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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
NEWS COLUMN
FOCUSED ON RESULTS
State lawmakers used to wait until the last minute to accomplish anything. But over the last several years, things have changed. Ever since the DFL took over the majority in the House we’ve been getting our work done earlier and earlier.
This year is no exception. Just six weeks into session we have already accomplished big things for Minnesota. Looking at a $1 billion budget deficit and a statewide unemployment rate lingering at 7 percent, we’ve been focused on two key priorities this session: 1) balancing the budget; and 2) getting Minnesotans back to work.
That’s why we worked quickly to pass a jobs-targeted bonding bill (HF2700) capable of putting thousands of Minnesotans back on the job. The legislation we passed makes important renovations to local college classrooms, repairs bridges statewide, improves wastewater facilities, and makes some upgrades to parks and trails. (Unfortunately a provision I carried to build an East Metro Firefighter Training Facility in Maplewood was vetoed by the Governor.)
But we didn’t stop there. Just this week we passed legislation (HF2695) that will create thousands more jobs in bioscience, manufacturing, construction, and the emerging clean energy economy.
While working to boost Minnesota’s economy, we have also been focused on resolving the state’s $1 billion budget shortfall. Last year Minnesota faced a $6.4 billion budget gap, and State Economist Stinson predicts another $5.8 billion deficit next year. In order to balance the budget tough decisions have to be made – and we’re not waiting until the end of session to make them.
In fact, we already passed one-third of the budget solution this week at the state Capitol. The first of three budget bills (HF1671) trims state spending $312 million by making targeted cuts in 10 specific budget areas.
Right now we are expecting hundreds of millions of federal dollars will come to Minnesota in the coming weeks. Until we know exactly how much federal money is coming from Washington, state lawmakers have held off any further budget decisions in Health and Human Services and K-12 Education.
In addition to these important efforts, we have also: 1) restored basic health care for 70,000 of Minnesota’s poorest, sickest people enrolled in General Assistance Medical Care (GAMC); 2) made common sense election reforms to allow overseas military servicemembers ample time to submit an absentee ballot; and 3) made important progress on an aggressive bipartisan small business agenda that will make Minnesota an even better place to do business.
With just five weeks left in the legislative session, there is still more work to do. I strongly encourage you to contact me with your questions, concerns, and suggestions. As always, I look forward to hearing from you.
Politicians can’t solve all our problems – people in our community need help now. That’s why I’m calling on people to reach out to neighbors in need of a helping hand. Please donate to your local food shelf. You can find food shelves in our area at:
2nd Harvest Heartland
1140 Gervais Ave
Maplewood, MN 55109
Emergency Food Shelf
2538 Seppala Blvd
North St. Paul, MN 55109
Thank you for your generosity.
Leon Lillie
State Representative
District 55A
(651) 296-1188
rep.leon.lillie@house.mn
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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