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State Representative Jeanne Poppe
100 Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd.
651-296-4193
For more information contact: Sandy Connolly 651-296-8877
NEWS COLUMN
2007 Legislative Session marked with changes and optimism
It's been almost seven months since my last column from the State Legislature. Since that time, we have been through a long campaign season and a monumental election night. Across our state, voters sent a powerful message – they want their elected officials to focus on the issues and values that matter most to Minnesotans – education, health care, property tax relief, renewable energy and safer roads and highways. Our charge as the 85th legislative session begins is to respect this message and work to pass good legislation to address these issues.
This Wednesday, we welcomed 35 new members to the House, 29 Democrats and six Republicans, as well as a new Speaker, Margaret Anderson Kelliher. Margaret grew up on a dairy farm in Mankato and now lives in Minneapolis. She began her career with the House of Representatives as a staff person and has been a legislator for the past 8 years. Margaret is committed to focusing on the basics, and will work to put an end to divisive politics and find common ground. I am optimistic that under her leadership, we can accomplish many of the goals we have laid out for this session.
I have been named Vice-Chair of the Higher Education and Workforce Development Policy and Finance Committee. As both an educator and a parent, I have a keen interest in bringing down the cost of higher education and reducing student debt. I have also worked with the local workforce development office. If we want to compete in the global marketplace and grow our economy, we need an educated and well-trained workforce. I'm looking forward to assuming a leadership role in these efforts.
My other committee appointments are Finance, Agriculture/ Rural Economies/Veterans Affairs Finance and State Government Finance Committees, as well as Government Operations Reform and Technology and Elections.
Our work on the finance committees will be made a little easier this year because for the first time in five years, the Legislature will be crafting a budget without having to deal with a deficit. Since this is one-time money, however, we will need to be careful that any long-term commitments we make are sustainable. The best use of this modest budget surplus may be to offer a one-time shot in the arm to our top priorities.
As I took the oath of office for my second term, I was reminded once again of the awesome responsibility I have been given as your representative. I will continue to work hard on your behalf, and will communicate on a regular basis through this column and email updates on the progress being made at the State Capitol. As always, I welcome your suggestions and questions. Please feel free to contact me at any time - I can be reached by phone at 1-888-682-3180 or 1-651-296-4193, by mail at 487 State Office Building, 100 Martin Luther King Blvd., St. Paul, MN 55155 or via e-mail at rep.jeanne.poppe@house.mn. If you are interested in receiving my session e-newsletter, please email me and your name will be added to our list. If you would like to stay more closely in touch with what is happening at the legislature, visit my website at http://www.house.mn/27B or the House of Representatives website at www.house.mn.
News Items
- POPPE SELECTED AS AGRICULTURE POLICY COMMITTEE CHAIR - (Posted: 2012-11-16 00:00:00)
- Rep. Jeanne Poppe Encourages High School Juniors to Apply for Minnesota House of Representatives Page Program - Application Deadline is November 19th - (Posted: 2012-11-12 00:00:00)
- HORMEL INSTITUTE EXPANSION SIGNED INTO LAW - 2012 legislative session adjourns sine die - (Posted: 2012-05-11 00:00:00)
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