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State Representative Joe Atkins
100 Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd.
651-296-4192
For more information contact: Christina Gosack 651-296-5524
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Atkins’ 2020 Caucus Focuses On Minnesota's Future
What challenges will Minnesota face in the year 2020? What steps can state leaders take today to prepare to meet the needs of Minnesotans 15 years from now? This spring, Representative Joe Atkins and State Senator Geoff Michel set out to answer these questions by founding the bi-partisan, bi-cameral 2020 Caucus, a group of state legislators focused on preparing today for the challenges Minnesota will face in the year 2020.
"Minnesota needs more than band-aid solutions," Rep. Atkins explained. "In the Legislature, we tend to think in terms of two-year budget cycles. But the challenges looming on the horizon in health care, education, job growth and transportation require a long-term perspective. The decisions we make today determine how equipped we are to face those challenges in 2020."
Representative Atkins and Senator Michel have been overwhelmed by the attention their 2020 Caucus has received – from other legislators, civic organizations, the business community and the general public. The group has grown from just Atkins and Michel to now over 40 lawmakers, representing about 20% of all members of the Minnesota legislature. “And it seems to grow more every day," said Atkins, “There’s a real yearning, especially among the newer members like us, to work together toward long-range answers, and set aside the rabid partisanship.”
Atkins and Michel have been invited to make presentations to the Humphrey Institute, Blue Cross/Blue Shield, the Citizens League, local Chambers of Commerce, and the Minnesota Business Partnership. Columnists Dave Beal from the Pioneer Press and Lori Sturdevant of the Star Tribune have singled the 2020 Caucus as a coalition that provides hope for Minnesota’s future. The Citizens League recently recognized the 2020 group with an award for its vision, at the League’s annual meeting.
“We’ve been embarrassed by all the attention,” Senator Michel recently told a group of Blue Cross executives. Added Atkins, “You would have thought we invented the wheel. All we’re doing is engaging in long-term planning, just like most Minnesota families try to do.”
The 2020 Caucus first set out to study the population trends in the state with the help of state demographer Tom Gillaspy. Their study yielded interesting, though not surprising, findings. For example, by 2020, senior citizens will outnumber schoolchildren for the first time in the state's history. The worker-to-retiree ratio will reach 3:2, dramatically different from a few decades ago when there five workers for every one retiree. “This means Minnesota workers will have to have the capacity to be even more productive than they already are, and by a large margin, in order to help support a larger number of retirees,” Atkins said.
The 2020 Caucus also engaged the help of Tom Stinson, the state’s chief economist, to assist in determining the impact of Minnesota’s changing demographics on Minnesota’s economy. They have reviewed education funding, health care costs, long-term care, and transportation. “While there are certainly challenges ahead, there are also opportunities if we start early enough,” Atkins noted. For example, increased investment in per pupil K-12 funding will be critical over the next decade. As Minnesota’s student population decreases, the state could achieve an increase just by holding education funding steady.
The 2020 Caucus is currently planning a presentation for top state business leaders as well as inviting other lawmakers to help in the planning process for the 2006 session. The Caucus will begin setting its legislative agenda for the 2006 session in the coming months.
News Items
- Rep. Atkins, Sen. Lourey Introduce Health Insurance Exchange Legislation - (Posted: Jan 9 2013 3:44PM)
- Rep. Atkins – Statement on Deal to End NHL Lockout - (Posted: Jan 7 2013 2:05PM)
- Rep. Atkins to Hold Minnesota House Hearing on Economic Impact of Hockey Lockout - (Posted: Jan 2 2013 3:20PM)
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