you of why you were elected, and why you’re here.
