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State Representative Michael Paymar
100 Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd.
651-296-4199
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E-Update
2012 Session-end Update
Dear Friends and Neighbors:
It has been an honor to represent this district. We share a vision for our neighborhoods, our city and our great state with its rich history. I believe the Legislature should set clear priorities for investing in our future while ensuring that we are accountable for those investments. We can't afford to short-change our children by under-funding education, by not investing in our colleges and universities, and by slashing funding to the most vulnerable in our society.
In 2011 I was the chief author of the Governor’s Omnibus Tax bill which used a combination of budget cuts and tax increases to resolve the $5 billion deficit during the worst recession in years. This bill was a balanced approach and the right thing to do. Rather than asking millionaires to contribute even $1 more, the republican led Legislature opted to make schoolchildren suffer through a school shift, put the state’s already shaky credit rating at greater risk by issuing appropriation bonds, and make severe budget cuts to human services, higher education, health care, transit, environmental protection and public safety.
Minnesota is a great state and I know we can do better. As we move forward I believe we need to:
* Just say NO to constitutional amendments: I ask that you join me in defeating the Marriage and Voter Photo ID amendments in November. The "marriage amendment" is particularly troubling, because if passed, we will be enshrining discrimination into our constitution. Our constitution has always been amended to add civil rights, not take them away. The "Voter Photo ID" bill, if passed, will disenfranchise voters under the premise that we have voter fraud in our state, when there is no evidence that we do.
* Agree to have meaningful tax reform: Our progressive tax system has been diminishing and the results have meant higher property taxes and cuts to services. We should insist on tax reform so that the wealthiest pay a greater percentage of their income than the middle class and end some tax expenditures (loopholes) that benefit a few. Last year the Republican led Legislature eliminated the Market Value Homestead Credit and slashed Local Government Aid (LGA) that resulted in huge property tax increases that every homeowner in Highland Park and Macalester-Groveland has realized.
* Invest in Minnesota: I am the co-author of the MN Health Plan (single payer) and the New MN Miracle (increasing State funding for education). A key to turning around our economy is investing in education—from early childhood programs to higher education. We must ensure that MnSCU is training our workforce with the skills to fill the needs in our manufacturing sector as our economy continues to evolve and grow. Additionally, we must invest in our infrastructure by ensuring that we have a safe and efficient transportation system, our state buildings, parks and trails are maintained and we protect our fragile environment.
I will continue to be a voice for Minnesota families. I was the chief author of a bill to confront human sex-trafficking and co-author of a bill to put checks on copper-nickel mining near the BWCA. I have also been a leader in challenging misguided gun legislation like the Shoot First bill.
I hold constituent meetings on Saturdays at the Hillcrest Community Center during the legislative session. Check the Villager for dates and times. Also, please feel free to call me with questions and ideas.
Michael
News Items
- 2011-2012 Session Issues - Transportation - (Posted: 2012-06-06 00:00:00)
- 2011-2012 Session Issues - Labor - (Posted: 2012-06-05 00:00:00)
- 2011-2012 Session Issues - Taxes: Balancing the Budget - (Posted: 2012-06-06 00:00:00)
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