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State Representative Tom Hackbarth
100 Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd.
651-296-2439
For more information contact: House GOP Communications 651-296-5520
NEWS COLUMN
Session 2010: The Budget, Economic Recovery and Job Growth
With the Minnesota Legislature to convene on February 4th, the top issues facing Minnesota lawmakers are clear: the budget, jobs, and the economy.
Facing a $1.2 billion dollar deficit, it is time for Minnesota government to rein-in spending and become more accountable. Over the past forty years, unsustainable spending has led to growth at an average of 20% each budget cycle and a string of deficits. Such irresponsible government spending cannot continue. Like Minnesota families and businesses, it is time the legislature set priorities and stood by them. I will work for the common sense solutions to bring responsibility and accountability back to St. Paul.
Perhaps the most important issues for Minnesota citizens are job growth and economic development. Private sector job providers are holding back on expansion because of pervasive uncertainty over what the government will do. We need to reassure businesses of the stability of our state’s economic foundation. We also need to supply job providers the tools for growth. In short, government needs to get out of the way of businesses doing good business. Tax and regulatory relief, investment incentives and research credits are three reforms to help our hard-working Minnesota businesses and families achieve renewed economic opportunity.
An issue of importance to me and many Minnesotans is the Vikings stadium. I have introduced a plan—so far the only one—to fund a stadium project without the use of any new taxpayer dollars. The economic benefits of a stadium project and the potential for additional revenue to the state general fund make my plan all the more appealing, given our other priority issues of the budget and the economy. And because it is in the form of a constitutional amendment, it lets you the voters decide.
Last, I want to touch on the environment and natural resources. We need smart environmental policy that gives Minnesotans the opportunity to enjoy our great outdoors experiences while ensuring those same experiences will be available for generations to come. We also need to prioritize and rethink the regulatory process—work with businesses and farms on fair environmental policy, rather than constrain and then punish them. With common sense as our guide, we can achieve environmental policy that works for all Minnesotans.
The legislature certainly faces a challenging set of issues this session. From our budget to the economy to a stadium—and many other issues—there is much work to be done. But a positive approach can bring a positive outcome. I am committed to the common sense priorities and solutions that will bring responsibility and accountability back to Saint Paul, and that will deliver Minnesota citizens the results you need and deserve.
Sincerely,
Tom Hackbarth
State Representative
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