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State Representative Leon Lillie
100 Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd.
651-296-1188
For more information contact: Matt Swenson 651-297-8406
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REP. LEON LILLIE INTRODUCES KEY LEGISLATION THIS WEEK
ST. PAUL – Rep. Leon Lillie joined his fellow Democrats early this week in introducing several bills intent on positive progress for our state. In doing so, he and his legislative colleagues have held true to their campaign promises by responding to the call by voters to focus on the basics – fair funding for education, health care reform, and property tax relief. Several other key bills were also introduced this week as part of the DFL's main legislative agenda including a renewable energy initiative and a bill that will prevent government shutdowns in instances of political gridlock.
"Minnesotans have raised their voices and made it clear that they want good schools, lower property taxes, and better health care coverage," said Lillie. "These initiatives are a direct response to those voices and a step in the right direction for Minnesota."
Rep. Lillie has taken the lead in helping draft all of these bills including:
· A Property Tax Relief Bill that uses a combination of aid increases to cities and counties, more school aid and levy support and direct credits and refunds to homeowners.
· A Cover All Kids Bill, that extends health care coverage to every Minnesota child.
· A Full-Day Kindergarten Bill that would make voluntary full-day kindergarten available in every school district in the state.
· An Early Education Bill that restores funding to 2003 levels and increases school readiness and Head Start funding.
· An Increased K-12 Funding Bill that will increase the basic formula by 3% in 2008 and 3% in 2009.
· A 25/20 Renewable Energy Bill that increases the percentage of retail electric sales that must be generated from eligible renewable sources from the current 10% by 2015 to 5% in 2010, 11% in 2013, 15% in 2015 and 25% in 2020.
· A Lights-On Bill that will prevent government shutdown.
· A Federal Tax Conformity Bill that provides $20 million in tax relief to Minnesota taxpayers, including college students and their families, teachers and military personnel.
These proposals will now undergo the complex legislative process. However, with widespread support throughout the legislature to address these pressing issues and a majority party in both houses committed to bipartisan progress for our state, these bills have a very good chance this session to become the first of many steps toward progress.
In Lillie's words, "I am proud to be a part of what I am confident will be a very successful legislative session, beyond the reach of partisan deadlock, in which the needs, desires, and expectations of the people of this state are met accordingly."
News Items
- SUPPORTING RESPONSIBLE HOMEOWNERS AND STABILIZING NEIGHBORHOODS - (Posted: 2012-03-01 00:00:00)
- Email Update -- Feb. 16, 2012 - (Posted: 2012-02-16 00:00:00)
- 2012 LEGISLATIVE SESSION PREVIEW - (Posted: 2012-01-26 00:00:00)
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