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State Representative Tina Liebling
100 Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd.
651-296-0573
For more information contact: Charlene Briner 651-296-5809
COMMUNITY NOTICE
February 18, 2008 - Legislative Update
Dear Friends,
The 2008 Legislative Session got off to a fast start last week. Our focus this session will be on bills to stimulate Minnesota's flagging economy and create new jobs, but there will be a lot of action in other areas as well.
The week started with the introduction of the Safe Roads and Bridges Improvement Act, an omnibus transportation-funding bill. Another important job creation bill - the capital investment or "bonding bill" is on a fast track and will likely to voted on before the end of the month. Although there are many more requests than can be funded, the Rochester area delegation is working together to promote projects that we believe will benefit our city, our region, and the state as a whole.
It is a privilege to serve you in the Minnesota House of Representatives. As always, feel free to contact me with thoughts, concerns and suggestions. You can email me directly at Rep.Tina.Liebling@house.mn or call me at (800) 339-9038 or (651) 296-0573. I look forward to hearing from you.
Warm regards,
Tina
Transportation Bill Will Improve Safety and Create Jobs
The Safe Roads and Bridges Improvement Act is a comprehensive proposal that would provide an $8.4 billion investment in the safety and efficiency of Minnesota’s transportation system. Besides improving our neglected transportation system, the proposal would create about 33,000 new jobs annually over the next five years.
The package would fix the most critical bridges in Minnesota's state's trunk highways system within two years and offers an equitable balance between rural and metro needs, and between transit and highways. The proposal includes components of the Governor’s bonding proposal for local bridges, a five-cent increase in the fuel tax indexed for inflation, and a $25 tax credit to help offset the increase in the gas tax for low-income drivers. Changes to the motor vehicle registration taxes, a dedication of motor vehicle lease sales taxes to transportation, and a half-cent sales metropolitan sales tax for local road and transit projects round out the package.
Our parents invested in infrastructure that we continue to enjoy today, and we should do the same for the next generation.
Legislature Passes "Legacy Act" During First Week of Session
The first bill up for a vote this session was the "Legacy Act," which passed the House and was sent to a joint House-Senate conference committee. The final vote will probably come later this week. The bill would put a ballot measure before voters this fall to amend the Minnesota constitution. If passed by a majority of voters voting on the question, the amendment would increase state sales tax and dedicate the money to Minnesota's environment and natural resources, parks, and the arts.
Although I am a dedicated environmentalist and a supporter of the arts, I could not vote for this bill. While I recognize that these areas are underfunded, I think it is a mistake to use our constitution to fund state government. If these areas can be funded through the constitution, why not fund education, health care, and all of the state's other needs that way? I believe that the legislature should have the courage to raise taxes if they are needed for a specific purpose and should not "pass the buck" to the voters.
Capital Investment Bill to Be the Centerpiece of 2008 Session
Another important job creation bill - the capital investment or "bonding bill" - will be taken up before the end of the month. Our legislature operates on a two-year cycle: the main task in the first year is passing a two-year budget. In the second year--the one we are in now--the main task is to pass a bonding bill. Legislators will give high priority in the $1 billion bill to projects that can move quickly from drawing board to actual construction in order to maximize the potential economic benefit from the anticipated 10,000 new jobs it will create. However, it is important that we also invest in projects that take a while to bear fruit. That way, we help maintain a healthy economy over the long term.
Rising unemployment and job losses have affected Minnesota significantly in recent months, making the case for a strategic bonding bill even more compelling this year than in most years. During the last half of 2007, the state lost 23,000 jobs and for the first time in 30 years fell behind the national unemployment average. Cutting the taxes of those with the highest incomes and cutting back on our investments--as happened during the eight years that Steve Sviggum was Speaker of the House--is not proving to be a successful strategy for Minnesota.
With the governor's veto of last year's smaller bonding bill there are many projects competing for funding this year. Several Rochester projects, including the Rochester Civic Center expansion, the Regional Public Safety Training Center, and completion of the National Volleyball Center--all vetoed in last year's bill--are under consideration for state funding again this year. We will also be looking for funding to study passenger rail between Rochester and St. Paul, and between Rochester and LaCrosse, connecting to Chicago. I'll continue to keep you posted on our progress.
News Items
- Rep. Tina Liebling Named Chair of House Health and Human Services Policy Committee - (Posted: 2012-11-16 00:00:00)
- Statement on DEED Bonding Project Announcement - (Posted: 2012-09-13 00:00:00)
- Local Legislators to Hold Town Hall Meeting - (Posted: 2012-07-19 00:00:00)
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