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State Representative Pat Garofalo
100 Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd.
651-296-1069
For more information contact: Austin Bleess 651-296-5529
NEWS COLUMN
Rep. Pat Garofalo’s Capitol Report ---------- HOW TO SPEND $30 BILLION
By Pat Garofalo
State Representative, District 36B, Farmington
The 2005 Minnesota legislative session has been underway for a month now, and with Gov. Tim Pawlenty’s budget in hand, members of the Minnesota House of Representatives are now hearing spending bills. Our goal? To spend $30 billion (that’s one projected size of the 2006-07 general fund budget) for essential state government services, from education to roads and bridges.
As a freshman legislator, I‘ve found that the pace at the Legislature is in ways different than the pace at many jobs I’ve held, and from what I’ve seen within city and school governments. Schedules are compressed, lobbyists crowd the hallways and the day begins early and ends late. I’ve already been introduced to “Ulcer Gulch” – the infamous snack bar House members turn to in the Capitol building during late night floor sessions. Having said that, I can’t imagine being more excited about the opportunity that is ahead of us for the next session.
I am pleased by my committee appointments -- Capital Investment; Jobs and Economic Opportunity Policy and Finance (Vice Chair); and Local Government. As a member of the Capital Investment committee, I will have a first-hand look at many of the projects being submitted for a legislative bonding bill. If there’s “pork” in state government, I’ll let you know about it.
I think taxpayers have high expectations from the Legislature. The 2004 election sent a lot of lawmakers packing. The voter’s message was pretty simple. “Get your job done and get along”. I couldn’t agree more.
TOWN MEEETING
District 36B covers a lot of ground. It includes Farmington, a portion of Lakeville and Northfield, Miesville, Coates, Vermillion, Hampton, New Trier, Randolph, and Dennison. That’s why one of my goals as your state representative is to stay in touch, whether through personal contacts, the media, or correspondence. I encourage you to subscribe to my legislative e-mail newsletter where I periodically send updates about events at the Capitol. Just go to www.house.mn/36B, and click on “E-mail Update.”
I also want to invite you to my first town hall meeting. It’s on Saturday, February 12, at the Long Branch Saloon Restaurant in Farmington. The meeting time will be from 11:00 a.m. until 12:00 noon. The Long Branch Saloon Restaurant is located at 309 3rd Street. Come out and let me know what’s on your mind.
Rep. Garofalo’s legislative address is 429 State Office Building, 100 Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd., St. Paul, MN 55155. His phone number is 651-296-1069 or toll-free at 888-667-3337. His e-mail address is rep.pat.garofalo@house.mn.
News Items
- GAROFALO PREPARES FOR NEW TERM - (Posted: Jan 9 2013 3:00PM)
- Rep. Garofalo Announces Passage of Bill to Pay Back the K-12 School Shift - (Posted: 2012-04-03 00:00:00)
- HOARD CASH OR PAY OFF DEBT? - (Posted: 2012-04-05 00:00:00)
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