| For Immediate Release | For more information contact: |
| February 21, 2000 | Lindsay Sander (651-297- 5600) |
ST. PAUL Area representatives Mark Buesgens and Claire Robling announced the results of their 2000 legislative survey on Monday. Rep. Buesgens and Sen. Robling received more than 600 responses to their survey.
"We are very pleased with the response," said Buesgens. "An amazing number of respondents took the time to leave additional questions and concerns in the comment section. One of the most frequent comments we received was from people just happy to have someone ask their opinion and the opportunity to fill out a questionnaire."
According to Buesgens, it was not surprising that respondents called for permanent tax cuts in addition to tax rebates. However, it was very interesting what kind of tax relief people wanted. Thirty-two percent of respondents wanted another permanent income tax cut and 21 percent wanted property tax relief. While cutting license tab fees and reducing the state's sales tax tied with only thirteen percent.
"We hear about cutting license tab fees all the time," continued Sen. Claire Robling. "But when it comes down to it, people seem to prefer income tax reductions and property tax reform. I think the results are even more interesting when you consider we cut income taxes by $1.9 billion last year."
On another question focusing on the current budget surplus, 32 percent of respondents wanted the surplus to be refunded through an immediate rebate and an additional 47 percent wanted a rebate and permanent tax cuts. When combined, more than 79 percent of respondents wanted some further type of tax reduction. Only ten percent of respondents wanted to spend it on education and six percent wanted to see increases in transportation funding.
"The profile of Learning continues to stir up debate," Buesgens continued. "It appears that voters want to see the Profile of Learning eliminated. More than 56 percent of respondents supported such measure, with another 26 percent wanting some type of modification or allowing the schools to op-out of the program."
Just last week, members of the House of Representatives overwhelmingly voted to put an indefinite moratorium on the Profile of Learning. Under the legislation, school districts would have the option whether to teach the Profile requirements, and would allow students to be exempted from the Profile requirements in order to graduate.
The results to several issues surprised Buesgens and Robling. Not so much for what they did say, but for what they did not say. Several questions regarding hunting and fishing license fees and unicameral brought an unusual number of undecided votes. Both questions received almost 20 percent "undecided" responses.
Buesgens and Robling received hundreds of letters and comments on their survey. They are in the process of responding to each of them personally in addition to sending all of the respondents copies of the survey results.
"It is very important to us that we are available to the people of the district," Robling continued. "We want them to know that we are here to listen to their concerns and answer their questions. We sent these surveys out and held several town hall meeting to reach out to the people of the district, we will continue to do similar things in the future."
Rep. Buesgens represents District 35B which includes the Prior Lake, Shakopee and Jordan. He can be contacted at (651) 296-1072. Or write him at 415 State Office Building, 100 Constitution Ave., St. Paul, MN 55155 or rep.mark.buesgens@house.leg.state.mn.us
Sen. Robling represents all of District 35 which includes Rep. Buesgens' area and the surrounding communities including Chaska, Waconia, and Belle Plaine. She can be contacted at (651) 296-4123. Or write her at 151 State Office Building, 100 Constitution Ave., St. Paul, MN 55155 or sen.claire.robling@senate.leg.state.mn.us
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