Berglin Retires From State Senate

Longtime Minneapolis legislator Sen. Linda Berglin (DFL-Minneapolis) announced her resignation today, ending a career in the state legislature that spanned nearly 40 years.

"I have taken a job with Hennepin County that excites me because it will give me the opportunity to improve outcomes for many of the people I have served in the legislature," Berglin said. "It also means I will be part of the effort to help Hennepin County and its partners succeed in implementing heath care reform."

Berglin did not return a request for comment on her decision, in light of the current legislative majority's strong opposition to enacting reforms passed last year as part of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, popularly known as "Obamacare."

Berglin hinted at the legislature's conservative bent in her prepared remarks at today's press conference.

"During the last six months, I have felt that my talents and skills have been underutilized in the Minnesota Senate," she said. "As I see so much of what I have worked on over the years being chipped away or repealed entirely, I worry that our state is moving away from the community spirit that has made us such a great place."

Berglin spent much of her career in the state House and Senate pushing for increased access to affordable health care, mental health reforms, community-based services to help frail elderly stay in their homes, and improved quality of child care. Berglin was also part of the group of state legislators who created MinnesotaCare in the early 1990s as an attempt to control cost increases in healthcare.

Berglin's resignation will take effect August 15th, after which she will join Hennepin County as a health policy program manager.