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State Representative Joyce Peppin
100 Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd.
651-296-7806
For more information contact: Austin Bleess 651-296-5529
NEWS COLUMN
Rep. Peppin’s 2006 legislative Survey Results -------- AREA RESIDENTS MESSAGE CLEAR: NO REFERENDUM, NO STADIUM
By Joyce Peppin
State Representative, District 32A
As the minutes began to tick down on the 2006 Minnesota legislative session, lawmakers were scurrying to complete stadium proposals for the Twins, Vikings and Gophers. One thing seems certain: area residents insist on a referendum to have their say on whether to raise local sales taxes in order to pay for stadium construction. Some 77 percent of respondents to my 2006 legislative survey said county residents should be allowed such a vote.
Nearly 1,000 people responded to my survey when I began tabulating the results this week. I had mailed it to households throughout my House district last month. The district includes the communities of Corcoran, Dayton, Greenfield, Hanover, Rogers, Hassan Township and southwestern Maple Grove. Although the survey isn’t a scientific poll by any means, I think the results give a pretty good snapshot of public opinion on some legislative issues. Here’s a look at some other survey results:
On stadiums, while most want a referendum before being taxed, survey respondents were divided on which stadium project merits the most support. Twenty-seven percent said Twins, 15 percent Vikings and 21 percent Gophers. But a plurality – 37 percent – said “none.”
Regarding education, respondents showed strong support for accountability in our schools. Some 76 percent of respondents agreed that school districts should be required to direct 70 percent of their funding to the classroom. A similar majority – 71 percent – also said that school boards and teacher unions should be prohibited from contract negotiations during the school year.
Noting that many in the Elk River school district have expressed support for a proposal to split the district into two smaller school districts, 57 percent of respondents said they favor allowing voters the option to vote on such a proposal. Just 12 percent said they were opposed, but 31 percent said they didn’t have enough information to make a decision. That’s not surprising because many of the people who responded to my survey do not live in the Elk River school district.
Respondents were divided when I asked them to identify their most important political issue. Some 26 percent said taxes, 13 percent jobs & economic development, 18 percent education, 15 percent transportation, 20 percent heath care and 8 percent chose “other.”
Other survey results:
• ENVIRONMENT. Survey respondents were evenly split – 50 percent for and 50 percent against – a proposal to dedicate a portion of existing sales taxes for conservation and habitat programs.
• TRANSPORTATION. Asked what was the biggest transportation issue facing their families, a plurality – 36 percent – said the need for more roads. Some 23 percent said a need for more transit and 26 percent said both roads and transit. Fifteen percent marked “other.” In many cases, respondents who marked “other” wrote about their concerns over high gas prices.
• STATE SPENDING. A large majority – 71 percent – said they would vote to amend the state constitution to limit overall state spending to the rate of inflation plus population growth. I am carrying such a bill, but have received no hearing.
• PROPERTY TAXES. Asked what the state should do to try and hold down property taxes, respondents again had mixed opinions. Thirty percent said send relief payments directly to property owners while another 30 percent said have the state limit the amount of taxes local governments can raise. Some 20 percent said send relief to local governments so they don’t have to increase taxes and 10 percent said the state should freeze local property tax rates. Another 10 percent said property taxes are fair for the services received.
I hope the survey results are as informative for you as they are for me. I want to thank all those who took the time to complete and return the survey. Your participation helps me better represent your concerns at the State Capitol.
Rep. Peppin represents District 32A, which includes the communities of Corcoran, Dayton, Greenfield, Hanover, Rogers, Hassan Township, and southwestern Maple Grove. Peppin invites anyone to share their questions or comments about state government with her. She may be reached by email at rep.joyce.peppin@house.mn; by phone at (651) 296-7806; or by U.S. Mail at 411 State Office Building, St. Paul, MN 55155.
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