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State Representative Patti Fritz
100 Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd.
651-296-8237
For more information contact: Sandy Connolly 651-296-8877
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BIPARTISAN COOPERATION NEEDED FOR TOUGH ROAD AHEAD
St. Paul, MN – Governor Pawlenty delivered his State of the State address today in St. Paul, calling for bipartisan compromise as he works with the state legislature to address a $4.8 billion budget shortfall. State Rep. Patti Fritz said that while she agrees with some of the proposals the Governor laid out, paying for them will be the challenge.
“Identifying a “wish" list for Minnesota is the easy part,” said Fritz. “The tough part comes next, when we have to make serious budget cuts to pay for that list. We’ll have a better understanding of the Governor’s plans when we see his budget recommendations on the 27th.
I expect the health and human services budget, as well as local government aid, will be two areas that see significant cuts; those will be tough for me to support.”
Fritz said she is especially concerned about nursing homes in Greater Minnesota – dozens have closed in recent years due to inadequate funding, and others are dangerously close to going out of business.
“The total economic impact of long-term care facilities in our state is almost $10 billion annually,” said Fritz. “We need to support these facilities not just because of the people who live there, but also for the jobs and the economic base they provide for our communities.”
Pawlenty also touted Moventas, the Finland - based wind turbine manufacturer that is slated to open a production facility in Faribault, as an indicator of forward progress in the state with regard to renewable energy. Moventas was scheduled to break ground by now, but plans have been put on indefinite hold due to tighter economic conditions.
“Moventas provides our community with the opportunity to seize the moment on green jobs,” said Fritz.
“I remain optimistic that one day soon they will open their doors in Faribault, and I’ll do everything I can at the state level to help make that happen.”
State Rep. Patti Fritz said she appreciated the conciliatory tone the Governor set for the difficult state budget negotiations ahead.
“I agree completely that bipartisan cooperation is essential to solving our state’s budget crisis,” said Fritz. “We’ll know how easy that will be when we see what cuts he is proposing on the 27th.”
For more questions, please contact Rep. Fritz at (651) 296-8237, 551 State Office Building, 100 Martin Luther King Blvd., St. Paul, MN 55155 or via e-mail at rep.patti.fritz@house.mn.
News Items
- STATE REP. PATTI FRITZ PARTICIPATES IN START OF LEGISLATIVE SESSION - (Posted: Jan 9 2013 3:32PM)
- Rep. Fritz: Homeowners, Farmers Need Property Tax Relief - (Posted: 2012-05-01 00:00:00)
- Rep. Fritz: Let’s Vote on a Bonding Bill that Benefits All - (Posted: 2012-04-19 00:00:00)
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